Howto:Edit a livery: Difference between revisions

This HOWTO is intended to be a help guiding the potential livery artist as well as the more experienced one needing a refresher.

[[File:PC-9M Slovenian Livery.png|150px|thumb|right|Slovenian livery for pjedvaj's second version of the [[Pilatus PC-9M]].]]

A ''livery'' is the way an aircraft from as an example an airline or a fighter wing is painted, in some other flight simulators and games they are sometimes called ''textures'' instead, as they are wrapped around the 3D model representing the aircraft.

Most aircraft in FlightGear comes as a ZIP file which contains a few text, 3D model and image files organized in several directories.  In that structure is one or more liveries and on or more text files, XML files, describing it's use. The liveries can usually be found in the <tt>..Models<tt>, <tt>..Liveries</tt>, <tt>..Models/Liveries</tt> or some other directory, depending on how the aircraft's original author organized the files and directories.

== General work flow ==

There are a few ways to make a new livery. First of all have a look at the [http://liveries.flightgear.org/index.php FlightGear Livery Database], to make sure you don't duplicate someones else's work. You can also download templates for liveries, called ''paintkits'', there for a few aircraft , but usually paintkits are included in ZIP file with the aircraft.

When creating the livery, the work flow is basically in this order:

* Check the FlightGear Livery Database, to avoid duplicate work,

* find reference images,

* get a paintkit if available,

* make the livery, and

* share the livery

== Finding reference images ==

To do a good livery based on a real aircraft you simply have to have reference images to look at while making the livery.  You will need images from both sides of the fuselage, images of the top and bottom, and a lot of close in images of details.  Make sure you also have images from an angle as well. Having a three way drawing can be helpful, specially if you want to add rivet lines or if there was no paintkit available.

Make sure you have a lot of good reference images of the aircraft livery you want to make.

== Editing the livery image ==

[[File:Vector vs Raster Graphics.png|150px|thumb|right|The difference between vector and raster graphics. One pixel line width circle and square together with a gradient.]]

[[File:Livery layers in Inkscape (Slovenian PC-9M).png|150px|thumb|right|Inkscape layer dialogue. The four top top layers are the paintkit, while the rest of the layers are the livery.]]

[[File:Finished Slovenian PC-9M livery (3DViewer screenshot).png|150px|thumb|right|3DViewer screen shot of a finished livery draped over the model.]]

[[File:Finished Slovenian PC-9M livery (in-game screenshot).png|150px|thumb|right|FlightGear 2.0.0 in-game screen shot with the finished livery.]]

To be on the safe side copy the aircraft folder to some other place while you work on the livery.

There are in general two ways to edit the livery: Using a raster image editor such as GIMP or Photoshop or using a vector editor such as Inkscape or Illustrator.  If you don't have experience with a vector editor there's a bit of a learning curve, but after you have passed it a vector editor can be more rewarding, as you can more easily adjust and scale elements in the livery such as warning labels, stripes and cabin windows. Vector images also have the great advantage of having the possibility to later make a higher resolution livery in a snap.

=== Using layers ===

When editing the livery, have the template in one layer, adding the elements of your livery in other layers.  If you would be using a raster editor it is a good idea to use a two or four times higher resolution in case you would want a higher resolution livery later on. Another good idea if you are using a raster editor is to have individual elements as separate layers to be able to move them around if necessary.

''Start'' the work by saving the livery while it is still empty.  That way you will not get carried away, forgetting to save it just to be reminded in the harshest way, maybe having hours of work lost.  The file should usually have a size of 1024 x 1024 pixels, but any square with n² pixels side, for example 256, 512 and 2048 pixels, will do.  Larger image size will mean more detail shown, but also a slower running FlightGear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

## you use the correct ICAO code (can be found at [http://www.airfleets.net/home/ Airfleets.net]) for your livery. If the airline does not have an ICAO code, or the livery is based on a private one, the registration of the aircraft can be used instead.

 

Both real and fictional liveries can be uploaded to Unitedfreeworld.com using [http://www.unitedfreeworld.com/contribute/ a web form].

 

 

:"...we also encourage you to upload packages in accordance to terms and conditions of this site. Simply put, ensure your packages are works of your own, virus free, contains no copy right materials and most importantly, your willingness to share them for free and no commercial gains."

 

Some one else would likely want to have a try at liveries for the aircraft you are working on.  When you are developing an aircraft or are making a new livery for an aircraft without a painkit, please consider making a paintkit for that aircraft.  Also consider that the aircraft will more likely get higher quality liveries and more liveries if your paintkit are of high quality.

 

* [[Livery over MP]]