skinning help?

[ultimatekao]

ok im trying to make the elite, MC, and all the weapons pitch black. i got photoshop, did all the dds stuff, and in dothalo it shows up as how i want it. i then patched it in, signed the map and put it on my xbox (all the appropriate steps that i know of...) and yet the bitmap changes didnt go into effect... am i missing a step, what do i do?

[sundriedprawn]

did you use the right dxt format?

[ultimatekao]

yes i did, it wouldnt let me insert the wrong dxt format, help please!

[IISKETCHII]

im not sure what programs your using (i used dothalo and H2BitmapInternalizer) but this is the process i used (which is the same for objects, effects, and scenario bitmaps)

1. Open up the map you want in dot halo (i'll be using coagulation)

2. find the bitm tag

3. locate the weapon/vehicle/effect/scenario you wish to skin (im using objects/vehicles/warthog/bitmaps/warthog_standard)

4. Make sure a preview image is visible in the Raw Data Editor. Now, above, there should be a list of words: Image Count, Format, Location...wer're only interested in the string of numbers and letters associated with Format, ie: for me, the format is DXT2/DXT3, but for you it might be different...just write down this entire string

5. Extract this bitmap, and save it somewhere

6. Now open up photoshop cs2

7. Go crazy

8. When you're done, save as a .dds file. Now it should come up with a list of options in the upper left that are similar to the text string you wrote down earlier...select the one you wrote down (if you wrote DXT4/DXT5, select the DXT5 option. If you wrote down DXT1, select the DXT1[1 bit Alpha] option)...hit "Save"

8. Go back to the Raw Data Editor in dothalo...now instead of Format, look at Location. If it say's Internal, than you are safe to inject your new bitmap, save changes, fix encryption, resign, and ftp back to your xbox!

9. If it says External, open up H2BitmapInternalizer, open up your map. Now find the bitmap you extracted, (again, mine was objects/vehicles/warthog/bitmaps/warthog_standard) change the Selective Bitmaps Reflexive Number to "0", use the Non Proper Method, then hit Internalize Bitmap.

10. Now your safe to go back to dothalo, and this time, instead of External it should now be Internal (it won't change automatically so for proof i click on another bitmap then click back to my chosen bitmap) NOW it should say Internal.

11. Inject your new bitmap, save changes, fix encryption, resign, then ftp back to you xbox...and your done (don't forget to re-boot before playing!)

[Twinbird24]

Yeah, the Elite, MC, and all the weapons are External and you have to Internalize them into the map in order to see them.