Skinning - Quick and Dirty for absolute beginners

[Old49r]

Looks like most people use GIMP

How about quick and dirty for Photoshop current editions 2019-2021? 

I know Photoshop with photography. Some 3D work with Revit for architecture. I've got PS 2020 with brand new NVIDIA DDS plug-in  "NVIDIA_Texture_Tools_Exporter_for_Adobe_Photoshop_2020.1.3". Seems to export and import DDS just fine. (Also have Intel's DDS plug-in).

Where do I start and how to save work with alpha channel? How do I work with Official templates that have no Alpha channel .psd?

Here's what it looks like from the previous comments in this thread ??????:

(Warning! this is not how to do it - It's questions for clarification)

For simple addition of a new "decal" - Squadron Logo

1 - Edit the "Paint Here" layer with the new logo.  Or should you add logo under markings "Paint Here". What's the difference? 

2 - Flatten the color image.

3 - Copy the flattened Alpha Channel .psd and paste to the Alpha channel of the flattened color image.? Lots of questions here - using P-38 official template example. The P-38 Alpha channel .psd has all the same layers (at least it looks like it does) as the color image layers. Do you flatten all these layers before pasting in the color image alpha channel layer - it already seems to have an alpha image in that channel layer? Which do you use. Is the separate Alpha channel .psd in some of the templates just to allow editing control of different 3D objects reflectiveness?

4 - Save all from flattened color image as .dds.

5 - Copy saved .dds to IL-2 GB P-38 skin directory and take a look with viewer.

 

So what's the workflow that allows you to go back to your last edit and make changes? I suppose saving work file with different name and flatten then save .dds?  Or with PS still open, Ctrl-Z ...?

Are there any tutorials on editing with PS the different layer groups - shadows, panel lines and rivets, weathering, markings, colors? What layers do you typically edit? In the P-38 template how do you change from alum finish to OD camo?

Am I asking to many questions? I haven't tried any of this and I'm to old to learn another bitmap paint program like GIMP.

I know absolutely nothing about skinning but do quite well with computer graphics. Would love to learn even at my age.

 

 

[RNAS10_Oliver]

1 hour ago, Old49r said:

Looks like most people use GIMP

How about quick and dirty for Photoshop current editions 2019-2021? 

I know Photoshop with photography. Some 3D work with Revit for architecture. I've got PS 2020 with brand new NVIDIA DDS plug-in  "NVIDIA_Texture_Tools_Exporter_for_Adobe_Photoshop_2020.1.3". Seems to export and import DDS just fine. (Also have Intel's DDS plug-in).

Where do I start and how to save work with alpha channel? How do I work with Official templates that have no Alpha channel .psd?

Here's what it looks like from the previous comments in this thread ??????:

(Warning! this is not how to do it - It's questions for clarification)

For simple addition of a new "decal" - Squadron Logo

1 - Edit the "Paint Here" layer with the new logo.  Or should you add logo under markings "Paint Here". What's the difference? 

2 - Flatten the color image.

3 - Copy the flattened Alpha Channel .psd and paste to the Alpha channel of the flattened color image.? Lots of questions here - using P-38 official template example. The P-38 Alpha channel .psd has all the same layers (at least it looks like it does) as the color image layers. Do you flatten all these layers before pasting in the color image alpha channel layer - it already seems to have an alpha image in that channel layer? Which do you use. Is the separate Alpha channel .psd in some of the templates just to allow editing control of different 3D objects reflectiveness?

4 - Save all from flattened color image as .dds.

5 - Copy saved .dds to IL-2 GB P-38 skin directory and take a look with viewer.

 

So what's the workflow that allows you to go back to your last edit and make changes? I suppose saving work file with different name and flatten then save .dds?  Or with PS still open, Ctrl-Z ...?

Are there any tutorials on editing with PS the different layer groups - shadows, panel lines and rivets, weathering, markings, colors? What layers do you typically edit? In the P-38 template how do you change from alum finish to OD camo?

Am I asking to many questions? I haven't tried any of this and I'm to old to learn another bitmap paint program like GIMP.

I know absolutely nothing about skinning but do quite well with computer graphics. Would love to learn even at my age.

 

I'm using the latest version of PS and am also using Intel Texture Works to save the DDS. I've not got the P38 template though. Is there two "paint here" layers or groups in its template then?

 

There's no need to flatten the colour image before save, as can be done during the "save as" for your DDS. Just uncheck the "layers" option. I dunno maybe there's some downside to this method that I'm not aware of but the skins that have produced this way seem to be fine to me? Also the alpha psd are just useful for when you want to make alterations to the alpha. The templates have the default alpha in them already as you have seen. So if your content with the default alpha then you can ignore the alpha psd for now. And also when you "save as" check the "alpha channels" option.

 

 

I'm guessing you know what settings to use on Intel Texture Works but in case here's what I've been using;

 

 

Quote

Which do you use.

 

For the most part I use the default alpha in the main templates. I have made alternations to some. However those have been for Flying Circus and the aircraft for this product seem to not be supplied with an alpha psd to use. So for those FC schemes that I've made I've copied the default alpha (alpha channel in the main template) pasted this as a normal layer and edited that (for most part just been using curves adjustment layers with vector masks) and then copy pasted that back this into the alpha channel.

 

You can have more than one alpha channel in the template also, and when exporting your DDS (with Intel Texture Works at least) the top most alpha channel gets used (for example Alpha 2 in the below screenshot gets used).

