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{{DoNotEnter}}{{DevName|'''Kfreon''' created and develops '''TPF/DDS Tools''' for ME3Explorer.}}{{Warning|'''TPF Tools''' cannot be used to install textures without first generating a texture tree with [[Texplorer]]. Consult that article before continuing.}}
  
{{DoNotEnter}}{{DevName|'''Kfreon''' created and develops '''TPF/DDS Tools''' for ME3Explorer.}}{{Warning|'''TPF Tools''' cannot be used to install textures without first generating a texture tree with [[Texplorer]]. Consult that article before continuing.}}
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{{ImportantName|TPF/DDS Tools}} ("TPF Tools" for short) is the toolset's user-friendly texture installation utility. With it, new textures can be permanently installed into all three games. TPF Tools is compatible with Texmod TPF and DDS files. It also has the ability to use and create a new format, the "METPF", which has better compatibility with the toolset, but cannot be used with Texmod. Finally, TPF Tools has the ability to "autofix" improperly formatted textures, allowing the contents of even broken TPFs to be used in-game.
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{{ImportantName|TPF/DDS Tools}} ("TPF Tools" for short) is the toolset's user-friendly texture installation utility. With it, new textures can be permanently installed into all three games. '''TPF Tools''' is compatible with Texmod TPF and DDS files. It also has the ability to use and create a new format, the "METPF", which has better compatibility with the toolset, but cannot be used with Texmod. Finally, '''TPF Tools''' has the ability to "autofix" improperly formatted textures, allowing the contents of incompatible files to be used in-game.
   
 
Unlike MOD files, TPF/METPF/DDS files are not revision-sensitive, and are the preferred format for texture distribution and installation.
  
Unlike MOD files, TPF/METPF/DDS files are not revision-sensitive, and are the preferred format for texture distribution and installation.
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{{Subsection|Texture Files}}
  
{{Subsection|Texture Files}}
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TPF Tools is compatible with three file types: DDS, TPF, and ME3TPF. To use the tool, you must have access to one or more of these files, either extracted from the game and edited yourself, or as downloaded from a hosting site like Nexusmods.
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'''TPF Tools''' is compatible with three file types: DDS, TPF, and ME3TPF. To use the tool, you must have access to one or more of these files, either extracted from the game and edited yourself, or as downloaded from a hosting site like Nexusmods.
   
