Faylen's Recoloring Tutorial Part 4: Working Around the Mesh

[Faylen]

This is, essentially, part four in my series. If you know how to recolor, recolor selectively, and add textures, here's where we start to have fun. By coloring or texturing on your basic mesh shape, you open up brand new clothing possibilities for your sims.
(Note: This is a repost of the original tutorial, with both the viewable version, and the zipped Microsoft Word version for you to print out in the comfort of your own home. Merging threads just wasn't working for me.)

(Additional note: I have added a .rar package with .bmp images of the body UV maps for all ages to help you with drawing. To extract the UV maps for a specific outfit, see HystericalParoxysm's wonderful tutorial here (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=144329) )

Here we have a truly hideous outfit.
Has anyone actually used this in game? It’s all the way at the end. However. . .we are not bound by anything except the general shape. In Body Shop, select this ugly thing and load it as a project. In Photoshop, open up the texture.bmp file, and fill it with a solid color so we can see what we really have.

http://thumbs2.modthesims.info/img/2/8/9/2/7/MTS_Faylen-251917-web-page-1.jpg

I chose white to make it easier for you to see the actual shape of the garment. This is the shape of the mesh, and the only thing you’re constrained by in your design. Turn it around a bit in body shop. Hit F3 to change the camera and click and hold the left mouse button to change your
viewing angle, right mouse button to change to zoom.

http://thumbs2.modthesims.info/img/2/8/9/2/7/MTS_Faylen-251918-web-page-2.jpg

Here’s a side view.

http://thumbs2.modthesims.info/img/2/8/9/2/7/MTS_Faylen-251922-web-page-3.jpg

And. . .here’s the back.

http://thumbs2.modthesims.info/img/2/8/9/2/7/MTS_Faylen-251923-web-page-4.jpg

The first thing I want to do is change this from a stodgy old mock turtleneck into a see-through lacy top. This is the part I want to modify. . .but not here, in the alpha file!! I’m going to skip a couple of steps here. I have a picture of some lace that I copied and pasted onto itself in a new window in Photoshop until it was big enough to scale down to proper sim-size (as shown in my last tutorial, Adding Texture). Now I have taken my texture.bmp file, desaturated it, selected the whole thing and copied and pasted it onto the alpha file. I then used the polygonal lasso to select only the turtleneck section. I apply a mask, revealing only the selection.

http://thumbs2.modthesims.info/img/2/8/9/2/7/MTS_Faylen-251924-web-page-5.jpg

Now I have the section I want to change in the alpha positioned to correspond with the same space in the texture file. I take my lace picture, desaturate it, fiddle with the brightness and contrast, then sharpen the image so it makes a nice black and white texture to go into the alpha. Remember, anything that’s white will show, anything that’s black won’t, so all those black areas will be skin showing through. I do the same thing at the back neckline of the outfit.

http://thumbs2.modthesims.info/img/2/8/9/2/7/MTS_Faylen-251925-web-page-6.jpg

Now, you can see at the back, the pattern inserted into the alpha file has created a pattern of opacity and transparency. I went into the texture file and filled the turtleneck area with a solid red to show what happens when you add color! If I were really being a stickler here, I would fix that stretched area at the back neckline, but right now I’m figuring that the best fix for that is. . .long hair.

http://thumbs2.modthesims.info/img/2/8/9/2/7/MTS_Faylen-251926-web-page-7.jpg

Now, I took another fabric texture and filled in the jacket in the texture file. I changed the opacity so I could see the original lines of the outfit, used burn and dodge to highlight lapel and pocket edges, and create a new line – princess seams and a straight zip front. This is looking better already!

http://thumbs2.modthesims.info/img/2/8/9/2/7/MTS_Faylen-251927-web-page-8.jpg

Now it’s just a matter of recoloring the pants and shoes, and we have something completely different!

http://thumbs2.modthesims.info/img/2/8/9/2/7/MTS_Faylen-251928-web-page-9.jpg

As you can see, you don’t necessarily have to change a mesh to change the outfit, and this kind of artistic license will also teach you how to use the tools of your image editing software.

http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/images18/MTS2_251929_Faylen_web-page-10.jpg

[maggie_22]

Thank you so much great tutorial, and a great help to me, thank you for sharing
love all your tutorials, and I THANK YOU for all of them in advance :)

[Bella1234200]

wonderful toutorial

[dmndsgrl]

Very nice tutorial. Where did you get the lace pattern? Wait... I bet my question has already been asked and answered.

Hmm...

[Jackass boy]

I got a problem
my stuff are not show up in the game

[Faylen]

If you finish up by importing to the game, your stuff will show up. Did you read through all the tutorials before this one?

