Tutorial

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Tutorial

Adding Alpha Channels and Solving Reflective Skin Probs.

Adding Alpha Channels in Photoshop 5.5 and above

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By KmA_MANTIS

Ok here goes with my quick tutorial on this confusing subject.

First of all you need to get the PNG support file for Photoshop from www.SkinnersGuild.com [or click here] which replaces the one that is currently in the program. This file is needed to overcome an addition that was introduced in all versions later than 5.5 causing T2 skins to appear totally reflective.

In photoshop open your custom skin then open the channels window to allow editing of individual channels. In there the only ones you should have are RGB, Red, Green and Blue. Delete all the others including whatever alpha channel is there by dragging them into the trashcan at the lower right of the channels menu.

Then click the icon next to that little trashcan to add a new channel that should appear as a totally black alpha channel.

Now go back to your image and select and copy all of it. Go back to the alphachannel and paste your image into there, where it should appear in grayscale.

The important thing to note here is that the lighter the area - the more reflective it will be, so erase any skin areas or parts you dont want shiny so they become black.

Now select all, goto filters and select stylise then solarize. This makes the reflection look much more natural in game.

Finally darken the image down lots using Image, Adjust then Brightness and contrast so that it doesnt appear glow in the dark ingame. This can only be perfected through practice or taking a look at Dynamix's alpha channels.

Finally save your skin and go take a look ingame!

NO MORE EXCUSES FOR SHINY SKINS!

Hope this helps you all!