 
==Usage==
  
==Usage==
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'''TPF Tools''' is a simple utility with a an interface a bit less technical than [[Texplorer]], but there's still a lot of information present. This section will carefully step through the GUI and explain how to use the tool and how to combat issues with incompatible textures.
  +
  +
{{Subsection|Load File}}
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'''TPF Tools''' has two main panes that will be empty when opened. To populate the panes, use {{Menu|Load}} and navigate to the desired file on your computer. The examples in this section of the article will use two different TPFs in the slideshow to the right.
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  +
Unlike a majority of other tools in the toolset, '''TPF Tools''' has a somewhat interactive interface. If you scroll over various GUI elements, the tool will describe their purpose. If you click {{Menu|Help}} on the top-left, a series of info boxes will appear on the GUI. If you click it twice, it will bring you to this wiki page.
  +
  +
The '''Left Pane''' displays the following features:
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*{{ImportantName|Top Menu}} — Contains a variety of options we'll cover in different parts of the article.
  +
*{{ImportantName|Main Page Tab}} — Displays the loaded textures. Provides a thumbnail for each, their name, and information about validity. Also depicts the {{Filename|Texmod.def}} file, which is used when creating a TPF. The toolset reads this information, but the file isn't "installed", as it's not a texture.
  +
*{{ImportantName|Delete Page Tab}} — ??
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*{{ImportantName|Context Menu}} — Allows for of individual, texture-specific operations.
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*{{ImportantName|Bottom Menu}} — Operations that generally affect all textures.
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*{{ImportantName|Progress Bar}} — Fills as operations are completed and conveys simple, relevant information (e.g, "15/20 textures installed").
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<gallery type="slideshow" widths="825" crop="true">
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FreshTPFTools.PNG|TPF/DDS Tools r738, just opened.
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TPF loaded.PNG|TPF Tools just after loading a TPF.
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</gallery>
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The '''Right Pane''' displays the following features:
  +
*{{ImportantName|Texture Tree Indicators}} — Displays whether existing texture trees are present for each game. If using the tool for the first time, these indicators will be <span style="color: red;">red</span> since no trees are present. All indicators for games you have installed and want to mod should be <span style="color: green;">green</span>. To generate trees, refer to the [[Texplorer]] article.
  +
*{{ImportantName|Game Path Indicators}} — Similar to the Texture Tree Indicators, all indicators for games you have installed and want to mod should be <span style="color: green;">green</span>. If this isn't the case, use the {{Menu|Change Game Paths}} menu option on the top to define a new path. Paths should lead to each game's {{Directory|..\BIOGame}} folder. <u>Don't proceed until the path for the game you want to mod is detected properly.</u>
  +
*{{ImportantName|Game Modding Indicator}} — Upon first opening the tool this will default to ''Mass Effect 3''. If you wish to mod a different game, just click it to cycle between all three games in the trilogy.
  +
*{{ImportantName|Pathing and Mod Authorship}} — Just underneath the indicators. Specifies the path and name of the loaded TPF/selected file. When a TPF, the ''Comment'' area contains the comment written by the mod author when they created the TPF.
  +
*{{ImportantName|Texture Details}} — Compares the selected texture to its counterpart in the game files. Properties on the left are for the loaded texture, properties on the right are for the existing game texture. Formats should always match; [[Textures in Mass Effect|mipmaps]] won't in the case of higher resolution textures. The '''hash''' field is editable, in the case of a mismatch. For more details on what the hash is, consult the [[Texplorer]] article.
  +
*{{ImportantName|Preview Tab}} — Enlarges the selected texture to allow for closer inspection. The texture will scale with the window.
  +
*{{ImportantName|PCC Tab}} — Displays all PCCs that reference that texture. These can be selected/deselected to control which files are modified with the new texture. To select/deselect all, use the {{Menu|Select All}} button. {{Menu|Copy to Clipboard}} allows you to copy the list of affected PCCs to the clipboard. Similarly, {{Menu|Export}}, exports the list to a TXT file. Both can be useful for textures that affect many PCCs, as a reference. Only the <u>selected PCCs</u> will be copied into the list.
  +
*{{ImportantName|Version and Toolset Authorship}} — On the very bottom right.
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<gallery type="slideshow" widths="825" crop="true">
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TPF textureselected.PNG|TPF Tools window after selecting a texture inside a TPF.
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Clean TPF.PNG|TPF with no texture errors loaded into TPF Tools.
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</gallery>
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{{Subsection|AutoFixing}}
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''Content forthcoming.''
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<gallery type="slideshow" widths="380" crop="true" align="right">
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TPF improperformat.PNG|Simple TPF containing an improperly formatted texture.
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Fixed TPF.PNG|Autofixed TPF of Joker's teeth.
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</gallery>
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{{Subsection|Configure Options}}
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''Content forthcoming.''
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{{Subsection|Install Textures}}
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''Content forthcoming.''
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{{Subsection|Other Manipulations}}
 
''Content forthcoming.''
  
''Content forthcoming.''
   
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==Related Tutorials==
  
==Related Tutorials==
 
''Content forthcoming.''
  
''Content forthcoming.''
  +
{{Credit| '''Kfreon's''' forum tutorials contributed to the creation of this article.}}
 
[[Category:User Tools]]
  
[[Category:User Tools]]

Revision as of 20:15, 28 February 2016

Donotenter Do not enter! This article is currently under construction and should not be used for reference. If you need help, visit the forums.
x Kfreon created and develops TPF/DDS Tools for ME3Explorer.
Caution TPF Tools cannot be used to install textures without first generating a texture tree with Texplorer. Consult that article before continuing.

TPF/DDS Tools ("TPF Tools" for short) is the toolset's user-friendly texture installation utility. With it, new textures can be permanently installed into all three games. TPF Tools is compatible with Texmod TPF and DDS files. It also has the ability to use and create a new format, the "METPF", which has better compatibility with the toolset, but cannot be used with Texmod. Finally, TPF Tools has the ability to "autofix" improperly formatted textures, allowing the contents of incompatible files to be used in-game.

Unlike MOD files, TPF/METPF/DDS files are not revision-sensitive, and are the preferred format for texture distribution and installation.

