Well basically i modified the streak at the bottom from various sources to get me started. I know I have a long way to go but I have all summer to do so...http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/del...rj145apron2.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/del...s/erj145air.jpg

Looking good :)Feel free to post here with any questions.

What software do you use to repaint your aircraft?

What Software do you use for repainting your aircraft?

I use Photoshop CS3.. I use that for any graphics I do including repainting :) You can get older versions of Photoshop now fairly cheaply or you could get Jasc Paintshop Pro.

I am on Photoshop CS2 but some elements such as the tail are done using Macromedia Fireworks MX

Purely out of interest, why did you choose to do the tail in Fireworks?

always thought adding images and making shapes was easier

can i ask why my paint has its white colors so dull

Are you referring to the same shots in your original post or another scheme?

in particular this one...but it happens to all the planes i repaint

Check the actual colour of the white. If it appears as you want it in the painting program.. are you removing the mip maps while converting the bmps for flight sim use?

Well I did remove the mip maps this time and here it is at a gatehttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/del...cvaterminal.jpgHere is where it starts to look like total poshttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/del...ams/holding.jpgCompare it to my vahttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/del...adifference.jpgIs there something I am doing wrong or is just that my graphics card sucks

Hi,Whey are the colors so dull?Well`ehh I think the alpha-layers (-channels whatever) are missing.Simply converting the texture back to DXT3 or 32-888 doest not (always)restore the alpha.Have a look at your files with DXTBmp and check the alpha.Do the same with the original texture and check it`s alpha too.Probably the alpha on your textures shows pure white and as the shine on the model is made by darker (greyscale) parts on the alpha, there is no shine on your model as well.The high polished alu rings around the air-inlets on the engines should almost sparkle and they do`nt , I am almost shure the alphas are missing.RegardsLeen de Jagerpsfeel free to send me the fuse-texture and I`ll have a look at ityou`l find my e-mail adress on my website.( on the Piper-page)

Most likely you have these settings correct.BUT if "Reflections" is NOT checked you`ll have the same problem.Unchecking "Reflections" will disable ALL alphas on ALL planes.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/175249.jpg