Wanting to Learn To Reskin...But Unsure Where to Start

[quakers1]

Hello everyone,

Yes, I'll admit I'm arising from one of my notorious vacations again. This one got started cuz my main computer (which is my Trainz one) had technical difficulties, and it took a month or so for the builder to diagnose the exact problems. Luckily, I still had all of my content, and my route when I got it back! But, I just haven't gotten the itch to touch my route again, until now.

With my return, I have decided to kick an old habit that from what I understand, people have known and frowned upon me for. Instead of going the noob way and begging for content to be made, I have basically decided to take some initiative and do some BNSF reskins myself, so I can have more diverse motive power in my Scenarios.

But, with that being said, I am really having issues on where exactly to begin. Most of the more advanced painters I know of use Photoshop to paint, but in no way can I afford that program. I use Irfanview to edit my screenshots, but I have also heard of people using it, and the GIMP to reskin. So, what freeware software is best to use to reskin?

Also, I have another question. The reskins I plan on making use other people's models. I've heard of people using a thing called PSDs to reskin these models. Do I get these from the creator of the model, or do I make them myself?

Thats about all I can think of right now. I'm trying to get into this reskinning thing so I can make motive power, and rolling stock for my scenarios without asking others. So, if anyone of you guys can give me help, tips, and maybe a few tricks in reskinning, I'd appreciate it tremendously. Thanks for reading my post.

Regards,

-Skylar

 

[motorbreath]

Try the undecorated SD7/SD9 from here:
http://steammachine.com/bdaneal/index.htm

Clone the loco, and only alter your clone.

Look for a file called "layered", open the file in Gimp and save to a PSD. Edit in Gimp. I think Gimp is about as close to Photoshop as you can get for free.

When you are ready to view your work, save the file back to a TGA, and copy. Since the PSD will still remain in the "layered" file, the loco will not commit, so I use a second clone to paste the TGA into. Paste it into the file named "SD9" in the "body" folder. Commit and open Trainz. Then when you go back to work on it some more, start from the PSD in the original clone as all of the layers should be saved and ready to be edited. Wash, rinse, repeat until desired results are achieved.

 

[on30gn15]

Sounds like something to not expect to get perfect the first time?
It ain't yet my first time.

 

[motorbreath]

Sounds like something to not expect to get perfect the first time?
It ain't yet my first time.

No, sometimes there are lines and such to match up, and sometimes you just have to see what the hell you painted. When certain parts are laid out on a template, some aren't always easy to identify.

 

[on30gn15]

and sometimes you just have to see what the hell you painted.

Ahh, yes, the "adventure side" of Trainz.