Skinning Tutorial: From A to Z

[Rig Runner]

Hey guys, I created a tutorial that describes how to skin a truck in ATS from beginning to end. This tutorial assumes you know nothing about skinning and describes the whole process from beginning to end. Videos include:

- Download links for all tools necessary
- How to install said programs
- Proper use of plugins
- ETS2Studio adaption to ATS
- Proper Hierarchy of the folders
- Creation of the .scs file

Hope you guys enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByguOiSq0DU

[Mahogany Rush]

Nice! Thanx.

[DaStig]

Great for those who want some step-by-step instructions ...

Let me add this small tutorial I made a while back ...

The tutorial

To make a skin, you need a few things:

• the correct template for the truck you want to skin
• a drawing program: PhotoShop, Gimp, Paint.net, ... to draw the skin
• ETS2 Studio to make turn your skin in an actual SCS skin file to use in your mod-folder

For the tutorial, I will use this beautiful truck as an example ...



Before we go further, you can download the skin (.scs) file and the original Gimp-file (.xcf) in the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fyttipkjpy2q ... XSMta?dl=0

When you open the .xcf file in Gimp, you will see something similar like in the image below (click for bigger photo):


In Gimp I create 2 layer-groups, and one separate layer that contains the basecolor of the truck.

• A layer group (1) that contains all the pieces of the template of the truck you want to skin. In this case it's the Scania RS v1.3 from RJL. Import all layers you need for the skin, and make sure that you make all of these template layers transparent for the color "white", so you can see everything you draw on layers BELOW the template layers.
• The layer-group (2) contains all layers on which you actually draw your skin. One major tip: use as many layers you need. The more, the easier to move things or edit your skin. Because your template layers are all transparent, they're like an overlay over your actual skin-layers (group 2).
• Below these two layer-groups, I add a single layer, that contains the base color of the truck. In this case basic blue.

When you're done with your skin, hide the complete layer group with the template layers. Make sure you enable all layers from the skin layer group (2)that you want to have in your final skin. When done, create a "new layer from visible". A new layer will be created with all the layers that are visible. Export this layer to a .dds file. Make sure to enable BC3/DXT5 compression and mipmaps.

The .dds file you just made is your actual skin. To turn this into a .scs skin file, you need ETS2 Studio. I'm not going to explain here how that program works, because it already has a very good and useful helpfile to explain how it works.

Happy skinning

DaStig

[Zerek]

The templates I have are .png do I re-save them as .xcf then open with GIMP?

[DaStig]

No, just open the .png template in Gimp. It will be added to your drawing as a separate item/layer.

Good luck

DaStig

[VGramak]

Hi, Rig Runner I did everything like in your class in the game but I do not see skin own way .. what is wrong? Tnx

[VGramak]

Sorry guys all working! I'm write wrong internal truck name...

[Shawa666]

Anyone has acces to accurate skin templates? The ones i'm using make my skins come out all wrong in game.

[Dogface]

I have done a few skins with these templates and find them very good. I use the 2048 x 2048, but I dont know if that is the best resolution. And no weird download site, just a google drive download.


American Truck Simulator Peterbilt 579 Templates
http://atsmodsgaming.blogspot.co.id/201 ... lates.html


American Truck Simulator Kenworth W900 Templates
http://atsmodsgaming.blogspot.co.id/201 ... lates.html


American Truck Simulator Kenworth T680 Templates
http://atsmodsgaming.blogspot.co.id/201 ... lates.html


Also, I just found a forum thread on the subject:
viewtopic.php?f=199&t=200795

[Mavadelo]

Ok I am at a loss
I tried several templates including those in above tutorials
I follow all the steps to the letter
I line up my graphics nicely according to the templates
I compile the mod file and add it to game
still the textures are displayed all in the wrong places
example
http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.c ... 8C2E099E3/