Vehicle custom liveries - How to + FAQ

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Originally Posted by Alan Dallas

The only Custom livery you can do at this time is your own car in Single player.

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But in the custom livery map in the game folder it stands 2 types of files. Like ''AM_RAPIDE_LIVERY_AI'' and ''AM_RAPIDE_LIVERY_PLAYER'' So what does that mean then?...

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Originally Posted by EmilGlockner

Yes, there is. >HERE< you can find all the templates that have been released, so far.
If you want to preview your custom liveries you have to put them in the game and select custom livery for the cars. Make sure to backup the original files.

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Sorry, i should have been more precise ^^ i was speaking about 3D models, as FBX, Obj files for exemple.

Make a YouTube video please. I mean the text is fine but videos are neat.

So I get how to make and save a custom livery... but here's my challenge now. How do I pick a paint scheme to drive around in free practice so that I can photograph my creation? It keeps picking random paint schemes for me, even when I go into the garage and click the arrow to the "custom livery" selection.

Quote: [The DDS file should be saved as a square image, so if a PSD file is not square (e.g. 4096x6144 pixels), you first need to resize it to 4096x4096 before exporting it to DDS]

I accidentally saved my livery as 4096x6144 pixels .dds DX1 and it looks fine (i.e., I didn't save it square like it says to). Not sure if that's the case for every car, but it worked for the BMW Z4 GT3.
I am loving this game/sim BTW! The User Interface is a work of art - please don't ever change it!

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Originally Posted by AOD_Venom

How do I pick a paint scheme to drive around in free practice so that I can photograph my creation? It keeps picking random paint schemes for me, even when I go into the garage and click the arrow to the "custom livery" selection.

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u must select your car and the livery through the right panel ("My Garage") of the session... if u pick your car using the list u will get a random livery

http://i.imgur.com/7GSNOfA.jpg

its a recurring question, don't know if we should add somewhere

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Originally Posted by inkster

Set your template set to 6144x4096 res to make painting easier. Scale it back to 4096x4096 when you're done.

EDIT: Just found out you don't need to scale it down to 4k square.

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The standard (and recommended format) is 2096x2096. However you can also use 4096x4096. Your PC performance and memory is the limit.

Every other format with the image width and hight as multiplier of 4, might work as well, but are not the standards and might create unpredictable results.

So you can paint in whatever format you like. The templates for example are all in 4096x6144 for a better visibility during paint. Before you create a DDS you need to scale them down to the square format.

Can the headlamp glass colour be changed using this method? for example can i tint my GT3 and 4 Vantages headlight lens yellow?

Thanks?

OK, I need some help please......

I am trying to follow the steps to open the file and get started in GIMP 2.8, but so far I have gotten nowhere. I have GIMP 2.8 and the DDS-Plugin installed. I am able to open the .DDS files, but it seems to simply open it as a solid single layer. Can someone please type up a step by step on how to get to a point where I can start editing? I tried these steps, but it's not working as advertised (although I appreciate the effort)......

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Originally Posted by Yuyuko

My GIMP-fu is mega weak, so excuse me if I sound like a Photoshop guy. Here goes.

1) Go into the custom liveries directory:
<drive name>...\Steam\steamapps\common\pCars\Vehicles\Textures\CustomLiveries

2) I think for GIMP you need to import the DDS file first. Do that. All car liveries use <car name>_LIVERY_PLAYER.DDS as the naming format for the painting the car body.

3) Create a new layer out of the wire-frame that the LIVERY_PLAYER file gives you by default. In Photoshop you need to set this layer to 'Multiply'. This layer gives you the exact mapping of all the car parts that can be painted.

4) Now create a new layer below that. Use the fill tool to pick your livery's base color.

5) Export the file as <CAR NAME>_TEMPLATE.XCF or .PSD (case depending). You can use this file as a template now, if you want to paint multiple liveries for this car.

6) Go crazy, let your mind run free and paint, paint, paint. It'd be a good idea to use multiple layers for each element of your livery's design. This will become your 'work file'. Export the work file XCF/PSD under a different name, ie. if your theme is "Yuyuko" and your car is the Aston-Martin Vantage GT3, save this work file as AM_VAN_GT3_YUYUKO.XCF.

7) Export the file as <CAR NAME>_LIVERY_PLAYER.DDS when you're totally done and/or if you want to have a look in-game.

Repeat 6 and 7 if you need to make changes to your livery. I'll assume you know how to resize images to create AI versions of your custom livery.

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I suspect it is something I am doing wrong, so I am hoping that someone who has had success can provide additional info regarding steps/process.

EDIT: To clarify, I am able to open the DDS file but it seems the wire frame, background, etc. all seem to be a single layer and I am not able to follow the above steps to create separate multiple layers.

would anyone be kind enough to share a PSD that's already painted and at the stage where its ready to export to dds?
I dont care which one or how 'awesome' it is! I just need to see an example of one painted to get my head round the theory
thanks

EDIT: Oh and before it has been flattened/laerys merged otherwise i wont figure it out. thanks..:)