Custom Ship Art Pack - What Do I Need To Know?

[I-KP]

What do I need to know about the various bitmap assets in order to create a custom ship art pack?
(I've already replaced the shields and they look rather nifty even if I do say so myself, and you can see the ship inside them more clearly.) 
I notice that there are '_mode' bitmaps that seem to be highlight overlays, and some engine overlays, but how are they managed? 
How are the different coloured trim lines handled, presumably there's some sort of colour shifting going on within a specific RGB range? 
Are the damage decals are applied in sequence with each bitmap divided into blocks of the standard ship bitmap dimensions? 
Do the other multi-part bitmaps use similar dimension divisions?
What are the various exact bitmap dimensions?
Any 'protected' RGB ranges?
..?

[lifehole]

What do I need to know about the various bitmap assets in order to create a custom ship art pack?
(I've already replaced the shields and they look rather nifty even if I do say so myself, and you can see the ship inside them more clearly.) 
I notice that there are '_mode' bitmaps that seem to be highlight overlays, and some engine overlays, but how are they managed? 
How are the different coloured trim lines handled, presumably there's some sort of colour shifting going on within a specific RGB range? 
Are the damage decals are applied in sequence with each bitmap divided into blocks of the standard ship bitmap dimensions? 
Do the other multi-part bitmaps use similar dimension divisions?
What are the various exact bitmap dimensions?
Any 'protected' RGB ranges?
..?

I dunno if anyone will be able to answer this until the chris/keith get back on monday, unfortunately. There was a thread earlier on some guy who wanted to replace ship graphics, but they were the campaign level ship graphics I think.

[I-KP]

Yeah, Chris and Keith will know but they're probably busy. 

I've figured out most of the 'things' by trial and error but I'm still unsure about the RGB range colour replacement thing that might be going on (trim lines, etc.).

Here's a sample...



It shows:-
- new 'generic' and 'impenetrable' shields (vs old)
- new Acutian Executor MkI&II (vs old) with engine burn overlays; intend to respect the original silhouette in the most part.

[nas1m]

Cool stuff ! Kudos!

[GreyTalon]

Very Nice

[lifehole]

Yeah, those are really cool looking.

[Kingpin23]

This really looks great great!

Good job

[I-KP]

Thoraxian makeover...



Shows:-

- new 'electric' and 'attractor' shields
- old Thoraxian Exterminator vs new

[lifehole]

Those are crazy awesome! If I could download some type of modpack for those I would.

[I-KP]

Those are crazy awesome! If I could download some type of modpack for those I would.

That's the general idea, eventually (there are quite a few ships to do), if I can get a few questions answered and Chris is okay with it.

[MaskityMask]

._. Wow. I'm having one of those "I didn't even know I want it, but I must have it" moments

Seriously, those designs are awesome

[I-KP]

Glad you like them but don't get too attached to the colours in those samples because they're all going to be desaturated into grey-scale; necessary given the way the game does its colour shifting (thanks to Chris for the explanation of how this works).  No matter, whilst the above will lose their colour distinctions -- I was hoping to represent each race with its own colour pallet as well based on their in-game art -- crafty placement of colour regions should still look okay in-game when it does its thing.     

[Coppermantis]

That looks beyond awesome. Great job distinguishing the ships like you have.

[I-KP]

Building resumes...



Shows:-
- Acutian Executor MkI (above) & MkII (below) w/ engine burn
- Andor Suppressor MkI (above) & MkII (below) w/ engine burn
- Thoraxian Exterminator MkI (above) w/ engine burn (below)
- Boarine Tusker MkI (above) & MkII (below) w/ engine burn

They're in greyscale with team colour tint (red default) because that's the way the game deals with colour.

[MaskityMask]

Cool *_*

The in game ships with tron lines are still pretty cool, but they do look rather samey if not for the colors and shape differences. Your designs each feel unique and feels true to the race's style