I Can't get custom skins showing in multiplayer

[Tortilla00]

Okay, so I have created my map, it's perfect, now I want to have a whole bunch of custom "Advertisements" (the signs) skins and also a custom skin on the Airship.

I have made a solid attempt at making them work but I just cant make it happen right, so, I will walk through the steps I've taken and if you could please point out what I've missed that would be awesome.

• Created correctly sized (280x140px) custom sign and saved as JPEG
• Put this JPEG into a ZIP archive
• Upload the ZIP to Fileden.com (Yes this host hotlinks)
• Created a LOC file with the Fileden link to the download. The LOC file is exact same name as the ZIP. (name.zip.loc)
• This LOC file (and my JPEG and the ZIP which I shouldnt need any more, right?) is now saved in C:\Users\Admin\Documents\ManiaPlanet\Skins\Any\Advertisement
• Restart Trackmania 2 Stadium and save map with the new custom Advertisement selected.
• Upload my custom track to Fileden.com for others to download and play.

Now, when my friend downloads my map, he can't see my custom skins. What gives?

Does the Map file (GBX) automatically save the LOC files with the map? Or does each person who downloads need to get my LOC files as well? Have I missed something?

I know that the game its self uses DDS files for the skins, now, should I have saved my JPEGs as DDS? then created the LOC files with a link to a ZIPPED DDS file?

Now, when I download my own map and put it in the "Downloaded" folder, if I play the map I can see the custom skins myself, but I think this is because I have all the JPEGs saved on my computer and the game is reading them from there. If I move the JPEGs out of the Advertisement folder then I can no longer see my custom skins.

This is very confusing, I'm sorry. I'm at my wits end and I've been trying this all day with no success. I think the key is something to do with using DDS files instead of the JPEGs, but I can't make it work. Do I have to save ALL of my skins (there is 13 that I want to use) into one big ZIP that I use as a MOD rather than individual skins? Sigh...

Please Help.

[Omnixor]

no need to make zips... upload jpg, make locators for jpg. zips are unnecessary.

[Tortilla00]

no need to make zips... upload jpg, make locators for jpg. zips are unnecessary.

Okay, do you think this is the problem? I will try doing it just JPEGs no ZIPs.
But if the ZIPs are nothing but "unnecessary" there could be something else wrong.

Thanks for the reply though I will give it a shot.

[Tortilla00]

Do the locators automatically become attached to the map when you save? Is it fine if the Locators are just sitting in the same place as the JPEGs (the Advertisements folder for example)?

[Omnixor]

http://www.mania-creative.com/howto/mp_ ... ndex-eng-1

[broric]

I use file den and never had to create a loc file for custom sign as they allow hotlinks
right click on the jpeg in filden, click properies, then click "URL" code in red
this will open window with url to the pic. click to copy link.
open you sign and paste the url (ctrl +v).
after map save the url is embeded into the map so on first play the pic will down load and be save in custom data folder.

this was for tmuf as i have yet to use custom signs in tm2, but i think it should be the same for tm2.
someone will correct me if im wrong no doubt

hope it helps

[zootie]

this was for tmuf as i have yet to use custom signs in tm2, but i think it should be the same for tm2.
someone will correct me if im wrong no doubt

Works exactly the same in TM2. And this is a way better method than creating loc files.