F-15 new JASDF skin

Hey guys. I`ve decided to create a JASDF skin for Gys` F-15. It will be based mainly on board number 82-8091 (one of my favourite :)). It will not be 100% identical due to the fact that the original is a two-seater F-15DJ and also because of the lack of close up high quality photos from all aspects. Make no mistake, it will be very close to the real one but some marks, stickers, etc. will be missing.

The progress with the skin you can check on the screens below. I`m going to edit this post to replace old screens with new ones.

It will take me probably about a week or more to finish it. It will be in a .zip file installable with ModMan (replacing one of the skins included with Gys`model).

Thanks to Gys and Valery for the inspiration :thumbup:

Edit:

screens updated

Edit2:

As you can see from the new screenshots I`m making the black-white skin too. Several people already asked me about it so here it is. :) There are several aircraft in JASDF with this kind of cammo. The ones that I know about are: 92-8906, 82-8904, 22-8936, 32-8081, and probably there are others too. These aircraft have similar looking black-white pattern cammo, with some slight differences. The skin I`m making is based on board number 32-8081. The black-green skin will be released first as it is almost ready and the black-white will be released shortly after.

Edit3:

The board number 82-8091 based skin is ready. Below are several download links and I`ll upload it to lockonfiles too. Some notes:

The Modman package does not replace an existing skin it adds a new skin slot. A lot of thanks to Michelange for his help with the new skin slot creation. Without him I couldn`t have done it.

A note about the marks. You`ll see the aircraft is all covered with them. This is how the real one is and I had to use numerous pics not only of 82-8091 but others too to reproduce them. A small amount of marks are not present because of the lack of close up pictures. For the most common mark type (I guess it`s a number of service lid) which count is over 100 I used the same number except around the intakes of which area I have pretty good photos. The reason is similar as the above stated - I don`t have close up high res photos of every inch of the aircraft and even if I did I would have needed a manual for the exact position and number of each of these 100-200 smallest marks, not to speak about the amount of time needed to do and place them. The other way to do it was to blur the mark so no number is visible. I don`t like blurry marks so what I could find in high res I put in on my skin even though the resolution of the skin 2048x2048 doesn`t allow a lot of the marks to be readable.

That`s it for now, I`m working on the next skin (32-8081) but no promises for release date. The whole upper part is colored already.

Download link for skin 82-8091:

http://www.lockonfiles.com/index.php?/files/file/1644-gys-f-15-jasdf-skin-1-v2/

Edit4:

new screens (32-8081) added

Edit5:

Skin #2 finished. Download link below. Notes:

As I`ve already said the skin is based on board number 32-8081. I chose this one over the other similar black-white colored eagles in JASDF because of the more colorfully painted underside of the wings, the other ones are kind of... predominantly grey, and of course because of the higher quality pics of 32-8081 that I was able to find.

Download link for skin 32-8081:

http://www.lockonfiles.com/index.php?/files/file/1643-gys-f-15-jasdf-skin-2-v2

Edit6:

Skin #3 finished. It is based on the standard JASDF light-dark grey camo. Board number 22-8932 from the 304th Hikotai (squadron). Further improvement of the marks in this skin. Next are 2 Aggressors skins, #4 (52-8088) and #5 (92-8095).

Download link for skin 22-8932:

http://www.lockonfiles.com/index.php?/files/file/1629-fc2-gys-f-15-jasdf-skin-3/

Edit7:

Skin #4 finished. It is based on another aircraft from JASDF Aggressors squadron - 52-8088.

Download link for skin #4 (52-8088 ):

http://www.lockonfiles.com/index.php?/files/file/1635-fc2-gys-f-15-jasdf-skin-4/

Edit8(24.08.2010):

Version 2.0 of skins #1(82-8091) and #2(32-8081) have been released. Skins #3 and #4 had better detail, more marks, etc. This required the update of the first two skins. In v2.0 some marks have been improved, as well as the emblems, new marks added, some minor coloring inaccuracies have been fixed. With the number of marks reaching more than 500 for each skin they now have almost all the marks I wanted them to have and probably there won`t be any more updates of these 4 skins.

Edit9 (24.11.2010):

Skin #5 completed. Based on the paint scheme of 92-8095 from JASDF Aggressors squadron.

Download link:

http://www.lockonfiles.com/index.php?/files/file/1681-fc2-gys-f-15-jasdf-skin-5/

Edit10 (11.01.2011):

Skin#6 completed. Based on the paint scheme of 02-8071 from JASDF Hiko Kyodotai (Agressor squadron):

Download link:

http://www.lockonfiles.com/index.php/files/file/1714-fc2-gys-f-15-jasdf-skin-6/

Looks good.

I like the (real and virtual) JASDF-Skins. :thumbup:

kind regards,

fire

The whole upside including vertical stabilizers is almost ready, minor tweaks remain.

