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TGATool2 from MW Graphics |
Introduction
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TGATool2 from MW Graphics |
TgaTool started life as a simple tool for editing Targa files using any Paint program. Because very few paint programs directly support Alpha channels it was necessary to create a program that would let you split the 32 bit Targa information into seperate (and seperately-editable) files that could be handled even by MSPaint. The tool also needed to recombine the data when you saved so that you could create new Targa files still containing all the RGB and Alpha data. TgaTool works by seperating the 32 bit RGBA data into 2 files. One 24 bit file containg the RGB data and one 8 bit (256 greyscale) file containing the alpha data. These can be sent to whatever Paint program you have selected where they can be edited normally. Once the paint program has finished editing TgaTool will replace its displayed data with the new, edited, version.
When Trainsim came along it provided many sample textures in Targa and Bmp format. These are not actually used in Trainsim but are able to be converted to the correct ACE format using the tools supplied with the game. However this meant the only textures you could modify were the ones they had provided Targa or Bmp templates for.
Once the Ace format had been decoded it was possible to add the facility to open Ace textures and save them out as new Targa or Bmp templates for later editing. It is also possible to edit any of the formats directly in TgaTool2 by passing the data back and forth between TgaTool2 and any paint program. As there are still very few paint programs that correctly support Alpha channels TgaTool2 makes it possible to edit these textures in any paint program (including the free MSPaint program that is included with Windows).
Use the File menu to Load Images in Targa, Bmp or Ace format. When the File dialog appears you can use the "Files of type..." option to select which type of files you wish to open.
Upon loading any type of file the Main image will be displayed in the main part of the window. If any Alpha channel is found this will be displayed in the smaller thumbnail to the right of the window.
TgaTool2 will load the following Formats
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TGA |
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Targa 24 bit and 32 bit formats (uncompressed only!). Alpha channel supported. |
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ACE |
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All formats of Ace Trainsim texture. Alpha channel supported. Compressed images and DXT1 supported. |
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BMP |
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24 bit Standard Windows Bitmaps. No Alpha |
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TRAINZ |
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Experimental option. Seems to load most examples. |
Edit the main image by either selecting "Send Main Image to Editor" from the Image menu or just Double-click
on the Image. This will send it to the currently selected editing program (initial default MSPaint). Once finished
editing Save (not Save As) from the Editing program and your edited version will be displayed when you returnto
the TgaTool2 window. With most Paint programs the quickest and easiest way to ensure you correctly save your edited
file is to just close the Paint program. It should then pop up a message asking if you wish to save the changed
image and saying Yes or OK to this will correctly save it so that TgaTool2 can locate and reload the data.
Follow a similar process to edit the Alpha channel.
Using Save from the File menu will let you save a new Targa version of the Image (with Alpha if present). If your initially loaded image was a Targa file then this will be overwritten by the new version. If you originally loaded a BMP or ACE image then you will be prompted for a Targa file to save the data to. Note that "Save" and "Save As" will only save Targa files. If you wish to save a BMP or ACE version of your image then you should select the appropriate option from the "Export" menu.
The Export menu gives options to save a copy in several formats.
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Bmp (no Alpha) |
This will export a standard Bmp version of the Main Image. Bmp images can not contain any Alpha information | |
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Ace (no Alpha) |
This will export an Ace version of the main image using the Ace 24 bit format which contains no Alpha data | |
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Ace(Alpha) |
This will export the main image and the Alpha (as 8 bit) in the Ace 32 bit Alpha format. | |
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Ace(-trans) |
This will export the main image and Alpha (as 1 bit) in the Ace "24 bit + Transparency" format. |
Many images do not have an alpha channel. If, as part of the editing process, you wish to add an alpha channel
so that transparencies can be included then you can use the buttons under the Alpha thumbnail to create the alpha
channel.
"Create Alpha Channel" will create a blank (fully opaque) alpha channel which you can then edit to add
transparent areas.
"Create Alpha Template" will create an alpha channel as a greyscale copy of the main image. This will
make it easier to see exactly where you want to apply the transparency. Once the transparent areas have been painted
in black you will need to paint over the non-transparent areas in white.
When you send the alpha channel to your paint program for editing you should think of it as a transparency map
that is applied to the actual pixels in the main image. Each point on the alpha will correspond to the same point
on the main image and the grey level will decide how much transparency is applied to the main image at that point.
Black will give fully-transparent. White will give fully opaque and any shade of grey inbetween will give a partial
transparency based on what level it is between White and Black.
Note also that the actual transparency included when you export in ACE format depends on the type of ACE you select.
Ace(Alpha) will use all the transparency if possible. Ace(-trans) will convert the alpha to 1-bit (ie just on or
off) and Ace(no alpha) will not use the alpha channel at all.
