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Posts from Guide on adding a new model, animation, and creature to HoMMV
Regarding the icon texture, I like my screenshot. The only thing is, I had to keep the original background because my Photoshop is acting up and has a mind of its own. I used to save in PNG format without a background, but I don't know what happened; I haven't used it in ages. Now, in PNG and DDS format, it doesn't save anything, even with the downloaded plugin. So, I have to prepare it in JPEG in Photoshop and save it in DDS using xviver... As soon as I figure it out, I'll make the icon without a background, and of course, I'll add voiceovers to the animations.
Paint.net works fine with DDS files without plugins; you should try it.
Since they might participate in the development and implementation of the 8th installment, and so on.
Let's face it, it's not a given that the 8th installment will even be developed. And given the current conditions that Ubisoft is imposing, it's more realistic to create a high-quality, independent turn-based strategy game. And there don't seem to be any prospects that these conditions will change. But that's a topic for another lengthy discussion, and I think there's even a thread on this forum about it, something like "should we wait for the 8th installment or not?".))
Added 6 minutes later Hannik
That's why I have to prepare the images in JPEG in Photoshop and save them as DDS using XnView... As soon as I figure it out, I'll make an icon without a background, and of course, add voiceovers to the animations.
You don't need a transparent background here, but an alpha channel (this is described in psatkha's icon guide), and there's a link to it in my guide in the section about icons. With an alpha channel, you can, for example, save textures in TGA format. Then convert them to DDS. Footman said that this can be done through the editor. You can also use the Noesis program (it's a good program that reads many image, animation, and model formats and can convert them to different formats. Various Python scripts can be connected to the program, expanding the list of readable formats to infinity). There is a script for Noesis that can open models from the 6th installment, although with some glitches.
But ideally, I think you should figure out what's wrong with Photoshop so it doesn't mess things up. There are certain versions that support the DDS plugin; maybe the problem is with that (although the plugin worked normally for me, not only with the supported versions but with all the ones I've tried).
Added 3 minutes later Ment
Paint.net works fine with DDS without plugins, try it.
I strongly advise against getting used to Paint.net. The program is very limited compared to Photoshop. So, it's a serious downgrade. But, of course, it might be worth using it as an intermediate converter to the desired format. But in my opinion, it's better to "fix" Photoshop
I haven't worked with Photoshop, so it's hard for me to give an authoritative opinion. However, when I edit something online, I haven't found any tasks that couldn't be solved using the web itself or plugins for it, and there are quite a few of those. But I can't compare the two.
Guys, everything is fine, criticism is welcome; it's not like I'm 15 anymore, and my enthusiasm hasn't waned. Regarding the icon texture, I like my screenshot. The only thing is that I had to leave the original background because my Photoshop is acting up and has a life of its own. Previously, I saved in PNG format without a background, but I don't know what happened to it; I haven't used it for ages. Now, in PNG and DDS formats, it doesn't save anything, even with the downloaded plugin. So, I have to prepare it in JPEG in Photoshop and save it in DDS using XnView... As soon as I figure it out, I'll make an icon without a background, and of course, add voiceovers to the animations.
Here is here my manual on creating icons in Photoshop!
I haven't worked in Photoshop, so it's hard for me to give an authoritative opinion. However, when I edit something online, I haven't found any tasks that couldn't be solved by the internet itself or by plugins for it, and there are quite a few of them. But I can't compare.
I won't pretend to be an expert either; I'm not that familiar with Paint.NET to make a proper comparison. But from what I've seen, it seems like the program is significantly inferior to Photoshop. It has fewer features, and tasks are not performed as "cleanly."
Just off the top of my head, does it have a "stamp" tool, the ability to blend layers in various ways (i.e., color, screen, lighten, etc.), image editing by levels, and is it possible to work with 3D? I strongly suspect not. And, to put it briefly, Photoshop is a professional program, and Paint.NET is not. At the same time, Photoshop is not more difficult to learn; if you don't immediately delve into the intricacies, it's actually more convenient. In my opinion, it's better to get used to professional software or its competitively capable alternatives right away. And it's not about the fact that it's free; I've seen many people create amazing things in Blender, but I haven't seen anyone doing truly complex image work in Paint.NET. Therefore, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
In the same way, theoretically, you can write code in Notepad, right? But should you?