Nice skin. :thumbup:

You also plan to make more of the beautiful JASDF paintings? :music_whistling:

Not for now. It is a very time consuming process. :crazy: But I guess if I have more free time I`ll start another one... Now that I think of it it seems almost inevitable at some point in the future :P

Even before this skin is finished I can already tell you on which aircraft the next one will be based, whenever I start making it ;)

One of these 4:

In time I think I`ll be able to do all of them with the same quality as the first one :thumbup:

Hey, this planes were also in my todolist, specifically the last one.

I saw your JASDF thread and there are also some beautiful copters to do.

Once done i'll use it in the right countrie. :)

Nice job :))))

Thanks :smilewink:

;)

new screens and info added

omg! can't wait to get my hands on them :D :D

Is there any benefit in turning the .bmp files of the skin into .cdds format? Also there are some changes that must be done in the F-15.skins file in order the pilot`s name and USAF marking to not show on my skins. Is there a way to incorporate these in the skin package so that Modman can automatically change the file or they should be entered manually after the installation of the skins?

If you have many .bmp files, then its better to convert them into a .cdds file to spare some weight on these files, because they are merged into one.

If you have only 4 or less, then there is no need from my point of view.

I have 2 bmps for the first skin and 2 for the second. The .cdds doesn`t reduce the quality right?

Is there any benefit in turning the .bmp files of the skin into .cdds format? Also there are some changes that must be done in the F-15.skins file in order the pilot`s name and USAF marking to not show on my skins. Is there a way to incorporate these in the skin package so that Modman can automatically change the file or they should be entered manually after the installation of the skins?

- Yes .CDDS loads faster.

- You can create New skins with new names and you can assign it on the country you want.

- In Modman's MOD MAKER you have a little Icon with a (?). There is a doc file in who's explain you how to create a .lma7 file. Modman needs this file to install a NEW Skin on a country.

- With NEW i mean NO replacement but an add of a new one.

I thought about that option but I will probably need some other files to create a new skin slot? I`ve seen that the .cdds file for Gys` model contains a lot of additional files. Sorry I`m a total noob in this stuff :D

BTW the doc that comes with ModMan is for Black shark. Is there some description for FC2?

I thought about that option but I will probably need some other files to create a new skin slot? I`ve seen that the .cdds file for Gys` model contains a lot of additional files. Sorry I`m a total noob in this stuff

No, you don't need other files. Read the doc in Modman's MOD MAKER. The .lma7 must contain all the informations that modman need to add a new skin and modmann will add the needed lines in the correct files, it do it for you. You have to create this .lma7 file. There is also a tutorial in.

You can also download some Black Shark skins on lockonfiles.com, some modder's have used this procedure to add new skins in DCS BS then you have some examples.

If you only add skins using .lma7 file is the correct way, you are not overwriting users db_Countries.lua for example but modman only add's the needed lines.

Some user's, like me, have some changes in the db_countries.lua or other files, that's why i always must take care how the mod was packed and many times i must install it manualy due to a bad use of mod maker.

For example : I have added some skins on 3GO's Su-27. If you pack your db_countries.lua in your modman package, i will lost all this skins. If you use the .lma7 mod maker procedure i dont.

Ok I`ll try it out, it seems a better idea as I plan to do other JASDF skins as well. Thanks :thumbup:

PS : Be carefull your BMP texture files also must have new names and not F15C-1-01.BMP F15C-2-01.BMP but you could rename it :

Topol-F15C-1-01.BMP , Topol-F15C-2-01.BMP, Topol-F15C-1-02.BMP , Topol-F15C-2-02.BMP

or

JASDF-F15C-1-01.BMP , JASDF-F15C-2-01.BMP, JASDF-F15C-1-02.BMP , JASDF-F15C-2-02.BMP

Ok. The skin is ready but I need a skin.lma7 for FC2. The sample included in ModMan is for Black Shark so I don`t know which lines I should keep and which ones I should change. :( For instance:

1. In the BS .lma7 sample there are these lines:

otherfile1 = Bazar\World\Shapes\KA-50-BLADE.skins

otherfile2 = Bazar\World\Shapes\KA-50-NOSE.skins

otherfile3 = Bazar\World\Shapes\KA-50-TAIL.skins

otherfile4 = Bazar\World\Shapes\KA-50-WING-L.skins

otherfile5 = Bazar\World\Shapes\KA-50-WING-R.skins

What should I put here ^^^ in my .lma7?

2. Then there are some lines that look like that:

l1 = material = {"KA-50-lamp", "Standart", "KA-50-PAINT24-DEF-02.bmp"};

and this is how they are in F-15.skins in FC2:

material = {"F15C_1", "standart", "F15C-1-10.bmp"};

Is this "l1 = " required? Is this how this line should look like in my .lma7:

l1 = material = {"F15C_1", "standart", "F15C-1-10.bmp"};

Edit: And most importantly how am I supposed to create the .lma7 file? Create a .txt file put all this ^^^ cr@p in it and change the name to skin.lma7? Man, why can`t it be easier? :(

First of all look in bazar/world/shapes and open with the notebook the file F-15.skins to see the structure inside.

