I Forgot How To Edit Textures

[Love]

Good morning/afternoon/evening, all!

It's been about 2 years since I last enjoyed VtM:BL, and am raring to get back into it. I made a skin when I last played, and still have it, but I have completely forgotten how to implement it (cue "Price is Right" fail theme). The skin is for the Ventrue female- Heavy Cloth armor, I believe.

I have the VPK tool (Quick and Dirty Bloodline), I just really can't remember the steps I need to take to access the files I need.

Also, as far as I can remember and am understanding reading some posts, once I have applied the Unofficial Patch and put my skin in, I will not be able to play while Steam is connected, correct?

Thank you in advance for any help... I've looked, but cannot find the sources I used to help me skin previously!

[R.I.P]

In which format is the skin that you still have?

[Love]

Thank you for your response!

They're VTFs.

[R.I.P]

Try putting a .tth ( of the same name as your skin .vtf) (or copy a .tth file from the game files, and change the name to match your skin .vtf) in a folder with the .vtf, then use vpk tool to convert .vtf to .ttz.
If using transparency,check the "hint dxt5" box.

Then place the .tth and .ttz in Bloodlines/vampire/materials/models/character/pc/female/ventrue/armor0 (-3)

[Love]

Thank you! I'll have to give this a try later after I re-install and apply the patch! I'll post back here if I run into issues!

[R.I.P]

On second thought, check the "hint dxt5" box either way.

The odds are slim that you will need to play in offline mode to enjoy the Patch/skin.

[Love]

Allrighty! I got it to work. Once I installed the UP, I just made a Ventrue folder structure in the Materials/Models/Character/Pc/Female, and moved my files over. When I launched it, it worked like a charm!

Thank you for your help!

Also, I don't need to be Offline! Wootness! Thanks again- can't wait to dive back into this!

[R.I.P]

If you need to further edit the image you can:

• Use VPK tool to convert .vtf to .tga.
  
• Edit Image further.
  
• Save as a .dds, or .tga converted to .dds (use dxt5 compression).
  
• Use VPK tool to convert the .dds to .ttz ( a .tth of same name must be present).
  
  Of course the compression effects will worsen each time. Best to work from a lossless source.

[Love]

Thank you very much, mater! You're one of the Masters and Commanders of this community here, I've seen you answer others quickly and efficiently- and you've helped me! You is rockstarr! :D

I've made a note of the VPK steps you just gave me, if I do wanna sink my teeth (huehuehue) into further skinning!

Thank ya thank ya thank ya!

[R.I.P]

One more thing, do not let this screw up your current playthrough (do not try to re-install The Patch)but:

You may have installed with The UP, the "Patch Extras - Full SDK and modding guides".
Even if not properly set-up, the SDK contains a tool named VTF edit that should allow you to view/open a .vtf image and info, and .ttz images, merely by double clicking on the file.
This makes searching for certain textures with generic names, possible without converting and exporting from VPK tool for viewing. Also VTF edit will let you export a .tga straight from the .vtf itself.