Aces' Artwork : IL2-MAT Manager v1.50 Open Beta available for download

[Aces_High_2]

http://www.leigh-kemp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/MAT_Manager_v1_50_Beta_GUI.jpg

Hi all,

Well I've been very busy on the latest version of IL2-MAT Manager, version 1.50. The new version has many changes to the user interface which I'm hoping that you will enjoy using. I am releasing this version as a full stand-alone installation and I have decided to make it an "open" beta for you all to test and comment on. I haven't had time to revise my program documentation, please read the READ ME FIRST text file included in the download for information on the new version and e-mail me your comments on the new version.

Changes from previous versions:

The following sections of the GUI have been extensively re-designed with drop-down boxes replacing the previous option buttons and check boxes: Lufwtaffe Weathered Numbering and Lettering, Re-sized Luftwaffe Emblems, Weathered National Markings, VVS Weathered Numbering squadron colours section. I have added new options to the Re-sized Luftwaffe Emblems section to disable display of all Luftwaffe emblems. I have also incorporated selection of Luftwaffe hakencross and balkencrosses by wartime period into the Weathered National Markings section.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Please un-install any previous version of IL2-MAT Manager before installing v1.50.

Please ensure that the supplied MAT and TGA files are installed to your IL-2 Sturmovik Forgotten Battles folder.

I hope that you enjoy using the new version.

Download Link (http://www.leigh-kemp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/IL2-MAT_and_IL2-MAT_Manager_v1_50.zip)

Best Regards

Aces.

Aces High Sim 123 (123_Aces_Sim123 on Hyperlobby)
E-Mail: aces@acesartwork.co.uk
IL2-MAT and IL2 MAT Manager Program, Artwork, Cockpits, Luftwaffe Pilot Skins, Famous Ace Pilots Skins and Super-detailed aircraft parts for IL-2 Forgotten Battles.
Website http://www.acesartwork.co.uk
Guestbook http://www.leigh-kemp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/guestbook.html
Discussion Forum http://www.leigh-kemp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/zisp/discussion

[This message was edited by Aces_High_2 on Sat May 08 2004 at 05:20 AM.]

[Aces_High_2]

http://www.leigh-kemp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/MAT_Manager_v1_50_Beta_GUI.jpg

Hi all,

Well I've been very busy on the latest version of IL2-MAT Manager, version 1.50. The new version has many changes to the user interface which I'm hoping that you will enjoy using. I am releasing this version as a full stand-alone installation and I have decided to make it an "open" beta for you all to test and comment on. I haven't had time to revise my program documentation, please read the READ ME FIRST text file included in the download for information on the new version and e-mail me your comments on the new version.

Changes from previous versions:

The following sections of the GUI have been extensively re-designed with drop-down boxes replacing the previous option buttons and check boxes: Lufwtaffe Weathered Numbering and Lettering, Re-sized Luftwaffe Emblems, Weathered National Markings, VVS Weathered Numbering squadron colours section. I have added new options to the Re-sized Luftwaffe Emblems section to disable display of all Luftwaffe emblems. I have also incorporated selection of Luftwaffe hakencross and balkencrosses by wartime period into the Weathered National Markings section.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Please un-install any previous version of IL2-MAT Manager before installing v1.50.

Please ensure that the supplied MAT and TGA files are installed to your IL-2 Sturmovik Forgotten Battles folder.

I hope that you enjoy using the new version.

Download Link (http://www.leigh-kemp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/IL2-MAT_and_IL2-MAT_Manager_v1_50.zip)

Best Regards

Aces.

Aces High Sim 123 (123_Aces_Sim123 on Hyperlobby)
E-Mail: aces@acesartwork.co.uk
IL2-MAT and IL2 MAT Manager Program, Artwork, Cockpits, Luftwaffe Pilot Skins, Famous Ace Pilots Skins and Super-detailed aircraft parts for IL-2 Forgotten Battles.
Website http://www.acesartwork.co.uk
Guestbook http://www.leigh-kemp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/guestbook.html
Discussion Forum http://www.leigh-kemp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/zisp/discussion

[This message was edited by Aces_High_2 on Sat May 08 2004 at 05:20 AM.]

[JRJacobs]

aces - your work exemplary and as always appreciated by us who understand the blood, sweat, tears and time you put in to provide us a FREE product that increases the immersion factor of and already immersive game.

there is no butâ... in this postâ.... There is a request of you or a call to some of our talented programmers to make a utility that will turn a BMP [or jpg. tiff, etc] into a mat file. I know youâ've detailed how to do it manually but as I have a dozen brands in the fire at any one time I have never taken the time to â"learnâ"� how to do it. Iâ'm sure thereâ's more of us in the same boat – just think people could make almost any image [ your wife/girlfriend picture for example] a squadron logo. What say you?... anyone?

"if you're a story teller and someone listens while you tell that story you're an artist..."
"If you're a story teller and no-one is listening while you tell that story you're schizophrenic..."
"It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it."
-- Robert E. Lee
www.virtualjake.com (http://www.virtualjake.com)
Virtual Movie Forum at http://www.blacksheepwebdesign.net/VirtualWarCinema/

http://jrjacobs.mystarband.net/images/squad%20logo.jpg

[Aces_High_2]

Hi JRJacobs,

Thank you very much for your kind comments, very much appreciated, I'm very pleased that you are enjoying using the program. Sorry it's taken me a while to reply but been very busy with v1.51 !

I have been looking around for a small program which will easily convert BMP artwork files into TGA files but there is a slight snag. The TGA files required need what's called "alpha channel" a sort of mask that masks out the areas in the TGA that need to be non-transparent eg. the emblem or other graphic. Both Photoshop and Paintshop Pro will do this and my tutorial is geared up for this but there doesn't seem to be a free or cheap solution easily available let alone an automated process.

Andrew, who wrote IL2-MAT did incorporate a BMP to TGA conversion facility into it but it only works with 16 bit conversion. In other words one needs to first convert one's 256 colour BMP file into 16 bit colour and then use the conversion facility to create the TGA.

It is also complicated if the BMP contains areas that require transparency that are not the same colour as the bottom left pixel as that's where the BMP - TGA convertor "samples" for transparency. So if you have a BMP file then you must first ensure that all areas that need to be transparent are the same colour as the bottom left pixel (or vice-versa).

Andrew's facility in IL2-MAT works pretty well given the above considerations but you must first take your 256 colour graphic and increase the colour depth to 16 bit and then re-save before using the convertor. You can do this with just about any graphics program including many free ones.

Hope the above helps

Best Regards

ACES

Aces High Sim 123 (123_Aces_Sim123 on Hyperlobby)
E-Mail: aces@acesartwork.co.uk
IL2-MAT and IL2 MAT Manager Program, Artwork, Cockpits, Luftwaffe Pilot Skins, Famous Ace Pilots Skins and Super-detailed aircraft parts for IL-2 Forgotten Battles.
Website http://www.acesartwork.co.uk
Guestbook http://www.leigh-kemp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/guestbook.html
Discussion Forum http://www.leigh-kemp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/zisp/discussion