How can I modify the cockpit dashboard filler?

DynamicRanger · Post by **DynamicRanger** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 6:13 am

I've only had this game for 24 hours and it is in the running for my favorite game ever. I've been waiting since Wing Commander III for a game like this, so bravo Vice, you're a genius.

Anyway, A lot of the appeal of this game for me (and a lot of you other pilots, obviously) is how customizable it is. I've heavily modded the HUD and environment graphics already and I'd like to do a bit more. I want to create custom images for the "filler" inside the cockpit, but I can't seem to find the image resources I need to replace. The attached image points out the bits I'd like to craft my own graphics for.

I have basic image editing software/skills (I'm mostly using paint.net, although I can do simple Photoshop stuff, too). I am totally ignorant of 3D modeling. Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions!

P.S. - I didn't like how the default compass/toolbar wasn't flush against the top of the screen, so I modified the images. Let me know if you want the (very subtly) modded b2-compass.png and b2-compassshadow.png.

Viper · Post by **Viper** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 9:06 am

Hi DynamicRanger.

If it's just the HUD graphics you want to mod, you don't need 3d modeling skills. Just a program like the one you are using or something like Photoshop or GIMP.
Unfortunately, I don't think the images you want to mod, can be modded the same way as the HUD in this version of EM. I'm betting because they are actually part of the cockpit texture instead of the HUD graphics.
So if you really wanted to look into it, you would have to try and decompose the relevant file. And seeing that you are using the default cockpit, I don't think that file is in the game files to be honest... but I'm not really sure. I don't have experience with the model file format this game uses.

Maybe someone else can help you out?

~ Viper.

DynamicRanger · Post by **DynamicRanger** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 9:45 am

Thanks (again) for the quick response Viper. I think editing the existing cockpit texture is within my abilities, although I'd have to do some research first. I'll read around and see what I can find. If I can take apart the texture file into a form I can edit, it shouldn't be too hard to reverse engineer it and put it back together.

By the way, my EM HUD/cockpit has a lot of elements from your Silicum mod. It's excellent work!

Viper · Post by **Viper** » Sat Nov 03, 2012 9:53 am

Thanks for the compliment, it's appreciated. Post a screenshot sometime of what you have put together, I'd like to see it.

I'm betting the texture files are .dds files, which you should be able to open with Photoshop. If you are using GIMP then you can get a plugin for it, just google 'GIMP dds plugin'. Not sure if you can open them with Paint.NET.

Good luck and make sure you post any result if you're successful!

~ Viper.

JayStar · Post by **JayStar** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 12:14 am

hi

i have the same problem as you DynamicRanger, ive modded everything apart from the cockpit and i love the default cockpit but it has so much wasted space.. i dont like the perches because untill i see a ship that fits it i wont use them. ive done the 3 screens, hud, track ladder, etc i did make a thread asking if this was possible but got same reply. sad really cause i would have loved to revamp that old frame..

but i havnt given up yet.. if i hear anything ill let you know..

[FF] JayStar