La-7 and Il2 mod 1944 template?

[Red_Dragon]

Yes, I had that problem too. I had to remove the entire layer associated with the shadows, IIRC.

[Rocket_Knut]

Thank you Dragon. Yes, turning off the layer is a possible workaround. Only, I don´t want to turn off the shadows. I´m looking for a solution. The shadows layer group is set to "Pass Through"-mode and the indidual shadow layer to "Multiply"-mode. I also played with different modes and opacity values, no result. 

[Hanu]

On 4/23/2026 at 6:51 PM, Ringlett said:

I understand, but there has to be some degree of criticism. If only as feedback on the finished product. Today’s push for a hyper-correct approach really isn’t the right way to go.

 

Totally agree

 

Edited April 25 by Hanu
removed duplicate

[JollyJack]

Is this only Gimp related? If not can you maybe just upload the accused layer (or give me the name and location?).

In Photoshop some times i found the relative position of a layer can give weird side effects. 

PS why is this template called La-7s1_template4users.psd? 

Edited April 25 by JollyJack

[Rocket_Knut]

@JollyJack Good question. No idea though, since I use GIMP only.

Tried a quick XIV skin, turned off the colours-, markings- and weathering-group except for a basic grey-layer and the exhaust stains layer. Shadows group is active, modes on Pass through and Multiply. No dedicated Alpha layer, just the one, which is included in the "SpitfireMkXIVe_Templates"-file.

Same is true with the Jak-3 template I started from scratch. Basic grey layer, shadows group to pass through and the individual layers set to multiply.

Looks like, the effect occurs, everywhere there is some sort of a gradient. 

[Inc]

I use photoshop so this problem occurs not only in GIMP

[JollyJack]

Well, i looked at the template a bit more ... very simplified .... where are the days of BlackHellhound, Martin, and Rap .... 

[Rocket_Knut]

12 minutes ago, JollyJack said:

Well, i looked at the template a bit more ... very simplified .... where are the days of BlackHellhound, Martin, and Rap .... 

Thank you @JollyJack. I´m afraid, these days are gone for quite some time now.

Apart from that, the effect is there in my own creation as well. Easy to duplicate: basically two layers, one grey and on top of that a gradient layer. Turn that into a skin, apply in game and you´ll see the effect.

So, my guess is, it is somehow game related. And maybe, the effect has always been there. Only on a camouflage skin, it isn´t that recognizable? Would be nice, if one, who actually knows/understands, how the skins in game work, would comment on this... one of the gamemakers maybe?

[Red_Dragon]

This effect was definitely present on other Yaks, the Yak 9.. I'm not sure about the Yak 1. On the Yak 3, I erased/cleaned most of the layer, leaving only the shapes of the rivets and the like.

Скрытый текст

I left some shadows only on the belly and on the flaps, as the wrong effect is usually not noticeable there.

[Red_Dragon]

It seems to be the AO or AO rivets layer for Yak 3

Edited April 25 by Red_Dragon

[Rocket_Knut]

Thank you @Red_Dragon. The effect doesn´t seem to be related to  the official templates but rather to how the game interacts with the skins . I don´t use the official Jak-3 template. Instead, I´ve had a go at creating my very own template last year. I started with a grey base layer, a clean sheet if you will, building the relevant groups and layers. Later on, working within the shadows group, I ran into this problem. 

Edited April 25 by Rocket_Knut

[Rocket_Knut]

On 4/25/2026 at 2:36 PM, Rocket_Knut said:

"... it is somehow game related..."

Turns out, it isn´t. At least not directly. 

Found out, that the artifacts are caused by the compression, happening when converting from .xcf to .dds format. 

I made a simple test.dds-file and opened it up in GIMP again before even putting it in the skin section of the game.

And guess what: artefacts already there. Damn! And since the game needs the skin files in a certain format and file size, there is nothing, I can do about it.

Played a bit with compression type, but no success, because file size... @Red_Dragon´s approach seems to be the only way. At least I´m out of ideas, unless one of you guys has as light bulb moment...

So, what is the good news then? Well, looks like only colour gradients are affected. Areas filled with a solid colour aren´t, Cheers!

 

[Devil5O5]

Does it happen also if converting a .psd into a .dds?  

[Rocket_Knut]

I´m using GIMP exclusively. No idea, if PS is affected as well. Maybe a Photoshop user can try it out?

[Inc]

6 часов назад, Devil5O5 сказал:

Does it happen also if converting a .psd into a .dds?  

Yes, but i don't know if it is a general problem or i did something wrong

[Rocket_Knut]

@Inc Thank you very much for your feedback.

Looks like everywhere there is a gradient (shadow, weathering,...) the conversion to .dds format produces these artifacts. Even in PS.

[Rocket_Knut]

Update:

Looks like not relying on the built in conversion from .xcf to .dds with GIMP but to use a third party tool instead produces better results.

Depending on the lighting conditions in game, artifacts are still there, but less pronounced.

 

[MDzmitry]

https://forum.il2-series.com/topic/3-official-il-2-sturmovik-great-battles-skin-templates/#findComment-18794

[FAW_Tromplamort]

Just like the La-7 the Il2-M44 template need quite a bit of work in order to make proper skins...

Anyway thanks for providing the template.

For those who have problems with the La-7 template with GIMP. I think it is software related because with photoshop and my DDS plugg-in convertion I dont have any problem. My suggestion would be to search a DDS export plugg-in for GIMP if it exist anywhere.

[Hanu]

Thanks for the IL-2 template!

It is much better than La-7, but yeah, some issues there are. And lot of work to re-order it and add some layers for example prop hub. But still it is a great help.

As a proof I managed to create quick versions in a couple of hours of generic 277 ShAD skins  that were operating in Karelian Isthmus '44. Some prop hubs are still wrong, and variation is needed, but they are already quite usable in my historical missions.