Sledwraps have become an increasingly important staple in SledSimulator as we wait for new updates. After a while, everyone gets tired of the monotonous OEM look and wants to create something fresh. This post will show you the entire process of making your own custom wrap. *Please note: this tutorial is directed towards Windows/PC users. It has not been tested with Mac.*
In addition to Sledsimulator, you will need:
~Wrap Design --> https://www.arcticfxgraphics.com)
~Photoshop Program (Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, etc.)
If you dont have a photoshop program, GIMP is an excellent tool (best of all, its FREE --> https://www.gimp.org/downloads/)
~TexMod --> http://www.fileplanet.com/205418/200000/fileinfo/Texmod-v0.9b Beware of clicking fake download buttons as they can download viruses. Only click the blue download button as shown in the picture.
Step 1: Find your inspiration (Choose a design).
This is the first and most important step. What do you want your sled to look like? www.arcticfxgraphics.com is a great place to find a design. Hover over "Browse Wraps" and Select Polaris --> Rush RMK.
From here you can choose a design and change all of the colors to whatever you want. The complexity of the design you choose will play a part in how difficult it will be to create. For example, a solid color wrap or basic design that ONLY has colors and patterns is easier than choosing a design that has logos or other small details. The more detailed it is, the more time you will need to take to make sure everything is lined up. Here is an example of what happens when you DON'T line it up properly. Notice how some of the logos are cut off?
When you have the design you want, take a screenshot of it. *TIP: Make sure the window is maximized (takes up the whole computer screen) when you take your screenshot. Press CTRL+PrtScn.* If you get a design from somewhere else, make sure it is a side view, and not at an angle.
Step 2: Create a New Folder.
Create a new folder on your C drive called "SledSimulator Wraps" (spell it exactly as it appears here, otherwise you will receive an error). Download the SledSimulator Wraps Packet, which contains all of the OEM textures in JPEG format as well as the .LOG file, and move them into the new folder. --> https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zl0cistlgp2jtpz/AAA62gWsYL6h52OTLEGswlRQa?dl=0
Once you've gotten them into the folder, it might look something like this:
Depending on your settings you may just see a list of names, not icons like in the picture.
Step 3: Open Photoshop.
After the program opens, paste your screenshot (CTRL+V). Export (Save) the new image in your recently created SledSimulator Wraps folder. Using an underscore in the name will make it appear at the top which seems to make everything go a little faster when you need to refer to the design (e.g. _SledWrapDesign).
Step 4: Begin Modifying Textures.
Begin dragging the JPEG OEM textures you downloaded into photoshop. For the majority of the textures, you may just want to change colors with a paintbrush/bucket. When working on files SLEDSIMULATOR.EXE_0x5EB66913 (The Hood), SLEDSIMULATOR.EXE_0x92358EF4 (Side Panels), and SLEDSIMULATOR.EXE_0xADA9BCE5 ( Tunnel / Running Boards), you will need to have your design open in photoshop, so you can copy and paste the different parts of the design over the OEM textures. *TIP: Everything will be mirrored in the game, so when copying and pasting textures, if there are logos or other similar items, make sure to flip them over using the mirror tools.* If using GIMP, you can use the Rectangle, Circle, and Free-Select tools to copy and paste specific parts of your design. A detailed guide of how to use GIMP is outside of the scope of this tutorial, but you may reference https://www.gimp.org/tutorials/ to learn how it works if you're not familiar with the program.
When you are done making changes to a texture, make sure to OVERWRITE THE OLD TEXTURE.
Step 5: Create TexMod File.
Once you have successfully made all of the changes to your textures, you need to create a .TPF file. This can be done by opening TexMod (Here is the link again if you missed it) -->http://www.fileplanet.com/205418/200000/fileinfo/Texmod-v0.9b . Go to the "Package Build" tab and click on the yellow folder icon to select the "Definition File", then click "Browse" and select TexMod.log in your SledSimulator Wraps folder. There should now be a file path in the definition bar. Click "Build". The file explorer should open and ask where you want to save the .TPF file. You may name it whatever you like and place it wherever you like, although I suggest saving it in your SledSimulator Wraps folder to keep everything together. If you received an error, follow the directions below. Otherwise, skip to Step 6.
Troubleshooting:
There could be a few reasons why TexMod is giving you an error. The most probable cause is that you have incorrectly named your folder. In the .log file, it tells TexMod where the textures are. Here is an example of one of the lines of code: 0x8414591B|C:\SledSimulator Wraps\SLEDSIMULATOR.EXE_0x8414591B.jpg . As you can see, it is telling TexMod to look under the C drive, then in a folder named SledSimulator Wraps, so if you misspelled the folder name or put it under a different drive (e.g. the D drive), it will not work. Fix the spelling of the folder name and/or move the folder under your C drive. Another issue is that when you updated the texture, you exported it as a new texture and gave it a different name other than the original. You will need to rename all the textures you updated to have the same file name as the original texture.
Step 6: Upload Textures to SledSimulator.
First, you need to tell TexMod which program it is putting the textures into. Select "Target Application" (top left) and find the .EXE file for SledSimulator. Select the file and then click "Open".
You should now see SLEDSIMULATOR.EXE in the "Target Application" box. Click on the "Package Mode" tab and click on the yellow folder next to "Package Name". Select the .TPF file you just created, and click "Open". The .TPF file name should appear in the box.
You are now ready to play the game with your new wrap! Click on the wrap name in the box (it should be highlighted in blue), click run, and enjoy your new custom sled wrap! *TIP: If you have multiple wraps, you will need to move the one you want to use to the top of the list using the green arrow buttons.*
@BoondockerTurbo when building the pacage i had to remove the "texmod.log" from the path in order for it to build it instead of saying it saying "invalid defenitions" for build status, but now when i go to open the TPF file (im using your curtis signature wrap, and it looks awesome btw), it says "invalid texmod package". any idea on what the problem is, thanks!