[trezero]

Great tutorials. (all 4) I learned everything I ever need to know about modding sim clothes, all in 3 hours.

P.S. Does anyone happen to know why some clothes export a third texture, called "normal" instead of "base", and why others only have the base texture and the alpha?

[Faylen]

That is the bump map. It creates an additional 3D effect, and isn't used in all the clothes. On some of them, it creates the texture of the fabric - enhancing the rib knit of a sweater, making lapels stick out more, etc. If you have a bump map and the shape it creates is incompatible with the shape you want to end up with, just fill it 100% with grey.

[trezero]

Ah. Thank you.

[texasdawn]

You asked at one point for us to show you what we've done following your tutorials. This is my very first clothing recoloring ever. Far from perfect, yes, but without your tutorials, it would have been a lot worse! The top and bottom seem to not perfectly match to me. I had to do them seperatly as I didn't see a whole outfit like this. That's one area I need work...

http://www.daybreakdesigns.net/sims2/recolors/batik_front.jpg

http://www.daybreakdesigns.net/sims2/recolors/batik_back.jpg

Constructive critique appreciated. It'll help me learn.

Thanks for the tuts!
Texasdawn

[sims2hohner]

Faylen, I have now read all four of your tutorials you have written for us about recolouring. Before I read any of your work, I was too scared to even try to recolour but I must say that your guides are so clear and concise that even an old fool like me can have a go. I'm thinking you must be a teacher of some kind. Thanks a bunch.

[Faylen]

TexasDawn, that's lovely, especially for a first effort. Don't get discouraged or put yourself down - the more you do, the more you learn, and the better you get.

There are a lot more tutorials here that will enhance your skinning abilities. There are tools galore in the programs you already have, and you might find that some process-oriented rather than goal-oriented playing around will be really fun and helpful. You can do a lot of playing without breaking anything, so go for it.

sims2hohner, actually. . .yes, I am. Heh.

[johnny_johnson]

I've been following these tutorials and i must admit am having troubles with this ol mesh thing...sure ill work it out someday... :jest:

anyhow since texas dawn put up some of her things up i thought i might do to!!!!

Take that as a warning..... :bunny:

the stripy thing is my attempt so far at this tutorial.....just about manages to get a necklace on there which you might just be able to see....thus is my geatest achievement to date.....

the vest and shorts i was pleased with cause i played with it before going on to the second tutorial and the skirt turned out surprisingly well considering i used a really weird texture (note lovely gold belt buckle and shoe details!!!!) but god only knows what happened with the last one! I had loads of problems with the layers (im using ver 9 if anyone knows an easy way around it all.... :duck: )

but yeah, what do people think? should i play at it or just give in now?????? hehehehe

[PhantomAnimeMaster1]

Do you think PhotoShop Album or PhotoImpression4 might work with this?

[Faylen]

I'm not familiar with either of those, but the key questions as to whether or not they'd work are 1. do they handle layers, and 2. can they save .bmp format files?

[PhantomAnimeMaster1]

Would the free PhotoShop downloads be safe?

[tiggerypum]

Photoshop is a commercial program. You could probably buy an OLD version of photoshop (say photoshop 5 or 7) for a good price on ebay or such.

'Free Photoshop' meaning some site offering warez - well, safe? You tell me, they're pirates. No one here will ever tell you to go get pirated software.

If you check the FAQ for the area, there are links for paint.net and gimp, both of which are FREE image editing programs, simply free, no illegal activity involved. This site currently has some tutorials for paint.net which cover the same things as some of Faylen's tutorials... keep looking around.

[SeiakuBlackheart]

I am having troble with this one...and I seem to be the only one ^^; (everyother tutorial was great!)
At the part where you said "The first thing I want to do is change this from a stodgy old mock turtleneck into a see-through lacy top. This is the part I want to modify. . .but not here, in the alpha file!! I’m going to skip a couple of steps here. I ..."

when you said about skipping, I wish you didn't. I need those steps, ^^ and I can't fined the other tutorial, since this is a re-post.
Can you give me the link to the tutorial? or those steps?
Seiaku~ (p.s. sorry about my english spelling!)

[isilra]

Thank you! I would be so lost without your tutorials.

[Elfslayer]

What did you use for the jacket? I didn't find anything except photos of real fabrics. If you used a photo of the real fabric, what did you do to it first? Because when I use them they have ugly lines between them. I can fix them with other pictures but these are very hard. Thank you very much for tutorials! :)

[risita2911]

:rofl: Thank you SO much Faylen - I have trouble downloading - stuff just doesnt show up in my game, even if I follow a downloading tutorial!!
So it was my lucky day when I decided to follow your tutorials! I am now recolouring everything and love it!
Thank you again and keep doing tutorials for those of us that need a little extra help!

