How to make custom facepaint?

[Mi-chii]

I want to make various patterns to have on my sims cheeks and chins, that show up under the facepaint-category (i don't think it's the right name, but can't remember what it's called right now).

Im thinking like hearts, stars or organic patterns (think like temperary tattoos).

I have never made custom content in my life and I need help.

Do I make the pattern in photoshop first, and then take it into bodyshop?

Thank you to anyone who can help me!

[The Mule]

Export the one of the maxis facepaints...replace your photoshop image into the texture file of the export....adjust the alpha accordingly. Technically, no you don't have to do the pattern in PS first, but you need to after you export it. Export any one, pull the texture and start playing around with it. It's alot easier than you think

[Mi-chii]

Export to where...? :oops:

[The Mule]

from bodyshop...choose a facepaint....click export...it send it to a folder in my documents/sims2/projects....your project folder will contain a folder that it created for you when you export...inside that folder will be two files...one is called an alpha and is in black and white...you wont need to change it the first time you do it...the second will be in color and it will look like the face paint you exported. Use whatever drawing program you have to alter the file, save click the refresh button in bodyshop and you'll see the change...the maxis's site has a good bodyshop tutorial also....

[Mi-chii]

Thank you mule, I understood now

[Mi-chii]

Well, got a couple of questions. Im working from the mime-mask. How do I remove the white skin, so that the sims skin show? What colour should I use? And is I draw the pattern in white, is there some reversed thingy going on so that it will show up in black?

Exuse my stupid questions, it's my first time doing anything like this.

[The Mule]

The black and white file (the alpha file) is important. It functions like a filter. Open in up and look at it. All the black blocks out the texture (color) file. The white allows the color to show through...Shades of grey work also. Find a white spot on that file, and make it black (a small circle will do), refresh in bodyshop and you should see the sims "skin" instead of the mask.

[Mi-chii]

Okey, so I what I should do then is mark of the area where the I want the pattern to be, then draw over all the white with black... But what colour should I draw with if I want the pattern to show up black? Paint in grey?

[The Mule]

when you say "the pattern to show up black" you mean the face? You want the face black? If that's the case - you color the texture file (color) black...

[Mi-chii]

No no. I want i.e. a black star on my sims cheek, but the rest of the skin should show. Like they'd put a temporary tattoo there (or a real tattoo, for that sake...)

What colours should I use then?

[The Mule]

make the star black on the color file (doesn't matter what color the rest of the color file is)....the black and white (alpha) file should be all black EXCEPT for a white star right where the star is...

lol....now we're clicking!!

[Mi-chii]

Indeed we are! NOW I understand what I got wrong. Spank you, Mule, I'll remember you in my speech when I win the Oscar or something

[The Mule]

i just want to see the mask when it's done..

[Mi-chii]

Houston, we've got problems...

It all looked nice and dandy, and then I pressed the "import to game"-button. Now, when I choose that facepaint in bodyshop or CAS, their face show up all pixelated... Man, I don't think Im ment to do this.

[The Mule]

pixelated as in like the sensor block??

edit....you want something similar to this? bad rendering - i just threw it together quick to see if i was explaining it wrong or something...