1st attempt at custom Uni's (fictional)

[donjamoni]

Ok with some advice and help from Ambermonk, here is my 1st and I stress 1st time at uni's. They will probably look bush league on some but I welcome all advice and instructions on how I can get better. The Teams are the Coastal Carolina Hurricanes, The Albuquerque Rams, Newark Sopranos, El Paso Baysharks, and the Las Vegas Aces.

[donjamoni]

thee next teams are: The New Orleans Nails, The Omaha Steaks, and the Harbourtown Yachtsmen.

[OldFatGuy]

Well, I can't help you. But I was wondering if you would PM me the jersey and cap files for the Aces (and team logo file if you have one )? Or upload it here?? I really like that one and would like to use it if its OK.

[donjamoni]

Originally Posted by OldFatGuy

Well, I can't help you. But I was wondering if you would PM me the jersey and cap files for the Aces (and team logo file if you have one )? Or upload it here?? I really like that one and would like to use it if its OK.

I will be more than happy to do so if someone can tell me how to do so. I got the logos off of cephasjames site. 1st pic is hat logo, 2nd is jersey logo.

[OldFatGuy]

Originally Posted by donjamoni

I will be more than happy to do so if someone can tell me how to do so. I got the logos off of cephasjames site. 1st pic is hat logo, 2nd is jersey logo.

One of Cephasjames huh? No wonder I hadn't seen it. I've dowloaded lots of stuff from PadresFans site, including the monster 97 meg file filled with logos and stuff from Cephasjames. But that file was a RAR file instead of a ZIP file, so I was never able to uncompress it.

As for someone telling you how to do it, I'll try. But I'm probably gonna fail because I'm not sure I'm understanding correctly. But here goes, and please, I apologize if I'm not answering properly.

I'm assuming you know how to attach images to these posts as I see the pictures above. All you need to do is attch the jerseys.png file from the saved game directory that includes the Aces. Am I answering or not???

EDIT: Oh, I forgot the cap. In your saved game file, you'll find directories named jerseys and ballcaps. In each, you should find a file called something like jerseys_Las_Vegas_Aces.png and caps_logo_Las_Vegas_Aces.png. Or something like that. But if the ballcap logo is just the one pictured above, I guess I can use the image above. However, for the jerseys, I like how you've already got the colors and everything set up, so if you could post that I'd like to use it if its oK

[donjamoni]

Originally Posted by OldFatGuy

One of Cephasjames huh? No wonder I hadn't seen it. I've dowloaded lots of stuff from PadresFans site, including the monster 97 meg file filled with logos and stuff from Cephasjames. But that file was a RAR file instead of a ZIP file, so I was never able to uncompress it.

As for someone telling you how to do it, I'll try. But I'm probably gonna fail because I'm not sure I'm understanding correctly. But here goes, and please, I apologize if I'm not answering properly.

I'm assuming you know how to attach images to these posts as I see the pictures above. All you need to do is attch the jerseys.png file from the saved game directory that includes the Aces. Am I answering or not???

just upload it like I have done the others?

[OldFatGuy]

Originally Posted by donjamoni

just upload it like I have done the others?

Yep, I think so. I'll try it out right now and show you in a couple of minutes if you want.

[OldFatGuy]

Yep, I got it. I just changed the cap a little is all. Thank you for that, I really like that uni, and I just can't make em myself. Thanks.

[donjamoni]

your more than welcome.

[Ambermonk]

Originally Posted by donjamoni

Ok with some advice and help from Ambermonk, here is my 1st and I stress 1st time at uni's. I welcome all advice and instructions on how I can get better.

Good job! It looks like your off to a running start. I can see that you're creating some new layer templates (or should have). I'll offer some suggestions...

The Baysharks logo is a little high. In Paint.net you can Select/move/resize the logo with all of the other layers visible so you can get exactly the effect that you want (i.e., lower the Baysharks logo & Move the Sopranos logo a little to the player's left.

I notice that you have not used any shading. Is this intentional? Shading can greatly increase the naturalness of the uniform. You can review the latest examples of my current shading method at the following link (as well as get 2 more shading templates)...
Recent Uniform Designs & New Templates

Another nice idea would be to use texturing so the uniforms won't look like a painting. I recommend using 20%-30% "noise" (from the Effects menu) for the following layers (background, side-panels, shoulder bars, & collar). After I get these layers colored the way I want them, I add noise to the start layer and work up from there. When you do the 2nd layer you will find that the noise settings from the 1st layer will default. This is usually good. As a general rule, light colors need less noise - dark colors need more.

A suggestion about jerseys colored black; You never want to use total black because fabrics just don't come that dark. What you want to do is use a dark gray that will look like black to the eye. Note the dark gray colors for my Oakland Olives & Martinez Magpies. By using dark gray, noise, and shading, you can get a more natural look (here is the link...)
Uniforms Ready For OOTP 9

You can also make your designs look more natural by using many of the Facegen backgrounds that have been posted in this forum.

I notice that you took out the "tapering" from the bottom of the jerseys that I put in. That is why your jerseys look a little fatter than mine (of course, this may be a personal preference of yours). If you like you can review my original comments about "fat" jerseys in Post# 6 in the following thread...
New Uniform Designs (inspired by Silvam)

It's nice to see some creative designs coming out. You've made a very nice start. There are probably many people out there who wish that they could do uniforms as well as you do. Keep up the good work, and let me know if I can assist you further.

[Ambermonk]

Originally Posted by OldFatGuy

I'm assuming you know how to attach images to these posts as I see the pictures above. All you need to do is attch the jerseys.png file from the saved game directory that includes the Aces. Am I answering or not???

