DCS: WWII Assets Pack - B-17G Livery Competition

[NineLine]

 

Image from DCS: Spitfire - Beware! Beware! Campaign by Reflected Simulations

We are holding a B-17G Livery Contest in order to expand our livery offering with the DCS: WWII Asset Pack. Using the official template found here please submit your creation and we will choose the top ten liveries to be integrated into the DCS: WWII Asset Pack.

Here are some of the requirements and details:

• The livery must be created using this template.
• The livery must be based on historical liveries in use for the B-17G in the timeline of 1943-45.
• The livery must be associated with one of the countries the B-17G was used in, USAAF, RAF, etc.
• If you do a specific livery with nose art and aircraft name, please also include a generic version with no nose art, aircraft name and bort numbers. (Why? This will give users more options in missions for both SP and MP) So each entry should have 2 versions. 

Here are instructions for saving textures with MIP levels using NVIDIA Texture Tools for Adobe Photoshop.

After submitting your file to User Files, please post here with a screenshot and link to your file from the ED user files.

The contest will run until the 30th August 2023. The top five winners will receive a free copy of the DCS: World War II Assets Pack or a module of their choice. The top ten will have their liveries added to DCS. The top winner (first place based on voting) will also receive two additional modules of their choice. Good luck!

(Choice of module must be modules by Eagle Dynamics and must be currently released; Module selection must be made 30 days from notification of winning)

[FupDuck]

These livery competitions are a great idea to add some more interesting content to the game. The Mosquito contest turned out some amazing stuff, most of which I added to my missions. I hope ED eventually does this for all the WW2 planes! 

! 

[Megalax]

Did it get updated to roughmets? 

[Awacs_bandog]

will we get a template option that isn't PSB?

[NineLine]

Guys, you need to use the current template as is. As long as your livery works in the sim, then it works for this contest. Thanks. Let's keep discussions off of here. 

[Awacs_bandog]

Also how are people supposed to use the B-17 without the Asset pack? the shapes aren't even in the stock install of the game last I checked, and it appears the prize is the WW2 Asset Pack which would be great, if you didn't already need to have the AP to participate in the first place.

[NineLine]

48 minutes ago, Awacs_bandog said:

Also how are people supposed to use the B-17 without the Asset pack? the shapes aren't even in the stock install of the game last I checked, and it appears the prize is the WW2 Asset Pack which would be great, if you didn't already need to have the AP to participate in the first place.

The Asset Pack was added late as a prize, along with any and all ED products, no it doesn't make much sense, so sorry for that. The Contest is intended for users of the pack, but of course, someone that wanted to enter could trial the pack or even pick it up on sale right now. 

[Mach3DS]

I would love to, but the JSON file in its current form inhibits proper functioning of the gfx.  You can't make it look metal for example.  ED should consider deleting this file for proper use of Spec files, if you're not going to officially transition to Roughmets.  It would improve the visual quality and the materials wouldn't look messed up when applying what would normally work for other paints.  .02

[NineLine]

25 minutes ago, Mach3DS said:

I would love to, but the JSON file in its current form inhibits proper functioning of the gfx.  You can't make it look metal for example.  ED should consider deleting this file for proper use of Spec files, if you're not going to officially transition to Roughmets.  It would improve the visual quality and the materials wouldn't look messed up when applying what would normally work for other paints.  .02

I have asked about that work around, I will let you all know. I am pushing for it.

[Helles Belle]

4 hours ago, Mach3DS said:

I would love to, but the JSON file in its current form inhibits proper functioning of the gfx.  You can't make it look metal for example.  ED should consider deleting this file for proper use of Spec files, if you're not going to officially transition to Roughmets.  It would improve the visual quality and the materials wouldn't look messed up when applying what would normally work for other paints.  .02

This is a must. The json file stuffs this aircraft completely. It is not worse off without it, only better.

[Helles Belle]

Also, what rules are applied to historical nose art.

Not all were PC.

[Komet_82]

Great stuff, can't wait to see more B-17 liveries

[Mach3DS]

Megalax informed me that Roughmets will work using the method we've used on other products that lack RMs.  If we use this method will ED consider it valid?  Regardless I'm going to use it and I'll recreate my lost works. 

This is from 10 mins of messing around with the default stock skin.  This is what I think you were hoping for.  Just to highlight that the current JSON file inhibits this with SPEC files.  

Edited July 2, 2023 by Mach3DS

[SOLIDKREATE]

I'll be making "Wee-Willie" B-17G-15-BO, LG-W, 42-31333, 322nd BS, 91st BG(H), 8th AF "The Mighty Eigth".

At first I thought I'd try and find the most complicated, prettiest livery to make. I have decided instead to make this aircraft. After reading about the brave souls who were lost aboard her on April 8th, 1945, I feel compelled to paint her. I got a little choked up when I was reading their fate. She did 127 missions and during research I found out she was in one of the most iconic photos of the time. It is a sad one to look at but there we are. The last mission, 128, was when they all perished.

 

"Wee Willie was the oldest B-17G still in service with the 91st Bomb Group, and the next to last B-17 lost to enemy action by the group before cessation of hostilities. The War in Europe came to an end with the unconditional surrender of Germany just 30 days later, 7 May 1945."

