Want to Start Skinning

[Barkhorn1x]

Hello all: ***

 

I want to start skinning - for personal use. I d/l'd Gimp and the DXTBMP program.

 

I want to start off easy - adding a new logo/design to an existing skin. Is there a tutorial somewhere that explains:

- How to copy and past from a 3rd party graphic into Gimp?

- How to "paint a colored band or two?

 

Thanks all.

 

***Yea, I ask everyone for help on every damn thing. Please don't hate me.

[Slartibartfast]

Hello all: ***

 

I want to start skinning - for personal use. I d/l'd Gimp and the DXTBMP program.

 

I want to start off easy - adding a new logo/design to an existing skin. Is there a tutorial somewhere that explains:

- How to copy and past from a 3rd party graphic into Gimp?

- How to "paint a colored band or two?

 

Thanks all.

 

***Yea, I ask everyone for help on every damn thing. Please don't hate me.

 

 

If one does not know and one does not ask then one never finds out how to do anything... unfortunately I am not a skinner so I can't help though I would be intrigued on the answers...

[Bullethead]

I want to start off easy - adding a new logo/design to an existing skin. Is there a tutorial somewhere that explains:

- How to copy and past from a 3rd party graphic into Gimp?

- How to "paint a colored band or two?

 

I don't use Gimp but it has most of the same features as Photoshop and Paintshop Pro. Thus, while I can't tell you the exact commands and where to find them or what their hotkeys are, and might even use different words for some of the concepts than Gimp uses, I can tell you the proceedure, which hopefully you'll be able to translate into Gimp terms.

 

1. Prepare the 3rd Party Graphic

This basically means have it saved somewhere on your HD. If necessary, open it in Gimp and clean up any problems you see such as pixels of strange colors, etc.

 

2. Prepare the Skin (possibly unnecessary)

The skins are in DDS format, which most graphics editors can't open by default, although some can be made to do so with 3rd party plug-ins. If you have such a plug-in for Gimp (if such exists), then skip this step. If you don't, then open the skin in DXTBmp and save it as a bitmap. This bitmap can then be opened by Gimp.

 

3. Do the Pasting

a. Open the skin in Gimp. Save it under a different name, such as "Barkhorn_AlbDIII_Logo". If Gimp has its own file format, be sure to specify that. Otherwise, maybe it can work with PSP or PS formats, so use them instead of leaving it as a BMP. This way, you'll always have a multi-layer file separate from the single-layer file (DDS or BMP, depending on plug-in) of the same name.

b. Create a new layer on the newly saved and renamed skin file called "Logo" or whatever,

c. Leaving this skin open, also open the 3rd party graphic in Gimp.

d. Make the graphic file the active window, then select the part of the graphic you want to use and hit CTRL-C to copy it.

e. Make the skin file the active window and paste the graphic into the new layer you just created. Don't worry about size, shape, and position just yet.

f. Move the graphic around and rotate/resize it as necessary to get the effect you desire, then save the skin. Because it's on a layer by itself, this has no effect on the underlying skin itself. Get it where you want it.

g. Close the graphic file window.

h. Save the skin file in whatever multi-layer format you're using.

i. Save the skin file in whatever single-layer format you're using (DDS or BMP, depending on plug-in). If asked if collapsing all the layers into 1 is cool with you, say "yes".

 

4. Converting the Skin (maybe unnecessary)

If you needed to do step 2 above, then you'll now need to reverse the process with DXTBmp to save the single-layer BMP file as a DDS file. Be sure that you have "create MIP maps" checked (the default, so don't really worry about this). Also, be sure to save the skin to the \Campaigns\campaign data\skins folder.

 

5. Check New Skin in Game

a. Start OFF and select your test pilot of the appropriate nationality.

b. Go to QC and pick the plane you just made the skin for.

c. Pick your skin off the list.

d. Set altitude to somewhere non-zero value, try to make the weather sunny, and hit Go To Field.

e. As soon as the game loads, pause the game. Then use the numpad and [ and ] keys to move and zoom the POV to look at your skin from all angles. Note any problems.

 

6. The End?

If you need to tweak the graphic, open the multi-layer version of the skin, do the tweak, save it as the single-layer version, convert to DDS if necessary, and again look at it in the game. Once you're happy, get drunk. You've earned it

Edited April 13, 2010 by Bullethead

[Barkhorn1x]

Great info. Bullet. I can follow that. Just one more question. Any tips on drawing/filling some fuselage bands? I just cannot figure that out.

[Barkhorn1x]

Figured it out. Not too difficult to manipulate Gimp w/ a bit of practice. The actual painting part is hard tho'.

[UK_Widowmaker]

Figured it out. Not too difficult to manipulate Gimp w/ a bit of practice. The actual painting part is hard tho'.

 

Hang in there Barkhorn....don't forget too, that simple copy and paste between aircraft, can have some wonderful outcomes!...the huge array of skins and colours provided with BHaH...means that you can create truly personalised aircraft, with no painting skills whatsoever...then merely add some logo's etc.

 

Copy and Paste is used by me a lot!

[Barkhorn1x]

 

Copy and Paste is used by me a lot!

 

 

Yes, that's what I've pretty much doing.

[carrick58]

Well I got a lot done but a problem popped up. I cant seem to get it back in the game. ( it wont copy and paste into skins ) OFF ( right click game icon )-location of files- Campaigns-campaign Data-skins The image reads bitmap that I copied. so maybe it should be dds ? Thanks Wanta be in the Skin Club

Edited February 22, 2012 by carrick58

[hairyspin]

There's at least one plugin for Gimp that supports .dds files

 

DDS plugin for Gimp

Edited February 24, 2012 by hairyspin