I just installed gcfscape, and when I double click on the sprites and scopes(because I want to make a new scope) I get a pop up and says "Failed to shell execute.....file type has no default program associated with it. I'm just really new at this stuff so I prob. sound like a moron, anyway can anyone help me?

You are trying to open a file, a .VTF file more than likely, and if you have not got (for dod:s) Adobe Photoshop ... with the correct plug-in installed OR VTFEdit installed, the file/s won't open.

I take it you are trying to edit those items for dod:s?

Sprites and other graphics are handled by different programs in dod and dod:s.

So... what dod version first :)

Yes i double click on the files which is a .vtf, and i'm trying to make a new scope sprite in dod:s and I have photoshop.

There are two things that can make life easier then.

The VTF Shell Extensions that allows windows display a VTF file in "Thumbnail" view.

The VTF Plug-In for Photoshop 6.0 and up to open and save a VTF file.

Both of those are Trp. Jed's work (VTFEdit... Trp. Jed and Ryan "Nemesis" Gregg)

I have a small tutorial with a few links here. (http://www.dodbits.com/tutorials/Graphics/Customizing_Graphics_DoDs.html)

I usually extract the files from GCFScape to a folder on the desktop and go from there. But If all is well, right clicking then "shell execute" on the VTF in GCFScape will result in it opening in Photoshop.

Associating a file with a program is just a matter of a right click on a VTF (not in GCFScape! Place on desktop or somewhere), "open with" then "choose program" and tell windows to always use Adobe Photoshop to open VTF files by selecting the tick box.

Ok I dont get any of this at all. Anyway... i think i give up i really want to to this but holy crap this is making me feel so stupid. like I cant open anything and ahhh i feel so mad right now, I really really really wanted to do this but do u think someone can er help this with me like step by step?

EDIT!!!: YAY I FIGURED THE OPENING PART IN PS I WIN!!!(sorry i'm happy)

LOL...yay :D

Alright so now i've got that now how do I edit the scopes i know its the scope_k43_ll.vtf, scope_k43_lr.vtf, scope_k43_ul.vtf, scope_k43_ur.vtf. I tried to edit the Flag_USArmy.vtf like in the tut, but I cant get it to save.

Oops... YAYed too soon :(

If you used the VTF plug in for Photoshop to open it, it will also save it as a VTF.

Press "File" "Save As..." you should see a box pop up with a place to name the file and what Format you will save it as... in this case.. VTF.

Another pop up screen will appear after that, the "VTF Options" box.

I would think for what you are doing you could leave the settings alone and just press OK.

The settings for that file will more than likely look the same as this pic (http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?c=154#p154) on nems site.

That tutorial you read was not meant as a step by step guide for editing a VTF, it's more an overview of the tools you require and an explanation of a Alpha channel in Photoshop once the plug-in has opened a VTF.

But I may continue it to include the making of a crosshair or some thing simple like the us flag icon in the capture bar :D