Personalized Decal

[Syrinx 13]

I use Photoshop CS3. Every decal I try and make comes out blank.

 

I'm not too au fait with Photoshop...still learning. I can do skins, understand layers etc but every damn .tga comes out blank.

 

I haven't sen the Timmy tutorial posted above...so I'll have a go with that.

 

If you hear a scream, it's me pulling my hair out.

[+Jug 99]

Also depends on which program you use - if I was to write a how to it would be based on G.I.M.P because its free, open source and there are lots of tutorials on the web for the basics.

 

However I will tell you that it will take a 100th of the time to actually do the decal though than it will to write a how-to - and even then people may still not get it. :close_tema:

 

 

disclaimer: requests for tedious How-Tos are not on my list at the mo.

 

Understand the reluctance to enter into a 'tedious How-To', but I was hoping for something far more simple. If it is not to be, it is not to be.

[+Dave 2,322]

I use Photoshop 7 and I can make decals because technically its TGA making system is broke. In the version I use all I have to do is put a graphic on transparent background and save an a TGA and wham instant decal. If I was to patch it, then I would have to screw with the alpha channels. As it is right now it makes it for me automatically.

 

NFG/Jug drop me a PM.

[column5 63]

Understand the reluctance to enter into a 'tedious How-To', but I was hoping for something far more simple. If it is not to be, it is not to be.

 

The rub is that even for a simple solution you still need to know how to manipulate the alpha channel, and if you can do that, then you know everything about making decals and don't need a simple solution.

 

I'll see if I can get a Photoshop tutorial up soon, it may be useful even for those using another program.

 

I use Photoshop 7 and I can make decals because technically its TGA making system is broke. In the version I use all I have to do is put a graphic on transparent background and save an a TGA and wham instant decal. If I was to patch it, then I would have to screw with the alpha channels. As it is right now it makes it for me automatically.

 

NFG/Jug drop me a PM.

 

Cheater. But yeah, that bug in PS7 was a great time saver.

[+Dave 2,322]

The rub is that even for a simple solution you still need to know how to manipulate the alpha channel, and if you can do that, then you know everything about making decals and don't need a simple solution.

 

I'll see if I can get a Photoshop tutorial up soon, it may be useful even for those using another program.

 

 

 

Cheater. But yeah, that bug in PS7 was a great time saver.

 

How in the hell you think I can make 52 decals in 7 mins....ask Julhelm and Jimmybib about that one.

[+Spectre_USA 7]

I think I figured out my issue with trying toi create a TGA, results have always been NFG describes.

 

PSP 7, and the version of the Gimp I tried will only save as 24 bit TGA's max. I just laid hands on Photo Shop 5, and intend to tackle this rascal again

next week while on vacation, as I am determined not to let this image manipulation situation kick my tailfeathers!

 

Hair tufts may fly, but Ima gonna get it, by gummy!

[column5 63]

I think I figured out my issue with trying toi create a TGA, results have always been NFG describes.

 

PSP 7, and the version of the Gimp I tried will only save as 24 bit TGA's max. I just laid hands on Photo Shop 5, and intend to tackle this rascal again

next week while on vacation, as I am determined not to let this image manipulation situation kick my tailfeathers!

 

Hair tufts may fly, but Ima gonna get it, by gummy!

 

Yeah, the missing 8 bits are your alpha channel.

[Wrench 9,816]

Adding pilot names is Righteous!!!!!

Done it lot's of times meself...on the VMF-58 "Wildcards" F4U-1D Corsair, and most recently on "The Hunters" Sabre jets.

 

My way is about 3, maybe 4 steps longer than most, as I don't like how PhotoShop6 (or 7) handles text. So I insert the names, serial numbers, whatever I'm making with IrfanView. Then save the bmp with it's number sequence. Then I make the tga in PornoShop. Insignia, squadron marking, etc, I do in PS.

 

Like I said, it's a few extra steps (but I got plenty of time, damnit!!), but I like the results better.

 

Hey Nicki; when you kicking out with the modified decals ini and those 100 serial numbers I made for Harriers??? Folks is waitting! (if you're having trouble with writing a readme, send me the decals ini, and I"ll whip one write out)

 

Wrench

kevin stein

[column5 63]

See if this helps get you started, comrades:

 

http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?showtopic=30702

[+Spectre_USA 7]

I have a box marked "Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium" in my hand, and I'm not afraid to install it!

 

Well, not much, as I have a cool tutorial to gaze upon now.

 

Cheers, C5...

 

[Syrinx 13]

Hey Nicki; when you kicking out with the modified decals ini and those 100 serial numbers I made for Harriers??? Folks is waitting! (if you're having trouble with writing a readme, send me the decals ini, and I"ll whip one write out)

 

Wrench

kevin stein

 

Uploaded and pending approval my friend.

[+Dave 2,322]

Uploaded and pending approval my friend.

 

Done.

[rovert97 1]

ok after reading how to make a decal, how do you know where it will go on a plane, and what size to use?

[Syrinx 13]

Wahey !! Woot ! Yippee !

 

Finally managed to make decals that work!!...courtesy of the super simple to follow Decals 101 tutorial by C5.

 

That's one small step for the modding community, one giant leap for me

 

Here's a small WIP, mod of Bobrocks's excellent AV8B+ masquerading as a Harrier GR9A.

 

[MigBuster 2,884]

ok after reading how to make a decal, how do you know where it will go on a plane, and what size to use?

 

 

lol

 

Well with an existing jet in the skin there is a file called Decals.ini - open that up and you will see

 

[Decal001]

MeshName=vertical_stabilizer

DecalLevel=1

DecalFacing=LEFT

FilenameFormat=A7TailL

Position=-4.9,2.21

Rotation=0.0

Scale=4.5

DecalMaxLOD=4

 

[Decal002] etc

 

Should be obvious where the decal goes via the Mesh name - you will see that the rotation , position and scale can be changed very accurately. An easy way to get positions is to skin a plane that already has a complete decals ini.

 

If the original skinner hasnt used decals - then you may have to use trial and error - sometimes even changing the size or position can cause them to disapear or cause decal leak and other weird things.

[+Jug 99]

I use Photoshop 7 and I can make decals because technically its TGA making system is broke. In the version I use all I have to do is put a graphic on transparent background and save an a TGA and wham instant decal. If I was to patch it, then I would have to screw with the alpha channels. As it is right now it makes it for me automatically.

 

NFG/Jug drop me a PM.

Just wanted to say that the Jugman rides again. Flew my Thud into the bowels of downtown Hanoi with my name (courtesy of Dave) pasted on the side of my canopy making all the bad guys duck. 10 feet tall, bulletproof, and fearless once again. Can't thank you enough publicly, Dave. A real treat.

 

I get to you later on a PM.

[+Jug 99]

Wahey !! Woot ! Yippee !

 

Finally managed to make decals that work!!...courtesy of the super simple to follow Decals 101 tutorial by C5.

 

That's one small step for the modding community, one giant leap for me

 

Here's a small WIP, mod of Bobrocks's excellent AV8B+ masquerading as a Harrier GR9A.

 

 

That's a real beauty, Nikki. Great job!

[Wrench 9,816]

Hey Jug, how's about a screenie of your new ride???

 

See, Nicki, I TOLD you it weren't that hard!!! (no comments of the rest of you yutzes...)

 

Wrench

kevin stein