Is Gimp a good utility for skinning?

_AH_Stiffy · July 11, 2009, 10:43:48 PM

you just need someone to walk you thru some steps

one tip, if you add the numbers to a layer and not the skin itself, you can flip that layer and move it
to where you want it

heck i had BBQ adding nose art after 4 hours.......(he was being difficult)
usually only takes about 30 mins to an hour to get up and running doing basic stuff

Aviar · July 11, 2009, 11:09:41 PM

Thanks Stiffy, but I guess you didn't read all of my posts. I already figured out how to erase and add new numbers.

Ok, now there is something I really want to learn. How can I apply a noseart onto a skin? I don't like how the in-game noseart looks....kind of like a decal.

I want to place custom noseart right on the skin, like you guys have. I guess it's some kind of cut and paste, but I tried that and didn't even come close.

I'm gonna need some real help with this one. I don't think I can figure this one out on my own. Even the guy who helps me with some of my skins doesn't know how to do it.

Aviar

_AH_Stiffy · July 12, 2009, 09:37:24 AM

Well, I did real all your posts, i just never had to flip the whole skin over and back or whatever it is your doing to get it to work. bottom line, if you found a way to make it work, then do it.

as far as adding nose art to the skin, i think your wanting the rivits and lines to show on it
i could tell you how i do it but its paintshop pro so i think it would make you more lost then before

Aviar · July 12, 2009, 05:15:34 PM

Thanks for your offer. However, since I'm working with Gimp, that's what I need help with.

Aviar

_AH_Col._Hogan · July 12, 2009, 07:05:32 PM

Is it ironic that the program you are struggling with is called "Gimp"? or would that be a coincidence?

S!

Aviar · July 12, 2009, 10:59:50 PM

Quote from: _AH_Col._Hogan on July 12, 2009, 07:05:32 PM
Is it ironic that the program you are struggling with is called "Gimp"? or would that be a coincidence?

S!

There must be some reason I'm drawn to it.

*I'm actually getting closer though. Somehow, I actually got the noseart on the plane. However, I can't get the background transparent. So, I have a big gray rectangle with a pretty girl inside of it. I've tried so many things, but I can't get that gray to be transparent.

Aviar

_AH_Twisted · July 12, 2009, 11:21:13 PM

When you convert it over to a bmp any transparent areas turn white, so don't fret.

Aviar · July 13, 2009, 01:22:19 AM

Quote from: _AH_Twisted on July 12, 2009, 11:21:13 PM
When you convert it over to a bmp any transparent areas turn white, so don't fret.

Maybe I didn't explain it well. I already converted it to a BMP file and flown the plane in IL-2. (you don't even need to fly the plane. You can see if the background is transparent as soon as you place the art onto the skin.)

The noseart is on the plane, but the background of the rectangle is not transparent, like it should be. In this case, it's the color gray.

I don't know how to manipulate Gimp to make the background transparent.

Aviar

_AH_Stiffy · July 13, 2009, 02:50:23 AM

try this,

add a transparent layer to the skin, add the nose art to the invisible layter then erase the gray part

Aviar · July 13, 2009, 03:16:22 AM

Somehow, I actually did it! I don't know if I can ever do it again, because I was just trying different things until it worked.

The noseart now is much more pixelated than the in-game noseart, but it doesn't have that 'decal' look. I'll have to see if there is a way to attach the artwork without so much pixelation.

Aviar