Don't like basic Black? Wish the hat had a bit more style? Well then DERIVE IT! Make your own version, and even sell it the catalog for a small markup over my original, and you can keep the extra profits for yourself! You can express yourself AND earn credits at the same time. How's that for a sweet deal? You'll need a full account on IMVU, as well as a copy of Previewer. You can find out more about Deriving on the IMVU's Education Center. Below are the templates you'll need to get started:

This is the texture used on the Tricorn Hat. The one you see in IMVU has been scaled down to 512x128, but you can scale this up or down as much as you want, within the 512 maximum pixel size. Use this texture map to make simple changes like color, or adding some kind of decal:

This is the Wireframe layout of the Tricorn Hat. Use this if you want to create an entirely new skin from scratch. This is something that should only be used by more experienced derivers and artists:

Here is the Specular map for the Tricorn Hat. A Specular map is a gray image that defines how reflective an item should be. This only works in IMVU Desktop and IMVU Mobile, and has no effect in IMVU Classic (as of March.2024):

Here is the Normals map for the Tricorn Hat. This image defines the height effect of the Texture map. DO NOT alter this image directly. If you wish to make your own custom Normal map, please look further below. This only works in IMVU Desktop and IMVU Mobile, and has no effect in IMVU Classic (as of March.2024):

When I make a Normal map, I start out with a grey version of my Texture map, with just the shadows and highlights. Consider the basic level of the surface to be 50% grey. Darken your image to drill down, and add white to build up. You can always get a basic Normal map just by making a copy of your basic texture and removing all color. This is what the Blade and Handle Normal map looked like before altering:

You shouldn't use the grey image by itself though, as this can cause visual problems. You need to convert the image into a proper, blueish Normal Map. I suggest you download a copy of Gimp, the image editing tool I use for all of my advanced materials. Under Filters > Generic you'll find "Normal Map...". In the settings, I suggest you use "Flip X" and "Flip Y" setting and set the scale to 12.