[skin]

file = Bazar\World\Shapes\F-15.skins

argument = 70

2- this is the structure in F-15.skin

l1= material = {"F15C_1", "standart", "F15C-1-your_texture_name.bmp"};

l2= material = {"F15C_1_met", "standart", "F15C-1-your_texture_name.bmp"};

l3= material = {"F15C_2", "standart", "F15C-2-your_texture_name.bmp"};

l4= material = {"F15C_2_met", "standart", "F15C-2-your_texture_name.bmp"};

l5= material = {"F15C_Numbers", "standart", "F15C-numbers-00.tga"};

l6= material = {"F15C_lattice", "standart", "F15C-lattice-01.tga"};

l7= material = {"F15C_Logo", "standart", "F15C-Logo-00.tga"};

l8= material = {"F15C_Logo2", "standart", "F15C-Logo2-00.tga"};

I copied the lines from skin n°10 in the F-15.skins it's the JASDF, but your skins are n°11 and 12 or other names like i wrote before.

If you don't need Logo's you have to create a new empty logo.tga with alpha but first try the files above.

And most importantly how am I supposed to create the .lma7 file? Create a .txt file put all this

then

[color_scheme]

country = {EFADDFE6-9360-4523-8CAB-2D74182617FD} -- this is USA look in db_countries.lua

cnt_unit = {CD247E45-4702-4E3A-A659-4F5E0E645D2B} -- this is F-15C look in db_countries.lua

color_scheme = {6B802660-2340-4a22-AAD8-F6D9F8F26507} -- this is a totaly new key for your skin

color_name = Your skin name

file = Scripts\Database\planes\F-15C.lua

is it ok now ?

You have to make a pack for each skin and don't forget to create a new CLSID for the second skin like this {578ADFFD-0374-4be4-AA69-3F76BE0A8D58}

well I`ve done all of the above but put full path to the files not short ones like Bazar\World\Shapes\F-15.skins. Could that be the problem? Here it is:

[skin]

file = D:\Games\1C\Eagle Dynamics\LockOn Flaming Cliffs 2\Bazar\World\Shapes\F-15.skins

argument = 70

otherfile1 = D:\Games\1C\Eagle Dynamics\LockOn Flaming Cliffs 2\Bazar\World\Shapes\F-15-fonar.skins

otherfile2 = D:\Games\1C\Eagle Dynamics\LockOn Flaming Cliffs 2\Bazar\World\Shapes\F-15-OBLOMOK-WING-L.skins

otherfile3 = D:\Games\1C\Eagle Dynamics\LockOn Flaming Cliffs 2\Bazar\World\Shapes\F-15-OBLOMOK-WING-R.skins

l1 = material = {"F15C_1", "standart", "JASDF-F15C-1-01.bmp"};

l2 = material = {"F15C_1_met", "standart", "JASDF-F15C-1-01.bmp"};

l3 = material = {"F15C_2", "standart", "JASDF-F15C-2-01.bmp"};

l4 = material = {"F15C_2_met", "standart", "JASDF-F15C-2-01.bmp"};

l5 = material = {"F15C_Numbers", "standart", "F15C-numbers-00.tga"};

l6 = material = {"F15C_lattice", "standart", "F15C-lattice-01.tga"};

l7 = material = {"F15C_Logo", "standart", "F15C-Logo-00.tga"};

l8 = material = {"F15C_Logo2", "standart", "F15C-Logo2-00.tga"};

[color_scheme]

country = {EFADDFE6-9360-4523-8CAB-2D74182617FD}

cnt_unit = {CD247E45-4702-4E3A-A659-4F5E0E645D2B}

color_scheme = {DE957564-886B-11DF-876E-9908DFD72085}

color_name = JASDF black-green skin 1.0

file = D:\Games\1C\Eagle Dynamics\LockOn Flaming Cliffs 2\Scripts\Database\planes\F-15C.lua

I see I should delete the "otherfiles" entries. I`m installing Modman 7.3 now and I`ll try it out without those lines

Could that be the problem?

file = Bazar\World\Shapes\F-15.skins

argument = 70

otherfile1 = Bazar\World\Shapes\F-15-fonar.skins

otherfile2 = Bazar\World\Shapes\F-15-OBLOMOK-WING-L.skins

otherfile3 = Bazar\World\Shapes\F-15-OBLOMOK-WING-R.skins

and at the end

file = Scripts\Database\planes\F-15C.lua

So I should not remove these?

otherfile1 = Bazar\World\Shapes\F-15-fonar.skins

otherfile2 = Bazar\World\Shapes\F-15-OBLOMOK-WING-L.skins

otherfile3 = Bazar\World\Shapes\F-15-OBLOMOK-WING-R.skins

So I should not remove these?