EDIT: Oh, I forgot the cap. In your saved game file, you'll find directories named jerseys and ballcaps. In each, you should find a file called something like jerseys_Las_Vegas_Aces.png and caps_logo_Las_Vegas_Aces.png. Or something like that. But if the ballcap logo is just the one pictured above, I guess I can use the image above. However, for the jerseys, I like how you've already got the colors and everything set up, so if you could post that I'd like to use it if its oK

You can also simply copy the images above, paste them into your paint program, and save them as a .png. You may have to clear out the background though.

[donjamoni]

Ambermonk, I greatly appreciate the fantastic direction. The truth is, I did not do any shading because I did not know how. As far as the tapering, I used the template in my game file because I did not know how to download yours, so that is the reason for that. I still dont think I quite get the total picture of the layering. Am I supposed to copy each previous/lower layer and paste it to the next and the change that layer for the part it is for? Because it seemed like the only thing I was getting was the top layer showing through, I am not quite sure I did that right, even though I followed your tutorial. I have to admit, I am a rookie in every sense of the word when it comes to custom work. From the paint program utilization, to the storage and rendering aspects. So your info is so greatly appreciated.

[Ambermonk]

Originally Posted by donjamoni

Ambermonk, I greatly appreciate the fantastic direction. The truth is, I did not do any shading because I did not know how. As far as the tapering, I used the template in my game file because I did not know how to download yours, so that is the reason for that. I still dont think I quite get the total picture of the layering. Am I supposed to copy each previous/lower layer and paste it to the next and the change that layer for the part it is for? Because it seemed like the only thing I was getting was the top layer showing through, I am not quite sure I did that right, even though I followed your tutorial. I have to admit, I am a rookie in every sense of the word when it comes to custom work. From the paint program utilization, to the storage and rendering aspects. So your info is so greatly appreciated.

All that you've said is good news. All of these problems can be fixed. First off - you can download my templates at...

Files.SimCentral.NET - Out of the Park > Out of the Park 2007

After you download that file, unzip it and move or copy it to your OOTP Jersey folder (I believe my folder is called Jersey Elements). Then open Paint.net and from inside there, open the Jersey Elements folder. There are 7 subfolders and 2 open templates (that start with the words Std Template...). Std Template - Narrow Waist is your most common Start Template. There are additional Start templates in the first subfolder (called, of course, Alternate Start Templates). Open the Std Template - Narrow Waist. When you open it you will see white, gray, & green parts. The white parts are the torso & shoulders, the gray parts are the arms, and the green is the tee-shirt. Note that the gray on the torso part matches the gray on the arms. When you "fill" the gray color with whatever color you are going to use, hold down the shift key when you click on the gray. This will recolor all of the Grays on that layer. These colors must always match!

When that Start template is open, add the 6-7 additional layers (and label them) as previously described.

Next, make the empty Side Panels layer your active layer. Then open the side panels folder and select a side panel. This new template will open in a new window. Ctrl-a & Ctrl C the Side Panel template (to select it all & to copy it), then click on the red "X" in the upper right corner to close the side panel template (you've already copied it). Then reopen your start template and past the Side Panel template that you've chosen into the blank Side Panel layer. Assuming that your Start layer's visibility box is still checked, you should see both layers at the same time (the Side Panel on top of the Start Panel). Note: after you color the side panel, you can remove the gray "arm parts" so it won't cover up the arms that you colored on the start layer. They had to be left on the template so that your color fills on the side panels wouldn't overfill the torso on the layer below.

Next, open the Shoulder Bars folder and do the same thing as above for that layer. Do this for all the layers.

These template folders have everything already pre-drawn for you. all you have to do is copy & paste the desired template into a blank layer in your design, and color them as desired.

Why don't you try this (and try the visual noise) and lets see how it turns out. After that, we'll move on to the next step. Good luck.

[donjamoni]

Thanks a ton! I am going to do that now. I really appreciate your time and precise instruction.

[donjamoni]

Ok, here is my 1st retry understanding somewhat the process. I redid the Omaha Steaks, using your templates and expicit instructions. I still dont know how to change the background ... but I guess that will be a lesson further down the line. How does this look?

[Ambermonk]

Originally Posted by donjamoni

Thanks a ton! I am going to do that now. I really appreciate your time and precise instruction.

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. I'm going to upload both a design for my Sumpter Sabrecats that I just did, and I'm going to upload the actual Paint.net file that shows all of the layers to SimCentral. I closed all of the layers except the bottom background layer so that you could see the effect of each. Starting from the bottom layer, click each display box to see the next layer. That way you can see what each layer is designed to do. Note: the background through the collar layers have had visual noise added to give a textured look. Unfortunately, I think that it will take about a week for the file to show up on their website, but I'll do it anyway so other people can get an idea of what to do.

If you send me a private message with your email address, I can send the zip file directly to you immediately. Just click on my name or avatar and click on send private message.

[Ambermonk]

Originally Posted by donjamoni

Ok, here is my 1st retry understanding somewhat the process. I redid the Omaha Steaks, using your templates and expicit instructions. I still dont know how to change the background ... but I guess that will be a lesson further down the line. How does this look?

The improvement is noticeable! Great job! Read my message above and I can help you some more. Your definitely moving along quickly.

[donjamoni]

one more .... was doing this while you were replying, I will send you my info. Here is my retake on Coastal Carolina.

[Ambermonk]

Originally Posted by donjamoni

one more .... was doing this while you were replying, I will send you my info. Here is my retake on Coastal Carolina.

Nice job. I notice that you have started using shading also. Very good. I will send you the Paint.net file right after this.

[donjamoni]

following one of your previous posts, I used noise of 20% on background through collar on both of my remakes.