New Comer in Search of HELP!

[NWTech75]

Greetings everyone, I'm new to aircraft painting and I'm really lost. I'm using a combination of FS Paint 9 and PSP x2 as my editor. I broke down and bought PSP after I discovered the FS Paint wasn't going to do what I wanted it to do. I've done a few very shabby attempts at repainting the skin, but nothing has come out quite right. I personally think its because I don't know where to begin. I can get the texture open, but aside from the major components I'm completely lost. The last repaint I attempted looked like it was going to turn out nice, but when I opened it in FSX, it looked like some kind of digital camo that you would see on an army uniform. What am I doning wrong? How do you get the paint jobs to really shine? Better yet, using the white Cessna 172, what are all the objects on the texture? Any help you can give would be appriciated.

[Serval]

How familiar are you with PSP, or any drawing tool?
Do you know how to work with layers and selections?
If not, or if you are not comfortable with that, look at our Tutorials. Even the ones for Photoshop are helpfull, since basicly the tools work pretty much the same.

To find parts on the objects on the texture, we often use the Panelfinder:
http://www.simmerspaintshop.com/foru...at-general-12/
Tutorial about it:
http://www.simmerspaintshop.com/foru...nder-tool-456/

From here, start asking questions, upload images to show your problems, so we can give good input.

[NWTech75]

Let me start by saying that I have only a basic knowledge of PSP, however my wife is amazing with the program and she has been an invaluable resource over the last few days and I'm learning very quickly. I have a pretty good grip on layers due to my experiance using web editors and other type programs. I have looked at some of your tuts and found them useful, but I have specific questions about rendering the final textures. My first few paints were quick and piontless just to see where things are and what would happen. I'm not sure if I'm running into shadows or what, but the paint always seems pixilated. I will post a few pictures of my work and where I'm having problems on the photos thread (I think thats what it is called) and hopefully I can get some feed back on how to improve what I'm doing.

Thanks for your responce, I appriciate the help. I guess I've found the right place for help.

[Serval]

You can just post your pictures here.

[Velvis]

HI, I'm new as well and instead of a dupicate post I thought I might ask here. First of all, I and very accustomed to PSP because I used to paint racecars for an older Nascar game. So I know my way around layers and such.

I have always wanted to get into aircraft painting since I discovered it was possible in IL2 but wondered where to go. Should I go through all the tutorials first? Like I said I know PSP very well. What I'm really looking for are templates, decals, stencils and all the little things that lead to the finished products. I must atdmit though the templates I have found are very, very different than my old racecar templates. Is this my site? I guess what I really want to know is where do I start?? What's the first thing I should do to get going?

Thank you

[KevinJarvis]

Hi Velvis,
I too started painting cars in NR2003. Still do. I paint in Heat now.
Painting a/c is not all that different. Find a temp, get the add-on layers you want/can find and go to town.
You can find quite a few really nice things here.
Plus visit all the IL2 sites you can find. There you will find anything you want. If not, just post in the forums and I'm sure someone will have or be able to point you to what you need.
KJ

[Serval]

Look at our downloads section. It contains just what you are looking for. IL-2 templates, markings, fonts etc.