Skins...

[={TTU}= Tevye]

Does anybody know if there are any good Chinese airforce skins?
Ive found some for Chaikas and a few AVG skins for P40s but im still looking for some more

[Mitya]

Originally Posted by Chocks away!

Can you suggest some good sites with IL-2 skins?

AviaSkins.com - news - English & Russian

[shrewmeister]

Originally Posted by The Jug Rules!

Anywone know how you can make your own skins??

You can use GIMP as well if you don't have photoshop, that's free, and you can do the same thing as remove white, if you're interested in how to do it just send me a message and I'll let you know.

[kool kitty89]

Here's one: Mission4Today › Skins Downloads

[Barrakooda]

Hers a good site for templates

Simmers Paint Shop Forums - Downloads - Templates for IL-2 Series

I recommend using these if you want to dabble in making skins. They are a good starting point. Most of the hard work has been done but you can still add layers etc or modify existing ones. But please leave the credits alone they are well deserved.

[sturmer]

Originally Posted by Chocks away!

Well you can use the blank skin and edit it with photoshop. I've made my attempts...
First you need to remove the white from the void available in all skin folders, with a special filter you can download. You do this so you can work with layers under the void so as not to affect the panel lines etc.

you could always make a copy of the void and edit that one and when you need the lines for the panels just put the original on top of the copy one and use the remove white filter. it works for me and well my attemps are pretty good.

[Pong]

Tip: If anyone is using Photoshop, select all in the void, copy it and create a new one in RGB. Then, use the remove white filter and when painting the skin, create a new layer and set the layer as multiply so you can paint under the panel lines. After that you just put some effects on the skin, save it as CompuServe GIF in 256 colors with no dither, run MS Paint and save it as a 256 BMP. It will still save the color information. It was pretty helpful for me.

[ONE_HELLCAT]

Which photoshop are you using? I can't find a remove white option in mine (Elements 2).

[GrauGeist]

ONE_HELLCAT, get a plugin called "Mac's Remove White".

You can create a layer from your Void file, place it to the top, and run Mac's remove white.

It'll leave the panel lines and rivets intact, but allow all lower layers to show through.

Normally, I'll have an un-edited version of the Void at the very top layer (right above the removed white layer), but erase all but the parts I want to keep, such as wheels/tires, cockpit, engine, marker lights, etc...

So my camouflage and other edits appear through the "rivet" layer and then have the mechanical parts resting on top...

There's also a remove white utility called "Joe's remove white", but I haven't used it, so I can't tell you how well it works.

[ONE_HELLCAT]

That's how everyone does it. I've just been using transparent schemes on different layers. So that way I could get dark colors on my Hellcat, but still let the lines and rivets show through.

[Pong]

Try Simmers Paint Shop tutorials on IL-2 skinning Hellcat. Very helpful in starting up. Also you might want to check out premade skins to be sure that you don't miss any white spots left that might ruin the skin.

Also, I'm still using my old Photoshop 7 to paint skins and aircraft profiles.

-Pong

[GrauGeist]

I use Photoshop 7 and Paintshop 5&7 for skinnin'

[sturmer]

im using Photoshop CS2, with the remove white effect.

[ONE_HELLCAT]

Show offs I'm just joking, but I know what you mean. I often go back and forth to correct little annoying details, like lining up stripes on the tail or wings. I appreciate the tips.

[strangepork]

wow excellent resource, thank you all.

Dr. Strangepork