Help with decal file

[scurvy]

How do i remove this file?
decal_b747_400

If i just delete the file, then there is a blank space on the aircraft where its supposed to be.

If i repaint it to match the aircraft, then the windows and door are partially covered up.

How do i modify or remove this so that my doors and windows show up?

[Felix/FFDS]

you don't remove it at all.

I believe that to "hide" it, you paint it white and give it a 100% transparent alpha channel.

Basically, you have a polygon part whose only function is to be a place holder for the decal bitmap, that part isn't reflective so a bitmap with an alpha makes it translucent to transparent, and it's only opaque where the number is overlayed.  By giving it a 100% transparent alhpa channel bitmap, you make the part transparent - I hope.

[scurvy]

How do i give it a 100% transparent alpha channel?
In Paintshop Pro or Dxtbmp? I'm new at this. Thanks for your help.

[Hagar]

You can send the Alpha channel from DXTBmp to PSP for editing in the same way as the main texture. Repaint the full area of the Alpha channel black (Palette index 0) & exit PSP saving changes. Then Click Alpha/Refresh Alpha before saving out in a "with Alpha" format. I think that should do it.

[scurvy]

I still can't figure out how to do it.

[Hagar]

This is decal_b747_400.bmp opened in DXTBmp.

The Alpha channel is the small image at top right. Double-click on it to send it to your editor. Repaint it completely True Black & follow my previous instructions. Save out as DXT3 with Alpha. This should make the decal transparent.

Please tell me if this helps. I haven't tried it myself. You might need to use another format. (DXT1 with Alpha or DXT1 with Alpha (non-nVidia).

[scurvy]

That did it Hagar. I saved it as a DXT3 and it works perfectly. Thanks a bunch!

[PWindell]

Hagar,
Are these "Decal" files the way to handle the single-sided OEM textures? I'm trying to repaint the 2004 OEM Bell208 but can't get the compnay logo to appear correctly on the opposite side of the chopper.

[Hagar]

Hi PW. This would only work on aircraft with the special decal textures. The Bell206B never had them even in FS2002. I thought they fixed this in FS9 by using double-sided fuselage textures. Maybe not on all aircraft.