- 476th Virtual Fighter Group

Created by paulrkiii (Snoopy)
476th vFighter Group
http://www.476vfightergroup.com/
Overview
Programs Used
 Using Photoshop
 Convert .bmp to .dds using DXTBmp
 Create .lua File
 Install into DCS World

NOTE: If you have already created skins and are ready to
install using the new 1.2.4. method simply go to slide 13 for
install directions.
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Programs Used

DXTBmp (Converts one file at a time but program is Free)
 Used to convert files from .bmp to .dds
 http://www.mwgfx.co.uk/programs/dxtbmp.htm

Photoshop
 Used to edit/create .bmp files

Notepad++
 Used to modify .lau files
 http://notepad-plus-plus.org/download

A-10C Skin Template
 Download the A-10C (and other ACFT) template from Eagle Dynamics
Website at:
http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/downloads/misc/
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Using Photoshop


Open Photoshop (or other like editing software)
Begin editing your image
 I won’t go into detail as it’s a matter of personal opinion and talent
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Using Photoshop

Once you’ve finished editing your image:
 Save as (rename the file, for example the file below is
(76thVFS_Snoopy-a.psd)
 Save the file as a .psd so you can modify what you’ve done in the
future if needed.
 Next Save your file as a .bmp (or .png) (76thVFS_Snoopy-a.bmp)
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Convert .bmp to .dds using DXTBmp

Open DXTBmp
 Locate (or drag file into)
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Convert .bmp to .dds using DXTBmp

Open DXTBmp
 Save as, DDS Texture
 Choose DDS DXT2 thru 5 to include Alpha charactoristics.
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Create .lua File


Navigate to your “Saved Games\DCS” folder
Create a new folder called “Liveries”
 Open your “Liveries” folder
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Create .lua File

Within your “Liveries” folder create an “A-10C” folder
 If another aircraft type name in accordingly. In the below example you
see entries for A-10C, kc-135 and uh-60a
 Open your “A-10C” (or other airframe) folder
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Create .lua File

Within your “A-10C” (or other airframe) folder create an
folder for you skin. For this example I created “76th vFS
‘Vanguards’ (Snoopy)”
 Open your newly created folder (for this example; 76th vFS
‘Vanguards’ (Snoopy)
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Create .lua File

Using Notepad++ create your lua file. It must be named:
 description.lua
NOTE: It is easier to copy an already existing lua file than create a new
one. Simply navigate to your “DCS World\Bazar\World\Liveries” folder,
open the respective aircraft folder and copy the “description.lua” file
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Create .lua File

Edit your new description.lua file so it reflects the correct
texture file names.
 False means the specific texture is located in the same file as the description.lua
 True means the specific texture is located in a separate location. We’ll go over in detail
that process in future slides.
 You can also add a line to have a custom pilot skin included (see line 18 below) as well
as what countries the skin is available for.
 Once completed save the file
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Install into DCS World
Go to "x:\User\User name\Saved Games\DCS\"
 Create a "config" folder
 Open Config folder, using notepad++ and create
"autoexec.cfg"
 Enter the following entries:

-- add custom texture path
table.insert(options.graphics.VFSTexturePaths, "c:/Users/User Name/Saved
Games/DCS/Textures/TEXTURE_ZIP_NAME")
For the below example the TEXTURE_ZIP_NAME is 476vFG

5. Save autoexec.cfg
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Install into DCS World


Navigate back to "x:\User\User name\Saved Games\DCS\"
Create a new folder called "Textures“
 If you have shared textures place them in the new “Textures” folder

You should have created a “Liveries” folder per the “Create
.lua File” section.
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Install into DCS World
You should have created a “Liveries” folder per the “Create
.lua File” section.
 Your “Saved Games\DCS” folder should look similar to:


Run DCS and see if your skins are working correctly
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If you have any questions feel free to PM paulrkiii at the ED boards or visit the
476th vFighter Group (Snoopy).
http://www.476vfightergroup.com/
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