[1.5] Issue involving textures, TileEntity, and mixed slabs

[Koopinator]

Here's a screenshot of the mod for context:

 

 

 

 

Each double slab is created using a single blockID with textures assigned through a TileEntity. The main issue that I'm having is that all of the textures on the sides of the blocks are pre-made:

 

 

 

 

Because there are an exponentially large number of slab combinations added, I would much rather set things up so that the textures are created while the game is running. Ideally I would merge two preexisting textures on top of one another and use an alpha layer used to "erase" half of the top texture. Unfortunately I have very little experience with graphics programming, and so I have no idea how to start work on this, if it's the best approach to use, or if it's even possible to do in Java.

 

Please let me know if there's any other information I can provide. Any help will be greatly appreciated 

[hydroflame]

yeah it is, though if you have more then 16 different combinason youll have to use tile entities. then just use a tile entity special renderer and you're good to go

[Koopinator]

yeah it is, though if you have more then 16 different combinason youll have to use tile entities. then just use a tile entity special renderer and you're good to go

At the moment I already have the combinations set up with a basic TileEntity, and have the textures assigned by using an instance of IBlockAccess from the getBlockTexture(...) method in my block class. Will this work, or do I need a TileEntitySpecialRenderer in order to combine multiple images into a single texture?

[hydroflame]

id honestly suggest TESR as it is way easier to do then making texture on the spot.

[Koopinator]

id honestly suggest TESR as it is way easier to do then making texture on the spot.

Sorry if I'm missing something obvious, but I've been looking into it and I'm still completely lost as to how I can start writing the code for merging textures together. From your posts I'm guessing that there are methods I can use that are accessible with TESR? Or is there a different approach to the problem that using TESR would help with?

 

Edit: Scratch that. I'm guessing that the best way to implement the process of merging textures is to tie it to the rendering of the block, and so I need to set up a TESR for that purpose. As far as the merging itself, I need to study GL11 to find the correct methods to use. Is this correct?

[hydroflame]

well, yeah, but you wouldnt require a LOT of openGL. just a little, you could mostly do this using the tessellator. but with a TESR youwouldnt "merge texture" you would just sorta render 2 half slab on top of each other

[CaseyB]

Have you have any luck with this?!  I would really love this mod and it looks like you had a nice start!