{{tag>tutorial texture material alpha vtf png paint.net}}
{{htmlmetatags>metatag-media-og:image=(:wiki:wiki.png)
metatag-keywords=(pac3,wiki,gmod,vtf,png,alpha,colourable,texture)
metatag-description=(Tutorial on how to create colourable textures for PAC3.)
metatag-og:title=(Colourable textures in PAC3.)
metatag-og:description=(Tutorial on how to create colourable textures for PAC3.)
}}
===== Colourable Textures =====

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The idea behind colourable textures is pretty simple, it's just an alpha mask where visible parts (white) can be coloured and invisible parts (black) keep their original colour.
Both **.VTF** and **.PNG** (up to 1K) textures support alpha masks.
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{{https://i.imgur.com/1Uv6Itv.png}}
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Original texture
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{{https://i.imgur.com/Nmd2MHT.png}}
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Alpha mask
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{{https://i.imgur.com/JT1oX7Y.png}}
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End result, texture coloured in PAC
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Below you'll find a tutorial on how to make such texture using Paint.NET
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===== Paint.NET =====
==== Requirements ====
Before you start you'll have to download some tools.

<span download>
[[https://www.getpaint.net/|Paint.NET]] - free image editing software
</span>

<span download>
[[http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/files/files/pdnvtfplugin111.zip|Paint.NET VTF Plug-in]] - VTF file support for Paint.NET
</span>

<span download>
[[https://forums.getpaint.net/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=13208|Paint.NET Alpha Mask Import Plug-in]] - lets you use any image as an alpha mask.
</span>

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==== Preparation ====
First, download Paint.NET and install it following the instructions on screen. Once done, you will have to install downloaded plug-ins. Head over to your installation folder, by default **''C:\Program Files\Paint.NET''**, then:


=== VTF Plug-in ===
  * Open downloaded **.ZIP** archive
  * Copy all files info **''..\Paint.NET\FileTypes\''**

=== Alpha Mask Plug-in ===
  * Open downloaded **.ZIP** archive
  * Copy all files info **''..\Paint.NET\Effects\''**

Once that's done you can start working on your texture.

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==== Importing textures ====
For this tutorial I'll be using in-game **.VTF** textures but you can follow the same steps for **.PNG** files.

  * Go to **''File''** > **''Open''** and select your file or drag & drop your file onto the program window and select **''Open''**. 

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==== Creating an alpha mask ====
Since there is no way to edit existing alpha channel data (or I don't know about it) we'll have to reset all alpha information. 
  * Go to **''Effects''** > **''Alpha Mask''**, **uncheck** **''Paste from Clipboard''** and press **''OK''**. 

That should leave you with the original non-transparent image. At this point you're free to paint your own alpha mask. Because an alpha mask is fully white by default we only need to add the black (non-colourable) data.

Press **''F7''** to open the layers panel and add a new layer, then press **''F5''** to open the tools panel and **''F4''** to open the colour palette. 
Pick the **Paintbrush** tool and set the colour to **black**.

Now your goal is to cover everything that you do **NOT** want to be colourable in black (on the new layer).
Once you're done:
  * Press **''Ctrl''** + **''A''** to select the entire black layer.
  * Press **''Ctrl''** + **''C''** to copy it to clipboard.
  * Hide or delete the black layer and go back to the original one.
  * Go to **''Effects''** > **''Alpha Mask''**, **check** **''Paste from Clipboard''** and press **''OK''**.

Now all the black parts should become transparent. That's it, your alpha mask is done.

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==== Exporting ====
=== As .PNG ===
  * Go to **''File''** > **''Save as''**
  * Change file type to **PNG**
  * Type the file name, select a location and click **''Save''**
  * In the next window leave everything at default and click **''OK''**

=== As .VTF ===
  * Go to **''File''** > **''Save as''**
  * Change file type to **VTF**
  * Type the file name, select a location and click **''Save''**
  * In the next window change **Image Format** to **''DXT5''** and click **''OK''**

Upload your texture and be happy. :)


===== How to use it in PAC =====
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A quick example on how to use an colourable texture in PAC. I decided to make colourable pants for Alyx.

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  * Add {{icon:bug.png?nolink}} **Experimental** > :entity: **Entity**
  * Set it to your model (**''models/player/alyx.mdl''** in my case)
  * Under that add {{icon:bug.png?nolink}} **Experimental** > :material: **Material3D**
  * Set **''material override''** to the material that you want to replace (**''plyr_sheet''** in my case)
  * Clear **''envmap''** field
  * Paste your texture link into **''basetexture''** field
  * Check **''tint by base alpha''**
  * Change **''color2''** to whatever colour you want

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Download this example: {{asset:example:colourable_texture.txt}} 
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{{https://i.imgur.com/8C25bg6.png}}
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End result as seen in PAC
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===== Known limitations =====
Textures can't be colourable and transparent at the same time.