Creating new skin files

by Roger Bacon

1 - DRAWING THE SKIN

- Download the template skins HERE:
The templates basically show a low contrast version of an existing skin - the black thunder skin for the 'male soldier' model. I've overlayed a skinmesh over the top so you can see the models wireframe.
(PRO) If you want to see the texture on the model as you create it, download THIS FILE (provided by Shane Caudle). Its a MAX scene of the soldier dude, with a single texture. This means you have to chop the texture up into 4 when you are done, but its worth it. This also means you can use 3d painters like meshpaint, painter3d, deep paint3d, etc if thats what you like.

- Rename the first 4 letters (xxxx) of all files to anything you want as long as its 4 letters. for this example i will rename them 'rogx'.
Also change the 'name' part of the last two pcx's to a suitable name for the face of your skin. I now have:

rogx1.pcx (The chest and arms)
rogx2.pcx (The Thighs and Boots)
rogx3.pcx (The shoulders and arms)
rogx4.pcx (The default face skin)
rogx4sixes.pcx (A face belonging to 'Sixes')
rogx5sixes.pcx (Sixes' portrait file for the chat messages)

(PRO) Note the files with 'sixes' in the name are additional face files. If i wanted to do another selectable face for my skin (i'll call him 'Bob') I would add 2 more files :- rogx4bob.pcx, and rogx5bob.pcx.

- Draw over them in the manner you see fit (hey, you're the artist!)
However know this - Each of the 5 pcx's has its own 256 color palette. You could have 256 shades of red on the arms and 256 shades of green on the legs if you so desire....
(PRO) make sure its Version 5 PCX or else you wont get 256 colours...

- Once you are sure they are top quality, start UNREALED

Step 2 : Importing the PCX's