Paint Kit Question

[Rixster]

I'm kinda new to repainting, and although I've found quite a few repaint kits available I don't undertsand something. Some of the repaints kits come in layers, which is great, and some don't...The ones that aren't layered, how do you keep all the lines, rivets ect..when trying to paint on it? do you have to re-create all that stuff or am I missing something? I hope this isn't too stupid of a question...but I just don't get it...

[todayshorse]

Personaly, and after trying things when i was unsure what all these layer things where, bin it if it hasnt got layers!

I like all the detail, rivets, lines, dirt, and so on. Ive no idea really how you would create all this stuff again, so i only do repaints on aircraft that have detailed layerd paintkits.

I suppose you can create your own layers, and replicate all the details, but at the moment ive not really got any idea how!!!

Thats why i dont paint on default .bmps, for the same reason.

A great paintkit makes so much difference i feel, and now ive done a few myself, its the first thing i look for on any aircaft i want to paint.

Others may have different views, and methods of working round this of course!

[garryrussell]

Some paint programmes like ARC which I used to used meant I had to draw all the detail back in each time.

Programmes like Photoshop and Paint shop Pro have a function where you can select multiply and this will keep detail as you paint over it.

If it is a layered document and can be read by the programme you use then there is no problem.

[Rixster]

I have PSP XI and although I can handle layers just fine  am still kind of new..I'm going to have to find out about the "multiply" thing cause that seems the way to go if it'll keep all the details and allow me to change the white. I've got to figure out a way to do this because the majority of kits I've found so far are all single layer (most of them here at simviation are that way)

[jankees]

If it has a single layer, you can create new layers yourself, but that means redrawing everything yourself, so I only use layered paintkits too.
No layers, no painting, because then it isn't a paintkit, it's a texture file, albeit a blank one...

[Rixster]

I found something that works perfectly..It's a filter for Photoshop & Paintshop called "Macs White Remover..it will actually take all the white out of the single layer paint kits but leave all the detail behind..absolutely fantastic!...

[Johnh049]

I use the "Eliminate White" filter from this website...
http://www.dizteq.com/joestuff/freestuff.html
never could get the "white remover" to work consistantly in psp7, but this one works great... for me at least.

[Kevin Jarvis]

I'm kinda new to repainting, and although I've found quite a few repaint kits available I don't undertsand something. Some of the repaints kits come in layers, which is great, and some don't...The ones that aren't layered, how do you keep all the lines, rivets ect..when trying to paint on it? do you have to re-create all that stuff or am I missing something? I hope this isn't too stupid of a question...but I just don't get it...

Howdy Rick,
The filter you use is pretty nice. I use PSP9 and it has the 'Magic Wand'.
The wand will do the same thing as Mac's filter.
But you have to copy and paste onto a transparent layer, then use the magic wand, the save.
But what about those textures that are not layered?? I usually redraw all the panel lines onto another layer. This not only allows me to completely repaint a fuselage and then lay down the panel lines, but I can also use the panel lines to simulate weathering.

I've got a paintkit for the CORAL F15. It is not layered. Repeated attempts at all sim forums have yet to help. Problem with this kit is that all the colors, panel lines and shading are on 1 layer. Not sure what can be done with it but I'll figure something out.

Also, remember to save everything you do. Most of it is time consuming and as luck would have it you might be able to use it on multiple repaints.

See ya at FSE.

KJ