livery notes for myself to make custom liveries

[hannibal]

install the following

1 photoshop | gimp | nvidia texture tools (to make dds files for photoshop) | dxtbmpxnew (to make dds files for gimp) | notepad++

2 make custom livery folder C:\Users\user\Saved Games\DCS\Liveries\SA342Minigun\custom name (make shortcut for navigating back)

3 [optional] setup model viewer for editing: Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\Config\ModelViewer, open autoexec.lua, add mount_vfs_liveries_path("C:/Users/user/Saved Games/DCS/Liveries")

4 run model viewer located in Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\bin-mt (make shortcut for navigating back)

5 load model in model view: file->load model->Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\CoreMods\aircraft\SA342\Shapes and open largest edm file (sa342minigun.edm)

6 generate description file, select 'generate livery file' (blue atom icon next to red box icon) and save to custom livery folder (step 2)

7 in custom description file, replace SPECULAR with ROUGHNESS_METALLIC using notepad++

8 download texture template https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/1925303/ and extract 

9 import each template psd file via gimp. (KEEP color profile) once opened in gimp

10 perform EDITING. unhide layers if necessary

11 flatten image into one layer, export as dds file and apply compression settings, saving it to save to custom livery folder (step 2)

12 edit Description file and set edit psd / dds file as FALSE, and file names not used to TRUE

13 open up model viewer and associated EDM file

14 a opening built in liveries: download gimp-dds-win64-3.0.1 To install, extract these files to your GIMP plugins directory.
This directory is usually located at:
C:\Program Files\GIMP 2\lib\gimp\2.0\plug-ins. You don't run plug-ins manually. Put them in a plug-ins folder (GIMP's preferences will tell you where those are, and you can add new ones there as well) and let GIMP run it

14b download script and edit "file-dds-texconv.py" with notepadd++ (BINARY="""Program Files/GIMP 2/texconv.exe""") and copy to C:\Program Files\GIMP 2\lib\gimp\2.0\plug-ins

14 b Download the Microsoft DirectXTex utility called texconv.exe, copy to C:\Program Files\GIMP 2\bin

15 follow 

 

16 

7:44

 

Edited August 29, 2024 by hannibal

[hannibal]

ADT_1
    exhuast area, engine cover, oil level / fuel check, max min norm yellow label, turbomeca red label (Engine inner)
    merge down FRENCH camoflauge and red cover

    
ADT_2
    tail rotor, tail boom, tail markings
    merge down FRENCH camoflauge

ADT_3    
    tail stabilizer
    merge down FRENCH camoflauge

ADT_5
    pitot, cable cutter, approach warner, body??
    merge down FRENCH camoflauge
    text: do not touch

ADT_6
    fuselage, max load label (markings), turbine base, weapong fitting
    merge down FRENCH camoflauge and red cover

ADT_7
    landing light, (bake rest), inner roof, inner struts, front part (drain anemoetrique)
    merge down FRENCH camoflauge

ADT_8
    Gimp Error (appears to be doors)

ADT_9
    Missing
        
ADT_10
    Pedal links and joints, vivianne stabilizers, door joints, 

ADT_11
    cockpit floor, outer strut,

Wpsns_1 and 2 (2 appears to be 'L')
    optics