Background

Before using TPF Tools for the first time, it's helpful to become familiar with basic information regarding how textures are handled in the trilogy. This will help you better understand error messages in the tool. Consult Textures in Mass Effect for details. Similarly, An Intro to Mass Effect Mods provides additional information on TPF, MOD, and DDS files, while also explaining details about mod install order and more.

Reading both these articles before proceeding will help adequately prepare you to use TPF Tools.

Preparation

TPF Tools itself is a simple tool, however a significant amount of preparation is required before it may be used.

DLC Extraction

If you want new textures placed in your BioWare DLC, then they must be extracted prior to installation. To do this, see the ME3Explorer Setup Guide.

Treebuilding

TPFs/DDSes may be loaded into TPF Tools without a texture tree, but to install the textures, a tree must be present for the desired game. Consult the Texplorer article on how to build a tree for each game in the trilogy.

Texture Files

TPF Tools is compatible with three file types: DDS, TPF, and ME3TPF. To use the tool, you must have access to one or more of these files, either extracted from the game and edited yourself, or as downloaded from a hosting site like Nexusmods.

Usage

TPF Tools is a simple utility with a an interface a bit less technical than Texplorer, but there's still a lot of information present. This section will carefully step through the GUI and explain how to use the tool and how to combat issues with incompatible textures.

Load File

TPF Tools has two main panes that will be empty when opened. To populate the panes, use Load and navigate to the desired file on your computer. The examples in this section of the article will use two different TPFs in the slideshow to the right.

Unlike a majority of other tools in the toolset, TPF Tools has a somewhat interactive interface. If you scroll over various GUI elements, the tool will describe their purpose. If you click Help on the top-left, a series of info boxes will appear on the GUI. If you click it twice, it will bring you to this wiki page.

The Left Pane displays the following features:

  • Top Menu — Contains a variety of options we'll cover in different parts of the article.
  • Main Page Tab — Displays the loaded textures. Provides a thumbnail for each, their name, and information about validity. Also depicts the Texmod.def file, which is used when creating a TPF. The toolset reads this information, but the file isn't "installed", as it's not a texture.
  • Delete Page Tab — ??
  • Context Menu — Allows for of individual, texture-specific operations.
  • Bottom Menu — Operations that generally affect all textures.
  • Progress Bar — Fills as operations are completed and conveys simple, relevant information (e.g, "15/20 textures installed").

The Right Pane displays the following features:

  • Texture Tree Indicators — Displays whether existing texture trees are present for each game. If using the tool for the first time, these indicators will be red since no trees are present. All indicators for games you have installed and want to mod should be green. To generate trees, refer to the Texplorer article.
  • Game Path Indicators — Similar to the Texture Tree Indicators, all indicators for games you have installed and want to mod should be green. If this isn't the case, use the Change Game Paths menu option on the top to define a new path. Paths should lead to each game's ..\BIOGame folder. Don't proceed until the path for the game you want to mod is detected properly.
  • Game Modding Indicator — Upon first opening the tool this will default to Mass Effect 3. If you wish to mod a different game, just click it to cycle between all three games in the trilogy.
  • Pathing and Mod Authorship — Just underneath the indicators. Specifies the path and name of the loaded TPF/selected file. When a TPF, the Comment area contains the comment written by the mod author when they created the TPF.
  • Texture Details — Compares the selected texture to its counterpart in the game files. Properties on the left are for the loaded texture, properties on the right are for the existing game texture. Formats should always match; mipmaps won't in the case of higher resolution textures. The hash field is editable, in the case of a mismatch. For more details on what the hash is, consult the Texplorer article.
  • Preview Tab — Enlarges the selected texture to allow for closer inspection. The texture will scale with the window.
  • PCC Tab — Displays all PCCs that reference that texture. These can be selected/deselected to control which files are modified with the new texture. To select/deselect all, use the Select All button. Copy to Clipboard allows you to copy the list of affected PCCs to the clipboard. Similarly, Export, exports the list to a TXT file. Both can be useful for textures that affect many PCCs, as a reference. Only the selected PCCs will be copied into the list.
  • Version and Toolset Authorship — On the very bottom right.

AutoFixing

Content forthcoming.

Configure Options

Content forthcoming.

Install Textures

Content forthcoming.

Other Manipulations

Content forthcoming.

FAQs

Content forthcoming.

Related Tutorials

Content forthcoming.

x Kfreon's forum tutorials contributed to the creation of this article.
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.