Having Repainting Problems, Advice Needed...

[aircanbp]

Hello Simviation members,

I will try to best explain the steps I use when repainting an aircraft and the error I have occur afterwords.

Converting Original BMP to 24-bit BMP for Painting: I use DXTBmp Version 4.00.83 and I drag the Original BMP Texture to it and Select File/Save As/24-bit Bitmap Image and save it to a folder within the texture folder I am editing (Folder is a sub-folder inside the "texture" folder)

I use a combination of PSP 7 and MSPaint to make my repaints.

Re-Conversion back to MSFS Bitmap:  Here's where I fear I am making an error. I drag the 24-bit BMP back to DXTBmp and select File/Save As/Extended Bitmap and Save it as a DXT1 (Without Alpha) to the original texture folder (the modified file is NOW in the original texture folder)

When I preview my work in FS2004 this is the error I get.....

I select my aircraft and go to fly it, (I tend to test all aircraft at KEDW because it is light on the graphics in the area and is the quickest to load) When ready I go to the tower view and when the textures have loaded, I notice that either the whole plane or Parts of the plane (Normally the tail and/or front of Aircraft) are very blurry. I have to zoom in as far as I can to the aircraft and then zoom back out to see my new repaint show up very sharp and crisp. If the graphics reset or reload (such as if I enter an area with alot of detail) or if I go back to that cockpit and back out to Spot or Tower View I have to perform the "zoom-in Fix" to remake the textures Crisp and sharp again.


Where am I making my mistakes?
Should I be saving them as a different Extended Bitmap?
Am I using the corrrect Programs to Edit the Textures?


Thank you in advance for all your help

PS, Just to note, I have tried saving them as a DXT5 Without MipMaps and it appears to take a immense toll on my graphics card. So This method will not work as well.

[wji]

Sounds like the only logical choice left is DXT3  
. . . that's what I use. Martin Wright explains it best.

[RollerBall]

First you need to save without mips to avoid blurriness.

Also, not that many FS9 planes use DXT 1 textures (your one might I guess). Mostly you would use DXT3 with alpha - but when you open the original in DXTBmp it shows in the window header the kind of extended bmp it is. Best (but not essential) to save your modified bmp in the same format as the original.

We all have our own methods for doing things and I like mine best

[aircanbp]

Thank you for the advice. I will definately give it a try and see if that works