The Repainters Resource! - The Complete Repaint Walkthrough

The Repainters Resource! - The Complete Repaint Walkthrough - Having a look at the paint kit

Now that we've completed one side of the fuselage and tail we'll need to transfer everything over to the other side.

Add a new layer group to your fuselage psd.

Now like before, place all of the layers into this folder, apart from the background layer. In order to move many layers at once, click the layer at the top of the list then hold down Shift and click the last layer you wish to have (one above the background). All of the layers should now be selected. Click on the top layer and drag it into the folder.

All of the layers should follow, open the layer folder by clicking the arrow to the left of it..

Add a new layer to the layer folder, click on the first layer inside then add it so it is first in the list.

Now, using the Line Tool (U) draw a cross covering a section where the panel lines cross. I used a section under the front passenger door.

This cross will be used as a reference point to line up the textures properly when we drag them over.

Open the paint kit's second fuselage bmp

Do not be surprised as this second bmp appears to be almost identical, that is of course a good thing for us! The only addition really are the cargo doors.

Click the your psd with the layer folder in it and over lap the two files, just like when we added the real picture select the "Paint scheme" layer folder, click once on it then drag it in to the second fuselage bmp.

The paint scheme should now have been copied to the second fuselage bmp (note not moved). If it hasn't successfully made it over, delete the layer group and try the process again (it can occasionally happen for one reason or another).

Now is the time for the "reference cross" to come in to action.

With the "Paint scheme" layer group still selected, select the Move Tool (V). Click and drag anywhere in the document, I advise being fairly zoomed in to see the reference lines clearly. Line up the "reference cross" with the lines in the document.

Open the layer folder and disable the "reference cross".

Save the bmp as a psd

Now is a good time to check her out in flight sim.

She's looking pretty good, apart from the reversed text!

It is important to note, there may be some alignment issues between the two sides of the fuselages. Well made aircraft and paint kits generally won't have this problem, however some slight adjustment may be required in the placing, the ability to rectify this will come with experience so stick at it! Feel free to email me for any help.

Now we know everything lines up, we can relax a little. We're going to need to flip those parts to get her looking right.

Delete the tail layer from within the "Paint scheme" layer folder.

Reactivate the tail layer folder (this demonstrates the importance of keeping original copies)

Go through each layer deactivating and reactivating them to find the "Y" and the orange ball layers. If the layers aren't already linked, link them now by clicking one and holding crtl then clicking the other. With both layers selected click the "Link layers" button at the bottom of the layers palette

Now with one of the linked layers selected, go to Edit - Transform - Flip Horizontal. Both the "Y" and orange ball should flip on the spot.

You should now notice however, the arm of the "Y" extends out over the leading edge of the tail. To rectify this we'll move both the layers so the arm is flush with the leading edge, you'll remember the "M" is also flush on the other tail side and so will be correctly placed.

With one of the linked layers still selected, select the Move Tool (V). Using the right arrow key align the arm with the leading edge of the tail. The "M" should also fit nicely into the curve.