Added 18 minutes later And for people who are specifically involved in texturing or editing textures, Photoshop is already a thing of the past. These people need to switch to Substance Painter, draw directly on the model, and use procedural texture generation. Here's a short tutorial by someone who's not very skilled, about Painter; it's suitable for getting acquainted with the program. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=llZlQni46IA
The question is not about being "in the know" just for the sake of being in the know, but about not digging a hole with a shovel when there's an excavator nearby. You'll get tired quickly and won't see all the possibilities that you could have.
The stamp tool in the game copies one part of the image to another location; it works like a brush. In Photoshop, it's the same, I presume?
the ability to blend layers in various ways (e.g., color, screen, lighten, etc.)
Probably not; at least, I don't understand what you're talking about. There are layers in the game, and you can adjust their transparency. You can, of course, completely change the image within a layer, including brightness, color (either by simply shifting along the spectrum or using the "curves" tool, which changes the color non-linearly), and so on, but as I understand it, you're talking about unusual layer blending functions based on color, and that's not available.
image editing using levels
There is a tool called "levels," like this one, but it might be something else. Regarding 3D, there's nothing built-in, but... I was surprised to find that there's a plugin. It has a limited number of shapes, according to the description.
Can code also be written in Notepad, theoretically? But is it worth it?
Well, Notepad is like a basic paint program, without the features of the game, but writing something in Notepad++, say, in Python, is quite convenient, and that's what I do. The reason I work with this program is because I'm a fan of underrated things. Experience shows that often (I don't know if this is the case here, but in general, it often is) people use something out of habit or become victims of hype, and therefore, they don't make the optimal choice. In the case of Photoshop, the non-optimality lies in the fact that it's actually paid software. Yes, Maya is also paid, but it doesn't have any real alternatives in this case, while Photoshop does. That's why the question arises: why is it needed in the first place, and is it really necessary to compromise your conscience or your wallet in this case? I must say that yes, at least if we're talking about supporting 3D, and if it's actually used when creating textures, then you're probably right... provided that it's done better there.
By the "layer intersection" function, I meant, for example, that the "color" intersection takes the color from one layer and transfers it to another. This makes it easy to color various surfaces without losing texture. I'm not exactly an expert in Photoshop, I don't know everything, and it would be difficult to describe some functions. For example, how do you describe the "liquify" function? With it, you can deform an image.
There is, in fact, a free alternative to Maya. This is Blender, which, unlike Paint.NET, is quite popular among professionals.
As for the "deal with one's conscience," that's a separate, very long conversation. Personally, I don't worry about it at all because I am firmly convinced that no one loses anything from my actions, and, on the contrary, they even benefit. For example, Blender is good in itself; its openness and free availability certainly add to its value, but it would still be good even if it were paid.
In short, I think everyone will stick to their own opinion here because we don't really need to go into the nuances of how the two programs work. You may be right that Paint.NET is not worse than others in some ways. But I am still convinced that it is better to familiarize yourself with professional software, whether it is paid or free, given certain circumstances.
By "layer intersection function," I meant, for example, that the "color" intersection takes the color from one layer and transfers it to another. This makes it easy to color various surfaces without losing texture.
Hmm, yes, that's useful. In the game editor, this would have to be done in two steps: first, remove all colors from the second layer except the selected one (either by zeroing them out or some other way), and then apply it to the first layer.
I'm not exactly an expert in Photoshop; I don't know everything, and it would be difficult to describe some functions. For example, how do you describe the "liquify" function? It can be used to deform an image.
I was missing this in the game editor, so I installed a plugin. Yes, it's also called that there; you stretch parts of the image in different directions.
There is a free (relatively) alternative to Maya.
Blender can't communicate with the Heroes 5 editor, so it's not the same. Objectively, a modder for Heroes 5 can't avoid pirating Maya.
