[jlan5031]

Is it possible for me to add markings to a downloaded and installed skin? If it would be how would I go about it?

[Guest]

You could just edit the skin and add the markings yourself

[max_thehitman]

In the actual game there are already quite a good number of Squadron emblems and
many other nose-art for aircraft. Serial/Call Numbers and such are also available.

Anything else... you will have to create on your own skin, or add the design using
GIMP or photoshop into a skin-or-Void file

My suggestion... learn some aircraft skinning. It

[nzwilliam]

Get Gimp (if you don't already have a photoshop program) http://www.gimp.org/downloads/

Join Simmers paint shop http://www.simmerspaintshop.com/ (can download without registering but only once a day...which won't be much use to you once you get the skinning bug) and download some markings templates http://www.simmerspaintshop.com/forums/d...o=cat&id=3 (or make up your own if you want).

Copy and paste the skin you want to personalise somewhere else so you don't bugger up your original, open it with Gimp, open whatever markings template the markings you want are on and copy and paste them as another layer.

Download Brighter http://www.simmerspaintshop.com/forums/d...eneral-12/ which is a program that will convert your skin back to an 8 bit .bmp used by IL2 (in Gimp select "Save As", send skin where you'll easily find it, change the name of the skin to a .bmp format, export, advanced options - select 24 bit, start "Brighter", select this image on the input window, send it where ever you want on your output window, then you can bung it in what ever skin folder it suits.

Bit of a quick summary but hopefully it'll push you in the right direction, any problems just ask. Good luck :wink:
Just a quick note: It's good practice to leave the original skin/template creators credits un-touched, if you do enough editing and want to you can squeeze your credits somewhere else if need be...and hopefully when you start making your own originals someone will do the same for you :wink:

[max_thehitman]

Here is a friendly tip.
Personally I use Photoshop, nothing else comes closer to it, its simply the best, but Gimp is a
very good start.

See these videos and enjoy a new hobby...

il2 1946 Skinning With Gimp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZFLgtPa16w

for using Photoshop...
Lesson 1: Getting Started - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=091RJs4n ... re=related
Lesson 2: Basic Painting - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSfNWD0W ... re=related
Lesson 3: Weathering - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0i25VAj ... re=related
Lesson 4: How to apply Decals - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL7ipa51 ... re=related

... more tutorials on the same Youtube channel