Hi all,
so I have been trying to create scrolling clouds for one of my skyboxes, and although getting some reasonable results (and some pretty bad ones!) I thought it was time to ask the GG community for some help.

When saving to DDS format I have been using DXT5 - ARGB 8 bpp interpolated alpha (using Photoshop and NVidia plugin)
Is that correct format to use?

Also can anyone point me to any tutorials on creating the textures using photoshop.
I have googled till the cows come home, looked at quite a few vids on alpha channels and such, but the only way I have been able to do it so far is by using a transparent background layer, but I am pretty sure that is not the way to go.

Any help\tips would be appreciated.

OldFlak....

DDS format I have been using DXT5 - ARGB 8 bpp interpolated alpha is the correct format.

I use GIMP, so I do this there. I have my clouds, Then I mask an alpha from greyscale. Then in My level settings, I can adjust the alpha channel down between 25 to 50% depending how they look in game.

This kind of explains it a bit for photoshop.
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/masking-layers.html#add_layer_masks

ok so in photoshop open your cloud texture.

Change the layer name from background to anything.
Press layer, add mask, from transparency.
Click on the mask part in the layer and then choose image, adjust, levels



Move the output level white slider at the bottom left to increase the alpha.

Then save as .dds file with dxt5 compression.

@Pirate Myke, thanks for the info.

Will give it go asap.

Also am I right in thinking that GG tiles the cloud image?

Again thanks for your help.

OldFlak....

Your welcome. It must tile it some what, as I see the clouds looping.

GG uses a cloud portal alpha fade to smooth out the very edges of the sky scroll, this prevents hard edges at the horizon, so maybe you don't need to worry about creating an alpha for edges by hand. I would still make them seamless though if only because it is good practice

@Rolfy, thanks for your insight.

I agree, it is 'good practice' to create seamless textures - it's always great to take on a challenge anyhow.

I must say, this forum is extremely helpful, Thanks for your help guys - very much appreciated.

OldFlak....