(TSL)How to get a good portrait for you character

[Eefluxx]

I am just wondering what some of the best methods are for getting a good portrait. Like where is the best place to take a screenshot to get a good picture and so on. I have tried head selection screen but the picture seems to up close and I have tried right after the beginning when you leave the kolto tank but then it seems to far away. Another place I tried is during the cutscene when you character is talking to the HK50 droid but that one seemed to wide, liked it stretched their face or something. so I was just wondering where some of you great modders might take your screenshots from for the portraits of the characters you put into the game

 

Thanks

 

Eefluxx

[glovemaster]

I would try and find a blank wall and change character, enter first person view (CAPS LOCK for me) and then screenshot them from up close.

Then i would open the file up in photoshop, or Paint.NET and crop out the background and add some gradient effect, as with most portraits

 

Hope that helps

[Eefluxx]

I didn't think about taking the screenshot from a different characters position. Thanks Glovemaster I will try that

[redrob41]

There are two places that I like to use for screenshots. One is right on the Endar Spire, because it has some great lighting. I usually move my character around untill I get some nice shadows on the face, then wait for him/her to make a nice expression, and press pause. This way, I can keep them in the same pose when I use the cheat console to adddarkside by increments of 10, and get all five transition portraits. This is where I usually have the PC stand, and I sometimes position Trask so that the PC looks in his direction:

 

Here is the result after Photoshopping it:

 

The other place I like to use is the Manaan hanger because of the naturalistic lighting. I usually warp there (warp manm26ad) with Trask after starting a new game with a PC I'm testing. With the blue/grey background, it will make warm colored characters really stand out. Sometimes I'll use Tatooine (warp tat_m18ac) if my PC is a cool color (like my green lizards). Here it's just the oposite; a cool character stands out against the orangy warm sand. The only problem is that the lighting is really strong, so sometimes the highlights are a little too bright.

 

After that, I pretty much do what glovemaster does. I've also found that if I turn solo mode ON, that it's easier to get screen shots of the side and back of the PC when using Trask in first person mode.

[Ferc Kast]

So, it's better and/or easier to use Photoshop than the Gimp when making portraits and skins?

[Darth Kalverys]

Not necessarily... depends on if you can use gimp to it's... maximum capacity. It really depends on the user. I personally suck at Gimp... so I know I would suck at Photoshop... so... no, I don't do reskins... although you could simply take a picture... crop the head and part of the body and not do anything to the background, and VIOLA! A new head portrait.