Download the DXTBmp tool here. http://fly.to/mwgfx/

This is what I use and I also have a 64 bit system.
Run the program and you can select your editing paint program through it.
What it does is converts DDS to BMP to edit and then you can put it back to DDS when done.

Hey, that's cool!

So I could use the DXT tool, work the skins in Gimp, then put them back into DDS format?

Thanks guys.

Masaq, yeah I tried the 32-bit exec too, but got no joy there either. Not sure what's up with that.

Musicman, that's cool. I'll try the DXTBmp tool. If it works It will be better than having two versions of photoshop taking up space. Thing is - I've sort of got used to CS4 now and quite like it but if CS3 is the only solution for this issue then I might stick with CS3.

Thanks again for the help.

This tool DXTBmp, you can use any photo/paint app you want to. I use PSP pro myself. You can use windows paint if you wanted to. LOL!
Make sure when you save the file back in game as dds, that you save as dds dxt5.

Rgr that Musicman. BTW, 1st class skins of yours. Top stuff, especially that Ernst Udet one

Thanks Rivet!
There is allot of first class skinners out there that are doing way better than me. Most of mine I didn't spend much time on so they're not as good as could be.
I'm going to lay off for awhile. Might do a few Dr1s when I get it. Probly Ricthofens 152/17 but I'm not putting many up unless they're top notch. If they get some more of these bugs fixed with next patch, I can spend time playing instead of painting.

Testing out the Dr1 paint.
Would anyone be interested in this one?
MvR 152/17

Looks really wonderful!

IMHO ... I would tone the red down a little. More transparent, red pigment at the time did not hide under colors so well. So the green streakiness would show thought.

Love the weather effect around the crosses, do the same to the red over the green and the rudder, then you will have it.

I would love her.

The red should be a tad thinner, methinks - the custom paintjobs would be a wash over the doping, and the weight of thick paint would be pretty considerable. A thin wash would be much more likely - the grain of the wood or canvas just showing through is the effect you're looking for, I think.

Ideas noted. Thanks.
It was just a first attempt. The red is actually from the in game MVR 425. What I think I'll do is start with the stock Dr1 and paint/wash over it and see what effect it has. Another thing is I've seen two versions of this kite. One with the fuse red matching the sides and the one I did here with top fuse red up to the back of cockpit.
I'll keep posting pics here keeping you updated till I get it right.
Thanks again for the input.