[How-to] create a rsh file with specular mapping

[PogS]

hi all,

Here is a quick tutorial about creating rsh files and adding specularity to it.

When your main rsh file is done.

Creation of the specular map

Choose the area where you want reflection to be applied on.
These areas must be white. Light areas will shine and dark ones won't.
Make your .dds file black and white reducing saturation to 0.
Hide the non reflective areas.
Then tweak the levels (ctrl+L in photoshop but dunno in Gimp) to reduce the lightness and improve contrast as wanted. Then save it to the same name adding x_spec.dds

IMPORTANT : Be sure to copy your 3 dds files (x.dds, x_spec.dds, _reflection.dds) into the relevant directory :
DXP2 or Wh40k \Data\art\ebps\races\chaos\texture_share
If you do not create the rsh file from this folder, the wtp files won't load and your model won't be team colourable.
A typical specular map looks like this :



Creation of a reflection texture :

This is the texture that is reflected on the model. it is generally a radiant white to black form. It is generally named _reflection.dds or _reflection_x.dds
Create one yourself or use one already made. Here are examples :
- pogs.free.fr/DoW/_reflection.dds
- pogs.free.fr/DoW/_reflection_vehicles.dds
- pogs.free.fr/DoW/_reflection_vertical.dds

Compilation of the rsh file :

- Open DoW Texture Tool
- If not done, enable the Advanced Mode (edit menu)
- Click on Make a rsh file
- Select your main x.dds
- When prompted with the message Do you want to enable additional maps ?, click yes.
- Pressing Ctrl key, select your reflection.dds first and your x_spec.dds.
- Click on Open. Your rsh file is being compiled.

Your rsh file is created.

Note : you can add illumination the same way.

[Jaguar-Lord]

great tut POgs.

Note : you can add illumination the same way

"self illumination" means a specific detail like say a glowing eldar rune, that will have always the same lumisosity what ever the light. if you want the rune to really glow you'll have to add a glowing FX created via the FX Editor and applied to your model via the OE editor.

[MEGAzogg]

I like the texture you used as an example. What's this? Oh and nice tut.

[PogS]

This is my CSM reskin from DoW Improvement Project

[MEGAzogg]

Veeeeery niceeeee... Say, have you ever thinked about helping FoK with their textures? I always knew that you are a good artist, but this csm skin... well I think that we need someone with such skill for FoK-texturing. And right now we have plenty of textures to do of all sorts: sm, ig, ork (very nice new killa kan model, deff dread, lootas, new nobz, rokkit boyz), eldar, chaos. So anyone could choose whatever he likes more.

[PogS]

Why not but i have already so much to do. Anyway they can take my skins for FoK and rework them if they want even if I do not specifically work on FoK.

[MEGAzogg]

This will work, so thank you alot for permission.

[Delolith]

Used Specular Mapping to give this Enginseer Tech Line reflections on his robes. Screenshots dont really do it justice, its a rather cool effect in full motion

[Promythyus]

Dude!!!!!! That is one damn sweet techpriest! Anychance I can somehow get that texture? Pweeease!

Great tutorial PogS, I'll definately be using this for the deathwing, Many Thanks!

[Delolith]

I replaced that version of the Tech Priest with a less copyright-friendly version for my personal use. I'm working on a better-looking and copyright-friendly version at the moment that I will publish within a few days.

[Diviator]

Thank you for this thread. I had now idea how my reflection should look, but you brought me a good idea.

Question: What would you recommend for a building a dot or a vertical stripe? I had first a dot and after that a dot with stripes (look like a baseball) and now i have a vertical stripe similar to the one of the example just with a very (very) light blue touch.