:lovestruc

[bootukuh]

Hi, I really want to learn how to make clothes for the sims, but I don't understand how to work with Adobe Photoshop.. So I don't get any further... can you please tell me how to do this? Thank you!! :rofl:

[purplerainsim]

Well I have done the first 3 tutorials I have had some good creations which i will share and bad ones which i will also share. The last one is the one that is really giving me trouble. I was trying to add lace to the outfit. as you can see there are gaps ,and on the back there is some color showing up from when i was trying to change the tunic color.I followed the instructions but i must have missed a couple steps. The pants where me playing around with filters and thought it was pretty funny.

Edit: How do I get rid of seams or lines down the side of an outfit?

[mizzkitty]

Oooh, people are sharing!

Well, I have problems with finding fabrics and laces online that I can utilise, but then again - I've been at this for what? A few hours? I will figure it out.

This is what I made using the first couple of tutorials... three recolours of one of the sims2cri maternity dresses that I didn't think much of before (and I know the red one isn't optimal yet either) and a set where I'm particular proud of the picture on the sweater.

One shouldn't think that finding and recoloring a picture would be so hard - and add to that bits that SHOULD have been invisible yet somehow kept becoming visible and black (because I'm a moron) and having to warp and rewarp and...... I know, I'm not the sharpest knife, but hey, it worked out ^^

[WotDaBloodyHell]

Hello, I just wanted to say that I think mizzkitty's creations look very groovy! ;)

[combustion03]

Hey! Well, i think all your tutorials are really good. this is the only one im having trouble with! The first thing I want to do is change this from a stodgy old mock turtleneck into a see-through lacy top. This is the part I want to modify. . .but not here, in the alpha file!! I’m going to skip a couple of steps here. I have a picture of some lace that I copied and pasted onto itself in a new window in Photoshop until it was big enough to scale down to proper sim-size (as shown in my last tutorial, Adding Texture). Now I have taken my texture.bmp file, desaturated it, selected the whole thing and copied and pasted it onto the alpha file. I then used the polygonal lasso to select only the turtleneck section. I apply a mask, revealing only the selection.-on that part when i do the lasso tool GIMP makes me anchor layer before i can actually select the turtleneck. so when i click add a mask it doesnt do anything (basically the texture.bmp has to flatten over the alpha which makes it 1 layer.)Please help!

[tiggerypum]

combustion03 - this isn't a gimp tutorial and faylen doesn't even have gimp ;) Maybe you should make a new layer before doing the paste? Things should still be in layers, there's ways to do that. There's a book online that teaches the slightly odd way in which gimp uses layers: http://gimp-savvy.com/BOOK/ you can download it and view it on your computer locally or on the web. Free.

[NataSqui]

AMAZING tutorial, Faylen. I've been wondering about this for so so so long =D

[didadragonfly]

Can someone please help me...I get lost when Faylen says to insert the lace into the Alpha file.

How do I get the lace to fill in the 'cut out' part? Do I copy and paste it or something?

Your help would be extremely appreciated!! I have done Faylen's other tutorials, I am just stuck here!!

:cry:

[tiggerypum]

didadragonfly - okay yeah, Faylen skipped quite a bit in there... so... let me see
She took a lace texture - scaled it to a size she liked, and the used the darkness/contrast buttons to make the lace area black and white, with the white being the lace and black being the background. You might save that into a little temp file just so you don't lose your texture once you've made it.

I believe she opened her alpha file, and then pasted a copy of the outfit into it on another layer. Then she selected the shirt front area to make the mask. Then she could hide the texture layer - so that the alpha shows again (which initially would have been all white where the shirt was)

Then she used the mask so that when she pasted in her lace area (onto a new layer), that it only was in the front section there where the shirt has been. She should have also repeated this procedure with the lace texture on the back of the shirt, where the shirt extends above the jacket collar.

I think I have it all now.

[ilovemama]

How do you add other meshes to bodyshop? I mean all that's turning up in my mine are a few of maxis ones. Only a few, like about five :(
BUt the tutorial was great! i made my first outfit succesfully :D

[tiggerypum]

ilovemama
Do not use downloaded bodyshop. It's old and broken.
Use the bodyshop that comes with your game.

[ilovemama]

i do. It comes with my sims 2 cd...
My cousin uses the same one and it's okay with her game.
With mine, only maxis (not even all of them) appear > :(

[tiggerypum]

ilovemama from the game help area:

http://www.sims2wiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Body_Shop

There is a lot of info in it, so step through slowly to see what might help you get yours working correctly. And know that you are not alone in having something odd happen with your bodyshop.

[ilovemama]

thanks alot tiggerypum :D I'll check it out.

