An easy question for skinners using Photoshop

[56RAF_Roblex]

When I add something like an emblem to a template using 'paste' it puts it on a new layer of course.  My (minor) problem is that it is added as a small layer just large enough to hold the emblem so if I decide to re-use that emblem with another skin of the same aircraft model by exporting it  then I have to re-position it in the right place again which can be fiddly if it is something that goes on both sides and must be lined up. It is even worse if it is something that is split across two parts of the template like the top & bottom of the tailfin.  

 

Is there a way to have that emblem positioned on a layer that is the size of the bottom layer so that if I then exported it to use on another skin then it would already be in the right position?  Or perhaps I should not be exporting the emblem layer as I do (Quick Export As PNG) and there is a better way.   Actually it has just occurred to me that I could simply create a full sized blank layer and merge my emblem layer with it but nevertheless is there a better way to move a small detail from one plane to another (same model) so that it retains its position?

[BlackHellHound1]

There is a really easy way to do this. You do not need to copy anything or mess with layers. 

 

Right-click on the layer that you want to copy and click on Duplicate Layer... 

A little menu should pop up and select the document you want to copy it to. 

Done!

 

You will now have that exact same layer in the 2nd document without any changes to location, pixels, colours or what ever. It also works with groups.

This even works when copying to documents with different dimentions. it will still place the layer in the exact same spot (based on the pixel grid). (do note that if you copy something to smaller resolution image, some of it might fall outside of the canvas.)

 

Good luck!

 

BlackHellHound1

 

Edited September 20, 2017 by BlackHellHound1

[56RAF_Roblex]

Thank-you.  I never noticed that option. 

 

I have a dozen different skins, one for each of my squad, and a PSD for each although most of the layers are identical.  I think it makes more sense for me to just have one PSD with all the personal details (emblems, numbers etc) on it as layers so when I need to change something it is just a question of switching on the right personal layers and saving a DDS for each pilot.   I just know that sometime soon they are going to ask 'Can I have my plane just as it is but with a Winter scheme?' and it would be silly for me to change 12 different PSDs just to change one paintscheme layer in each.   I am new to this so making mistakes and trying to learn from them :-)

[BOO]

Beware of the schemes of winter young Roblex!!!

 

First up, if the server dont support custom skins you may end up with a very green default skin on a very white map.

 

Second, if the guys you are flying against aint downloaded your skins you will be a big green splotch on their very white map

 

Third up, once this becomes apparent to your squad, no one will use them anyway

[56RAF_Roblex]

Beware of the schemes of winter young Roblex!!!

 

First up, if the server dont support custom skins you may end up with a very green default skin on a very white map.

 

Second, if the guys you are flying against aint downloaded your skins you will be a big green splotch on their very white map

 

Third up, once this becomes apparent to your squad, no one will use them anyway

 

OK. I see where you are coming from.  Currently the schemes are fine for Summer as it is green and probably no more visible than the default ones everyone else will see.  It will also be OK when we are flying in our own server against AI.   In Wintermaps we will just have to use default skins :-(

 

It is a pain because with 8-12 of us flying it can be very useful to know who is who for forming up etc. otherwise the airwaves are full of 'Can you form up on my left wing XXX? But  I am almost touching your left wing!.  No. There is nobody there. I think you have formed on ZZZ. ' :-)     I have put a suggestion in for 1C to make the default skins unnumbered and allow us to select what number will be shown when we spawn in.  They could of course make it so that the default skin for a winter map is a Winter skin!

 

It sounds like there is no point in ever making a custom Winter skin to fly online.   That is a shame because I have lovely A20 Winter scheme I wanted to try when the plane is released.

Edited September 20, 2017 by 56RAF_Roblex