Hello all,

 

I was wondering if someone could help me because I've been struggling a bit with few details on my first PMDG 737 NGX livery. it's almost done and I'm pretty happy with what's done so far but now I'm trying to fill up to some passenger windows. I have seen it done on some liveries that I have downloaded so I know it's possible but I don't know how.

 

I'm talking about this:

 

 

On the fuselage_master (Photoshop file) I've tried everything I can imagine to do this but without success. I have for example tried to remove some windows from the "windows frame" filter and many other things.

 

So if someone out there can help me I would be very thankful!! ^_^

 

All the best,

Sindri

That kind of thing is edited in the alpha. In the alpha file, get rid of the windows you want removed and you will achieve the desired effect.

Sindri,

 

in order to blank out the windows on the fuselage two steps are required.

• Step Number 1: Blanking out the windows in the master file.
   
  In the pmdg_7377NGX_fuselage_master.psd file erase the necessary windows i. e. the two front windows on the right side as shown in your example. You have to look for the layer containing these windows; usually you'll find these located in the group '737 window line'. Just look for it, it's not too hard to find.
  

• Step Number 2: Editing the alpha channel of each fuselage file.
   
  The second step is to edit the alpha channel of each fuselage part i.e. pmdg_737NGX_fuselage_1.psd to pmdg_737NGX_fuselage_3.psd. You might want to check the help of your software or the forum search for more info on the alpha chanel.
   
  Basically it's a greyscale channel located 'behind' the normal image giving information about which pixels are transparent and which are pixels are displayed. In the case of the PMDG NGX textures, pixels which are pure black (R:0 G:0 B:0) are transparent meaning that you can see through the window into the cabin. On the opposite pure white pixels (R:255 G:255 B:255) will blank out the windows.
   
  Here's an example of the alpha channel for the -700 version:
   
  
   
  These channels already come with PMDG's paint kit, you don't have to start from scratch. All you need to do is 'white out' the windows you don't need and save the file. Repeat this step for part 2 and 3.
  

What I normally do is to draw a mask around the blanked windows on the livery, go to the alpha channel and simply fill the masks white. This way you don't have to count windows or anything else. On a side note the function of the alpha channel works similar for equipmet decals, wing decals and the virtual cockpit reg plate.

 

For example:

 

Good luck!

Christian, thank you so much! :biggrin: I really appreciate your help and I've finally managed to do this successfully thanks to you! :good:

Nicely written Christian. I would maybe add that I check it always with both alpha and RGB on in channel tab, that way it gives me a red transparent overdraw where the windows are in alpha.

Christian, thank you so much! :biggrin: I really appreciate your help and I've finally managed to do this successfully thanks to you! :good:

 

Good to hear that it worked out for you.

 

I can only add to Peter's description that it's quite a good method for being on the safe side regarding the alpha channel and the windows.