I would like to do some re-painting of some default MS FS 2004 aircraft.I did it quite extensively in previous versions of MS Flight Sim.I have recently been opening and examining the different files of re-painted aircraft here on AVSIM.I have found strange, bizarre (to me anyway) .bmp images in those files. This kind of image may have been present in FS2004 although I can't seem to remember it as being so.What I'm referrring to, is this kind of file. ( below ) I wouldn't have any idea of how to work on it using Paint Shop Pro or any other graphical program. Is this where the paint program DTXBmp referred to elsewhere in this forum, comes into play or what?http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/50272.jpgbtw, I just downloaded the very beautifully done Cessna 195 and was preparing to install it and saw this (and other) images amongst its files. I hope I have not broken any rules for posting it here. I could have used any from the hundreds and hundreds of re-paintd aircraft here but this one was just handy. If I'm not supposed to do this; Mr. Moderator, delete this file and question.Thank you,DonaldS

Hey Donald, the reason the file looks like that is that it is a compressed DTX format, same as FS2002, you'll need either imagetool or DTXBmp (search the library for it) to open them, then either change the format for editing or if using DTXBmp, it will send it to the editor and refresh after painting. DTX formats are lower quality than 32 bit, but give you better performance.Good luck!Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://mysite.verizon.net/res052cd/mybannercva1.jpgCalVirAir International VAwww.calvirair.comCougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviationwww.cgrmtnhelos.com

Michael is one of the nicer people around here, Donald, but he's dyslexic. Well, maybe not, but he means DXT not DTX! As he says, get hold of Martin Wright's program DXTBmp which is freeware and magnificent. You'll also need a graphics prog such as PSP that you appear to have. Forget MS Paint.So to do a test to get into the groove:1. Get hold of DXTBmp at http://www.mnwright.btinternet.co.uk/index.htm2. Back up the file "Douglas_DC3_1_T" in the "Douglas_DC3/texture" folder. This is the main texture file for the DC-3 "cargo" version.3. Open DXTBmp. Select FILE/LOAD EXTENDED IMAGE. 4. The file will open, looking like bits of a plane as it should. Now go IMAGE/SEND TO EDITOR.5. It will now trot off to your chosen graphics editor ... oh, you need to configure which that is to be by default by setting PREFS/SELECT EDITOR in DXTBmp. Do NOT close DXTBmp, it will just take a back seat for a mo.6. Edit your bitmap in your graphics editor. For your test, just put in a logo or something above the window line.7. Save the file in your graphics editor using FILE/SAVE.8. Go back to the DXTBmp window again. Go IMAGE/RELOAD AFTER EDIT.Then FILE/SAVE EXTENDED IMAGE. You have a choice in the lower box of what to save it as; this is where you need to get into all the help menus eventually to find out what your options are for different things but for the moment choose "DXT3 with Alpha". Save the file in the same name as you opened it in, of course.9. Now load the plane in FS and have a look at your changes.That's basically it. When you see that you've got the letters upside down or whatever, you then minimise FS, go to your graphics editor, make more changes, go to DXTBmp, reload once more, save, and refresh the plane in FS; and you'll see further changes. And so it goes on ...There are plenty of good tutorials about so I won't ramble here .... just want to encourage you, as there's nothing more wonderful than seeing your work develop in the sim.Good luck!Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/newlogo.jpg

Tahkns Mrak, waht wuold I do wtihuot you!!! LOLI got tihs keybarod at a gargae sale, guess all the kyes, aren't wroknig prpoelry.Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://mysite.verizon.net/res052cd/mybannercva1.jpgCalVirAir International VAwww.calvirair.comCougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviationwww.cgrmtnhelos.com

Thanks.I think I'll give it a bit of a go, then.Regards,DonaldS