Does anyone have a decent dirt layer for the PMDG 737NG series of planes? I've been experimenting with different techniques and the resulting paint looks like I smudged chocolate icecream down the fuselage.Any help wouold be greatly appreciated.Dave HChief Operating OfficerEagle Express Virtual Airlineswww.EagleExpressVA.com

Hiya Dave,I guess everyone has a different way of doing things, but I'll give you some insight as to how I do mine.First, I create a new layer. Usually I'll one for general dirt, another for window dirt etc. This way I can play with the opacity and it doesn't all have the same look.I use the line tool, using a dark grey or black. Depending on the area I'm working with, I'll usually have a 1 pixel wide line. I'll draw the line under a window, then use motion blur. Following that I'll use the soften tool, soften and spread out the line.. then I'll use the eraser with varied opacity and hardness settings to thin out the excess areas. If I'm working with windows, I'll do 5 or 6 with different heights and widths, just to break it up.I've found the line tool, motion blur, soften & erase the best method for me.It takes a bit of practice, but its fairly easy to do.Good luck :)

Hi John,Thanks for the great tips, I'll experiment with those tools. I clearly see now that creating seperate layers is very helpful.I've downloaded many of your great paints, and appreciate advice from a master of the cyber brush.Dave HChief Operating OfficerEagle Express Virtual Airlineswww.EagleExpressVA.com

How're you getting on with them Dave? :)

john , could we see an example ? :(

With regard to dirty textures, I have used some of the tips here to create dirt around doors, windows, etc. The point of my post is that after doing a lot of work on the dirt for a BA 742 I went on Airliners.net and looked at many picuteres of the BA 747's and was amazed at how clean they were. After that I really toned down the dirt textures.Mark.

John, The dirt techniques are coming along nicely. I think I will have to upgrade to the latest PSP (using 7 currently) as that smudge tool appears to be just the ticket as compared to the eraser I'm using. But I'm starting to see the effect I'm looking for. I'll try to post a screenie.It's funny you should mention that you aren't seeing the dirt effects in real pictures, Mark. I did the same thing, and have gone back to 'tone-down' the dirt and give it a much more subtle effect. the initial tendency was to place dirt everywhere. :)Dave HChief Operating OfficerEagle Express Virtual Airlineswww.EagleExpressVA.com

Glad its working out :)

>John, >The dirt techniques are coming along nicely. I think I will>have to upgrade to the latest PSP (using 7 currently) as that>smudge tool appears to be just the ticket as compared to the>eraser I'm using. But I'm starting to see the effect I'm>looking for. I'll try to post a screenie.>>It's funny you should mention that you aren't seeing the dirt>effects in real pictures, Mark. I did the same thing, and>have gone back to 'tone-down' the dirt and give it a much more>subtle effect. the initial tendency was to place dirt>everywhere. :)>>>Dave H>Chief Operating Officer>Eagle Express Virtual Airlines>www.EagleExpressVA.comHey Dave,The smudge tool is available in PSP 7, its just hidden a bit. :)Here is a pic that should help.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/94353.jpgYou select the tool on the left and press "O" on your keyboard to open the tools window, then pick smudge off the drop down list on the middle tab of the retouch tool.The green arrow points to a black line I drew along the aircraft seam, then used the smudge tool and "pulled down" the effect.I use PSP 8 now, but 7 was the one I learned on, and its still very good for painting planes. I just can't give up the grouped layers in 8 though...too nice of a feature for a "Layer junkie" like me. :-lolRegards,Steve Drahttp://img47.photobucket.com/albums/v144/S...Dra/banner1.jpg

Steve,Many thanks for the tips, and I appreciate the screenshots. I've had some good success with your settings and that smudge tool.Dave HChief Operating OfficerEagle Express Virtual Airlineswww.EagleExpressVA.com

>Steve,>>Many thanks for the tips, and I appreciate the screenshots. >I've had some good success with your settings and that smudge>tool.>>>Dave H>Chief Operating Officer>Eagle Express Virtual Airlines>www.EagleExpressVA.comNo problem Dave.Also, play with the opacity settings on both the tools(the brush you apply the dirt with and the smudge tool) and the dirt layer itself, it will help make the effect look like "dirt" and not "chocolate ice cream". :-lolAnd try changing the layer type to multiply, darken, heck try them all and see what you get, that's half the fun of painting. ;) Also, experiment with colors other than black, you'll be suprised what colors look like dirt when properly used. :)Regards,Steve Drahttp://img47.photobucket.com/albums/v144/S...Dra/banner1.jpg