Simviation Forums

I've been trying to paint planes differently, but whenever I edit the textures to a certain extent, they don't show up anymore.  I've been trying to paint a Kittyhawk design 737-800, and it won't show up.  Also, on Kirk Olsson's F-16, I painted the tail, and that went fine, but when I started working on the rest of the plane, it turned 'no-texture' grey.  Any help?  Or anyone who would want to be my minion for new paint jobs?

Sounds like you forgot to convert them back to DXT3 or 32bit (I reccomend you use 32bit) I presume you have, and can use either dxtbmp, or image tool? Jut open the files you've edited, and

(imagetool)
[image menu] >> [format] >> [32bit] OR [DXT3]

(dxtbmp)
[file] >> [save as] >> [extended bitmap] >> and select type as 32 bit, or dxt3

need any more help, just post back here.

To add to the comments - FS will recognize just about any *.bmp format except a 24-bit (16M colors) image.

To test if that is the problem, save your texture as an 8-bit (256 color) bitmap and see if it shows up.  If it doesn't , then you're looking at some other problem.  If it does, then you can fiddle with the format, alpha, etc.

Thank you, that was my problem.  I'm stuck using Paint, and it automatically saves the images as 24-bit.  Much thanks.

Thank you, that was my problem.  I'm stuck using Paint, and it automatically saves the images as 24-bit.  Much thanks.

Ahh, wait.  I come to find Paint can't save as 32-bits.  unless another format would work.  I would like to use a better program, but they confuse me.  

THen follow igorski's advice asnd use DXTBMP to change the formats.

8-bit works.  I wish it was a bit higher quality, but it will suffice.  Thank you.

how many colours is 8bit? I suggest you get imagetool and save as 32bit. Much higher quality.

I'm not sure I can.  I only have MS Paint.

can you give me a direct link to a better program to use?

No graphics program that I know of saves bitmaps in 32bit, not even PSP.  You need dxtbmp (or imagetool) to convert them.

http://www.mnwright.btinternet.co.uk/pr ... dxtbmp.htm

or for imagetool:
http://www.projectopensky.com/files/ind ... getool.exe

actually some of the others on this page might be useful too (and you can get I.T. if the link abv does not work:
http://www.projectopensky.com/files/ind ... archMode=f

Hi MidEx812, good luck with your repaints. Did I miss the part where you said you would d/l DXTbmp.exe?

DXTbmp is FREE here at SimViation. The link is included in the SIMVIATION REPAINT TUTORIAL and is a must-have for repainter whichever paint program one chooses -- including Adobe Photshop. Have fun.
bill

P.S. Here's the blab on DXTbmp:
"DXTBmp - 16 bit Texture Manipulator Updated program for the creation, conversion, compression of the 16/32 bit Texture formats used by CFS2, FS2000, FS2002 & FS2004 Uses nVidia codecs for converting Images to 444-4, 555-1, 565, 888-8 DXT1 and DXT3 formats. Allows the editing of 16/32 bit textures in any Paint program. Reads all default CFS2/FS2000/FS2002/FS2004 formats except 8 bit (use Bmp2000 or BmpExt for them). Separate editing of Alpha channels. Good quality mipping. Preview all Mips. Convert most image formats. Import/Export Targa 32 bit images with Alpha. Import DDS. By Martin Wright. 541K"