Tips for adding name to existing liveries

[Arbil]

So I added my name to the default VFA34 skin using Gimp. Just did it super basic using a text box. Does anyone have any tips to making that look more natural on the jet? I have 0 experience doing photo editing or anything like that. It looks pretty stark now. My first thought was to change the font color away from straight black and pull it back toward gray. Anything besides that font or maybe texture wise? IDK Thanks for any replies.

 

edit;

 

I went in and used the dropper and got the color from the bort number files and used that instead of the default black and that's a lot better. Beyond that I'll hope for tips from some of you more experienced folks, thanks all.

Edited July 21, 2019 by Arbil
adding info

[_mu110_]

Are you using the Photoshop texture template for this or are you just adding the text box on top of an already completed skin that's in the game? The template is split up into different layers for all the various elements, including stuff like dirt and weathering effects, meaning that if you have your text underneath those dirt layers it'll help it blend in a bit and look more natural.

[Arbil]

Are you using the Photoshop texture template for this or are you just adding the text box on top of an already completed skin that's in the game? The template is split up into different layers for all the various elements, including stuff like dirt and weathering effects, meaning that if you have your text underneath those dirt layers it'll help it blend in a bit and look more natural.

 

I just went into my main DCS install and copied the VFA-34 hornet skin folder from there to my saved games DCS folder and edited the one texture file in there. You saying that if I download the actual template I'll be able to see more layers with Gimp than I do now with the skin I copied over from the main install?

 

Also, I made the text box and when I was finished I merged it down into the main layer. Is there a way to select that text box again so I can see the font size and whatnot I used on it? Or is it buried and lost in that main layer now?

Edited July 22, 2019 by Arbil

[_mu110_]

Yes, the template is split up into a number of different layers, it's absolutely the way to go when making any kind of livery. I don't have experience with GIMP so it may be different, but in most cases if you merged two layers and then saved/export the texture, you won't be able to split them up again. It's always best to work non-destructively so you can go back and make changes when necessary.