Добавлю обновленную версию "Step by step" guide to the "Basic Template" для начинающих.

Hope this will help someone:
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"Step by step" guide to the "Basic Template"

First: Install “Remove White” filter, which Burnin_777_AVG made available for us here:
http://777AVG.com/downloads/removewhitetool.zip

You will need to close Photoshop, unzip files into
“C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop 7.0\Plug-Ins\Filters” (or whatever directory you have Photoshop installed). Both filters show up under the Filters button=>Mac’s in Photoshop 7.0.

1. Open VOID.bmp, Select ALL (Ctrl+A), close VOID.bmp, don’t save.

2. File => New (1024x1024 pixels, RGB)=>Paste (Ctrl+V), save as %Your_New_Template_Name%.psd;

3. On “Layers” window right click on “Layer1” => Duplicate Layer => give new layer name “Details1” (for our example);

4. Using “Polygonal Lasso Tool” carefully select all details like tires, cockpit, structural elements, anything you would not want ever to be changed => Edit => Copy as new topmost layer. Right Click => Layer Properties => Give new layer name “Unchangeable” (for our example); This layer stay on top and will not change when we manipulate graphics or colors on all the layers below.

5. Optional: copy of one of the existing colored IL-2 skins on top of the bottommost “Layer1” layer – this will help in painting your own colors and can be turned ON or OFF as desired.

6. THIS IS IT:
On the “Details1” layer from step#3
(if background of the VOID was gray like P-39 or P-40 in FB or all the skins in original IL-2 Sturmovik – You need additional step first: Image => Adjust => Auto Levels)

Then do: FILTERS => Mac’s => Remove White.

This is the Layer with all of your Panel Lines and Rivets (you can do “Multiply” or “Burn In”, etc, change opacity later to achieve the desired effect at the end).

7. On existing skin, using “Polygonal Lasso Tool”, carefully select top portion of the plane => right click => Save Selection => Channel => New Channel. You can make separate Alfa Channels for top, right, left parts of the fuselage, wings, elevators and stabilizer. Give them descriptive names, like “Fuselage Top” or “Left Wing”, etc.
This will help you painting all those surfaces later.

8. Create 2-3 (or as many as needed) blank layers just under “Details1” layer. Those are layers were you paint you camo patterns, markings. Name lowest of those layers - “Bottom” (for this example), pick desired color for the bottom of your plane and using big “Brush” or “Pain Bucket Tool” paint whole layer with this color. You can turn it on and off to see the sample skin or VOID below it, to help you paint layers on the top of it.
Name the layer above it – “Top1” (for this example), Go to “Select” => Load Selection => Cannel => Select “Top” (the layer you saved in step #7) and start painting the top of your plane to your liking.

9. Add layers for “Navlights”, “Prop”, “Wear” or “Dirt” ON THE TOP of “Details 1” .

10. When finish painting, SAVE YOUR TEMPLATE AS *.PSD FIRST.

11. To have the new skin usable for the game, do:
Image => Mode => Index Color => On the question “Merge Layers?” answer “Yes” => Palette Exact (default) => OK.
Now Save your new skin AS Windows 8-bit BMP in the correct IL-2 plane folder.

You are done, just make sure NOT TO SAVE YOUR merged template as .PSD – you will loose all you work.
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Удачи!