Monthly Archives: September 2007

Custom skin on Swat 4: Phase #4

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On Guide for the Unreal Editor v2.0 there is a specific section dedicated to Skinning

DDS file use DXT compression to reduce the size of the texture.
To create the skin , they suggest to use UPaint tools other than Photo Shop

I found the Desrat Guide using the Swat Downloader

Bugs found in the skin:

  • No Armor DDS file must be in DXT3 format instead of DXT1 (like all other DDS files)

  • Select Shader and not Texture during the creation of the Class

  • Save the package when prompted closing SwatEd will create the small .SKN file! 🙂
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The Police – Message in the Bottle

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http://www.liveearth.org/

http://www.youtube.com/v/eJJgM23gLh8&rel=1

Just a castaway, an island lost at sea, oh
Another lonely day, with no one here but me, oh
More loneliness than any man could bear
Rescue me before I fall into despair, oh

Ill send an s.o.s. to the world
Ill send an s.o.s. to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah

A year has passed since I wrote my note
But I should have known this right from the start
Only hope can keep me together
Love can mend your life but
Love can break your heart
Ill send an s.o.s. to the world
Ill send an s.o.s. to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah

Walked out this morning, dont believe what I saw
Hundred billion bottles washed up on the shore
Seems Im not alone at being alone
Hundred billion castaways, looking for a home
Ill send an s.o.s. to the world
Ill send an s.o.s. to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah
Sending out at an s.o.s.
Sending out at an s.o.s.
Sending out at an s.o.s.
Sending out at an s.o.s.
Sending out at an s.o.s.
Sending out at an s.o.s…

Pat & Stanley #2

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http://www.youtube.com/v/F0-U7IggFCI

Think

Think (think) think (think) think (think)
think (think) think (think) think (think)

You better think (think) think about what you’re trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

Let’s go back, let’s go back, let’s go way on back when
I didn’t even know you, you came to me and too much you wouldn’t take
I ain’t no psychiatrist, I ain’t no doctor with degree
It don’t take too much high IQ’s to see what you’re doing to me

You better think (think) think about what you’re trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

Oh freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, yeah freedom
Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, ooh freedom

There ain’t nothing you could ask I could answer you but I won’t (I won’t)
I was gonna change, but I’m not, to keep doing things I don’t

You better think (think) think about what you’re trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

People walking around everyday, playing games that they can score
And I ain’t gonna be the loser my way, ah, be careful you don’t lose yours

You better think (think) think about what you’re trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

You need me (need me) and I need you (don’t you know)
Without eachother there ain’t nothing people can do

Oh freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, yeah freedom
Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, ooh freedom

There ain’t nothing you could ask I could answer you but I won’t (I won’t)
I was gonna change, but I’m not, if you’re doing things I don’t

You better think (think) think about what you’re trying to do to me
Yeah, think (think, think), let your mind go, let yourself be free

You need me (need me) and I need you (don’t you know)
Without eachother there ain’t nothing people can do

(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)

(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)

(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)

(To the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, to the bone for deepness, think about it)

You had better stop and think before you think, think!!

Pat & Stanley #1

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http://www.youtube.com/v/tGJA0W-Yysk

“The Lion Sleeps Tonight”
Musical Introduction

A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh
A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh
A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A weema-weh
A-weema-weh A-weema weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh

In the jungle, the mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonightIn the jungle,
the quiet jungle
The lion sleeps tonight.

A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh
A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh
A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A weema-weh
A-weema-weh A-weema weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh

Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight.
Near the village, the quiet village
The lion sleeps tonight.

A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh
A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh
A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh
A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh

Musical Interlude
Hush my darling, don’t fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight
Hush my darling, don’t fear my darling
The lion sleeps tonight.

A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh
A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh
A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh A weema-weh
A-weema-weh A-weema weh A-weema-weh A-weema-weh

Musical Finale

Andrew Meyer: FREE NOW!

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Andrew Meyer Arrested for Speaking at Kerry Forum
NOTE: The following is not posted by Andrew Meyer, but has been posted by his friends.

Andrew Meyer is currently incarcerated in Alachua County. While asking U.S. Senator John Kerry a question during a question and answer period following Kerry’s speech at the University of Florida, Meyer was attacked by five police officers, manhandled and tasered. Fortunately there are videos and many witnesses to this injustice. Some articles and videos are linked below. Please show your support by educating yourselves and raising awareness by letting others know what has happened. Continue checking back to this website for updates.

NBC Video
http://video.nbc6.net/player/?id=157250

Video on Digg (Please digg this!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqAVvlyVbag
Keep DIGGING! This is currently number one on DIGG!!!

