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[+JustLaxin]

How to edit .dds files for dummies. (With PhotoShop)
(Note that all the shortcut keys used are for PhotoShop CS2. In older versions the shortcuts might be different.)

If you have more questions than this guide can answer, PM me, TrueAssasin.

First of all you need a plugin so your photoshop can read and save the .dds files:
Here

Then you might want to download the thumbnail viewer too so you don’t have to guess which file is which:
Here

I also use Infranview to look at pictures and it's VERY usefull with the dds files too. I’m not sure if this is needed at all but I use it for all my picture viewings (is that a word lol). Can be downloaded from Here (the download page). You’ll also need the plugin to view dds files (in the plugin page).

Then you’ll need to extract all the dds files from the packages TQ has packed them:
UnPacker

Extract it to your conquer folder and then run the batcher.
The text "/ini/3dtexture.ini" should appear in the field but in case there’s nothing type the text in it and then click "extract" button. (This can take up to 30-50 minutes depending on your internet speed, so be patient)


Ok now that you got everything you need and installed you’re ready to start editing the graphics. I’m gonna tell you how to do it in two different ways.

Before doing any edits, I suggest you to make a back up copy of the file you’re editing.

First the easy way. This is easy way to edit the colors.

1. Open a dds file in photoshop.
I’ll open the turquoise 120 tao robe. (003139400.dds)
Note: This is just an example. You can do this with any other .dds file as well.

2. Duplicate the background layer. (ctrl+J)
You can name it to NoSkin if you want to (I didn’t bother so it’s just Layer 1). And make the background invisible.



Then I usually cut the skin parts from the NoSkin layer using the polygonal lasso tool and zoomin to like 600%.


You should get something like this in the end of this step:



3. Now you can start coloring the robe.
Use the polygonal lasso tool to select the areas you want to color. Pressing Shift you can add areas to the selection or Alt to substract areas from it. When you have the selected area ready press Ctrl+U to adjust the hue/saturation of the selected area (You can also go from the menus …image>adjustment>hue/saturation… but I find it easier using hotkeys). I used these settings making the selected area red.



4. Now make the background layer visible again and save the file. (File>Save As..)



Then you should get to the dds format option. I usually save everything like it’s in the picture below for the reason that if it has some alpha (see through/invisible) parts then they’re not messed up. But usually with armors you don’t need the alpha layer to be included.



This is what it looks like in CO… Obviously I didn’t try very hard because this is just for the tutorial ^^.



Ok now lets try something a bit harder. Making our own patterns.

Repeat the steps 1 and 2 from the simple version.

3. Then create two new layers.
Lets name them Pattern and Shading.



4. Start brushing to the Pattern layer the patterns you like the robe to have.
Here’s what mine looks like at this point.



5. After getting the Patterns ready you can start shading the robe.

Use the Brush tool and Smudge tool:


You can make the Pattern layer invisible or somewhat see through to see how the original robe was shaded and use it as your guide (as in which areas are lighter and which are darker). Be sure to use the Opacity and Brush size Thingies.



Now you’ve brushed the shades in it and you’re pretty much ready.



In CO, it looks like this:


You can use other colors besides white and black if you want to of course!!! I just made the black and white because I find it easier .

So… Now you got black and white robe. It doesn’t have to end here!

You can make it cooler. You can try fiddling with all the stuff that Photoshop has. I find the Gradient Map layer extremely usefull (Below the Layer tab… or in Layer>New Adjustment Layer>Gradient Map...)



You can double click the gradient layer to edit the colors it uses.


Now this is the looks in CO.

Ok now you’ve used the Lasso Tool and Changed Colors of the Armor. This same thing can be done to the Weapons and the Effects they use. But keep in mind that most effects need the alpha layer to work. If you take the alpha layer away the effects will be messed up. You can use the gradient map with weapons and effects. This is fairly easy way to make them look awesome with minimum work. I’m not gonna go through that again since it’s basically the same thing as I earlier explained.

Now we can start messing with the alpha layer.

You have your armor/weapon/whatever ready in PhotoShop and you want it to have some transparency. I’ll try to make a troj armor with a twist.

Go to the Alpha channel.


Now you start to paint the areas Black (In the Alpha Channel) which you don’t want to be seen. Remember that you can use all the tools like Brush, Smudge and Lasso in the alpha channel too. This is how my armor looks like after adding the stuff in the alpha. You see the alpha as red on the picture.


Then you just save it with the alpha channel and put the file in the right folder. And this is how it looks in CO. Look it’s the invisible man! o.O Lol.



Hope this helped you. If you find any mistakes in the tutorial please PM me. And please post your tips if you got any.

Credits: TrueAssasin and Philip