There are further restrictions imposed by MakeAce. It will only allow full alpha for images that are square and
no bigger than 512x512. All other sizes will be treated as if they were -trans.
There are some common problems you may encounter while using TgaTool2. Often these are the result of incorrect setup and can easily be cured.
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Ace files come out a different size to the original image |
Check your version of Makeace. The original Makeace will only create square textures that are a "power of 2" in size. It will also only create a maximum size of 512x512. If you have one of the later versions installed then ensure that the same version is selected in TgaTool2. |
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When you export an Ace file and then go and look at it you still see the original image. |
1/ check that you are actually saving the Ace file to the correct location. You need to overwrite the original file in the appropriate folder in Trainsim. 2/ MakeAce may have failed to create a new version. This could be because the original is "Read only" or because your version of MakeAce is not capable of creating the particular size or format you have selected. 3/ MakeAce may have stopped working entirely. Try the error correction tips for MakeAce. |
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When you use the "Send to Editor" options nothing happens |
This will happen if the Editor program selection is not set up correctly. From the Prefs menu use "Select Editing Program" and browse to the actual executable of the chosen paint program. Note that this must be the actual exe file (eg PSP.EXE for PaintShopPro) and not a Shortcut or link. To ensure that the actual "Send to.." functions work you can click "Reset Editor to MSPaint" in the Prefs menu. This will set TgaTool2 to use the default windows Paint program |
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You have set the editor to be a valid Paint program but when you use "Send to.." you just get the paint program opening with no image loaded |
Some Paint programs do not accept a filename on the commandline. These cannot be used with TgaTool2. All the main popular Paint programs will function correctly but there may well be some Photo programs that aren`t set up to work this way. Reset the Editor to MSPaint or try another paint program. |
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You can successfully send your image to the editor program but when you try to save the edited image the Paint program refuses to do a plain "save" and attempts to enforce a new format on the data. |
Some Paint programs try to enforce their own internal format on saved images. These cannot be used with TgaTool2. Reset the Editor to MSPaint or try another paint program. |
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When I check my new texture in Trainsim it has lost all the transparency that was present in the original version |
The transparency is contained in the alpha channel. If you are editing an original texture and you see a greyscale thumbnail on the right of the TgaTool2 window then this texture contains an alpha channel. To preserve the Alpha you need to export using the "Ace (Alpha)" or "Ace (-trans)" options. If you save the texture as a Targa file and then edit this Targa in a paint program it is likely that this will destroy the Alpha channel. Very few Paint programs support Alpha. If you export the image as a BMP file for external editing then you will lose all the Alpha channel. |
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When you load a Targa file you find it displays in TgaTool2 as a garbled mess |
TgaTool2 will only correctly load uncompressed 24 bit and 32 bit Targa files. Garbled data is a sign that the file is compressed (or possibly 8 bit). Most paint programs that support Targa will let you save in compressed or uncompressed format. Always save a file that is intended for use with TgaTool2 in uncompressed format. Never use 8 bit format. |
The program utilises MakeAce to Export Ace format textures. It should have Automatically located your copy of
this program but if you get an error message when exporting Ace then you will need to use the Prefs menu to browse
to the correct location.
If you have an updated version of MakeAce then you should set the appropiate version (see below) in the box under
the Alpha Display. This will enable the later options to create Ace images in sizes other than the square power-of-2
allowed by the initial version.
When Ace files are being created that are not Square and Power of 2 then only a 1 bit Alpha will be created even
if Full Alpha is available.
If you tick the "Compress Ace Files" option then exported Ace files will be compressed if possible.
If you have the "Patch #1 MakeAce" installed then you will be able to select the option of DXT compression.
This will only be used if the image is an appropriate square size,
There are currently 3 versions of Makeace available. Each with different capabilities. You must tell TgaTool2 which version you are using so it can operate correctly when Exporting Ace format files
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"Standard MakeAce" |
This is the version that came with Trainsim. This can only create Ace textures that are square and in one of the following sizes -32x32, 64x64, 128,128, 256x256 or 512x512 |
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"Updated MakeAce" |
This was released after Trainsim as an update package along with updated versions of Conv3ds and FFEdit. This can create Ace files in any size up to 1024x1024 |
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"Patch #1 MakeAce" |
This was released as part of a complete Patch for Trainsim along with lots of other updates and
fixes. This version adds built-in zlib compression and also the option of DXT Compression (only for Square textures
in "power of 2" sizes) Note that DXT will only be used for Ace (No Alpha) and Ace (-trans) and only with square "power of 2" sized images. |
It is important that the MakeAce version you set in TgaTool2 corresponds to the actual version of MakeAce you have installed. Each version requires different parameters so setting the wrong one may result in failure to create an output file.
