Help! How to make a template in GIMP

[Titan_Bow]

I read a while back how to make your own template in Gimp/photoshop/ etc.  from a .bmp.  I was working on re-painting a Carenado 185, and I had done this trick on the fuselage to make a "details" layer that has all the rivets, shading, etc.    I had put off working on it, but now am doing the wings, and cant remember how to do this!  Help!
  I thought it had something to do with mask layers, but I could be completely wrong about that.

Thanks

[drbob777]

Im not really sure what your asking,

Why are you making a template for this plane? Can't you just edit the default file, or are you trying to edit a Alpha texture set and you can't find it?

[garryrussell]

I think he wants to turn a BMP into a layered doc?? :-/

Is there not already a paint kit

[Titan_Bow]

I figured it out, thanks. If you have a blank scheme, such as those that come with the Carenado planes, but they are in .bmp, you can create a layer that includes as the "details", then create a layered templated.  I dont have Gimp open right now, but I believe its under Layers >Transparency >Color to Alpha.  Then save this as a layer, and you have all the details of the base scheme.  Another cool trick is to add a layer, and paint your scheme normally over the top of a Carenado scheme, then change that layer to "Burn", and it looks like realistic paint.