Quick CFS3 Noseart tutorial

A simple step by step to converting an image you want to Noseart for use
in CFS3. This assumes you have the latest version of DXTBmp and it is set
up to work with your Paint program. Ideally you should start with an image
that is square.

The example is for creating a new US Noseart. Exactly the same principles
are used to create Noseart for the other countries. The only difference is
the UIRES folder the Bmp version needs to go in (gbr or ger instead of usa)

1/ Get the bmp into your paint program and paint all the bits you want
see-through in Black then save it as a new bmp file. If your paint
program has the option then resize it to 256x256 before saving.

2/ Run DXTBmp and "Load Normal Image" then select the bmp you just saved.
This wil be resized square and the alpha channel will be created using
the Black you have painted as the transparent bit

3/ Select "Save Targa Image" and save it wherever you want. This will be
your Master image in case you want to make changes later.

4/ Select "Save Extended Image", from the save dialog filetypes list
select "Extended 16 bit 444-4" and browse to the CFS3 Uires\usa\noseart
folder and save it as noseart_us_17.bmp (for example)

5/ Now select "Save DDS". From the save dialog filetypes list select DDS
DXT1 and browse to the CFS3 Aircraft\Shared folder and save it as the
same name as at step 4 (eg noseart_us_17.dds ). It is important that the
DDS version has the same name as the BMP version so that CFS3 can find it.

General Notes :-

Noseart files can also be done in 512x512 if greater detail is required.

The name of a Noseart file decides where in the list it is displayed.

Because CFS3 expects the first Noseart to be the totally-transparent
version used by the "None" option you should name your noseart files so
they will appear further down the list.

Martin Wright
mnwright@btinternet.com
http://fly.to/mwgfx/