Help reskinning monsters

[genmills]

1) Download Blender 2.57 and 2.49b.
2) Get python 2.6.X
3) Get GIMP and the .dds plugin
4) Open the .dds file for the grunt, darken it
5) Import the .dae file into Blender .257
6) Switch to UV Editing mode, open the edited dds image
7) Save as a .blend file
8) Open in Blender 2.49b, export as COLLADA 1.4
9) Import into ModelEditor, save as entity
10) Make sure all files are there in the entity's root
11) Try it out!

As I said before, exclude the grunt_skin_spec.dds file, because I believe that is what gives you that blue glow

EDIT: This may not work, because I think there's some issue with animations when you open a Blender 2.57 file into 2.49b. Give it a shot tough, because that's how I create my custom props/entities.

Thanks. I need a little more help though. I downloaded Blender 2.57 since I was only using 2.49 before. Apparently they changed a ton of the hotkeys. I don't have a menu that says "File Edit Tools Help Etc." How do I get that back? Also, you know how you can "split zones" and then choose what type of thing it is (UV editing, Textures, etc.). Well I can't choose what type of thing it is. The more I try to change things, the more everything becomes blank. Eventually, I'm left with no buttons, no menus, and just that stupid default cube!!! I like Blender, but I honestly believe it's one of the MOST user UNfriendly programs out there...

Edit: I just reinstalled it and it's back to normal. But when I try to import the .dae, it crashes Blender, and then when I open it again, it looks "menu-less" again... So dumb... I just want a darker monster who actually looks scarier!!!