In short, I think everyone will stick to their own opinion because we don't really need to go into the nuances of how the two programs work.
My goal wasn't to convince anyone or force them to use different software. Obviously, without a strong need, no one will want to retrain or switch. However, I thought it would be useful to clarify some points – for others, and it's worth considering software like Paint.NET. If they haven't decided what to use yet, they can try it. For myself, I wanted to clarify what I might be wrong about and whether there is anything that really makes it worth using Photoshop, since you recommend it so strongly. Well, I hope both goals of mutual enlightenment have been achieved.)
Blender cannot communicate with the editor of the fifth Heroes game, so this is not the point. Objectively, a modder for the fifth game cannot avoid using Maya. ... Well, I hope both goals of mutual education have been achieved.)
Well, you can buy it)), although it's not a certainty. Version 6.0 is probably no longer available legally. But theoretically, I think it might be possible to rewrite the scripts we have to work with another program? But that's probably quite difficult. In any case, I mentioned Blender as an example of professional (because some studios use it) and free 3D modeling software.
Regarding Paint.NET, I simply don't know enough about the subject to objectively prove anything. In the end, Photoshop is more of an auxiliary program for me, and I've opened Paint.NET maybe twice. So, unfortunately, our conversation wouldn't have revealed whether Paint.NET is really worse than others or if it's actually a good free alternative. But you defend it quite convincingly, so I'll probably stop criticizing it.
The only thing is, I advise everyone to be more careful when choosing software. Things like the availability of tutorials online are also important. Although, as far as I understand, Paint.NET doesn't have any problems with that. If you plan to work with something related to it later or just want to add it to your resume, it's important how popular the software is among professionals. Here, you don't need to explain for a long time that Paint.NET is no worse than others (and who knows, maybe it is), but among both ordinary users and professionals, in my opinion, a different opinion has become established.
Well, you can buy it, although it's not a certainty. It's probably impossible to get a legal copy of version 6.0 anymore. But theoretically, I think it might be possible to rewrite the scripts we have to work with a different program? But that would probably be quite difficult. In any case, I was using Blender as an example of professional (since some studios use it) and free 3D modeling software. .
Forget about Blender; it doesn't support gr2 export. Heroes is designed to work only with gr2 files exported from Maya (even if you find a gr2 export for 2.5.0.5 for 3ds Max, they won't work correctly, although that needs to be tested). And how do you plan to rewrite the mll plugin, Granny Export, which is specifically designed for Maya 6.0? And no, you can only buy versions starting from 2011, and who would think of selling a license for an antique version from 2004?
I don't know how to react to this anymore. Is this "expert" opinion never going to stop? Didn't the phraseszahar0z
it's probably impossible to get it legally now.
zahar0z
But purely theoretically.
and the question mark at the end of that sentence bother you?
I have no idea what language plugins for Maya or Blender are written in. But I've seen plugins being rewritten from one program to another. That's why I'm writing "theoretically." After all, a plugin, as far as I understand, is just a piece of code that explains how a program should process information. Why are you so shocked that a plugin can theoretically (I've underlined and bolded it so you pay attention this time) be rewritten from one program to another?
Anyway... sighzahar0z
In any case, I was using Blender as an example of professional (because some studios use it) free 3D modeling software.
I wasn't using it as an example of replacing the export specifically for Heroes 5 (although theoretically, no, not really, THEORETICALLY, it could be used to create such a replacement). I was using it as an example of replacing a professional, high-quality, paid 3D modeling program. Do you understand what I mean? You can create good models in Blender, understand? You can do simple polygonal modeling, high-poly 3D sculpting, retopology, and I think you can also paint textures, so basically all of that? But nofootman
forget about Blender, it doesn't support gr2 export.
P.S. I probably won't answer any more of your "expert" comments because I'm just wasting my time.
zahar0z, in this case, the plugin is not in text format, but as a binary file, i.e., it has been compiled – it's impossible to disassemble it, I've already tried and involved knowledgeable colleagues! There is no decompiler... but I think that an analogue can be recreated...
