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CFS3 Repaint Utility

J

jackedwardmorris95

Guest
What is the best utility for re-painting aircraft in CFS3?

Jack
 
The one you've got and know, as long as it handles layers and .DDS files. You don't actually need Photoshop. Bravo/4 uses Paint Shop Pro.

Try searching the threads here for 'repainting' or 'skinning'; there's been discussion of this lately.
 
I have paint shop pro and dds plugin
is that enough to repaint cfs3 aircratfs ?
which are parameters to record file ?

thanks
 
It's true that the best way to go about it, is to use a paint program that can handle layers. DDS compatibility isn't necessary because it is always possible to use Martin Wright's DXTBmp proggie for that. This program can convert .bmp to .dds, even with an Alpha component. As I didn't get the result I wanted with the .dds plugins (didn't know how to set all the various parameters), I have used DXTBmp to my satisfaction. This is really all that you need to re-skin a model. BTW, there's also the Gimp; an open source, freeware paint program.

Autothrottle, if you want to have a new texture for a model next to the original (instead of replacing it), you do have to make a copy of the original model and turn it into a standalone. If you do not do this, CFS3 will randomly choose the original texture or your new one because everything has to have a unique file name. Creating a standalone of an existing model solves this problem by renaming all the necessary model files. Search the forum for 'creating standalone'. There are several tutorials that explain the procedure. It is not difficult but before you start, make a backup (!) of the original files. The other thing you need, is a hexeditor program, as you cannot rename the .dds references inside the .mos file and the .m3d file without one. There are several good freeware versions available. A hexeditor with a search function is best; you only have to enter '.dds' in the search box to find the file references you need to alter. For the remaining file editing you can use NotePad

So, in the end, you need two or three programs (depending on having a .dds plugin or not. Notepad is included with Windows): a paint program with layer compatibility, a .dds plugin or DXTBmp and a hexeditor...

Good luck to you all!!
 
Download any one of my skins (as opposed to complete aircraft) and you'll find a full, thorough tutorial on how to create a stand-alone. Practice on the stock Spitfire, as in the example, and then off you go.
 
Repaints - it's really all been said; an editor capable of handling layers - a typical hi-res skin of mine has some 60-70 layers and weighs in at anything between 60 to 80,000KB, so I suggest starting with a low-res job! - and Martin Wright's BMP-DXT program. That really is all it takes. I use Photoshop, but as they've said above, there are perfectly adequate alternatives. I've heard of another called Gimp, but I don't know a thing about it.

If you're lucky, there used to be a number of ready-to-use templates here for download; Wildbat did a few, as did Tempest and Soupdragon. They actually got me started by enabling me to see how things fit together. They're a bit basic by today's standards, but will certainly get you off to a good start. I'd go and take a look. Any questions you have about techniques, feel free to PM me, but if you're using a program I don't know, I may not be able to tell you very much!
 
FAFL342Pascal said:
I have paint shop pro and dds plugin
is that enough to repaint cfs3 aircratfs ?
which are parameters to record file ?

thanks
Click to expand...

When you've finished painting, save it as:

1. unfused layers, so you can come back to it
2. A fused 24-bit BMP file

Then import it into DXT-BMP and save it as (generally) DXT1 format.

Do the specular layer much the same way, bearing in mind that black=no shine, white white=total shine.

And make your stand-alone.

Je m'y attends avec impatience!
 
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