Reskinning

michaelgreenhill · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 6:12 pm

An introduction to reskinning models using TGATool2.

To obtain TGATool2, download it here: http://www.mnwright.btinternet.co.uk/train/tgatool2.htm

You can reskin any locomotive or item of rollingstock, as far as the Readme will allow you to. But first, you need the following programs:

TGATool2, as stated above,
Any paint program, ranging from MS Paint (for simple stuff such as mere renumbering), all the way up to PSP and Photoshop for the more complex, highly detailed stuff, if you were to fully reskin a loco.

Before you can start reskinning, you must configure TGATool2 first.

The first step is to tell TGATool2 where MakeAce is. MakeAce is a program supplied by MS with MSTS – you need this to export any files to .ace (the format of image used by the game). To do that, go to Prefs | Locate MakeAce

Then, browse to the UTILS\ sub-directory located within your MSTS installation. If you used the default installation path, it should be C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator\UTILS\makeace.exe.

After you’ve located MakeAce, you need to select your default image editing prog. If you wish to save all the *.ace files to *.tga and then load them up manually in your fave prog, this part isn’t needed. However, to keep things simple, now go to Prefs | Select Editing Program

As default, this has mspaint.exe in the filename box. You can change this to whatever program you use. For example, if you wish to use PSP, browse to C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\psp.exe (presuming you have version7 like I do – if you don’t, change the path to whatever is relevant to what you have). MSPaint.exe is located in C:\WINDOWS\system32\mspaint.exe (if you are running WindowsXP. The location might be different for Win9x/Win2k etc).

After that, go to Prefs | Register ACE to TGATool2. This means that whenever you double click on a *.ace file, it automatically loads up in TGATool2.

After this, you are ready to start reskinning! I’ll leave you to figure out how to reskin, and to work out your own personal preferences, just like I have.

To start reskinning, load up the *.ace file in TGATool2, and go to Image | Send main image to editor.

This then loads up whatever program you have selected as your image editing prog, and then automatically loads up the texture inside it. Work away to your hearts content, occasionally saving by pressing CTRL+S, until you’ve finished. Note, you can view your work at any time during your reskinning by pressing CTRL+S in your editing prog and going Image | Reload Data. Once you’ve finished your reskin, you need to go CTRL+S in your editing prog, and then Image | Reload Data in TGATool2.

This then reloads the image in TGATool2, so you are ready to export the *.ace.

If the image has an alpha channel, you’ll need to select Export | Ace (Alpha) – Not DXT, and Export | Ace for non-alpha channelled textures. DXT is a form of compression.

Browse to where you wish to export it, and click export!

Note: Your firewall may or may not ask you to give makeace.exe permission to access the internet. Give it permission.

That should be all, if you have any further questions the post them below and I’ll try to answer them.

Michael Greenhill
RP2 System Lord, RP3 Lead Developer
Rules for Posting | Help for Beginners | FAQ | Helpdesk

My photos on Flickr.

XP2009 · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 7:18 pm

Thank you Michael for doing this for me. Now hopefully i can work it out Cool

Oh and um seems i am having a slight problem with my browser. For Example getting the link to download any suggestions. It could be that i just need to close Internet Explorer ill try that now.

Cheers Joel

K160 · Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 8:24 pm

This is a great program. No re-skinner should be without it Very Happy

Regards
Matthew Davis

Last updated November 19th 2008.

Shacks · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 8:26 pm

Ok, I now have my parts repainted, what do I need to do to get it as a working model in MSTS ?

Shacks

Also see http://glenschackier.fotopic.net and http://shacksbmx.fotopic.net/

michaelgreenhill · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 8:55 pm

Ok, I presume you've taken an existing model and simply modified the textures via the method I detailed, correct?

If so, once you've exported your various textures, find them, and simply over-write the originals. Then, load the loco up in MSTS, or Shape Viewer (prolly easier, doesn't take as long to load up and is generally superior for quick viewing), and you should be presented with your re-skinned locomotive Smile

Michael Greenhill
RP2 System Lord, RP3 Lead Developer
Rules for Posting | Help for Beginners | FAQ | Helpdesk

My photos on Flickr.

Shacks · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 8:52 pm

Can we go back to where I save the images. I have given it a name and a losation, clicked on save. It then comes up with a screen titled MakeACEWin v1.04, what do I do now ?

