Repainting Made Easy....

[cspyro21]

So, all of you out there who want to know HOW to reapint an aircraft, but don't know, this is your answer. I'll sum up repainting for you, in hopefully, a simple, easily understandable 'manual'.
First of all, you'll need a program called 'DXTBMP', which converts the 24 bit-Bitmap to 32 bit_Bitmap. Get it here:
http://www.mnwright.btinternet.co.uk/programs/dxtbmp.htm

Now. First off, you'll need the base textures, which can be found under the thread called 'aircraft texture repaint kits'. Once you have downloaded them, follow the link and download DXTBMP.
Now, lets take the Cessna 172 as our example aircraft. Once DXTBMP has opened, click File => open => and then find your replacement repaint textures. Open the file called 'c172_t' to paint the external textures, 'c172_d' to paint the external-damaged textures, and 'c172_c' to do the inside (cockpit/VC) textures and the final wing (in the c172's case.). Once done, this will show up:

I have loaded the file 'c172_t'. From here, click on the little icon on the right of the screen:

Now, you can choose which editing program you can use to paint the aircraft. (I use Pixia, you can use MSPaint, photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, to name a few.) Now, once this is done, you must click 'Image => Send To Editor'. This will send the converted file to your selected editor. Now, play around with the base texture! See what you can create. Now, save your creation. I call it 'c172_t1', because it is easy to remember and easily found.

As you can see, the file is till a 24 bit-Bitmap, and we want a 32 bit_Bitmap. Open this file in in DXTBMP, and click 'File=>Save As=>Extended Bitmap'. This will save it as a 32 bit-Bitmap, and that is the file type needed. Now, when saving, rename the file to 'c172_t' from c172_t1'. Now, once you have edited all else that needs editing, put these in a file (along with the 'Thumbs' file, damage and prop_172) into a file entitled 'texture.X' (replace X with the next needed number). In my case number '3' is next needed.


Now edit the Aircraft's CFG file (there is a tutorial for that somewhere) to alloow the new repaint and away you go!!!
I hope this keeps you all repainting in the future!
Charlie

P.S. If you don't understand, please PM me or reply here and I will update to word this a little bit better.

[Hagar]

Very good Charlie. There are various methods of doing this & the various FS Extended BMP formats will suit different purposes but it gives a good general basis for anyone wishing to start repainting. One thing I should point out. The "Thumbs" file you mention, Thumbs.db to give it its full name, is a Windows Explorer file & has nothing to do with FS. This causes a lot of confusion & will depend on the Windows Explorer 'View' options you use on your own system. They also seem to be created when you zip up a folder containing images. These files are not necessary & can be safely deleted although they should be completely harmless & can be left where they are if you prefer.

PS. I dont remember the details but seem to recall that little Thumbs.db file causing problems for some people in the past. It might be much safer to delete them from your FS Texture folders & zipfiles, especially if you intend uploading your work for others to use.

PPS. Once you get into using advanced features like Layers it's better to save the master texture in the native format of whichever graphics editor you use before converting it to one of the FS formats. Always work from this master texture. This will retain those advanced features & save a lot of time if you wish to update it at any time or do a different repaint of the particular aircraft

[wji]

Good stuff, Charlie Thnx for the time you put into this post. As Hagar's noted, we all work a little differently.

" I call it 'c172_t1', because it is easy to remember and easily found"

I prefer a more specific renaming convention; then -- after several weeks away from the project -- I can immediately identify the file format from the name (plus the WINXP icon assigned); i.e.,

fuslg_t.bmp
fuslg_t-24.bmp
fuslg_t-32.bmp
fuslg_t-DXT.bmp

I run FS9 with every slider maxd in 1280x1024 Fullscreenmode and only save my repaints in DXT3; guess that's why it's so smooth :-)

P.S. I bookmarked your post and recommend it gets Pinned :-)

[Hagar]

Good stuff, Charlie Thnx for the time you put into this post.

P.S. I bookmarked your post and recommend it gets Pinned :-)

Indeed. This is worth making a sticky. It could come in very useful especially for anyone using Pixia.

I've been asked to do a basic repainting tute several times but found this very difficult. I started one some time ago but gave it up as a bad job. There are several excellent repainting tutes already available although I don't always agree with the methods described. Everyone has their own favourite ways of doing things & what I find easy might not suit you. This will also depend on the graphics editor & utilities you use as even methods of saving the images vary.

I'm not sure if too many people realise that DXTBmp will import the edited texture automatically while you're working on it. While not practical for detailed repainting this can be very useful for experimenting. Again, this will vary depending on the graphics editor you're using but the basic principle is this:

1) First open the texture you wish to edit in DXTBmp & send it to your graphics editor by double-clicking on the loaded image. This will be given the generic name norm.bmp on your C: drive.

2) Repaint the texture as desired then save your work (File/Save in PSP but this can vary) before exiting the graphics editor.

3) Back in DXTBmp click Image/Reload After Edit. Your repainted version will now appear in the window replacing the original.

4) Save the new image in the desired FS texture format & try it in the sim.

I recommend taking a backup copy of the Texture folder & creating a new variation of the aircraft before trying this or any repainting.

[Fly2e]

Great Job!!  ;D

Dave

[cspyro21]

Hey All!!
Thanks for suggesting it should be made a sticky. I would be  honoured to have one on this site of ours, plus, as Hagar said (I believe it was Hagar who said it),it would come in handy for those who use Pixia.

About the thumbs? I might delete that part, as I had no idea what a thumbs file was so I just included it anyway.   I might also add a few links to other repainting tutorials, just in case somebody repaints differently to me. I'll do that if this becomes a sticky topic.
Thanks,
Charlie