[Modding Instructions] Adding Custom Emblems/Portraits (DDS Textures)

[kylania]

This has totally failed for me. It must be something wrong with the DDS. I first tried by just taking a JPG, transparenting the white, saving as a PNG with alpha, converting that to DDS as above and editing the csv. Load that up into game with files where they belong, and no joy. No emblem visible. Then I tried step by step per the instructions, paste, anchor into a new file and all that and when I loaded into game it go to the intro video and hung, black screen with an FPS counter and stayed like that. Using Gimp 2.10.0 and file-dds-save plugin from Shawn Kirst, 2008.

This is so simple. Wonder what's wrong...

 

[Shiuoka]

At this point, you cannot use the method described in the Wiki to change the Commander or the starting lance. Those are all Portraits that are generated by the Character creator. You can use the method to create characters similar to the backer pilots either by adding one or replacing one of the pilots that is already there with your own. The problem with this is that they then only appear in the hiring halls and you have to find them or someone needs to figure out how to place them in a specific hiring hall. It might be most plausible to hire a backer mercenary and THEN change the character with your own portrait, bio and callsign. I have not tried it yet.

People, including me, are looking for ways to bypass the character creator so that custom portraits can be used for the Commander and the starting lance. To the best of my knowledge no one has found it yet.


@ Gen Task Nice guide. I used Photoshop and an outside DDS converter that eliminated a couple steps but was in essence the same as what you wrote up. I am sure this guide will be a great help to those wanting to add their own unit logo. Now go look at SpongeBog on the leg of the ShadowHawk if you have the Umbra skin for it.

Hey everyone you can get a custom commander and replacement starter pilots

Look at these post on Reddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/BattleTech...ore_dekker_or_any_of_the_starter_pilots_plus/
https://www.reddit.com/r/BattleTechMods/comments/8h6ok7/help_custom_pilots_ingame_but_loose_their/
https://www.reddit.com/r/BattleTechMods/comments/8hppms/mod_btml_v04_commanderportraitloader_bugfix/

I hope this helps - I will try and answer questions but I only check here like twice a week. PS these are full custom pilots that I made as I did not like most of the original pilots.