Asking again...

I have tried to figure out how to re-paint planes in AFPD for a long time w/no succes. I have looked at everything about this at Rodeos site and that didn't help me either.

I could do some new stuff to the AFPD planes if anyone wants to give me a clue here?

Also is it possible to tell me if their is a way to convert aircraft models made in Gmax to AFPD format? (I know that their is a converter for metasequia, but I hate that program)

to repaint a model in AFPD, just open the skin file (usually a .bmp) and re draw it all

but most of the "stock" airplanes do not have a bmp file

thats proberbly the way Ipacs save the file to stop people tampering with it.... it can be dont, i dont know how. i just do the DL planes

It seems that all the "stock" planes use .tmt files.

I have downloaded the utility called "TMT2BMP" and it justs converts the tmt files into useless garbage for me??

See attached file for an example

Also I have tried the methods shown [link=http://rwc10.tripod.com/AeroflyPro.htm]HERE[/link] and it doesn't work?

Thats for AFP, older version. The program you used can not convert TMT to bmp correctly (as shown in your post), BUT, you can use it as a guide for the texture coordination. just outline the wing from the (not so correctly) converted bmp, then paint your own texture. but them back as xxxxxx.BMP, voila!

I tried doing what you suggested but now the plane is just solid white.
I am able to re-paint planes that I downloaded, just can't paint any of the stock planes.

Goto IPACS.DE forum and ask your original question.

That is strange, [link=http://www.angelfire.com/pro2/fred-aa/extra330s_Texture.zip]Here[/link] is the texture I made for the Stock Extra330s (Matt Roland), You can try:
1. Right click the above link to 'Save Target as',
2. extract the bmps to the Extra330s folder,
3. RENAME ALL *.tmt files to *.bak_tmt
4. load the plane in AFPD, it shows up with the new skin

I must be doing something wrong, I will try again.

I got your textures to work m00m00 -terrific paintjob BTW!

Ok I got the Extra330S figured out -thanks! I am used to the G3 stuff and its quite different (G3 uses planar mapping on left and right side of fuse and all textures fit on a single targa file which is either 1024x1024 or 2048x2048 in size)
AFPD seems to use 4 seperate bitmaps and the mapping style is in some ways better than G3, for example you can place logos on the top of the cowl etc.

I am assuming that we can't modify the alpha channels to control transperancy of the canopy etc, am I right??

Since these planes have all been re-painted hasn't anyone created sets of downloadable templates for all of the "stock" aircrfat in AFPD??

How do you refresh the changes you make to the bitmaps in the sim?? (in G3 their is a "reload color scheme" button in the editor)
Right now I am exiting the sim and restarting it to effect the changes (which sucks)

chose a different model, then load that one, then load the one youve re-skinned

Hi Rick,
there is no standard for AFPD-Textures. The models consist of different objects and those objects (like left/right wing, fuselage, etc.) can have a material each. Some models use just one or two materials - depends on how complex it is.

Also the size of the textures is very flexible. AFPD can use bitmaps of 1024x1024, 512x512, 256x256 or non quadratic formatas like 512x256, 256x128, or eaven 1024x256... Also the maximum size possible has not been reached. 2048x2048 or bigger should be no prob.

You cannot say that a texture allways contains plane-views of each object. Sometimes you have a combination of plane-views and decal-style texture parts. In those cases re-painting is very limited to what the creator of the model used as a 'pattern'. You may only be able to change the colors but not the painting style.
Canopies do not use alpha maps but a transparent material instead. If the geometry has been saved as .tgo, you cannot change it anymore.

Since AFP Deluxe the TMT-format has been modified to allow encryption. That is to ensure the model-designer's copy rights.

Regarding your question how to reload a model. Simply use SHIFT + F12, when in Fly-Mode....

Have fun!
Lego

Thanks for the info Lego_DK -its very interesting and helpful!

My 1st strategy is to try and create a "template" using resizeable vector images (with labels like "top left wing" etc) and being able to refresh the textures quickly is a great help!! I am making progress slowly but surely, but after creating the template re-paint will be much faster.

I will show you an example of what I am used to dealing with.

I have attached a pic of a plane I re-painted yesterday for G3 (an Extra330S) and you can see how its quite different from AFPD

hello fans,

for repaints you can use my extra330s freezers skin or many others.
the original ipacs-skins are created with an extra programm to create tmt-files.[&o]

but many new planes have only bmp`s for the paintjobs

have fun
greetings from germany
flyingbaer

Would you post a link to these "skins"?

Hi Rick,
some AFPD-skins are very similar to the G3 skins.
This example is the skin of my SlowRide-4D (the original is 1024x1024 in size). In my graphics application (PaintShop Pro) it has 25 layers for all the effects and details.



And here a close-up with the surface effects for the depron foam (that crispy noise).



But as I sayed - not all models have those plane-view textures. E.g. my Aeos and Aeos-2 (flying wings / gliders) have only a decal-style texture, where you only can change the colors but not the over-all look.

But in general you should consider that most models are copyright protected and may not be uploaded anywhere with modified skins.
For the case you want to publish your skins, I suggest, that you simply make the skin-file itself available for download. That should be compliant with most copyrights as - of course - your artwork is yours...

Greets,
Lego

I was only planning on doing some re-paints of the "stock' aircraft for now, Extra3330S, Giles202 etc.. Could these skins be published without breaking any copywrights? I may also try re-painting the Votec and Yak that I got from the docinsane site, what would be the proper procedure if I wanted to publish those??

Hi,
as you actually cannot "use" the original texture files (as they are in the tmt-format), I think, if you just create new BMPs on your own, it should be ok... - I think...

Greets,
Lego

Contact the site administrator or the model owners. Most files have readme's attached to them.

Ok will do.

What about the "stock" planes whats the deal with those?

Since the stock planes are considered commercial software, it's most important to ask for permission from IPACS or Ikarus direct. They have contact info on both of their websites. In most cases they will say yes, they just want to know who you are, have your contact information and that your intentions are in the best interest of AFP or AFPD.

If you just want to post a skin for any plane commercial or not, you can of course. But not the original model. Just include a readme file that explains how to add the skin to the model. This is the safest way.

By the way Rick ... where is that Blackbird for AFPD you made a while back?