The Patch#1 MakeAce upgrade also includes a Windows version (MakeAceWin.exe). This should not be used in conjunction with TgaTool2. Use the console version (MakeAce.exe) with TgaTool2 and use MakeAceWin as an alternative standalone converting program. There is a restriction in the commandline MakeAce that means that any non-square images or images larger than 512x512 will only be created with a -trans (1 bit) Alpha even if full alpha is chosen as the export option. For these images the only way to get a full alpha is to use MakeAceWin. You should save as Targa version of your image from TgaTool2 and then use MakeAceWin to convert the Targa to Ace with full alpha.
TgaTool2 supports the drag and drop of files. If you have TgaTool2 open you can cause it to load a file by dragging the file icon from Windows Explorer and dropping it on the TgaTool2 window.
You may if you wish set it so that Windows will use TgaTool2 as the default program for opening ACE Files. This
can be done from the Prefs menu where there are 2 options. One to Register ACE to TgaTool2 and the other to delete
the association.
This will remove any existing association for ACE so you may not wish to do this.
ACE is also the file extension used by a particular compression format (similar to ZIP) so there are possibilities
for confusion.
If you Register TgaTool2 in this way then you will see that Ace files now show up with the TgaTool2 Icon. Opening any of these files in Windows Explorer will cause TgaTool2 to start up with the Ace image loaded.
MakeAce has not proved to be one of the most unbreakable programs ever. It has been known to suddenly stop working for no apparent reason. In fact it uses many DirectX functions internally so changes to your DirectX setup (which may be made by other programs without telling you) can stop it working.
If you get an error dialog when exporting in Ace format then MakeAce has done its trick of getting messed up by some change in DirectX or the installation of a new Graphics card.
To get it working again you need to run the DXDIAG program (select Run from the Windows Start menu and type DXDIAG). Go to the Display tab and disable DirectDraw Accelleration. MakeAce should now start working again. You can then re-enable DirectDraw Accelleration and it should still continue to work.
There are several options that can be altered in TgaTool2 in order to set things up to suit your setup and your preferred way of working.
Some of them are visible as checkboxes and selection lists on the right hand side of the window. Use these to set your Makeace version and whether or not you want to use compression or DXT-compression on exported Ace images.
The other Preferences options are available on the Prefs Menu.
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Select Editing Program |
Use this option to set which Paint program you wish to use in conjunction with TgaTool2. This program will be called up when you Send the Main Image or the Alpha channel for editing. | |
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Reset Editor to MSPaint |
Use this option to set TgaTool2 to use the MSPaint program provided as standard with all versions of Windows | |
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Locate MakeAce |
Use this option to tell TgaTool2 where to find the MakeAce program (used to export ACE files). Normally TgaTool2 will have located it correctly when first installed but if you have trouble exporting ACE files then you should use this to make sure TgaTool2 is looking in the correct place | |
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Register ACE to TgaTool2 |
see the Registering section for more details | |
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UnRegister ACE |
see the Registering section for more details | |
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Set Temporary files location |
TgaTool2 will normally use the system TEMP folder for the storing of the temporary files it creates.
You can use this option to specify an alternative location. This can be useful if you want to be able to access
the Image and Alpha data directly. The dialog that appears will let you browse to any folder on any of your drives. It will also let you set the location back to the system TEMP location if required. |
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Use Old "Send to Editor" |
By default TgaTool2 will run your selected Paint Program as a sub-process. This means that TgaTool2
will be disabled until you have finished your editing and closed down the Paint program. It will then automatically
update the displayed images if you have made any changes. Previous versions of TgaTool2 used a simpler method that just set the paint program running and then carried on. After you had finished your editing then you had to tell TgaTool2 to update its displayed data yourself. Some people may prefer to use the "Old" method. Ticking this menu option will cause TgaTool2 to perform the Send to Editor functions in the old way. When you wish to update the displayed data with your edited data you must select the "Reload Data" optionb from the Image menu |
TgaTool2 is copyright (c) 2001-2003 Martin Wright.
TgaTool2.exe is provided free of charge for personal use. You may not redistribute the program in any form. The latest version will always be available from the MW Graphics Website.
If you wish to provide a link on your website for people to obtain TgaTool2 from the MW Graphics site then it is better if you link to the main page rather than directly to the TgaTool2 page or to the download file itself. Pages move. Downloads change filenames. The only guarantee is that there will be a link to the latest TgaTool2 on the main page.
TgaTool2 can be used freely for the conversion and editing of textures for Train simulator. Please note that unless you are editing textures you have created yourself you are bound by the copyrights of the original creator of the file. You should not redistribute edited versions of other people`s textures (however much you may have changed them) without obtaining the permission of the original creator.
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