ATS Example file structure mod using templates (Includes Volvo VNL 2018)

[tattooedbacon]

Ok, I'm new to the skinning thing - I've done a couple very simple and....honestly....pretty bad skins. So, I'm not understanding what this mod does exactly.
When I did a skin I downloaded the truck template, tossed it into PHotoshop, did my thing, saved it as a .dds file, opened up Mod Studio and made that into a .scs file, put in my mod folder, and away we go.

So, how/what's different about this mod and where in the process do I use it?

[Alarthon]

@tattooedbacon
With this you don't need to use mod studio at all (besides adjusting .tobj files). Just change the dds, re-zip the file, put it into your mod folder and you are done ( mods don't need to be .scs files).

Also with this mod if you ever wondered what the template look like on the truck/trailers to know exactly what part of the template is where, you can just put this zip in your mod folder and load it up ingame.

I find it better to use an example mod like this and figuring out the coding that SCS uses (in the .sui and .sii files), because then if your mod isn't working you can just fix it yourself then asking on forums.

Steps to use this mod:
-Download and extract zip file
-Edit .dds picture file
-Delete extra trucks/trailer folders to make mod smaller
-Edit mod_image, if you want to change that
-Zip file and place in mod folder

[meistroracer88]

What a stubborn mule I am. I have just used your examples and I had to read other posts. At first, it wasn't showing up. I just did and use ETS2 studio for tobj to get it updated to .dds. Anyways after updating a few files, Whola. no more reflections.

NaileditMackanthem.jpg

NaileditMackanthem2.jpg

This isn't the right paint scheme...but I am happy with no reflections. Oh wow. I might have Anyways,thank you. I think I got it.

UPDATE.

I really thank you for this mod. I have copy the main into another folder and use whatever truck i am concentrating on into another area and folder. Any edit away or edit whatvever skin had that wasn't working before I came across this mod.
This was the main skin I really wanted on this truck.

Skin3MackAnthemside.jpg

This one is my favorite shot. This was at Darwin - Everette, WA. I just dropped off a load.

Skin3MackAnthemside2.jpg

I'll be using this mod for all my trucks skins...and boy I have tons. Thank you for your hard work on this @Alarthon

[Alarthon]

@meistroracer88 Glad to hear it helped you out. Also that picture sure is a good one!

[meistroracer88]

Alarthon: I am running into another problem using this mod. Say like create on skin Mack using your mod. Now I have another skin name Browns. When I zip it and place it. I can not select either one in shop. An the current truck which is the Mack. Changes to the skin that is above the other. Is that supposed to happen? What am I doing wrong?

[jarryed]

Yes that is supposed to happen. The one with the higher priority will be the only one that shows.

That is the downside of using this mod and not renaming anything. You can go through and change the names of things. i.e. your .dds file, names of the settings, etc etc etc.

-or-

deactivate the skin you don't want to use at the time.

[meistroracer88]

@jarryed Okay, thank you.

[Alarthon]

@meistroracer88 As stated by jarryed, this mod works fine for a single skin, but if you are going to do multiple then the 2nd mod needs to be edited. This is mainly a file structure example for people who don't want to use mod studio or the likes. Though mod studio still needs to be used for .tobj editing, which i wish i knew how to edit without using the studio.

I didn't really think about people using it for multiple mods without editing anything. Im just use to editing all the files anyways.

The quick and dirty way to use this for multiple is to:
-rename entire file (for instance example2)
-rename def file .sui and .sii and edit them to reflect name change (for mack, international and trailers rename accessory .sii to match)
-rename material .dds, .mat, .tobj and edit them all
-for vehicle you can just copy and rename the paintjob folder and rename it (for instance "vehicle\truck\upgrade\paintjob\mack\example" would turn into "vehicle\truck\upgrade\paintjob\mack\example2") Edit the .tobj to match new file path. Make sure to edit the def files to match this file path change. So make sure paintjob mask file path and the accessory file paths match new named folder.

Thats all. no need to change the vehicle .dds file names or .tobj because you placed them into a different folder so just the path changed.

[meistroracer88]

You know that should work....as for tobj files. I use ETS2 studio to update/edit tobj files. Works well.

Okay thank for the advice

[XD229]

First of all, thanks for sharing this with the community and continuing to support it.

I have a couple questions regarding multiple skins in a single mod folder. I'm attempting to add multiple variations of the same skin. You have a done a good job of explaining how to accomplish this using multiple mod folders/zips, but I am a little lost on exactly what I need to modify to accomplish this in a single mod folder/zip.

If I have multiple skins, each in their own folder under the manufacturer, like this:

MOD\vehicle\truck\upgrade\paintjob\mack\skin1
MOD\vehicle\truck\upgrade\paintjob\mack\skin2
MOD\vehicle\truck\upgrade\paintjob\mack\skin3

What files do I need to modify to ensure they are all usable? Can the vehicle dds and tobj files in each folder have the same filenames, since they are in different paths/folders? Looking to skin Macks and trailers, so how will the accessories affect this?

Again, I appreciate your work, and thanks in advance for any help you can give.