FoxNews! (Meyer made the front page of FoxNews.com)
http://www.foxnews.com/
The article is located at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,297126,00.html

University of Florida Newspaper “The Alligator”
The Alligator Article

Gainesville Sun
Gainesville Sun Article

Star Banner
Ocala Newspaper

Miami Herald
Miami Newspaper

WikiProtest.com
Wiki Protest: The Blog of the Revolution

Contact The Andrew Meyer
famouswriterman@aol.com

Custom skin on Swat 4: Phase #3

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Create a custom texture UTX file based on DDS files

We need to follow the “Step 1: create a texture package” of the official Sierra guide to create the texture file.

Inside the UTX file, we need the following part:

  • face = a 256 by 256, 32 bit targa, with facial features
  • GUI image = a 256 by 256, 24 bit targa for the skin selection screen
  • regular pants = a 512 by 512, 32 bit targa, for the light armour pants and arms
  • regular vest = a 512 by 512, 32 bit targa, for the light armour vest
  • heavy pants = a 512 by 512, 32 bit targa, for the heavy armour pants and arms
  • heavy vest = a 512 by 512, 32 bit targa, for the heavy armour vest
  • no armour vest = a 512 by 512, 32 bit targa, for the no armour vest

We decide to create the custom skin based on the Taiwan one. So we need to extract all DDS files from the texture:

  1. Open C:\Program Files\Sierra\SWAT 4\ContentExpansion\System\SwatEd.exe
  2. Select View –> Show texture browser to open the “Textures window”.
  3. Select File –> Open and select the file C:\Program Files\Sierra\SWAT 4\ContentExpansion\Textures\Taiwan_OfficerTex.utx
  4. Export the following textures in DDS format:
  • Face = mpSWATelementLead.dds
  • regular pants = mpSWAT_bdu_black.dds
  • regular vest =mpSWAT_vest_default.dds
  • heavy pants = mpHeavy_BDU_black.dds
  • heavy vest = mpHeavy_vest_Black.dds
  • no armour vest = SWAT_noarmour_TAIWAN.dds

As you can see, there is no GUI texture here!
You can find it inside the file “gui_tex2.utx” located in C:\Program Files\Sierra\SWAT 4\ContentExpansion\Textures\ and export:

  • GUI = skin_Taiwan.dds

Now, follow Custom skin on Swat 4: Phase #1 to edit the skin as you like.

At the end, you should have:

  • Face = inglele_Face.dds
  • GUI = inglele_skin.dds
  • regular pants = inglele_Normal_pants.dds
  • regular vest = inglele_Normal_vest.dds
  • heavy pants = inglele_Heavy_pants.dds
  • heavy vest = inglele_Heavy_vest.dds
  • no armour vest = inglele_NoArmor_vest.dds

Now, we need to import all DDS file inside a new texture file:

  • Create a copy of “Taiwan_OfficerTex.utx”
  • Rename the file “IngLele_Taiwan_Tex.utx”
  • Open C:\Program Files\Sierra\SWAT 4\ContentExpansion\System\SwatEd.exe
  • Select View –> Show texture browser to open the “Textures window”
  • Select File –> Open and select the file “IngLele_Taiwan_Tex.utx”
  • Delete all shader and texture except one, or you will lose the access to the UTX file!

Import a texture based on DDS file:

  • Select File –> Import
  • Package = IngLele_Taiwan_Tex
  • Name = IngLele_xxx (eg: IngLele_Face or whatever)
  • Create mip maps = Enable
  • Compression type = DXT1

Create a shader associated to the DDS file:

  • Select File –> New
  • Package = IngLele_Taiwan_Tex
  • Name = IngLele_Face_Shader
  • Click “New” button
  • The “Shader properties” windows should be shown
  • Click on “Diffuse” entry at the bottom left
  • Select “IngLele_Face” texture in the Texture editor
  • At the end of “Diffuse” field click “>” and “Use”
  • Close the “Shader properties”

Repeat last action group for all DDS files to be imported into the UTX file.
GUI file doesn’t require the shader.

At the end, click “File” –> “Save” and overwrite “IngLele_Taiwan_Tex.UTX” file.

Custom skin on Swat 4: Phase #2

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Create the SKIN Class

To make the SKN file, the standard guide should be fine.

