View source for Multiple Skins for a Single Model

[[Category:Material System]][[Category:Modeling]][[Category:Tutorials]]
[[Image:plasticcrate01.jpg|frame|center|{723x111px|1 model, 5 skins]]In some cases, it can be helpful for a mapper if he can choose between different skins for the model. It's easy to add more variety to your custom models with multiple skins without creating a totally new model.

The advantage of having several skins in one model instead of compiling several new models are:
* easier to find because the model overview isn't cluttered
* less disc space and ingame model load
* faster than compiling a new model for each skin
* the skins can be changed dynamicly while ingame
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== Basic example with one skin replaced ==

The example here is a lamp that is either on or off, a different skin for each situation will make the model look a lot better.

<pre>$modelname mymodelfolder/mylamp.mdl
$cdmaterials modeltextures/mytexturefolder
$surfaceprop metal
$staticprop
$body studio "mylamp.smd"
$texturegroup skinfamilies
{
	{ "lampon"  }
	{ "lampoff" }
}
$sequence idle "mylamp.smd" fps 1
$collisionmodel "mylamp_phys.smd"</pre>
[[Image:lampon_lampoff.jpg|frame|Two skins are used to display the lamp either on or off.]]
{{note|<code>$texturegroup</code> needs to follow <code>$body</code>.}}
{{warning|If you omit the spaces between the brackets and your skin name the compiler will ignore it!}}

You define your different textures between <code>$texturegroup skinfamilies {</code> and <code>}</code>. The name of the first texture (in this case "lampon") needs to be similar to the texturename you used in your model (If you are not sure, open the [[SMD | .smd]] with a [[text editor]], in the [[SMD file format#Triangle block | triangles block]] you'll find the name). Otherwise <code>studiomdl.exe</code> doesn't know which one to replace.

In the following lines, you can define the new textures between <code>{</code> and <code>}</code> that will be rendered instead of the original one.<br style="clear:both">

== Creating Multiple Skin Combinations ==

In some circumstances, you may choose to divide your model texture into more than one material.  This allows for multiple combinations that otherwise would require a larger amount of individual models.  If, for example, you wanted to create a light that had two housing styles but three bulb colors, you could create these combinations under the <code>$texturegroup</code>.  
 
 $texturegroup skinfamilies
 {
 	{ "lampnew"    "lightbulbred"   }
 	{ "lampnew"    "lightbulbgreen" }
 	{ "lampnew"    "lightbulbblue"  }
 	{ "lamprusty"  "lightbulbred"   }
 	{ "lamprusty"  "lightbulbgreen" }
 	{ "lamprusty"  "lightbulbblue"  }
 }

Once again, you must ensure that your model uses the material names in the first line.

As you can see, creating a matrix of skin combinations has distinct advantages, however, using multiple materials on the same model creates a significant performance hit, so this technique should be used sparingly!

== General definition ==

Here's a general definition for reference if you have to use several skins:

 $texturegroup skinfamilies
 {
 	{ "original1"   "original2"   ...  "originalX"  }
 	{ "replace1_1"  "replace1_2"  ...  "replace1_X" }
 	{ ...           ...           ...  ...          }
 	{ "replaceX_1"  "replaceX_2"  ...  "replaceX_X" }
 }

== Further annotations ==

* Translucent models will only cast the shadows of the first skin

With the use of $shadowlod, you should be able to address the problem

== See also ==
* [[$texturegroup]]
* [[Source_model_skin_editor|Source model skin editor]]