Replacing billboards?

[robhol]

I'm still a complete newb in the field of replacing models, so I was just wondering: how much hassle is involved in a simple billboard texture change?

What software do I need (I assume you can't just spoonfeed the GTA engine a nice picture file and be done with it..) and how exactly should I go about doing it? I'm really completely blank here. Don't skip any steps.

Thanks in advance..

[dzek (varez)]

i cant believe my eyes, you are asking for advice?

hmm, i'll answer when i get back home (this will be useful for myself also, as i'm planning to replace some billboards too)

but short instruction, probably complete:

1.) get IMGTool for San Andreas,

2.) get name of object you want to replace,

3.) look through *.IDE files for texture file name of your object

(IDE structure is something like "ID, model_name, texture_file_name, another-ones")

(in 98% cases texture file is same name as model file, but another extension)

3.) with IMGTool open gta3.img that is in MODELS folder in GTA installation

4.) extract your txd (texture) file

5.) get TXDWorkshop

6.) open your txd, extract files to bmp

7.) edit bmp

8.) with TXDWorkshop import your bmp to your txd

9.) do magic with scripting:

my_txd = engineLoadTXD ("billboard.txd")
engineImportTXD(my_txd, 7300)

where 7300 is the model ID, and "billboard.txd" is path to your file, relative to resource root (you know that i think ), and don't forget to add your file to meta.xml

i think i don't have to explain it more?

Edited April 3, 2010 by Guest

[robhol]

I'll check it out, thanks a lot.

[Jason_Gregory]

Mhmm...varez ive read the whole topic about replacing a Model but mine is crashing my Game after calling my Replacement-Function

Does the .bmp can be also converted into .png before importing for having transparent Backgrounds ?

[dzek (varez)]

you want to make transparent banner?

for transparency model must be set as trasparent one (afair),

and transparency goes into another bmp file

about the crash:

im gonna follow my steps now and try to replace on billboard

[robhol]

If it matters, I managed to pull it off, so I think it's more likely something wrong with Jason's model rather than the steps.

[dzek (varez)]

robhol, why you didnt tell me that i have a bug in my 2 lines long script?

i just discovered it..

its fixed now..

anyway,that wasnt a reason for crash Jason

[robhol]

I... fixed it without any real thought, I guess. The mistake was a fairly obvious one, though, most people should be able to spot that and correct it.