[Khameleon808]

Maybe i wasnt reading right but did he explain how to put nonpattern images around things like pantlegs and sleeves? i tried a bit last night and this is all i could come up with :( can someone direct me to what i need to read to align things up at the seams?

http://img1.hugeup.com/t/04022008/aaaca.jpg (http://hugeup.com/v/aaaca)

[HystericalParoxysm]

Khameleon, look under my profile for a tutorial on that - "exporting UV maps for better clothing recolours" - it'll let you see where the seams are to make aligning things easier. Not -easy- but easier.

[ToxicBritneyfan]

where did you get the lace pattern?

[ChiiSanCullen]

Uh...hi! I have a QUICK question. How do you get body shop files to open? Like, when I click on them, they open up the body shop, but not the clothing or mesh.

[thedivineone]

i really like ur tutorials but there are some i can't quite manage to make this one and the one before( maybe because iam low on sugar these days..) anyway great job and can you tell me where do you get those patterns but please Pm me i probably wont surf around alot ( iam too lazy these days) please and thank you a million!

[mellyyh]

u taught me alot of stuff today, THANKYOU, now,me and bodyshop, =D

[darkmojo]

Okay, maybe it's the lack of sleep or something but I really feel like you missed a step somewhere and I'm totally confused. Right after you have us created the layer mask for the texture, you say that only the selected area will show up. Check. But then you jump to the lace pattern and I do not see how you got the lace pattern to fit where the turtle neck was. I got it to sort of work if I invert the selection and apply a mask for everything but the neck but then it just seems to throw off the rest of the tutorial. What am I missing here? I know you said you skipped a couple of steps but I'd be nice to know which steps.

[pinkpimentinha]

I would like to congratulation Faylen the wonderful work that will enable not only to me like so many others who love the TS2 to make the game more fun and challenging. Thank you for the 4 tutorials were very clear and objective. I understood everything perfectly. Now I will start to implement what I learned.

[anitae]

what if, say, i wanted to remove the sleeves? How would one go about doing that?

[loni93]

Hello,
Thank you for these tutorials!!! But I have a question if you download somewhere only a mesh and you want to color them how do you do that? Like some sites say don't recolor our stuff and download just the mesh and work with them.
I hope i've written it understandly!
x Loni93

[An-Mochi]

Alright, now for my help question:
I'm trying to shorten the sleeves on a shirt. I edit the alpha appropriately. The color dissappears, but replaces it with an ugly gray. There are three BMPs in the folder: the alpha, the color and something that looks like texture. Editing the texture one gave me nothing. Is it even possible to shorten the sleeves without editing the mesh?

[isa_love_anime]

Alright, now for my help question:
I'm trying to shorten the sleeves on a shirt. I edit the alpha appropriately. The color dissappears, but replaces it with an ugly gray. There are three BMPs in the folder: the alpha, the color and something that looks like texture. Editing the texture one gave me nothing. Is it even possible to shorten the sleeves without editing the mesh?

No, that isn't possible. The ONLY way of shortening sleeves and such is modifying the clothes mesh. If it ony was that easy... XD

[serenium]

Another detailed tutorial. Thanks for writing these, they have helped me improve a lot (:

[hatthecat123]

Thank you for the fab tutorial but when i black out bits of the alfa file the clothes texture goes and the sims look weird :cry: .

[AnnitaSims]

Thank you Faylen!!!I love uuuuuuu!

[Amtram]

You can't always edit the alpha file. If you black out the alpha file and the mesh isn't flush with the skin, then the skin texture jumps out onto the clothes or hair. Some of the newer Maxis Body Shop items are alpha-editable, a small number of custom creations are, but if you play with the alpha and get skin color where the clothing color used to be, the only way to get what you want will be to learn how to mesh.

The grey stuff is your bump map. Lots of good information in the Wiki here on bump maps. Not every item has one, but if you're changing a texture, you're probably going to have to do some work on the bump map, too.

[hatthecat123]

To all paint.net users for some reason you can't edit alphas on it but you can use artweaver (it's free) which is great for blending textures and stuff although not being so user friendly.

[Mychemmonster]

http://oi54.tinypic.com/2qci2l4.jpg

How do I make the boots go up on the trousers?
Do I have to change the mesh?

[fakepeeps7]

How do I make the boots go up on the trousers?
Do I have to change the mesh?

Yes, you have to change the mesh. Without changing the mesh, all you can do is put boot texture on the pants.

[Werewolftrixie]

Uh... I hate to be a drag, but is there anyway you could get the pictures workign again? Being a teacher, you probably know about learning methods. I for one am a visual learner, and I'm finding all your tutorials difficult without the pictures.