Shacks

Also see http://glenschackier.fotopic.net and http://shacksbmx.fotopic.net/

michaelgreenhill · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 3:33 pm

Ah, you should've selected the normal MakeAce, instead of MakeAceWin Smile

Using MakeAceWin means you have to duplicate the export process, if you are still using TGATool2. Best to select normal MakeAce when locating it, as per "Prefs | Locate MakeAce" Smile

Michael Greenhill
RP2 System Lord, RP3 Lead Developer
Rules for Posting | Help for Beginners | FAQ | Helpdesk

My photos on Flickr.

Shacks · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 9:44 pm

Ok, fixed that & got it working. So lets say I wish to reskin B74, but wish to keep the original, do I copy the entire file but rename it ?
I take it I replace the Train Sim Image files. What else do I need to change ?

Shacks

Also see http://glenschackier.fotopic.net and http://shacksbmx.fotopic.net/

michaelgreenhill · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 12:38 pm

I missed out a vital part in reskinning a loco.

When you wish to reskin a locomotive, you'll need to make some changes to the .eng file. I'm posting this from school right now, so I'll tackle it when I get home, if you can hold off for that long Smile

Michael Greenhill
RP2 System Lord, RP3 Lead Developer
Rules for Posting | Help for Beginners | FAQ | Helpdesk

My photos on Flickr.

michaelgreenhill · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:40 pm

OK, now that I'm home...

To make the required changes to the locomotive, whilst keeping the original, you need to make three changes:

Firstly, you need to rename the *.eng, *.s and *.sd files for the locomotive in question to whatever you feel is appropriate.

Secondly, you need to open the *.sd file in Wordpad (you can open it in Notepad in Win2k and up, but to keep it simple use Wordpad) and change the line starting with Shape ( to the name of your renamed *.s file - for example...

Code:

SIMISA@@@@@@@@@@JINX0t1t______
Shape ( Au_b74.s <snip>Rename this to whatever you renamed the *.s file to</snip>
ESD_Detail_Level ( 0 )
ESD_Alternative_Texture ( 0 )
ESD_Bounding_Box ( -1.515490 0.062018 -9.285391 1.515816 4.318365 9.293155 )
)

Now, open up the *.eng file in Wordpad (again, can be opened in Notepad in Windows 2000 and up), and make the following changes:

Code:

SIMISA@@@@@@@@@@JINX0D0t______

Wagon ( Au_b74 <snip>*This must be renamed the same as the other asterixed parts</snip>
Type ( Engine )
WagonShape ( Au_b74.s )<snip>Rename this to whatever you renamed the *.s file to

About half way down...

Code:

Engine ( Au_b74 <snip>*This must be renamed the same as the other asterixed parts</snip>

A bit below that...

Code:

Wagon ( Au_b74 )<snip>*This must be renamed the same as the other asterixed parts</snip>

And finally, near the bottom...

Code:

Name ("AU VR B74")

This is the name that will appear in Consist Editor.

That should cover everything. Smile

NOTE: <snip></snip> will not be found inside the files listed, this is to denote what you should do in this section.

Michael Greenhill
RP2 System Lord, RP3 Lead Developer
Rules for Posting | Help for Beginners | FAQ | Helpdesk

My photos on Flickr.

Shacks · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 9:47 pm

Thankyou for your time michaelgreenhill, I have got it to work. I now have a B Class with my name on it running around in MSTS.

Shacks

Also see http://glenschackier.fotopic.net and http://shacksbmx.fotopic.net/

K160 · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 8:48 am

Can we see a screenie Shacks? Smile

Regards
Matthew Davis

Last updated November 19th 2008.

L254 · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:45 pm

Thanks michael for putting this up about reskinning now i know how to do it, they are not good but ill get used to it.

michaelgreenhill · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 8:09 pm

Not a problem, happy to help out Smile

Michael Greenhill
RP2 System Lord, RP3 Lead Developer
Rules for Posting | Help for Beginners | FAQ | Helpdesk

My photos on Flickr.

Shacks · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 11:54 pm

Here are my first re-skins, the B took about an hour, as it was only a logo change, the G took alot longer as it was a total repaint.

Shack's Railway Company B74.

Shack's Railway Company G511.
I would like to thank michaelgreenhill for his help.

Shacks

Also see http://glenschackier.fotopic.net and http://shacksbmx.fotopic.net/