How to Make Skins for GTA

One of the advantages the PC version of Grand Theft Auto has over its console counterpart is the ability to modify and add to the games' original content. Rockstar Games includes an SDK (Software Development Kit) in each version of Grand Theft Auto. The SDK allows you to create vehicles, characters, and more specifically, visual skins to existing characters.

Things You'll Need

• The directory information of your version of Grand Theft Auto (3, San Andreas, Vice City, etc).

Instructions

Accessing the Skins Directory

1. If you installed the game to the default directory, all of your data will be installed on the C: drive (eg, C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\GTAIII\skins\). If you are not sure of the directory, run a search by clicking "Start" in your taskbar and then click "Search."

2. Search for "Rockstar Games." That folder will contain all games by Rockstar Games including GTA. Once in the folder, click your version of GTA.

3. Click the folder titled "skins." You will see a list of the game's previously installed skins. These end with the .bmp suffix.

Modifying and Using a New Skin

1. To edit the games main character, open "Player.bmp" or "Playa2.bmp" with the image editing program of your choice. You also can use this method to edit any character in the game.

2. Once you have made the edits of your choice, save the filename exactly as it was and in the proper bmp format. Save the new file to the original location. Do note that this will overwrite the default file, so be sure to make a back-up of the original so you will be able to correct any problems if there are any.

3. To see your new creation in action, load up GTA.

4. Go to the options area in the main menu. Click "Skins." Navigate to your new skin and click "Apply."

5. Depending on the version of your game, you may be prompted to restart the game. You must do this before your new skin can be applied. If you are not prompted, simply start the game as you would. Your new skin will be on the character you selected.

Tips & Warnings

• Creating your own skins requires knowledge in image editing program such as MS Paint or Photoshop. Simple edits can be made by most users using MS Paint.

• Before modifying a file, always create a copy of the original file just in case you may need to reverse or repeat the process.

References

• Navigating the taskbar in Windows
• Skinning and general modding information

Resources

• Free trial of Adobe Photoshop