How do you get rid of camoflage pattern on stock Japanese Ships

[Tempest555]

I would like to eliminate the camouflage patterns on IJN warships in the stock game. I just want a solid color grey with weathering and rust-like the stock YAMATO. I have PaintNET and I know what the texture files are that have to be changed. But I never did anything like this in PaintNET. How do you do it?
Below is a picture of a stock vessel with the arrows pointing to the dark camouflage I want to eliminate.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/Tempest555/Naka.jpg

[Hylander_1314]

This is a "skinning" tutorial for a WWI flightsim I play. But the basic principles can be applied to what you are trying to attempt.

Just download the tutorial, as it shows how to work with layers, and colors, and some basics in weathering.

http://combatace.com/index.php?autocom=downloads&showfile=8498

[Tempest555]

Thanks-downloaded it. Will have a study of the instructions-see what I can accomplish.

[Hylander_1314]

Also, check all the ships in the Sea folder, and their .dds artfiles, and also, use S3D to check the .dat files for the ships, just incase any of them are tucked away in them.

[Tempest555]

Okay I opened up the NAKA file in S3D and when I click on the Ambient Occlusion button-the pattern shows. So am I going to need 3DSMax to make a new file for the texture? :wah:

[Hylander_1314]

No, your Ambient Occlusion .dds file is the one labelled, NCL_Naka_O01.dds, and one below it, with the "lr" meaning low-res (smaller artfile).

Paint.net is a free program for working on artfiles.

You will also need DXTBmp, which converts dds files to 24bit Bitmap files.

With converting it back to have the proper Alpha Layer, I'm not good at. I think you can import the original Alpha layer from the original artfile over yours, but I can't say for sure, or if you will have to create a new one for it.

That's the one area that gets me.

[Hylander_1314]

Here's a basic skinning tutorial here dealing with subs. Just some practice stuff to go off.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=151492&highlight=tutorial

And this one here deals with the alpha and occlusion files you mentioned.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=145555&highlight=tutorial

[Tempest555]

Okay I generated a new Ambient Occlusion Map with 3dXMax for NAKA now what do I do with it? Do I merge it with the 3D model?

It's baby steps here

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/Tempest555/NakaCamoflage.jpg