Texturing...Where to start?

[rayrey10]

I've be simming for a few years but now I would like to try to paint aircraft. My question is what should I ask Santa to bring me so that I can start painting? Like what software should I buy or download, and what should I start reading to learn how to do it?

Thanks,
Ray

BTW - I want to paint FS9 aircraft, if it makes a difference.

[CBris]

Any paint program, even windows paint, will do - although a fully functional tool along the lines of photoshop... (very expensive)

GIMP is as good as photoshop - but it is totally FREE

Corel Draw Suite - also expensive, but if you can pick up an older version (10 or lower) the upgrade makes it price-wise.

Paint Shp Pro (PSP)

Of the painters though, I'd go for GIMP - get it here (http://www.gimp.org/). It is great and you won't have to break any laws to own it.

Now, you'll need to convert your painted results to a format usable by FSX - get DXTbmp from MNwright - get it here (http://www.mnwright.btinternet.co.uk/programs/dxtbmp.htm)

Go to the simmers paintshop (http://www.simmerspaintshop.com/) for tutorials

...and right at the top of your wishlist ask for a lot of time and patience from your loved ones.

Oh yes - it doesn't make much of a difference between versions in painting the colour textures. In FSX you have more to play with though.

Godd luck and have fun!

[rayrey10]

...and right at the top of your wishlist ask for a lot of time and patience....

CBris,
Thanks for the information. Unfortunately, time is the one commodity I lack right now. Patience, we'll see...:banghead:

Again Thanks,
Ray

[Cazzie]

Ray,

Chris is the best there is, I started with the old Cal Classics tutorial,. I printed it to hard copy and played with it. have learned much since then. Have printed Chris's tut on bump maps and I am going to try my hand at that one day. I have already experience a little in repainting Carenado's latest T-34 for FSX.

Anyhow, the Cal Classics tutorial is here: http://www.calclassic.com/repaint.htm

Get all the programs Chris mentioned, DXTBitmap is "must have". GIMP is great, but another freeware graphics alternative is Paint.NET: http://www.paint.net/.

Look for paint kits at AvSim, FlightSim, and here. Piglet has a kit for about everything he does. This makes repaints easier in that the layers are already there for the details.

Happy painting, it's addictive, though frustrating at times.

Caz

[rayrey10]

Thanks Caz! I'm going to try to start this over my holiday break...at least downloading the programs and reading. Thanks for the HU on the paint kits.

Ray

[CBris]

Ray,

If time is not a freely available commodity - get a good divorce lawyer :costumes: - you could easily get addicted. As Caz says, it can be a frustrating part of the hobby at times, especially if you ever get confronted with some kits like the ***** or the *****. And if you get too hooked, you might just even turn into a frustrated old grouch like me...

...who complains bitterly, when a new plane comes on the market and it doesn't have a paintkit with layers...:kilroy:

@ Caz

Thanks for the kind words but:

a. I am just lucky because I have the time to spend on my paints (or not - I'm single and semi-retired right now)

b. There are others with better skills - watch Steve (Gizmo) in future. He's got the necessary talent. Take a look at McPhat studios too.

...anyway, what do I paint next?