For quite a long time now me and my own RPG-X group thought about making our own player models inspired by the contemporary navies uniforms.
I'm finally willing to try myself at it but the problem is that after a quick search I didn't find the "normal" uniforms to use as a template while making my own. Furthermore I haven't found any tutorials for skinning in RPG-X and I wondered if TLO had one.
Reskins of existing models are pretty easy, and there are a few people here who might be able to help you with that, but making new models is complex - it might be better to ask the folks at UberGames (http://ubergames.org).
Well, the main idea was to start by making a reskin of the "cadet" uniform to turn it into the "Tenue de Protection de Base" or Basic Protective Suit in English of the French "Marine Nationale" (visible here : http://pmm-metz.skyrock.com/photo.html?id_article=2999571685&id_article_media=10625011 )
And then add different thing for each "service", like a red cross for Medical, a cap for Command, a protective hood for Engineering... Obviously I don't know how difficult or feasible that is thus why I'm asking you.
That is certainly possible. A reskin is -relatively- easy. You just open up the .pk3 file (i dont know by heart which one of the rpg-x packs contains the player models) and you alter the texture. Then you can copy the model and the newly altered model texture and make a new model out of it. I havn't done this myself in ages so sorry i cant give any more details.
If you want to create new models, i would suggest getting Milkshape 3D (its a 3d modelling programs with plugins for Elite Force). Then opening up one of the exising model files from the rpg-x packs and start editing them. Once your familliar with that, you can try to create your own new model or just continue editing the existing one.
Ok so I wanted to test my current reskin to see how it looks in game.
But I don't know what to put in the pk3 to make it work.
I did put a .model file, several .skinset all modified to llink to my reskins.
And also, the files I'm reskinning are .jpg while in the .skinset they are referenced as .tga, is that normal ?
The tga thing is normal. (Make sure your jpegs aren't saved as progressive scan as this will cause the game to crash when it tries to load them!)
To make a pk3 just make a zip with your folders in and then change the extension from .zip to .pk3
I know how to make .pk3s but I don't know how to put my skins in it to be recognized byt the game so that I could preview my work ingame
Ok you need to make the following series of folders models->players_rpgX->[Character folders], where each folder is in the preceding one.
Ok, and I'm supposed to put in it the .skinset, the models (.mdr I think) and the .model file.
And of course the skin itself the jpegs
That's all ?
Yeah, generally the jpegs and .skin files should go on male_body or female_body and the .model and .skinset files in the characters folder - but as long as the paths in the files all match up to whatever the location is you should be fine.
Being on vacation in a place where I don't have the internet I won't be able to ask anymore questions for now. Let's just hope I won't make any gamebreaking mistake xD
Thanks for the quick and detailed answers.
I regret to announce that due to a sum of personal issues, professional matters and my own RPG-X/STO Fleet going down in flames I am indefinitely putting on hold my custom skins project.
And I have to admit that the odds of seeing it come back from the ashes are very slim.
Anyway, I wanted to thank everyone who helped me start it up.