View source for 3D Asset Workflow: Alternative Textures

= Summary =
* Alternative Textures (AltTextures) are used when there's a '''need for a different looking material/color for the same asset'''
* Some times it's better to make a [[3D_Asset_Workflow:_Tintmask|tintmask]] instead, depending on the case
* '''One model can have several Alternative Textures of all the maps'''
** Usually there's only need to make an Alternative Texture for albedo only - this depends on the case, but '''don't make unnecessary 1:1 copies of the default textures'''
*** The Editor creates a separate meshmaterial for the Alternative Textures, and it will use the default textures for all maps that don't have separate Alternative Textures
* Using Alternative Textures '''eliminates the need to make a separate fbxmodel''', as only the texture is changed
* Alternative Textures can be swapped in the Editor's ModelComponent properties

[[File:Trine4 playable characters color variations preview.jpg|600px|thumb|center]]

== Alternative Texture Worklow Steps ==
# '''Create the Alternative Textures'''
#* [[3D_Asset_Workflow:_Alternative_Textures#Naming_the_Alternative_Texture|Name them correctly]]
#* Add them to the same folder where the original textures are in the binary SVN
# '''Open the Editor''' (the Editor can also be open when you add the textures to the binary)
#* The Editor should now notice the new textures, and open a pop-up about adding new resources and a new meshmaterial
#* '''If it doesn't do so automatically''', find the model's FBX from the '''Resources Window''', right-click it and select "Open FBX Dialog" or "Process resources"
#** Reprocessing the FBX should force the Editor to notice that a new meshmaterial is needed, and create it
# Find the model you added the Alternative Texture to from the Type Tree, add it to the scene to test it
# Open the model's ModelComponents
# Find '''AlternativeTexture''' setting, and try changing the number (e.g. from 0 to 1, 0 being the default)
# The new texture should appear on the model
#* If it doesn't, try [[3D_Asset_Workflow:_Alternative_Textures#Troubleshooting|troubleshooting]]

[[File:3d asset workflow alternative alt texture guide.jpg|600px|center]]
[[File:Alt texture.png|center]]

= Naming the Alternative Texture =
* The Alternative Textures need to have a correct suffix, or '''else the Editor will not create the needed meshmaterial for them'''
** The Editor will use the albedo material to make the meshmaterial, so you can only make the Alternative Texture for that, if nothing else is needed - the asset will use the default textures for the rest or the materials automatically
** The suffix should be the very last thing in the texture's name - it goes after all other suffixes
** In the ModelComponent properties:
*** AlternativeTexture 0 = default textures (no suffix)
*** AlternativeTexture 1 = the first Alternative Texture (suffix _alt_0)
*** AlternativeTexture 2 = the first Alternative Texture (suffix _alt_1)
*** Etc
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[[File:3D Asset Workflow alttextures 16.5.2023.jpg|1000px|center]]

= Troubleshooting =
* '''If the Editor doesn't create the meshmaterial for the Alternative Texture'''
# Are the textures named correctly?
#* The Editor will make the meshmaterial based on the albedo texture's name
# Have you tried processing the resources of the FBX file?
# If that doesn't work, try restarting the Editor

* '''Are you trying to add an Alternative Texture to a model which uses textures from multiple places in the binary?'''
# In this case, try adding the Alternative Texture to the folder where the FBX is, instead of the original textures