Learn which GIMP file formats work for FSX aircraft repaints: XCF for editing, DDS or BMP for the sim, with alpha, compression and mipmap settings.
For FSX and FSX: Steam Edition aircraft repaints, use GIMP’s .xcf format as the editable master, then export the finished texture in the format already used by the aircraft—usually .dds, sometimes .bmp. PNG or TGA are useful interchange files, but they are not normal final FSX textures; avoid JPEG and GIF.
Which format should I use at each repaint stage?
The right format changes between editing and delivery: XCF protects the layered artwork, while DDS or BMP is what FSX loads.
| Stage | Recommended format | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Editable master | .xcf | Keeps GIMP layers, masks, guides, text and alpha channels intact. |
| Paint-kit source | .xcf, .psd, .bmp, .png or .tga | Use whatever the author supplies. Check imported PSD layers because some Photoshop effects may render differently in GIMP. |
| Lossless hand-off | .tga or .png | Useful when a separate FSX texture converter must create the final file. Preserve the alpha channel. |
| Finished FSX texture | .dds or FSX-compatible .bmp | Must match the aircraft’s expected filename, dimensions, orientation and texture type. |
Our Saab 340B paint-kit package with XCF source artwork is a practical example of keeping the editable file separate from exported texture formats. FSX cannot read an XCF file placed in an aircraft’s texture folder.
Should I export an FSX repaint as DDS or BMP?
Export each finished sheet in the same format, dimensions and base filename as the texture it replaces. If the original is DDS, use DDS; if it is BMP, retain a compatible BMP unless the aircraft’s documentation specifically says otherwise.
- DDS: The normal choice for FSX-native aircraft. It supports compression, alpha channels and mipmaps while keeping file sizes manageable.
- BMP: Common in older or converted aircraft. Some FSX-era files are extended or compressed bitmaps that a generic GIMP BMP export may not reproduce correctly.
Changing an extension from .png to .dds or .bmp does not convert the image. If your GIMP installation cannot export suitable DDS files, save a lossless 32-bit TGA or PNG and convert that copy with an FSX-capable texture tool, such as ImageTool from the FSX SDK where available.
You can see the usual final-delivery structure in this completed FSX texture update supplied as DDS files. One aircraft package can contain several texture types, so treat each mapped sheet separately rather than converting everything to one format.
Which DDS compression setting should I choose?
Choose DDS compression according to the alpha channel the texture needs, but preserve the original setting whenever possible. Depending on the exporter, the same formats may be labelled DXT or BC.
| DDS setting | Use it when |
|---|---|
| DXT1 / BC1 | The texture has no alpha channel or needs only simple one-bit transparency. It produces the smallest files. |
| DXT3 / BC2 | The original uses DXT3 or requires relatively sharp alpha transitions. Retain it for legacy textures unless there is a clear reason to change. |
| DXT5 / BC3 | The alpha channel contains smooth gradients controlling transparency, reflections or another material property. |
| Uncompressed DDS | The original is uncompressed and preserving detail outweighs the larger file size. |
Generate mipmaps for ordinary exterior livery textures unless the original or paint-kit instructions say not to. Missing mipmaps often produce shimmering at a distance, while repeatedly opening and recompressing a DDS file introduces block artefacts. Paint in XCF and make the compressed export only when required.
Do not discard an alpha channel merely because the visible colour layer looks opaque. FSX aircraft models may use that channel for transparency or reflectivity. Bump and specular sheets can also pack specialised data into their colour or alpha channels; leave files such as _bump and _spec alone unless the repaint genuinely requires changes to them.
A reliable GIMP-to-FSX repaint workflow
The safest workflow preserves the original texture specification and keeps one lossless master for later corrections.
- Back up the aircraft: Copy the original texture folder before changing anything.
- Inspect the original: Record its extension, exact filename, pixel dimensions, alpha channel and, where your tool reports them, compression and mipmap settings.
- Create the master: Open the paint kit in GIMP and save it as XCF. Keep markings, weathering, panel lines and colour layers separate.
- Preserve the layout: Do not resize, crop or move the mapped parts of the texture sheet. Make sure the alpha channel remains intact.
- Export once: Produce a copy with the original filename and the required DDS or BMP settings. Do not overwrite the XCF master with a flattened file.
- Install the livery: Put the finished files in a separate
texture.Namefolder and register the repaint inaircraft.cfg. Our complete repaint placement and aircraft.cfg procedure covers that stage without risking the original livery.
Why is my exported repaint white, transparent or upside down?
A white, transparent or inverted repaint usually points to an export mismatch rather than a problem with the painted artwork.
- White or missing texture: Check the exact filename, extension, encoding and folder. An XCF, PNG or ordinary incompatible BMP in the texture folder will not substitute for the DDS or FSX bitmap requested by the model.
- Transparent or excessively reflective aircraft: Restore the original alpha channel and export with a format that supports it. Our checklist for diagnosing transparent FSX aircraft textures explains the material and alpha-related causes.
- Texture displayed upside down: FSX DDS files commonly use a different vertical orientation from BMP artwork. Some exporters handle the flip automatically and others do not, so compare against the original before flipping the image once.
- Blocky edges or damaged gradients: Return to the XCF master and export again using the correct compression. DXT1 is unsuitable for a smooth alpha gradient, and repeated DDS recompression compounds the damage.
- Livery absent from the aircraft menu: This is normally an aircraft.cfg entry, texture-folder suffix or model-compatibility problem, not a GIMP file-format problem.