I don't know how to react to this anymore. Is this "expert" opinion never going to stop? Didn't the phrases
and the question mark at the end of this sentence bother you?
I have no idea what language plugins for Maya or Blender are written in. But I've seen plugins being rewritten from one program to another. That's why I wrote "theoretically." In the end, a plugin, as far as I understand, is just a piece of code that explains how a program should process information. Why are you so shocked that a plugin can theoretically (I underlined and bolded it so you would pay attention this time) be rewritten from one program to another?
So, you're suggesting THEORETICALLY rewriting a plugin from a company that sells its products for over $10,000 and that likes to use encryption to protect its copyrights (and the export plugin is no exception)? I can only say one thing: good luck. And that's why I thought you were suggesting Blender as a replacement in both cases.
Guys, I need your help. I want to finally learn how to modify creatures – change their models and textures, basically just modify existing creatures like it was done in NCF. Please show me a guide, or maybe there's something similar in another thread? I've searched the forum a lot, but I haven't found anything useful – even though the talented people who made NCF created a lot of creatures this way. Share the secret; the heroes need fresh blood. Besides, it's very important for my Heroes project.
...И справедливость я несу На острие меча.
Кампания "Искупление" - 15%
О кампании
"Искупление" - это мой амбициозный проект. Давняя мечта. С детства играя в героев, я восхищался персонажами и ландшафтами, сюжетом и стилем оригинальной трилогии, я мечтал привнести что-то свое в эту игру, и наконец, более-менее освоив нелегкий труд картостроителя, взялся за воплощение мечты. Кампания расскажет о будущем выживших рыцарей Кровавой Стали, о пути, который они избрали, и о том, куда этот путь их приведет. К слову, мне нужен тестер-оценщик. Если хочешь принять участие в создании и есть определенный опыт, то - добро пожаловать!
Guys, I need your help. I want to finally learn how to modify creatures – change their models and textures, that is, simply change existing creatures as it was done in NCF. Please show me a guide, or maybe there's something similar in another topic? Because no matter how much I search the forum, I can't find anything useful – even though the guys who made NCF created many creatures this way. Share the secret; heroes need fresh blood. Besides, it’s very important for my Heroes project.
You're welcome.
A guide on how to quickly modify a creature, change its model, including changing it to a recolored version of some original model from Heroes 5: /topic/at/1173731/
A guide on how to add a model from Heroes 7 into Heroes 5: /topic/at/1173219/
This is all in the topic you are currently in, by the way)). If something is unclear, ask questions; I think either I or someone else here will help you. But before asking a question, try to think and figure things out yourself so as not to ask about obvious things, and I advise you to formulate your questions very precisely. You understand that no one will want to help you if you ask something obvious like "how do I install Photoshop?" or abstractly like "how do I make awesome textures?". But if you encounter a truly difficult problem, especially for a beginner, or a task that you cannot solve, describe it accurately and ask for advice; I think people will be happy to help you. As you rightly noted, "fresh blood" is really needed. Good luck with modding!
footman
That is, you suggest THEORETICALLY rewriting a plugin from a company that sells its products for more than $10,000? and which likes to use encryption to protect copyrights (and the export plugin is no exception)? I can say one thing: good luck.
And that's why I thought you were suggesting Blender as a replacement in both cases.
I think you don’t understand the meaning of the word “theoretically” in this context. I am saying that it is possible in principle, not that it should or is worth doing. And if you read carefully what I write, you will see that I am not even suggesting using Blender for anything, let alone converting to gr2. Hence the question: why are you popping up again with an "expert" opinion out of nowhere? And another question for me: why do I answer these nonsense posts? psatkha
zahar0z, in this case, the plugin is not in text form but in the form of a binary file, i.e., compiled – disassembling it is not an option; I have already tried and involved knowledgeable comrades! There is no decompiler... but I think that an analogue may be recreated...
Well, I said that I didn't go into detail on the issue. Yes, what you say would greatly complicate an already difficult task. But, as you yourself noted, theoretically, it is possible.
Ment
