Tutorial:Understanding CAS Modding/Textures/DDS Files and Alphas

DDS Files and Channels

All textures in TS3 - for CAS content but also objects - are in the DDS format. This is a fairly uncommon format, so you will have to set up your graphics program to be able to use it. However, we're getting ahead of ourselves, there's no point in being able to edit DDS files if you don't have any files to edit!

Step 1: Extracting Textures

First off, open CTU. The first thing you see will be a grid containing thumbnails; this is a "list" of all the basegame outfits, ready for cloning.

In order to create custom content you always have to start with game content - and it's always better to start with basegame content if you can, to ensure that your custom item doesn't end up still using EP textures and so on, since if it does then people without that EP can't use it. Cloning is exactly what it sounds like: making an exact copy of an item, ready for you to change however you like. Once you have cloned something, it's totally separate from the original: you can change the meshes, textures, whatever you like, and there won't be any effect on the original.

In CTU, cloning is easy: you just pick an item in the grid, and go change something. First, of course, we need to find the right item to change. Using the dropdown filter menus above the grid, pick Adult, Female, and Top. Now scroll down the grid - use the mouse, not the scroll wheel, or you'll change the filters by accident - until you find the skintight blue