propeller textures

[juri]

hi

i can't get my propeller textrures to show up, the propeller looks like a transparent grey disk... i've been stuck with this problem for months, please help or shoot me.

-juri

[Milton]

A better description of the problem and being more specific would help.  Which modeling program are you using?

Are you talking about the prop0_still, ...slow, ... or blurred props/mesh?

What's working; what's not?

[juri]

certainly: gmax, prop blurred, and as previously described, when i add texture to the propeller disk, it shows up as plain grey in fs2k2, the tranparency varies according to material settings.

i've tried with different file formats 32bit, 24bit, dxt1 dxt2 etc... i simply dragged the texture on the propeller disk and then used UWVunwrap to "tune" it.

-juri

[Milton]

I usually set opacity in gmax material editor to around 8% and use a 8-bit texture, though a 32-bit is recommended in the sdk.

[aceronzo]

do you have textures on any other props?

aceronzo

[Merlin66]

It would be worthwhile "borrowing" a texture from a model which suits ( Try my YAS spitfires at AVsim) and see if they are OK.
If they work well, then check the final textures you are using in DxtBmp by Martin Wright, and makesure the alpha channel shows the "transparent " look you want.
I DON'T save as a compressed format, doesn't seem to work for me, an extended BMP is OK. If you study the differences between one which works OK and the one you're trying to build, you should see the differences.

[juri]

for aceronzo, all the default and add-on planes have their propeller textures, it's the ones i've made myself that have this problem.

and merlin66, i'll try your suggestions, thanks!


-juri

[Milton]

well juri,

I hope you got it working.  Since you didn't acknowledge my suggestion, I assume you ignored that approach.

When considering FPS, you might think about:

a 32-bit/DXT3 uncompressed 256X256 at 1000K spinning for each prop, or

an 8-bit 256X256 at 256K for each.  :)

[juri]

no, i haven't dismissed anything yet , just haven't had the time to try your suggestion, too much "real" work to do

thanks for the advise!

-juri

[juri]

or advice...

[aceronzo]

Did you assign mat(also add texture (Diffuse color) to mat,and uvwmap with gizmo,and then unwrap uvw ?I have been know to miss doing one of these steps at times.Also make sure you use the exact name for textures,

[juri]

i did all of that, but i only tried with either uvwmap or unwrap, not both at the same time. are they supposed to be used together?

did i already mention i've got other textures working pretty much ok? this is why the propeller thing drives me crazy... although i added other textures so long ago i don't quite remember how i added them...

-juri

[aceronzo]

Juri,

This is how I assign texturing(This forum has helped me alot).There may be an easier way but this is how I do it.
1-convert object to editable mesh
2-click polygon(select all or part)
3-click Mat Editor
4-click new,standard,ok
5-adjust color,Opacity  ect..
6-click maps,check diffuse color and click map to the right of it
7-pick bitmap and click apply(dont forget to click blue and white checkerd square at the right of the mat name or the textures wont show in the view screens)
8-click Modifiers,UV Coordinates,UVW Map(Gizmo)
9-choose Planar,Cylindrical,Box,ect....
10-click view align and fit
11-back to Modifiers,UV Cooridnates,unwrap UVW(adjust texture)
I hope I didnt forget something.
If you still have Problems let me know.It may take Trial and Error but you will get it.Again this is how I do it,it may not be the exact right way but it works for me!

Best Regards,
Ronnie

[juri]

sir, you deserve a medal. your instructions in their clarity and simplicity are overwhelming. your post could and should be used as an example in "how to reply to a person who is in trouble with aircraft modelling or texturing" (although i wish it would have been the first  reply to my message  ;) )

after following your instructions i now have beautiful propeller textures on my super king air 300! i most humbly thank you and forever remain in dept to you  ;D  ;D

[Milton]

sir, you deserve a medal. your instructions in their clarity and simplicity are overwhelming. your post could and should be used as an example in "how to reply to a person who is in trouble with aircraft modelling or texturing"
snipped

juri, I agree; beautifully articulated.  Thanks aceronzo .  :-)