Burning Beard

Photo Paint plays well with Draw in that it will import cdr files and leave the backgrounds transparent. However my version does not save as bmp's so I have to take the native cpt (photo paint) files back into Draw to convert them. Photo Paint will save in psd format and open those files without losing layers. I dont think it has all the same filters as photoshop, but since I dont use that program I have no way of knowing. Beard

Yes, in "Draw" you have a full range of textures, fills, and all sorts of useful stuff. You can make custom textures for fills of shapes, do fades across objects ad depth with a 3d rotation tool, rotate you light source, etc. You can even do a start out as one object and morph into another as you drag it across a screen. Its real value to me is the advanced font manipulation, easy kerning of letters, drop shades, envelopes and the like. I am currently using version 13 (X3) and started with version 4, so I have a lot of familiarity with the program. It does a lot of things I don't need, but it is nice to know they are available. It is only recently that I have been fooling around with the Photo Paint side of the program (mainly just for skinning) and the tool usage in it are kind of backwards to Corel Draw, in other words pretty frustrating. Mainly with this type of program you discover things by accident, or try something that you think ought to work and then Wala! you have a new tool. The use of layers in Corel itself is different that a the Photo Paint program in that each object is treated as its own layer and can be moved independently across the screen of the other objects. Like say you are working on a skin which is 2048 x 2048, you can import a profile (like the Rising Sun)from somewhere, trace the lines of the small drawing with your vector tools then drag and enlarge (without changing the resolution or losing definition) them to fit the area needed on the skin, then you can manipulate those vector shapes (by using nodes) or add curves to them as needed. If something doesn't fit correctly you can use envelope tools to warp the shape to fit the item. You can then take this object and place it above or below anything else you have drawn without having to open a diffent layer. You have choices like front of page, back of page, in front of (think click on a different object) behind, one forward, one back, etc.... Like I said though it is kind of steep learning curve and it works differently than other programs. But once you are used to it, it is very good. Beard

My favorite for skinning is Corel Draw. This is a vector tool which allows you to draw lines and shapes instead of "painting". It also has the advantage of letting you easily resize objects without causing distortion of the edges, everything stays nice and crisp. If you buy the suite it comes with Photo Paint (like paint shop or other similar programs) which makes it easy to take the "shapes" you develop in Draw and layer other objects over or under them, using transparencies and other tools. But, unfortunately it is not very intuitive. The price is usually better but it is geared towards people who run things like plotters. Beard

Is this the server we will use for the regular Sunday session? Beard

Great briefing Vasco, I am surprised and pleased to see that I have achieved Ace status, which just goes to show plodding along and trying not to steal others kills will allow you to stay alive long enough to be an ace. Beard

If you liked the RB DH2 you'll love the one in OFF, its one of my favorite birds. Welcome, Beard

View File Spad XIII US94 John Jeffers Post War Spad XIII "Rising Sun" flown by Lt. John Jeffers Submitter Burning Beard Submitted 09/27/2009 Category Aircraft Skins

Here's another one for the Ricketycrate Hanger Beard

Good job Red Dog, this skinning is fun :), I don't get shot down as often, lol Beard

I'm a sign painter. Beard

View File Spad XIII US94 Lt. Cook Spad XIII flown by LT. Cook, US94, post WWI Submitter Burning Beard Submitted 09/24/2009 Category Aircraft Skins

I have uploaded the "Bolt" but haven't seen it yet, if it doesn't show up by morning I will try again. Beard

Here's another one for the Ricketycrate hanger. The next one on my list is the "Rising Sun". Beard

Thanks for the screenies Ricketycrate, I'm glad you are enjoying the skin. I am currently working on Lt. Cooks "Lightning Bolt". With any luck I will have it out in a couple of days. Beard

View File Spad XIII US94 Ken Dawson Spad XIII flown post war by Lt. Ken Dawson of the US 94th. Submitter Burning Beard Submitted 09/20/2009 Category Aircraft Skins

This Spad XIII was flown by Lt. Ken Dawson of the US94th in the post war period.\ Download file here Beard

Here is a post war US94 Skin I just completed. Beard

Count me in if my connection doesn't go south again this week. Beard

I believe Nr 38 is a Nieuport 17, Country: France Manufacturer: Societe Anonyme des Etablissements Nieuport Type: Fighter First Introduced: March 1916 Number Built: Engine(s): Le Rhône 9J, 9 cylinder, rotary, 110 hp Wing Span: 26 ft 11 in (8.22 m) Length: 18 ft 10 in (5.74 m) Height: 7 ft 10 in Empty Weight: 827 lb (376 kg) Gross Weight: 1246 lb (565 kg) Max Speed: 110 mph (177 km/h) Ceiling: 17,388 ft (5,300 m) Endurance: 2 hours Crew: 1 Armament: 1 Lewis .303 machine gun and/or 1 Vickers .303 machine gun This one obviously has the Vickers gun, and I think it is Belgian from the photograph, but I could be wrong, though the rudder surfaces do not look like red, white and blue. Beard

I voted for generic model type, that should get you close enough. Modelers should identify the plane by Jasta, or Squadron or whatever to aid in searches of the database. Beard

Sorry I couldn't make it, it wasn't for not trying. My connection has been going in and out all morning, and by the time I could connect, no one was there. Beard

I have found, in a request from Sitting Duck, that the following planes have mirrors or gauges that reflect an image; Allies, F2b, N17 and N17 Lewis (both mirrors and gauges), BE2, RE8, Sopwith Strutter (both models), and the Sopwith Pup Central, Alb DV (mirror only), DRI, Halb DII, Pfalz DIII (Mirror only), Roland These are from the N17 Beard