Stripes

[Peedy]

Hi Guy's. I'm trying to add stripes on the side of the plane. Lets say iv'e got Bmp 1, Bmp 2, Bmp3. They all need the stripes. Is there a way I can put the stripes on so they line up when I view the plane in the sim. I hope this is understandable. Kind regards Peedy

[patchz]

It's mostly trial and error, depending on the mapping. I've seen a couple that would not line up no matter what. I got in the habit of putting numbers on parts I was having trouble identifying, check in the sim and then

removing the numbers. I don't know what program you use for editing, but imho, layers is the only way to fly. You can save your work as a .psd file and open it in DXTBmp and save it to your texture folder without

messing up the original .psd. Then you can go back and 'fix' what you did on the layer without disturbing anything else.

[Peedy]

OK Patchz, thank you so much for your answer. I'm not sure it helps as some of it I cannot understand. I am using Photoshop 7 as my editor. I'll keep on trying. Thanks Peedy

[JoBee]

Some paint kits come with a full-side .psd that you would paint first, then copy what you need to the individual bitmaps. These paint kits commonly have witness marks to help align the copying process.

I have, on a few occasions, made my own full-side .psd files for paint kits that did not include them.

This process can still require some trial and error to get it "just right".

Welcome to the world of FS painting, where things are often much harder than they should be.

cheers,
Joe

[Peedy]

Hi Joe thanks for your advice. I'm very new to all this but it's great fun and yes I'll keep on trying. Kind regards Peedy

[J2Summit]

Sounds like my methods are about the same. I always create a "Temp" layer that has many of my notes for that file. I create registration marks & lines when needed. Yep, good ole trial and error. I make a horizontal line on each matching texture file and then find that last pixel column that does not show, and then put my vertical registration line there for each file's matching border. It's a pain. It's fun for twisted minds.
John

[TRflyman01]

AS Joe said the easiest way is to make a full side psd. The process I use is:
Create a new psd, I usually just start with 4096x2048 dimensions.
Open an existing texture from the plane that already has stripes and copy and paste the individual sections on to the new psd lining up all stripes and parts of the plane. Line them up so that it looks exactly like the plane in the sim.
I then open the blank textures and copy and paste using the same method. Use the opacity slider on the blank textures so that you can match them exactly with the previous textures. After you get the full side done you can just paint on this and copy and paste to the individual texture sheets.
I hope you can understand as I don't think I explained it very well.
Here is a pic of the Carenado 185 full side that I use to do all my paints.

[SkyNoz]

What you want to do, is basically in your paint program, line up each file into just one file so the fuselage becomes just one image. When that is done, the full fuselage will be in one image, than when completly drawn on these images, photos etc. Cut the image back to it's original 3 file's with the lines added, it will insure accuracy with line placement etc.

[Ralphc]

Hi Guys...
Just read this thread with interest.  Some good tips there. I'm currently working on a DC-4 (Cal Classics) and it's a devil of a job. Is it possible to do the same with the nose cone as it is with the fuse Side views, for example re-scale it? For me, this is always the most difficult part. Especially when trying to re-paint a MAAM DC-3 
Best Wishes
Ralphc

[garryrussell]

Hi Ralph

No, you can't rescale.  That is all set to the model when mapping

Nose areas can be very difficult, but whatever you have is it I'm afraid.

Often paints have to be compromised as it is just not possible to do exactly with the mapping.

[Ralphc]

Hi Garry...
Thanks for the reply 
" Nose areas can be very difficult, but whatever you have is it I'm afraid."

Nose areas are the blight of my so far brief 'painting career'  No quick fix then...just have to get the 'eye' in tune. 
Thanks Garry..
Best Wishes
Ralph