File
Formats in IMVU
What they are and what
they do?
JPG:
(Products,
Product Shots and Stickers) This is the simplest file type for
IMVU. It is what you will use for anything you retexture in
the previewer. It is a simple one layer image and does not support
transparency. In the world of the web and game texturing small
is GOOD.
GIF:
(Product Shots and Stickers) This is also a small file
format, it achieves its small size from limiting the pallet
to just a few colors. A GIF supports transparency in an all
on or all off matter, there are no transparency gradients in
a GIF. GIF also supports animation through layer cycling. If
it moves, twinkles, jiggles, color changes, or waves at you,
it’s a GIF. (Note: texture animation on products is done
through tools in the previewer and not a GIF.)
PNG:
(Product Shots and Stickers) A PNG is a file
format that opens the word of Alpha channels to you. An Alpha
Channel is a grayscale image. It is a channel of information
just like Red, Green, & Blue, only it is used for instructions
on level of transparency for an image. White is solid, black
is clear and shades of gray are everything in-between. Because
of this, a PNG can go from a solid color then gradually fade
into noting in a smooth attractive way. If you can partially
see through the image it is a PNG. Not all web browsers support
PNG files, on an older browser it will look solid. (Note: Texture
transparency in the previewer uses Alpha channels but it uses
a JPG for the Alpha channel and not a PNG.)
2x
Texture, What’s that?
Renderers love nice
even pretty numbers or they have a fit. So when folks say make
it a 2x texture size there talking about the image size a renderer
needs. 2x2x2x2x2x2x…and so on.
The 2x Pixel Sizes
are
2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512… As small as you can
get away with id best to keep load times down.
Your textures can
be any height width combination of theses numbers.
32x32 32x512 236x512.
also, If it’s just a solid color tiny works just the same
as large.
Image
Editing Programs (by far not a complete list.)
I’m a Photoshop
user so I’m bias towards what works best for me, this
does not mean it will also work best for you. Most Programs
offer some sort of limited trial so if you’re in the market
give em all a test drive and find the one that is right for
you.
* MS Paint: Just
the basics. No bells or whistles.
** Photoshop Elements:
Basically a gimmick program bundled in with new computers and
software to make you think you’re getting Photoshop, It’s
not Photoshop, not even close, think of it as a glorified MS
paint.
*** Paint Shop Pro:
Mid level program. Will do most anything you’d need.
**** Gimp: FREE!
Also will do most anything you’d need and again it’s
FREE!
***** Photoshop,
A professional level program. Will do all kinds of magic, just
won’t bake bread but I think they’re working on
it.
GIF
Animation Programs (by
far not a complete list.)
Animation Shop (bundled
with paint shop pro)
Image Ready: (bundled with Photoshop)
