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I am looking for a program to use so I can EASILY reskin locomotives? I tried TSM and Auran Paint Shed, but its too complicated for me! And I don't have any $ for reskining programs, if I get anything its a gift, but heck, Money is tight arround me for quite a while, all I got is a Scanner program for me to scan pics and TGA Tool 2, but they don't do good on reskinning locomotives. Thanks to all who take their time and reply to my message.
There is no easy method, it all boils down to a good graphics editor, Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, and alot of patients, and theres no one way to do it, I have developed my own methods for repainting, as do most repainters.
Shawn Kenselaar, shawnssk@yahoo.com Screen Shot Forum Mod; Repainter for TKW & YLW The NYO&W is Gone, But never forgotten!!! ...the end of your tunnel Was just a freight train comin' your way
Reskinning does not require Paintshed from Auran or TSM.The only tools you need are TGAtool2 from the library and a good paint program (though the one that came with windows has been used by many)The tools are the easy part. Sadly, there are no short cuts. You need to actually draw the skins yourself...
Im trying to repaint my own Southern SD45, but perfer to have it set up Long hood forward opperations or High Hood, I perfer Long Hood Forward and High Hood, just like EVERY SR unit from the SR SD45 and later.
Hi JTB1985,if you want to turn the loco around for long hood forward ops, that is not a matter of repainting alone, but (also) a case for Shape File Manager. That useful tool is available in the utilities section of the file library here at train-sim.com. It lets you make some adjustments to the shape files of engines and wagons without the need of getting a copy of the original 3D-model-file (before export into MSTS format, that is) and a matching 3D-Program.One of the features is the possibility to reverse the shape by 180°. With most models, just reversing won't do a 100% accurate job with regards to the lights, you will often have to manually adjust the position of the lights in the .eng file. As for repainting: There's nothing "easier" than downloading TGAtool2 (free), and using Paintshop Pro or Photoshop (the Photoshop Light version comes as freebie with many scanners, at least over here in Europe). Then pick a skin of a model that is easy to repaint, i.e. in a scheme that is not too different from what you want to paint, that also helps you a bit as you won't have that many difficulties figuring out what part of the skin colors what part on the engine.Be warned though that it takes a lot of trial and error, i.e. several long evenings in front of the 'puter until you really get a result as perfect as it can be. Don't give up, and save intermediate steps often to avoid having to redo it all in case you mess up something.Hope that gets you going on...Lukas a.k.a Swissie Edited for some spelling
