customising!!

[amaru]

i have recently downloaded aircrafts in blank textures, they are all coloured in white and have the windows, doors and signs...etc.

i would like to paint them my way so i can actually see it in FS2002 like i painted it. how and what software do i need to make this happen?

[igorski]

You'll need dxtbmp, or imagetool to convert the textures to, and from FS formats / editable format.

(FS reads 256 colour, dxt3 (compressed) and 32bit (uncompressed) formats, you can edit a 24Bit bmp)

Dxtbmp is here: http://www.mnwright.btinternet.co.uk/pr ... dxtbmp.htm

You will also need an editing program. The most basic is MS Paint, there are others such as Ppixia, Gimp i think, and Paint.net etc... You can also used payware packages such as paint shop pro, or photoshop.

Personally I use imagetool for conversion, dxtbmp to add "alpha" which is for reflective textures, and Paint Shop Pro for editing.

Hope that helps.

[wji]

Use a paint program which supports layers Remember: You're not repainting the paint-kit but laying (Laying) see-through layers over it.

If using FREE Pixia, add the paint layers using a Hybrid Layer.

Have fun, I am.

[igorski]

You're not repainting the paint-kit but laying (Laying) see-through layers over it.  

I tend to do the opposite actually. Use the blank texture in the "multiply" setting in psp, and work under it. But thats just up to the individual as to how they create the effect you want.

[Sytse]

dxtbmp to add "alpha"

Didn't know you could add alpha's... just thought you could edit them  ???

[igorski]

Well its got to get there somehow  ;)

Yes you can add alpha. I create most of my major texture bitmaps from PSD files, so they start with no alpha, or if you prefer, a pure white alpha layer. So I have to add it, or change it from white, to whatwever I need. However you look at it it amounts to the same.

[Sytse]

Cool! Didn't know it was possible...

[Travis]

Well, you can't ADD alpha to any aircraft that does not already use it.  Doing so just makes the aircraft transluscent.  I suppose if you wanted to make a "cloak" for an aircraft, this might be handy, but otherwise its pretty useless.

You CAN edit them, and make them nonexistant, if you want to.  You just can't add them.

[Stratobat]

You will also need an editing program. The most basic is MS Paint, there are others such as Ppixia, Gimp i think, and Paint.net etc... You can also used payware packages such as paint shop pro, or photoshop.

Came across this a little while back (Haven't tried it, but it looks good) - GIMPshop

Regards,
Stratobat