Having trouble with custom alpha textures

[Nav]

Well I usually I use a program to make the .vtf, but I'm trying to use alpha channels on this one, and the program doesn't work to well with it. Anyways so I used the interlopers tutorial on custom textures (which I've always had problems with anyways) and I got pretty far, but now for some reason it won't work. It says:
input file:C:/Program%Files/Valve/Steam/SteamApps/navtombros/sourcesdk_content/cstrike/materialsrc/denduron/star
output directory: c:/program files/valve/steam/steamapps/navtombros/counter-strike source/cstrike/materials/denduron
config file C:/Program%Files/Valve/Steam/SteamApps/navtombros/sourcesdk_content/cstrike/materialsrc/denduron/star.txt not present, making an empty one
Can't create default config file C:/Program%Files/Valve/Steam/SteamApps/navtombros/sourcesdk_content/cstrike/materialsrc/dendruon/star.txt
Hit a key to continue

It's like it won't make the .txt file or something, I made one myself in the "denduron" folder with the .tga, but I still got the same problem. Anyone know what to do?

[slayera]

Why are you referring to a .txt? Just process the .tga.

[Nav]

Why are you referring to a .txt? Just process the .tga.

That's what I'm trying to do... I just put the whole Target thing in for vtex (to process the .tga), and when I run it, that's the error that pops up and nothing else happens.

[zombie@computer]

Program%Files????

if that aint it, did you try the -mkdir?

[Nav]

Program%Files????

if that aint it, did you try the -mkdir?

Yup, did both, here's what it says in the target field

"C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\navtombros\sourcesdk\bin\vtex.exe" -mkdir -shader LightmappedGeneric C:\Program%Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\navtombros\sourcesdk_content\cstrike\materialsrc\denduron\star.tga

[Jest@]

i recommend the photoshop VTF exporter. Saves SO much hassle.

http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php

^^nemesis = almost as much of a daddy as Cannonfodder is.

[Nav]

i recommend the photoshop VTF exporter. Saves SO much hassle.

http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php

^^nemesis = almost as much of a daddy as Cannonfodder is.

That's what I normally use, but for some reason it doesn't save the alpha channel with it (even though the "eight bit alpha" box is checked, "one bit alpha" doesn't do anything either)

[BaRRaKID]

it always saves with alph channels if you use the plugin. At least it does for me

[Jest@]

try saving to a 32-bit TGA with Alpha from photoshop, then re-open that TGA in photoshop, to check the alpha channel. Then if the alpoha channel's ok, save that TGA as a VTF from inside photoshop.

Basically, maybe your alpha channel is in some way fucked before you're getting to the VFT conversion.

[Nav]

I tried it, and saved+re-opend the .tga and it still had the alpha channel..

still doesn't show in Hammer. Is there anything special I'm supposed to put in the .vmt file or something ?

My settings for the .vtf exporter is

No template selected

"Format: BGRA8888"
"Mipmap Filter: Box"
"Sharpen Filter: None"

Boxes checked
"No compression (Format Specific)"
"Eight bit Alpha (Format Specific)"

-----
That's about it, there isn't anything I'm supposed to do in Hammer to make the alpha channel work is there?

[BaRRaKID]

no, but there are special things you ned to do in photoshop for it to work

[Rick_D]

And I'm sure he'll have loads of fun guessing what they are, right?


Nav, just go download VMTCreate and ignore all this - if something doesn't work for you, go do it another way.


I had that exact same problem with he inability to create a config file (which is why it is failing afaik) - someone in the Tutorial figured out how to fix it but kindly enough they didn't bother to explain how (retards).

So I went and used VMTCreate, and it works perfectly. Just export to .tga with PS and get compiling with VMTCreate.

[slayera]

Is the texture not showing up at all in hammer or just not showing up as tranparent?

If is not showing as tranparent did you not edit the vmt file and add "$translucent" 1 to the code?

If it is not showing up in hammer are any normal textures working for you?

[BaRRaKID]

And I'm sure he'll have loads of fun guessing what they are, right?

theres a tutorial about that, so sthu

[Jest@]

If is not showing as tranparent did you not edit the vmt file and add "$translucent" 1 to the code?

I was just about to say that....Post your VMT.

Hell if all else fails, send one of us the TGA, we'll send you back a VFT and VMT lol