Making icons

[Doom]

To make an icon you will be needing Milksshape, Milkshape 3db exporter (http://discoveryfl.com/dev/index.php?act...0;attach=1), HardCMP and any picture editing software that can save work as TARGA (TGA) files (i use Photoshop, but Gimp could be good as free option).


First you need to prepare TGA file that will represent commodity or ship. Image should be 64x64 px with 72 dpi. It is highly recommended that you make background black to light gray gradient to keep original FL look and feel.




Now you need to open Milkshape. All modeling options that you need are on the right side of the screen. Using Face option create one surface that exactly 2 by 2 grid lines. It needs to be in the middle of the coordinate system. Option snap to grid is useful in getting precise result.



Once created face will have it own group. Rename that group to name of the ship (for better recognition). Name must be unique (ex. li_fighter, li_elite or brliner etc). Also, my using Materials tab add new material. Make sure that newly created group is selected before you apply material to it. Open Texture coordinate editor, while group is selected and press Remap using alignment Front. It will spread out entire face over texture. Check the 3D view on the Milkshape window. There texture should be upside down. If it is not, you will need to adjust wireframe in Texture editor.



Once you got your icon to have up side down texture in 3d view you can close Texture editor.

Time to export your icon.
From the File tab choose Export -> Freelancer 3db.



Export file under same name as you called your group. From the options select check boxes Export material -> Include in 3db file, Orientation -> Back to Front and scale down value set to 25. Click continue.



In the next window you can make final check to 3db tree...



Check your result using HardCMP. In HardCMP icon should appear as turned up side down and facing away from you. (Basically you wont be able to see it in Solid state until you turn it around.)

If all went OK you just made your first NN_ICON