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SKIN INSTRUCTIONS

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Apr 08, 2006 raybondo link
[edit: More information can be found on the community wiki]

1. download http://www.ratelis.com/skin.zip (or use this package which contains some of the new features available; see more on the wiki here, courtesy of Luxen)
2. unzip into vendetta directory
3. edit config.ini file by adding skin=skin/ in [Vendetta] section

The skin.zip file unzips into the folder called skin.
You can actually use whatever directory name you want, but the skin= setting in the config.ini file needs to point to that directory and make sure the / is at the end.

You can edit the images all you want, but they should keep their same dimensions. A lot of the images stretch. Most only stretch their middle areas. A few of the images are white because they are tinted in-game. Some of the HUD images and the progress bar image are a couple examples.
[edit-RR] Once you've edited a file with a program that doesn't retain the pre-multiplied alpha (symptoms being white blocks or borders), you'll need to convert the file by dropping it into Ray's droppngconvert program. They can be found here (Mac) and here (Windows). [/edit]

Eventually, you'll be able to change the stretch parameters and locations of controls when the lua code is opened up to modding.

Edit: Skins can have their own config.ini file to define text colors. Read more here: https://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/16/36028
Apr 08, 2006 Gavan link
*sigh*
Apr 08, 2006 raybondo link
I hope that was a good sigh.

One more thing that I forgot. A lot of the images have alpha channels and some don't. Make sure you take that into account when making skins.
Apr 08, 2006 zamzx zik link
Heheh, you deleted his thread =D
Apr 08, 2006 raybondo link
Heh. I didn't delete the thread, just the messages in it! ;)
Apr 08, 2006 mr_spuck link
First Skin!

http://home.arcor.de/famscheffler/ven/redblood.zip

I know it sucks, especially the hud.
The effect in the hud looks kind of cool but it's unintended that's also why you have to be careful with the image sizes.

Would it be a big deal to make the color of the white hud elements configurable? IIRC it was just an attribute of the affected widgets.
Apr 08, 2006 zamzx zik link
Good job, spuck.

and, ray, good point..
Apr 08, 2006 Ghost link
what did u use to edit? Also, what kind of picture files will work? Ie) Does it have to be PNG?
Apr 08, 2006 stranger link
Just want to let you all know, don't forget the / at the end of "skin=whatever/" Without it VO crashes.

EDIT: I think Spuck used Gimp from the file sufexes but I'm not sure.
Apr 08, 2006 Person link
You mean INSIDE the Vendetta application? I can't move it directly into there...
Apr 08, 2006 Suicidal Lemming link
Person, if you are running Mac OS, right click (ctrl click) and click "show package contents"
Apr 08, 2006 mdaniel link
alright, thanks ray. I am on it. :)

M. Duncan
Apr 08, 2006 Person link
Suicidal Lemming, I know how to do that, thanks. I'm running 10.2.8 and it won't let me drop it into that folder once I open it.

I got it in there using Unix though, but thanks anyway.

-Calder
Apr 08, 2006 mr_spuck link
Yeah, I use The Gimp. There are xcf's (Gimps native file format) of some of the graphics in the package. I worked in a way that changing the color and stuff should be relatively easy. But got lazy so there aren't xcf's for every widget.

AFAIK the engine can handle png, jpeg and tga. But it seems to check the type by extension and right now the file names are hardcoded. So you'll have to stick with png.
It's the best choice for this kind of stuff anyway.
Apr 08, 2006 Gavan link
I have a question regarding transparency. If something isn't transparent in the original, and we make it transparent in our skin.... will this work?
Apr 08, 2006 Hoax link
This is sooooooo cool! Thanks ray!1
Apr 08, 2006 Gavan link
Answered my own question.

Yes, you can turn non-transparent objects into transparent objects.
Apr 09, 2006 Ghost link
So are we able to copy and paste graphics for crosshairs and such or do we have to edit the original? The attempts I've made at adding different crosshairs (even png files) have ended up with me getting a blank white square for a crosshair.
Apr 09, 2006 Gavan link
Basically you are editing the original. You design a file that is the same pixel dimensions as the original, then save it over the original (using the original name).
Apr 09, 2006 Ghost link
/me needs to get something other than "Paint" then.