Hey Modders, excited to dive into the new shaders now that I have figured out so many things. I have read so much but need a starting base. A little overwelming that immediately start reading about converting maps back and forth with batch before you even get started. Is this the case? Just need one question answered so i can start messing around. I use gimp and understand 3ds max wont read the bc5 bc7 textures. I have the 397 material library all good in max Do i really have to start converting everything to TGA just to get started in max? Or can I just start using the loch drummond maps? Note, that 3ds Max can't read the DDS files in BC5 and BC7 encoding. You will need to link up to the TGA equivelant. obviously in the future.... 1) so i plan to use gimp to make tga maps using naming conventions 2) then use the maps converter to convert my TGA maps in map source to map folder
They don't have to be TGA, I think the guide is written with substance painter/designer in mind, and you can't export it out of that with dds.
thank you sir, Gimp cant read them either so i will mess with loch drummond maps for now. Ill worry about editing maps later.
BC7 in gimp: https://www.reddit.com/r/fo4/comments/cop9ur/how_to_open_convert_and_save_bc7_textures_with/
There are good reasons to use our pipeline as stated. Firstly it will ensure that textures get the correct encoding for their purpose (especially important that textures are correctly saved as sRGB or Linear appropriately), ensuring consistent naming throughout and also makes sure that you can export textures from any authoring software. You can of course try to do things your own way though.
thanks Alex, I understand the reasons to convert for sure. I was just looking to see if I can start experimenting with existing maps or would i have to have to covert all of loch drummond maps to tga first. The legacy workflow was confusing at first too so I am sure I will get there
Thx for this thread guys. I hope I do not get out of context, a basic article that makes me understand a little more the use of the new dds formats and some other tools: https://wiki.beamng.com/Exporting_Textures_-_DDS_Files another interesting link: https://vvvv.org/contribution/texconvgui