[Fireskull]

I would suggest trying GIMP as it is free, and easy enough to use once you get the hang of it. If you do get it, I also suggest that you get version 2.2.17.

I did my first skin using Paint :roll: , but wanted better looking skins too, so I started looking in the forums (mostly Ubi forums back then) and found out how the skinners did their magic - and it all seemed very daunting to me, but I stuck with it. As Jinxx said, Simmerspaintshop is a great place to start. Read through the tutorials, there's a wealth of information in them. Also, I would suggest downloading and studying a template or two, you will see how all the layers make up the finished skin, and it will help you to understand how skinning works. It's best to begin skinning on an existing template, unless you're willing to go full steam ahead and make your own, just be ready for hours and hours and hours..... of work.
No matter what your choice, you will find many experienced skinners here who can help you with any questions you may have. Good luck with your skinning projects and don't be afraid to show us some screenshots of your work. :wink:

Good day,

I took a similar evolution described here.

However, I would recommend getting the lastest supported GIMP. What I mean is this: Since you are new to this, get the latest GIMP matched to your type of operating system with an installer. These are available at the GIMP website. Make sure to test the download for corrupt files.

An advanced graphics artist would eventually get the latest Python scripts and add some plug-ins to the GIMP, but only keep that in mind for now.


I highly recommend getting the latest Resynthesizer plug-in for GIMP, if it is not included. The resynthesizer allows you to remove an element (such as a roundel on a skin) and the GIMP will automatically fill the space behind it with the surrounding texture. Resynthesizer is a big time saver and results in clean mods to a skin when something is removed and replaced with something else. Resynthesizer appeared in GIMP, as well as a bunch of other features, even before it was seen in Photoshop, so this gives you an idea of how the free GIMP is very powerful.

A GIMP tutorial is coming from me in the near future which will be in the tutorial forum.



Fireskull