SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

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Just a quick question, I would really enjoy painting an aircraft with my own choice of colors, graphics etc. I recently downloaded a 30 day trial of Adobe Photoshop Elements 6, I have used it to paint race cars in an other sim, has anyone used this prg for aircraft repainting.
Let me know your thoughts and any ideas, would be appreciated
Thanks, Ken

[groundsquirrel]

You can use any image editor to do repaints. You will need to get DXTbmp in order to convert the extended images for editing and then to resave them after editing. DXTbmp is available from http://www.mnwright.btinternet.co.uk/

There are a few very fine freeware editors out there so you dont have to use commercial product. Personally I use Photoshop CS2.

[trackbar]

I will have a look for one of the freeware editing prgs that are out there, got the DXTbmp prg. No sense paying $130.00 if not nescessary, thanks for the tips.

[SU37Berkut]

Thanks for the posts Trakbar and GS, I just got that program tonight when I saw these posts and I've already made my first repaint.

It's actually not bad either. I'll post up some pics soon.

[groundsquirrel]

For your consideration:

http://park18.wakwak.com/~pixia/

http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/

http://www.gimp.org/

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Graphic/Graphic-Editors/Free-Image-Editor.shtml

http://www.getpaint.net/features.html

There may be others but these work well. A word of caution about GIMP, due to its' open source architecture, some setup knowledge might be helpful so if you are uncomfortable with rummaging around in your windows system you may want to try one of the others first.

[harkonnen]

I do like 'Pixia', the first one G.S. suggested. Freeware and pretty versatile. You can use Microsoft 'Paint' for hard thin, lines and use Pixia for just about everything else. Pixia has some neat features that you don't get in 'Paint' and also employs layer use.
Your biggest challenge, after deciding on which image editor to use will probably just be getting good with your mouse action for the finer detail stuff, learning the tools and filters in your image editor(s), and becoming familiar with how layers are best used to create versatile, repaintable FS textures. It's quite an art, and you'll learn to be versatile and innovative.
I save my textures as DXT3 (converted through DXTBMP, the freeware program mentioned.)
There are a bunch of great tutorials and full websites around the net, dedicated to MSFS aircraft painting and repainting....amazing detailed tips, tricks and procedures abound....when I get a bit of time I'll pop back in here and offer up some tutorial links.

EDIT: When you were painting up sim cars did you add any weathering at all..scratches & dents, etc, or were the paintjobs all pretty nice and shiny? Ever notice how some models look great all pristine and clean and some models demand some dirt?

[rd]

Here's where you can get some tutes on how to do repaints.

http://www.projectopensky.com/files/index.php?dir=paint-resources/

Look towards the bottom. You want paint lessons 1-3.

And, since I'm in the giving mood, here's another.

http://www.gjsmith.net/Tutorial/tutorials.htm

http://www.calclassic.com/repaint.htm

http://www.simmerspaintshop.com/

RD

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Thank you all so much for your input, I've got a lot to read and learn but fortunetaly I do have the time :wink: LOL Will let you know how I make out after I do a few
rd, the cars were pretty much pace lap condition, after rubbing the wall or running into something the sim takes care of the damage look for the most part.