According to “Step 2: Make a new SwatCustomSkin class”, we need to:

  1. Open C:\Program Files\Sierra\SWAT 4\ContentExpansion\System\SwatEd.exe
  2. On the menu, select View –> Show class browser
  3. On the menu, select View –> Unplaceable
  4. The “All” button on the left should be pressed

Now, we can start to create the new class for the skin. On the left panel:

  1. Expand the subtree of “Object” class
  2. Expand the subtree of “Actor” class
  3. Expand the subtree of “Equipment” class
  4. Expand the subtree of “SwatCustomSkin” class

Right click on “SwatCustomSkin” entry and select “new…”

Now you need to compile the 2 empty fields:

  • ParentClass = SwatCustomSkin (not change but check the value)
  • Name = insert a “name” for the skin ending in ‘CustomSkin’ (Eg: “inglele1CustomSkin”)
  • Package = insert same as “name” without ‘CustomSkin’ (Eg: “inglele1”)

There is label “Creates a new derived class.”, press OK button.
Now, you should see “inglele1CustomSkin” on the left tree under “SwatCustomSkin”.

Click on “inglele1CustomSkin” in the tree and, on the menu, select “File” –> “Save package”
Move to “C:\Program Files\Sierra\SWAT 4\ContentExpansion\CustomSkins” and set:

  • “File name” = “inglele1.skn”
  • “Save as Type” = “All files”

Setup new skin with the texture

Right click on your new class “inglele1CustomSkin” and select “Default properties…”
“Class properties” windows should be shown: Expand the “CustomSkin” section.
To set all attributes, move in the main windows to the “Textures” section:

  • FaceMaterial = select “IngLele_Face” –> “>” –> “Use”
  • GUISkinImage = select “IngLele_GUI” –> “>” –> “Use”
  • HeavyPantsMaterial = select “inglele_Heavy_pants” –> “>” –> “Use”
  • HeavyVestMaterial = select “inglele_Heavy_vest” –> “>” –> “Use”
  • NoArmourVestMaterial = select “inglele_NoArmor_vest” –> “>” –> “Use”
  • PantsMaterial = select “inglele_Normal_pants” –> “>” –> “Use”
  • SkinDescription = It is the description of the skin for the skin selection screen in game.
    Eg: “IngLele Taiwan Skin”
  • SkinFriendlyName = It is the name that displays below the skin in the skin selection screen.
    Eg: ‘IngLele1’
  • SkinTeam = It allows you to restrict which team may use the skin.
    There are three different settings:
    • TEAMVALID_All – your skin can be used by either team
    • TEAMVALID_SWATonly – your skin can be only used by SWAT
    • TEAMVALID_SuspectsOnly – your skin can be only used by the suspects
  • Vestmaterial = select “inglele_Normal_vest” –> “>” –> “Use”

Click on “inglele1CustomSkin” in the tree and, on the menu, select “File” –> “Save package”Move to “C:\Program Files\Sierra\SWAT 4\ContentExpansion\CustomSkins” and set:

  • “File name” = “inglele1.skn”
  • “Save as Type” = “All files”

I think that we should edit an existing SKN file because if you follow this procedure, you will get a 1.5Mb skin file instead of few kb.

In the next phase we will add all DDS files to the UTX file to create the custom skin.

Custom skin on Swat 4: Phase #1

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First phase to edit a skin file starting from UTX to DDS
Custom skin could be created by user and added to CustomSkins folder inside Swat 4.
The default location is:
C:\Program Files\Sierra\SWAT 4\ContentExpansion\CustomSkins\

It contains a file that explain How to make a custom skin and it’s divide in 3 “not-so-easy” steps. The same guide is available at 10 David website.

At the Sierra Swat 4 download website there are 2 sample skins that could be downloaded.
Each ZIP file contains 2 UTX graphic files adn all System folder to run swat game.
Download the 2 files here:

After you download the Taiwanese skin, decompress the file and read the information inside the file readme (TWN).rtf

According to the first Readme file inside the CustomSkin folder, you need a lot of BMP to create a UTX file. But if you already have a UTX file, you could extract them.
To do this, you need to open Swat 4 Editor located in:
C:\Program Files\Sierra\SWAT 4\ContentExpansion\System\SwatEd.exe

Select View –> Show texture browser to open the “Textures window”.
Then select File –> Open and select the file
\swat4_mod_twntexture_10\TWN_Texture_1.0\Content\Textures\SWATofficerTex.utx

This show all textures and shaders inside the UTX file.
To see more details, select a bitmap inside the texture and click Properties button (or double click).

Well now we need to export the UTX file in DDS.
Select all texture picture (not the shader) and you will got DDS files:

  • 5 agent names
  • 2 Swat bodies
  • 2 Swat vests
  • 5 faces

To edit this file, you need Photoshop CS3 and DDS plugin for Photoshop CS3.
On the nVidia website there are also a few usefull tools to manage DDS texture files.

Open the DDS files in Photoshop and edit it as you like.
When you save the file you need to select:

  • Format = D3D/DDS
  • DXT1 ARGB 4 bpp 1 bit alpha
  • 2D texture

You can click “2D Preview” to see a preview of the DDS file.

We will see how to rebuild the UTX file based on DDS and finally the SKIN package.