Painting with new material: "Region"

Hello everyone, (maybe @Vevex if you read this)

i´m following the " How to paint a car with the new material system " guide (HERE)

At the end of PART2 it says : "If you have 6 regions, you need to copy the Alpha region in the PSD Alpha Channel, and then you need to save as DXT5 (Interpolated Alpha). BE SURE you are saving that specific Alpha Channel, instead the main Spec Map containing the Carbon Fiber bits, as we've set above."

I have only 4 (i´m not using the region 5), but in witch case "the region alpha" will be used? Is that used for the windows, windshield? If so i don´t understand the "process". Should i use the other PSD file called "AstonMartin_Vantage_GT3_windshieldout" and apply the process using only the "Region Alpha" layer?



I´m a bit lost (my bad english for sure )

Also, i´ve assigned the "black region" as explained in the guide but once in the showroom and the "local host" when i use "chrome" for "black" the chrome effect is assigned to the entire paint

Ok the region DDS file must have the "alt" as name too ( )



I leave you a link to have a look to the my PSD files (maybe easier to understand where i´ve make a mistake)
My PSD FILE HERE


In advance thanks for your help.

 

There is no need to create a region file for the windows. A region file is only used on the main body and only required if you want chrome, metal flake paint, matt paint, logos or carbon. I only include a region file with my skins if I want one of the effects. Save the region file as DXT1. Hope this has been of some help

 

@Highlandwalker , thanks for your reply. Understood for the region file.

But in the case i want to use the "local host" for the effects region file will be needed?

 

Ok the region DDS file must have the "alt" as name too ( )

 

Hello philmcqueen,
With 5 color regions you have many possibilities to define shader aspect and it's enough for most of skins.
Default Region file doesn't use alpha channel but if needed a 6th region you can use it , just don't miss to save region_alt.dds file with alpha channel in DXT5.
For exemple with TDS Oreca, I used 5 regions due to multi aspect of the skin. Chome + mat body paint + shiny body paint + vinyl for stickers + carbon.

 

Thanks for those clarifications Gentlemen
Process understood

 

I´ve just noticed that at the begining of the tutorial available on the user guide , the BLACK is used for the CHROME and at the part explaining the process with the local host the black is used as THE MAIN PAINT for the same part of the car and on this last point he use the MATALLIC FLAKE COLOR and the METALIC FLAKE STRENGH option to change the aspect. Mistake or not ?

If i try to play with this two options, i don´t see any changes.....

 

Not sure if I was making mistakes but I have only had success with the black region for metallic flakes, same for chrome.

 

Metal flakes only correspond to areas painted black with region textures.

 

Another question regarding the region colors.
In the user guide he says:

Ok so, the black REGION LAYER must always be used for be able to see this effects in the paint?
Black :Material - Base Paint of the carbody (the carbody color/paint sprayed on the primer)

 

Perfect !!

 

save region in DXT5 or DXT1? what's the difference?

 

DXT1 NO ALPHA

 

Thanks