Requirements for Running and making Skins

Loading A Skin Or Other File Into The Game-

If you want to use a skin, .wac file, .bin file, .cin file, .end file, .pcx intro pic etc...or any edited item it doesn't need to be packed. You can just place it in the DF directory and turn on the "use resources from the folder" instead of the pff file.

To do this you must edit the target line of your DF icon. Find your icon, right click on it, go to properties. On the target line, right at the end, after the last " add in a (space)/d then hit OK. See the pic below. It works for all the DF series, Except DF1, where it must be packed into the pff file.

JO and DFX do not need the /d to run extrenal files, just drop them in the JO/DFX folder, and the game will find them...well, this was true up until the last update...,

I suggest you have 2 DF Icons, one standard, and one with the /d, then you can run the Standard one for Internet Gaming, and the /d one, for SP gaming..as mentioned just below..

There are other switches as well..

(space)/s = save the game scores to a text file after each game

(space)/w = open the game in a window

(space)/vidtest = force a video card test..

Note: As I found out with Havoc, if your not running the NoCd patch, the /d command may cause your DF software to crash, or just not start. So if you have problems, download and install the NoCd patch from the downloads section. Make sure it matches the version of the game you are running.

A Word Of Warning-

I use skins on my Home lan, You may not be able to use Skins on a Nova Server. The server must have Player Skins Enabled. If you keep getting tossed out of a game, you will need to turn off the skins by removing the /d, Alternately, you could have 2 icons, 1 normal, and 1 with skins enabled.

I believe Cheat Blocker will detect any changes in your PFF file if you Pack them, so use them at your own risk.

Creating skins that give an unfair advantage to a player is considered Cheating, and is not condoned!




Now just place the skin or other file in the Game directory. If you want to get rid of it, just delete it, or move it out. Saves a lot of time when you want to test a skin.

Making Skins

You will need a copy of Paint Shop Pro or preferably Photo Shop 7.

To edit skins from BHD, JO & DFX, you will need to download a dds Plugin from Here. Don't forget to install the dll, it goes in the c:windows\system folder.

You will need to be able to extract the files from the PFF files to edit them, you can get that From Here.

For Joint Ops, the dds files are compressed, so you need these tools to decompress them..Devilsclaw Tools

Now you need some skills with Photoshop! I can't teach you, you will need to learn for yourself.

Place your skin into the Game folder, make sure it is named exactly as the original was.

Please don't post your objections to skins in this thread, I will delete them, if you want to complain, start your own thread in the rant and rave forum.


Regards
EE

File links checked and Post Updated on 03APR07

Loading a DDS image

After you have your plugin and dll installed, and you have extracted your dds file, you can load it. Do so from the file menu, during loading, you will be prompted with this.



Say no. This will load the image without the mip map images as well. It will be easier to edit without the other images being in the way.

Regards

Saving a DDS image

Once you have made your DDS image, you need to save it, select "save as" form the file menu, under format, choose DDS, then name the file the same as the original.





Now this dialog appears.





Make sure you have "generate mip maps" with a dot on it, then save it.

Don't forget to name it exactly the same as the original. and place it in the game folder, invoke the /d command and go have a look.

Regards

u cant split it up, but u can cut the parts up and layer them urself it's the easiest way. u cut the parts, and then put them on seperate layers, and leave the base layer as the original skin, that way u can go back to it at any time.

much easier and safer that way, then u always have a back up. plus if colouring, use the hue changes, or lightly spray a different layer and set transperancy so that the texture of the object doesn't disappear. other wise u could end up with a smooth blackhawk. which just looks dodgy.

if u wish to check mine out go to this link HT's Skins

Already been to your site HT And I must admit your chopper is better than mine (yet) :D

Did u paint spray the camo colours, or did u add a camo layer on top of it ?

this image is different in PSP8 NEED HELP!!!!

Yeah, if you look at the top line of the image you posted, the version number of the dds plugin is there..in this pic it's 3.11.

BTW, you didn't need to rehost the image, you can use mine..right click on the image, go to properties, copy the url..ond use it in your post..

Here's the newer one..



EE

help

very co0l EE

u got minimaps on when you open the fire selcet no when this pop up comes up




and press no

fanx EE for hosting this

I need skin help