Issues while modding portrait-skins

[GreatSlayer]

Hello!

I've been doing some tests on how to swap facial skins for the portraits, and after some work, I was happy to see that the pictures were indeed "swapped" and made it into the game. However... As you can see in the picture posted below, you can still see the edges on her face from the different images contaigning facial-features. I've tried both smoothing the lines away from the different facial parts, and I've tried just cutting them off with a rough edge. These lines seems to still remain, and what's even funnier, the lines cover an area much bigger than is presented in the different facial part files.



Anyone know what causes this?

I already swapped the female-base file.
I made sure the different skins were in the exact same position as they were in the base for the different frames.
The hair has reddish outlines since I haven't recolored the original texture to black yet, so that's not a problem I seek to fix. Just these weird pencil drawings in the middle of her face.

 

[Cabezaestufa]

Hello!

I've been doing some tests on how to swap facial skins for the portraits, and after some work, I was happy to see that the pictures were indeed "swapped" and made it into the game. However... As you can see in the picture posted below, you can still see the edges on her face from the different images contaigning facial-features. I've tried both smoothing the lines away from the different facial parts, and I've tried just cutting them off with a rough edge. These lines seems to still remain, and what's even funnier, the lines cover an area much bigger than is presented in the different facial part files.

View attachment 51823

Anyone know what causes this?

I already swapped the female-base file.
I made sure the different skins were in the exact same position as they were in the base for the different frames.
The hair has reddish outlines since I haven't recolored the original texture to black yet, so that's not a problem I seek to fix. Just these weird pencil drawings in the middle of her face.

Are you using Photoshop to save your .dds files? If so, I assume you'll be using nVIDIA's plugin. If you have "Image Options->Pre Modulate Color" checked when saving your files, try unchecking it.

 

[GreatSlayer]

No. I use Paint.NET . As far as I can tell, there's no plugin like that.
I have the setting on "DXT1 (Opaque/1-bit Alpha)" active, "Cluster fit" compressor type, and my error metric options at "Perceptual" when I save.

 

[Cabezaestufa]

No. I use Paint.NET . As far as I can tell, there's no plugin like that.
I have the setting on "DXT1 (Opaque/1-bit Alpha)" active, "Cluster fit" compressor type, and my error metric options at "Perceptual" when I save.

Don't use DXT1, unless I'm mistaken that means that the Alpha is either completely opaque or completely transparent. You need gradual transparency to prevent rough edges. DXT5 (ARGB - Interpolated Alpha) is what has worked best for me so far.

 

[ash001]

Nice! Thanks for that piece of info, Cabeza.

 

[GreatSlayer]

I will try it immediatly. Thanks for the intel!

 

[GreatSlayer]

Yup! Worked perfectly! Thanks alot, Cabeza!

 

[Baneslave]

So, what are you working on?

 

[Cabezaestufa]

Glad to help Be sure to ask if you find any more trouble.

 

[GreatSlayer]

So, what are you working on?

I intend to swap every character in the game with animé-styled characters. o

 

[RedRooster81]

I intend to swap every character in the game with animé-styled characters. o

That's pretty cool, pretty cool indeed. :wub: Your example looks very nice. Looking forward to seeing you move forward with this.

 

[unmerged(426560)]

That's pretty cool, pretty cool indeed. :wub: Your example looks very nice. Looking forward to seeing you move forward with this.

yep, me too!

 

[Baneslave]

Sounds interesting, so make sure to post the mod after you are done.

 

[GreatSlayer]

Hehe. I guess that depends if I'm satisfied with the result. Didn't think there'd be much interest in such an overhaul for a game about medieval conspiracies, but I might have an alpha-version for the females by tomorrows. We'll see!

EDIT: Atm, I'm trying to figure out why those jagged lines have returned, even though I follow Cabezas instructions, that worked before, but suddenly don't anymore. lol

 

[RedRooster81]

You never know what will catch on. Good luck.

 

[James009]

Minor related topic question. How would one go about modifying the "default_son.tga" files? I'm using GIMP to modify the clothing color and they just do not show up and leave a blank portrait which doesn't allow you to click them. Is there a special way to save a .tga file or do you have to assign them something fancy in the portraits.gfx file?

Thanks.

 

[RedRooster81]

Minor related topic question. How would one go about modifying the "default_son.tga" files? I'm using GIMP to modify the clothing color and they just do not show up and leave a blank portrait which doesn't allow you to click them. Is there a special way to save a .tga file or do you have to assign them something fancy in the portraits.gfx file?

Thanks.

IDK, I tried to edit that file before and it caused a crash. I've designed my own COAs and modifier icons, but this seems to be hardcoded somehow or else I did something wrong. I use Paint.NET which I think is more user-friendly and less 'heavy' than GIMP.

 

[chatnoir17]

Yup! Worked perfectly! Thanks alot, Cabeza!

View attachment 51836

Did you paint this portrait? If so, it looks nice! If not, please tell me where can I get it!

 

[Fargham]

This is actually pretty interesting. I'm not sold on using anime over the existing art style, but its nice to know that the game is that flexible. It would also be nice for Paradox to allow modification of the age ranges. I would like to see more breakup of childhood, early adulthood, middle age, ect. Its often funny to see my heir go from a cherub little boy at 15 to a bearded brute of a man at 16.

 

[Baneslave]

This is actually pretty interesting. I'm not sold on using anime over the existing art style, but its nice to know that the game is that flexible. It would also be nice for Paradox to allow modification of the age ranges. I would like to see more breakup of childhood, early adulthood, middle age, ect. Its often funny to see my heir go from a cherub little boy at 15 to a bearded brute of a man at 16.

The beard problem could most likely be solved by adding age modifiers to portrait_properties.txt.