How to paint pilot

I'm trying to repaint the P51 pilot...but I got in trouble with face and helmet.

The following line in the description.lua file seems not working...what am I doing wrong?

{"pilot_P51_helmet", 0 , "pilot_P51_WWII_helmet",false};

The dds file is called pilot_P51_WWII_helmet.dds ... of course. I need to edit pilot face too.

Additional...which is the better dds format for DCS? DX5?

First, your material name is wrong. It should be:

pilot_P51_helmet_A for composite helmet (default)

pilot_P51_helmet_B for leather helmet

pilot_P51_head_A for white pilot (default)

pilot_P51_head_B for black pilot

Note that it's case sensitive!

For DXT, there's no best format. Read this: http://www.fsdeveloper.com/wiki/index.php?title=DXT_compression_explained

Thanks a lot for feedback GeorgeLKMT.

Fixed the helmet issue using correct material name.

So...the complete pilot customization should be done using:

{"pilot_P51_patch", 0 ,"pilot_P51_patch_custom",false};
{"pilot_P51_body", 0 ,"pilot_P51_body_custom",false};
{"pilot_P51_helmet_B", 0 , "pilot_P51_helmet_custom",false};
{"pilot_P51_head_A", 0, "pilot_P51_head_custom", false};

assuming the dds files named as:

pilot_P51_patch_custom.dds

pilot_P51_body_custom.dds

pilot_P51_helmet_custom.dds

pilot_P51_head_custom.dds

Just a weird ModelViewer issue...since even if I load my custom skin into the viewer, I see the pilot with the old skin. While in game, loading the custom Aircraft livery, I get the proper skin for the pilot too....since the description.lua skin file include custom pilot too.

In the model viewer it doesn't work so...

Additional, loading the pilot in the viewer, I het a body with no head

About DXT, thanks for the link...I was asking because using DXT1 I lost transparency...

Set the argument number to 70 and move that slider more to the right... head will appear ;) Or just reset arguments in View menu.

There is DXT1 RGB with no alpha

There is DXT1 ARGB with 1bit alpha

...at least photoshop can save it like this, I don't know about other tools. If you can't use ARGB DXT1, you'll have to use 3 or 5. Color information is the same in 1, 3 and 5, it's all about the alpha.

Much appreciated all your help! Thanks a lot.