[-)-MAILMAN-]

...why not just use Mat Manager, or one of the different markings mod

Since I have been told that I can change the markings permanently I want to replace the whitestar1.tga file with the correct color blue and size of the circle behind the white star. So if it can be done why not do it and never see that awful insignia again when I have markings on and I choose USAAF, USMC and USN.

My response to the Mat Manager suggestion with an explanation of what I wanted to do. Nothing rude here.

Well, I use mat manager myself... only ever run it once, and forgot about it. Everythings changed perminently... AND I use the mod switcher - a much needed tool, considering my Il2 install is over 17gb...

So again, I ask you, why not save your trouble and just use Mat Manager, on both installs, or keep one install and use the switcher...

Telling me again of the Mat Manager is not telling me how to accomplish what I was trying to do.

Look, I really don't want to get rude, but this is not a debate on whether I should be using IL-2 Mat Manager because of its ease of use or any other benefits. So although your advice has been noted and is appreciated I am choosing to make the change permanent without having to use the Mat Manager.

Making the point that I was not interested in using the Mat Manager. Still looking for where I was rude. It wasn't like I said "Just Answer My Question"

well, although the rudeness is unintented, its there, but I will say what I was eventually going to get to despite it...

:|

So who is being rude and condescending.

As you've used Mat Manager, you will no doubt be aware of how it works exactly... so I wont bother explaining a simple way to do what you suggest, using files you already have mearly edited...

Hmm, sarcasm.

But you are correct, I have used Mat Manager. I know what the results are (what I see) when I use it. I know it replaces the stock markings, but how it does it (nuts and bolts of its workings) is a mystery to me. I did know that I could edit/replace (and I did) the whitestar1.tga that got put into my regiments folder by Mat Manager on my stock IL-2 1946 as well as "faded" and "faded2", but as I have consistently asserted all along in this thread, I did not want to use the Mat Manager with the MOD, at least not at this point in time.

But if you insist upon doing it the long and hard way, I would probably suggest you give up on trying to re-pack the sfs per say,...

What can I say the sarcasm is getting heavier.

...but try creating a series of folders like every other mod, with the re-done .tga file within the same folder packing arrangement that you would have found said .tga to start with, in your MOD folder.

Which series of folders, what should they be called, where do they all go?

It's really simple. first, edit the .tga to your preferences. make sure that any areas that you want to be transparent are that way in the .tga. Make sure you keep it a 64x64 pixels, otherwise it won't work. then, using whatever image editing program you use, save it as a .tga file. Then, go into your MODS folder and create a new folder (it doesn't matter what the name is). inside this, make a folder called paintschemes. Inside this, make a folder called decals. Inside this, make a folder called states. Then, put your edited .tga in this folder. The final structure should be C:\ (whatever your il2 folder is)/MODS/(your folder)/paintschemes/decals/states/whitestar1.tga

This will also work for all of the other national markings, just createa new folder inside decals with the same name as theone in the extracted .sfs folder.

HTH!

Simple and easy to follow. Complete. No assumptions, sarcasm or condescending statements. An example of how an explanation should be. Great explanation Jaypack44.

:roll:

Glad to see you got it working Mailman. BTW, there's no need to be rude when someones trying to help you...

Even with this closing remark of yours you continue to be condescending. Not once was I ever rude to you or sarcastic. I don't want to get into a pissing contest with you over this. I will end it by saying thank you for trying to help me get the solution I was trying to get. In the end I have the whitestar1.tga that I want and it really wasn't that long and hard once it was explained to me how to do it.