 

 

 

Edited February 2, 2021 by Oliver88

[Old49r]

Oliver88;

Thanks for your reply. Yes the P-38 template has at least two "Paint Here" layers. One you see right away not under any group. The other is under the "Markings" group. 

 

Thanks for your tips & info. I'll probably start today and see what happens. I'm going to use the Nvidia plug-in, as it's completely updated for current Photoshop apps as of last summer, and I saw a thread some ware that the DDS files from Nvidia are better quality than the older Intel plug-in. Regardless, thanks for the Intel settings - if I crash and burn with Nvidia I'll certainly need them. And yea, I have no idea what settings to use with Nvidia so we shall see what happens.

 

There's two thinks I want to make:

First is a P-38 with my Dad's markings from his unit late in the Pacific war. He was a pilot in the 49th Fighter Group, 8th Fighter Squadron called the "Black Sheep", I believe Bong was in the 9th Squadron called the "Flying Knights" or something. He was there too late to get his own aircraft, but I do have a scan of his squadron patch that could be used and some photo's with that emblem on the aircraft. He was first stationed at Lingayen air base in the Philippines, then on to Okinawa and finally stayed in the Japanese occupation for a year before returning home. He's 97 now, and I'd love to send him some screen saves of the plane. 

 

The other thing is to do DH 4 when it comes out in FC2. My grandpa was a mechanic in the 155th Aero Squadron late in the war. He talked a lot about the power of the Liberty engine and how the DH4 had trouble with the power of that thing. I know what his squadron markings are, at least the squadron symbol, so it would be fun to play with that one two.

 

So, whish me luck. If I get frustrated I'll be back.

 

By the way you might want to try that new Nvidia plug-in. I had to sign up as a developer or something to get it, but I could be worth it if it does a better job. It works great for making texture maps for materials in architectural projects.

Edited February 4, 2021 by Old49r

[Old49r]

So I did the 8th fighter squadron emblem on the P-38. Now looking for additional historical data/photos for the 7th "screaming deamons", 8th "black sheep" & 9th "flying knights" of the 49th Fighter Group. Wondering what the P-38 markings were for each squadron. I believe Dad said the spinners and vertical stabilizer tips were painted in different squadron colors. Get's confusing - spent several days downloading pictures of the P-38's in the 49th FG. Looks like Laven's  "Itsy Bitsy" of the 8th FS had White & Black spinner with black Vertical Stabilizer tips. In Artwork done for James Watkins' "Charlice Jeanne" of the 9th Fighter Squadron had blue spinners and Stabilizer tips. ..... However Isaacson's "Almost A Dragon" had Red White & Blue spinners with red Stabilizer tips and Bongs "Marge" who was also in the 9th FS at one time has all red spinners with red tipped vertical stabilizers and wings to boot. 

If anyone has any P-38 marking info along these lines, please let me know. 

Thought you might like to see some of these photos Dad took during the war.

 

Here's a few more pics

 

[NVR_RaVen_]

hmm i flattened saved to DDS etc. but in folder and it doesn't show in the game

[JGr2/J5_Mai]

On 12/24/2014 at 3:20 PM, AndyJWest said:

I've downloaded the latest version of Gimp (2.8.14), and installed the Gimp DDS plugin from here: https://code.google.com/p/gimp-dds/ This doesn't seem to add a 'save as dds' option to Gimp though - it allows exporting as dds files, but doesn't seem to be working properly. Am I doing something wrong, or have I got the wrong Gimp plugin?

Which of these files do you download for modern Windows 11?

https://code.google.com/archive/p/gimp-dds/downloads

[AndyJWest]

20 minutes ago, J5_Mai said:

Which of these files do you download for modern Windows 11?

https://code.google.com/archive/p/gimp-dds/downloads

 

No idea. I've not used the software for years. Given that the most recent revision is from 2013, there's no guarantee it will work with Win 11 at all. You could try the most recent 64-bit binary, and see, though I'd wait to see if anyone else knows of a better solution.

Edited September 29, 2022 by AndyJWest

[BOO]

On 9/29/2022 at 1:55 AM, J5_Mai said:

Which of these files do you download for modern Windows 11?

https://code.google.com/archive/p/gimp-dds/downloads

Go to the offical site

https://www.gimp.org/downloads/

 

2.10.32 is the latest stable version (June 2022). Should work with Win 11. Plenty of online tutorials on how to set it up. I think 2.10 has the DDS plug in its core now. 

 

 

[JGr2/J5_Mai]

On 9/30/2022 at 4:41 AM, BOO said:

Go to the offical site

https://www.gimp.org/downloads/

 

2.10.32 is the latest stable version (June 2022). Should work with Win 11. Plenty of online tutorials on how to set it up. I think 2.10 has the DDS plug in its core now. 

 

 

Right, I downloaded GIMP 2.10.32 but it doesn't have a "save as DDS" option. I think it needs a DDS plugin so I'm looking for a trustworthy download of one.

 

[BOO]

6 hours ago, J5_Mai said:

Right, I downloaded GIMP 2.10.32 but it doesn't have a "save as DDS" option. I think it needs a DDS plugin so I'm looking for a trustworthy download of one.

 

The support is built in. You don’t save a dds you export it. Try “export as” The option should be there.  If it isn’t you may need to activate the plug in within gimp itself but nothing I’ve read says this. 

[JGr2/J5_Mai]

7 hours ago, BOO said:

The support is built in. You don’t save a dds you export it. Try “export as” The option should be there.  If it isn’t you may need to activate the plug in within gimp itself but nothing I’ve read says this. 

That worked. Thanks.