Making Prop Swirls in GIMP

By adlabs6

For this example I'll be working on a 150 pixel square canvas. The first step is to use the rectangular selection tool to divide the canvas roughly in half, so that in my example the entire ...

Repainting in FS2004

by adlabs6 11/16/06

For those coming from the IL2 series, creating a new skin, or 'repaint', for FS2004 is not the straight forward process that many are used to. There are some extra steps required relating to file compression, mip maps, and alpha layers, but the effort is rewarded with opportunity for more detailed artistry. This article will focus on those steps and how the techniques can be used in creating a new livery. Before getting into the processes in detail, I'll take a moment to talk about the programs required for this article, ImageTool and DXTBmp.

Imagetool

Imagetool is a utility developed by Microsoft, and is included with the FS2004 Gmax gamepack. Information about how to locate this gamepack is avaliable here. This gamepack is designed for developers using gmax to create addons for FS2004, and enabled the export of 3D models in compatible formats. However, once the gamepack is installed our interest will only be in Imagetool, which can be found at the following directory:

C:\Program Files\gmax\gamepacks\fs2004\tools ...

If you've got any aircrafts in FS2004 that have lightmaps, then you may have noticed that sometimes the cabin windown lights will turn off when you turn off the landing lights. This most commonly happens with airliners, and can be annoying especially if you're taking screenshots and don't want the landing lights on along ...

Microsoft's Flight Simulator makes use of environment maps to give aircraft the appearance of reflective skin surfaces. Creating an environment map with different qualities can give the skin of an aircraft quite a variety of changes in appearance. ...

Note: Before editing any files or textures, always make a backup copy of them first!

Sometimes when looking at your aircraft in external views, or looking at AI aircraft, the textures will appear blurred. This is often caused by the skin for ...