Greetings folks, Gota Question

[Flanker37]

Hi guys, Im new in here. Now perhaps you can help me.

I build plastic model kits of aircraft.  I am starting to get into scratchbuilding too.  which is where you guys come in.  I have noticed some excellent re-paints of aircraft i am interested in.  I would like to paint them onto actual models (with the owners consent of course)

Is there anyway for me to look at these skins/models without needing to install FlightSim?

And how do you use these re-paint templates.

The first project i am going to tackle is a 1/24th scale cessna 172

Any help from you folks would greatly be appreciated

[bbstackerf]

Not really any way to look at the paint schemes without having them installed and on an a/c in the sim. Not in 3d and as they would look on the given aircraft any way. But if you want to look at the texture file my suggestion would be to down load a program available here on simV called "DXTbmp", I believe its in the 'Utilities" section of the downloads. With this program you can open the texture files and view the "templates" as a 2d picture.

Normally someone with the sim can download the repaints - install the appropriate files where they need to be to use them on the aircraft. I guess for what you're trying to do, after you get the DXTbmp program just download the repaint your looking to view, save it to somewhere on on your pc where you can find it.

Seriously though, you can probably pick up a copy of Flight Simulator 2004 pretty cheap in most area's these days.

Hope thats helpful

Keni

[mossdog]

You could ask about having screenshots taken from the sim by people who own the model but again screenshots only go so far. The best way to go about would be to pick up a copy of fs 2004, or fs 2002 which they're practically giving away in some places now.

[Felix/FFDS]

THere is a roundabout way of looking at the models without having FLight SImulator installed.

Create a folder structure for the desired sim....

c:\My Programs\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9\Aircraft

Download and install teh model to the appropriate folder.  

Obtain FS Repaint! from the Abacus website.  IF all you're interested in is in viewing the textures, etc., then the demo mode is enough.  If you want to use the templates, then it may be worth your while to purchase it.  You'll decide in due time.

Basically, FS Repaint! allows you to see the rendered and textured 3d model.