How To Alpha( Add Ch. Updated for Open Rsils )

[marklester01]

Since I play Open Rails, but The Models being MSTS, I went ahead & added It here. Now, a Topic as Old( not for Open Rails though ) as Old as What The Models were made for, how would I go about adding an Alpha Ch. to "Alpha Out" what's needed? Model(s) in Question's Ben S. ( both Re-Fitted with FF-Hardware & Bogie Set Wheels ) ACFX 4-Bay Covered Hopper. Whenever I went to update some, a few shapes "lost" The Alpha .Ch to a point( some did but didn't affect anything ) show color through The Ladders on either side of The 4-Bay Covered Hopper( looks kind of funny,lol ).

[rdayt]

Got a picture of what you're talking about?

Randy

[marklester01]

Not @ the moment, but how to add or re-add an Alpha channel to a Model? To some Models( Shapes ), The Texture(s) lost Their Alpha Ch.( s) once I updated them & now rather than not seeing color through the Ladders on ends of The Cynd.Covered Hopper( Ben S., both Bogie Set & FF-Hardware sets ) displays Color( looks kind of odd ).

[pwillard]

1) Adding reference images to what you are talking about... helps a lot
2) You can't just use ANY bitmap editor to edit files... you need one that actually understands files (like TGA) with an alpha channel
3) If you use TGA tools, it can separate the MAIN texture from the ALPHA channel and allow you to edit them separately (but they need to come back together at some point, as in - a TGA FILE.
3) A .bmp FILE cannot contain and Alpha Channel... so if you are using a .BMP file... the alpha channel will just be *gone* and it would be something you need to fix.

So... we 1) need to know what you did. 2) we need to know what tools you are using. 3) we need to know how you are manipulating files and what file types you are using.

[marklester01]

TGATool2, Transfer A Texture File to that file after repainting. Yes had to .Bmp first, then send back to "Default Editor"/TGATool & save as .ACe. It'll only do up to 512x512 come to find out, & wouldn't just save other files in the ( Beyond Format Allowment ) 1024x,..( Compressed & the other .ext given after; pardon on phone to re-answer ). So to allow this, that was the step. How do I "re-gain" the Org. Alpha Ch.(s) that were there( thing is, not all have Alpha chs. either, & didn't display the Filled in Ladder thing, but I never did those ).

[marklester01]

Ok, It's 1024x1024 32Bit ( Compressed ) most are & TGATool doesn't like anything past 512x512, but non I've seen have/use DXT( The Ext. I just couldn't think of. Anyway, I've tried down-sizing the Texture/.ACe down to 512x512 to re-start the "Pasting" to become a Repaint( not good @ It, so just using the sides and names+numbers seems good to me ). How would I do this? I've been Told by Someone They do this Method Often. Any more Help would be greatful,thanks.

[pwillard]

I think you will find that it is MAKEACE that is limiting your Image size to 512x512 and not TGATOOLS. Hunt around for MAKEACE alternate versions. Or. Consider skipping ACE files altogether and using DDS format files (which Open Rails Supports).

[marklester01]

I've ran into a simular Problem, but was .DLL Problem prior. Now, I'm sure I'm using ACeIt ( Must Use AceIT & Register? ). But, how would I go about adding Alphas back on? I've tried just copying the Black+white parts but nothing. Thing with .DDS btw, Granted .SFM now able to view but .TGA not ( till can get an add on there ). I do remember, there wasn't a problem & TGSTool2a did just re-write & keep the Alphas over the new Pasted Texture to make a new Repaint happen too! And, What's The Latest In The F/L 4.0,,,,? BTW, It's a Lil off what's The New FFEdit Replacement Tool/Program Located in The F/L that came out back in '21? Made by The same Guy Who does .SMS Checker.*. Thanks for The needed Help Pete.

[huha435]

Using DXTBMP It's really easy . Open the "Original " ace with the alpha included . Under the "Alpha " setting go to extract the alpaha . click yes , ok . Name the"alpha you extracted and place in the ace you created. Now open your image with DXTBMP and import the "Alpha "into your image . At the bottom of the "Alpha " setting Click apply alpha to image and you should be done . This applies too both ace and dds .

[marklester01]

I've. tried & been trying, but still needing help while saving extra copies JIC. Alphas seem to go away, & "Can't save due to unknown source of ACE"? I push Create Alpha Template, & Copy what was there already. DXT Compression's not available on this one( & I believe it's the latested version Updated TGATool2a Too ).

[marklester01]

Thanks, I was just about to Ask about It or any other Program to use! But, I went to MW Graphics & DLed it. I was gonna Ask on how to use it & such. It did say Higher Res. Allowed & such. .DDS Allowed as well. Maybe PM A Copy on Directions for more Easement too? .DDS is more Complex it seems btw & more higher compression rate. I'll stick to .ACe but let Open Rails read .DDS It likes since It allows both. Not touch .DDS unless Other s have Updates in The F/L.

[marklester01]

Now, where to go? I Dled & have Tried that DXT Program someone tried telling me about. Sounds & looks awesome. However,..there's a problem, requires: MWACE DLL or something like that. See this site: https://fly.to/mwfx but, when gone: 404 error not found. So, I'd gone back "Manually" & DLed The DLLs ( Unless You already have them as it said ). So, by installing this, it should help the & clear the issue? I just don't want to make the wrong move(s).

[marklester01]

See, My most recent reply & maybe you could help along with others. At least I'm trying. Please & thanks.

[huha435]

I;m not sure which windows you are using , me windows 7 . so I checked and the dll is in C:\ windows \SYSWOW64 . If you need the ,dll I have loaded it up to https://www.mediafire.com/file/ysg4o...mwace.zip/fileI just looked and here is the correct address for dxtbmp

http://www.mwgfx.co.uk/programs/dxtbmp.htm

[rdayt]

Paintdotnet is free and it will save as .dds natively and it's an all around decent paint program.

Randy