symmetry

[c130lover]

After years and years of flying on fsx, I decided to start doing repaints. I am curious if theres any method for making the paint symetrical on both sides, or if you just estimate?

[ArcticFox]

I have a method, imagine I'm painting the starboard side of a delta a330 in photoshop

First off ofcourse I make a layer for that blue underside it has and use some sort of blend on it.
When I'm happy with that I take a tiny slice out of a nearby component from the main template. I usually invert that slice and set it to 40% transparency.
Then I duplicate the color layer for the starboard side. I select both the duplicate layer and the slice and simply move them up to the port side until the slice I copied aligns. I delete that slice and I am left with a color layer that matches the position of the starboard side.

Usually I use things like a door-corner to align since it's the same on both sides.

Other times I use the model grid if the paint-kit supplies it and align according to the 3d models lines.

[Club508]

I just tend to find something on one of the default paints like a stripe or a line of bolts, screws, nuts, etc. and just count up and/or down from all the sections like that the same amount.

[garryrussell]

The second side is simply a copy of the first side placed into position which should be easy enough

[J2Summit]

A more vague answer for you since there are some "interesting" aspects to some models. If all else fails create a TEMP layer in your paint file. I have such a layer in all of my paints. I lay down grid lines, notes, registration marks, etc - anything to help myself that doesn't end up in the final paint. It's my playground layer.