Repaint FSX Mooney Bravo

[Raptor05121]

Hi, I'm new here. I have no idea whatsoever on how to repaint planes. I'm more used to making missions or AFCAD files, and thought I'd try my hand at repainting. My grandpa owns a 1967 Mooney M20F and I though I'd paint the default Mooney Bravo in those colors but I don't know what program to use, etc. Can anyone help?

[SkyNoz]

Corel Paint shop Pro, Adobe Photoshop, and defeualt windows Painter can all be used to paint aircraft.  ;)

[Raptor05121]

Ok, thanks for the veryquick response (25 seconds, wow) I've heard of Corel before so I'll head over there right now. Other than that don't I have to convrt files and stuff like that?

[SkyNoz]

Ok, thanks for the veryquick response (25 seconds, wow) I've heard of Corel before so I'll head over there right now. Other than that don't I have to convert files and stuff like that?

Well, the file type that is loaded in FS9 are standard Bmp. Files, although you can save the files in programs such as DX1 DX3 format's which compress the total file size and eliminate mipmaps, which is the blurriness on the aircraft etc.

Though in FSX, the textures are compressed as DDS, which can also be saved in programs such as DXTBmp and ATI compressor.

you can download DXTbmp here http://www.mnwright.btinternet.co.uk/download/dxtbmpx.EXE

Ati compressor here http://ati.amd.com/developer/compressonator.html

-hope this helps.

[Raptor05121]

Ok, I've got Corel PaintShop Pro Photo XI and DXTBmp, so where can I find a blank template for FSX?? Can I use a FS9 template and save it as a FSX file?

[wji]

Welcome to the club . . . we're all 'learners' here.
If you want to take the shortest route possible (to getting the Mooney repaint you want) post a photo-image online and I'll repaint it until you learn how to do it yourself.

I have a thing about Mooney's . . . I owned one.
This Video shows how the FS9 repaint can be dubbed into the realworld video. I have repainted both the FS9 & FSX Default Mooney  aircraaft.

Mooney M20E flies to Reno

"Can I use a FS9 template and save it as a FSX file?"
Roger that. Try it! Convert the FS9 Default Mooney Bravo texture from 32bit_Extended (or DXT3) to FSX format: DDS DXT5 (with mips) and it will fit like the finger in a kid's nose on the FS9 model. Always (S)ave FSX textures with Mipmaps (or the texture will not show up)

[Raptor05121]

Wow, beautiful plane. I see it was a "Super 21" My grandpa owned the -F model, which had the longer body and was one of the few planes able to aceive 200 knots on 200 hp.

[wji]

"In loving memory of N2996L"
That explains this . . . but how's grampa doin'?
It took a Google Search to find the new SimV forums.
I lied about the FS9 texture fitting FSX models; it has to be flipped so the pilot's head is in the top-righthand corner (like FSX).

I hope you're carrying on with your repaint program. It's lots of fun. I'll throw some paint at this one and PM you when it's done.
P.S. There is a silver (chrome?) FSX Mooney online here at SimV (I have it)


Progress report . . .

[Raptor05121]

Holy crap you make it look so easy. I'd stay on my computer for hours getting frustrated becuase I dunno what to do! BTW, where is that silver one? I'm sure I could add the 12" N# on the eppenage if I could figure this process out...    Did you paint over the default FSX paint job or did you have a white template?

[wji]

"Holy crap you make it look so easy."
Anything is easy when you know how.

This screen-shot will provide sufficient information to answer all the questions of a resourceful individual, would-be, repainter, such as yourself:

[Raptor05121]

I've got good news and bad.

Good news is that I've figured out the process, only thing now is to learn how to get good at it like you guys. I guess time is the only factor there.

Bad news is when I went to go try it out, I just added some red and blue to the rudder to see if I got the process right, and I created a new aircraft line in the .cfg, and a new folder and all, and I replaced the "mooney_bravo_t" file with my sketchy one, and this showed up when I selected my plane:

[wji]

O.K., that's cool . . . take a deep breathe and just relax. No need to get excited about it.
The paint_kit is upside-down, that's all.
It's difficult to discuss things unless we are specific.
There's so many various combinations of file-formats it's hard to say where to start . . .
Let's start with what we should have done: (S)aved it out of DXTbmp (or other) as DDS DXT5 +Mipmaps (Mips) using the FSX paintkit.
Doing it this way, the kit should not have reversed as shown.
Now . . .
What's your story? Did you save as DXT3+Mips? If so, problem solved.

P.S. I got N2996L finished.

[Raptor05121]

Negative, when I went to save it, it said: "Save as file type: DDS" so I was like: "Aha! No, we want DDS DXT5" and I found DDS DXT 5 with the mip and saved it like that, Im 100% positive

[wji]

" . . . and saved it like that,"
O.K., one last question: is 'it' the FS9 Mooney_Bravo texture or the FSX texture?
Both paintkits will fit onto the FSX Mooney_Bravo.
I only repaint the FS9 version and save it out as DXT3/mips and it fits right onto the FSX Mooney_Bravo.
I have not idea why it is not working for you.

[Raptor05121]

Roger that, I'll go give it a try. I just reformatted my H/D so everything is running faster now