- Bryan Swopes

 

 

RIP Brothers, we have the watch.

 

 

1st Lieutenant Robert E. Fuller, O-774609, California. Aircraft Commander/Pilot—Prisoner of War

2nd Lieutenant Woodrow A. Lien, O-778858, Montana. Co-pilot—Killed in Action

Technical Sergeant Francis J. McCarthy, 14148856, Tennessee. Navigator—Killed in Action

Staff Sergeant Richard D. Proudfit, 14166848, Mississippi. Togglier—Killed in Action

Staff Sergeant Wylie McNatt, Jr., 38365470, Texas. Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner—Killed in Action

Staff Sergeant William H. Cassiday, 32346219, New York. Ball Turret Gunner—Killed in Action

Staff Sergeant Ralph J. Leffelman, 19112019, Washington. Radio Operator/Top Gunner—Killed in Action

Staff Sergeant James D. Houtchens, 37483248, Nebraska. Waist Gunner—Killed in Action

Sergeant Le Moyne Miller, 33920597, Pennsylvania. Tail Gunner—Killed in Action

Edited July 4, 2023 by SOLIDKREATE
DATA

[II.JG1_Vonrd]

I would like to make Thunderbird (42-38050)

 

I would also like to do some Israeli B-17s. I think they were actually B-17Fs but have also seen renders of B-17G. I know it's not in the time frame for the contest but think it would fit well in the new Saini map. 

Edited July 2, 2023 by II.JG1_Vonrd

[Aqil Huseynov]

I'm making B-17 Mk.III BU-E KJ177/G 'Take It Easy' 214 Sqn and its completely done. I'm not sharing it for now because I need to make roughmaterials, I'll post pictures tomorrow.

 

[Mach3DS]

Just a thought....hear me out. 

 

 If the stock model uses a obsolete JSON file, wouldn't it be better to hold off on a livery competition that will yield more Liveries that will all break if you ever incorporate Roughmets officially? I use the term "break" lightly since the materials look really wierd as it is.   Why not just just incorporate Roughmets?  Then run the competition?  At minimum deleting that JSON file would technically break existing skins.  But because the file is already faulty it wouldnt really break things....then at least you could use SPECS and create something decent without needing to use work around.  Just a thought.  

[Aqil Huseynov]

3 minutes ago, Mach3DS said:

Just a thought....hear me out. 

 

 If the stock model uses a obsolete JSON file, wouldn't it be better to hold off on a livery competition that will yield more Liveries that will all break if you ever incorporate Roughmets officially? I use the term "break" lightly since the materials look really wierd as it is.   Why not just just incorporate Roughmets?  Then run the competition?  At minimum deleting that JSON file would technically break existing skins.  But because the file is already faulty it wouldnt really break things....then at least you could use SPECS and create something decent without needing to use work around.  Just a thought.  

You are right. there is time until August 30th, I think the roughmaterials  can be fixed.

[II.JG1_Vonrd]

37 minutes ago, Mach3DS said:

Just a thought....hear me out. 

 

 If the stock model uses a obsolete JSON file, wouldn't it be better to hold off on a livery competition that will yield more Liveries that will all break if you ever incorporate Roughmets officially? I use the term "break" lightly since the materials look really wierd as it is.   Why not just just incorporate Roughmets?  Then run the competition?  At minimum deleting that JSON file would technically break existing skins.  But because the file is already faulty it wouldnt really break things....then at least you could use SPECS and create something decent without needing to use work around.  Just a thought.  

Yes, changing to PBR / Roughmets would certainly be best. For the moment, I'm just going to work with the Specs for changes to gloss. Easy enough to go for Roughs if they decide to change the JSON.

[Megalax]

The default skin looks 10x better with roughmets :

[Awacs_bandog]

I'll have Texas Raiders uploaded to User files by tomorrow.

Actual Aircraft

Generic Pattern

 

 

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3331821/

Edited July 3, 2023 by Awacs_bandog

[Kerbo 416]

18 hours ago, Mach3DS said:

Just a thought....hear me out. 

 

 If the stock model uses a obsolete JSON file, wouldn't it be better to hold off on a livery competition that will yield more Liveries that will all break if you ever incorporate Roughmets officially? I use the term "break" lightly since the materials look really wierd as it is.   Why not just just incorporate Roughmets?  Then run the competition?  At minimum deleting that JSON file would technically break existing skins.  But because the file is already faulty it wouldnt really break things....then at least you could use SPECS and create something decent without needing to use work around.  Just a thought.  

Agreed, this competition seems quite illogical considering the textures are out of date and there seems to be no indication of improving the textures

[FoxxyTrotty]

It would be great to get some clarification on this, one way or tother please.

[NineLine]

1 hour ago, FoxxyTrotty said:

It would be great to get some clarification on this, one way or tother please.

I am trying to get that now. 

[Aqil Huseynov]

B-17 Mk.III BU-E KJ177/G 'Take It Easy' 214 Sqn RAF 

(it has roughmaterial inside just in case.)

About - https://www.214squadron.org.uk/Personnel/Personnel_W.htm#59

There is a clean version in the file.

- https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3331831/

I just completed this livery with the information I could find. If there is a mistake, please do not hesitate to say it, it can be corrected.

 

Edited July 3, 2023 by Aqil Huseynov