Custom skin packages for scenarios

[oboe]

If this is possible, I'd like to see custom skins put into downloadable packages pertaining to specific scenarios or events.   The package would contain all the skins needed and properly configure the skin selection dropdown list; everybody who DLs the package would see the correct skins on players planes during the event.   The package could be linked to in a MOTD or in the BB postings.

After the event you could reset skins by 'uninstalling' the download package, and your skins would revert back to normal.

Would be kind of cool to have a full set of historically accurate skins down to the squadron level for big events.   Maybe even several different skins per squad.   Would require more planning ahead and coordination with skinners for upcoming events, but it might be really cool for big events.

[Easyscor]

Interesting idea, but make it:

I wish for the ability to create a .res file in the Skin Viewer.

We would really need to be able to create the individual res files in the skin viewer.


I believe it's actually possible now, as I have seen a couple of different versions of a skin I'm working on in the hanger, but it requires the raw source files and that's the problem right now for your scenario. No one is going to create a whole set of high quality skins for an event, and then give away the source files.

Additionally, I would not like to see a package of hastily constructed skins for an event, and quality builders are not going to distribute their source files. As someone who submitted a source file to the old skinning site only to see someone grab it and call it his own, I won't ever release one again. You can suddenly have 3 or 4 cloned versions of your skin running around and it cheapens the one you made. You do have me thinking about the possibility of distributing versions of the weekend wonders I include in terrains, but that has issues I won't go into.

[StokesAk]

Big plus 1 Oboe!

IIRC I heard at one time the default skin could be replaced in the SEA in order to swap it out with another skin to be used for that historical context.

The CMs are the only one who would be able to upload it, so I wouldn't see copy cating or cloning an issue unless they want to loose their job.

[oboe]

Yeah, I like the idea of the CMs being the gatekeepers on their events.  Skinners could submit skins to them and they could judge whether or not the skins are good enough to go into the scenario, and build the skin download package with the skins they choose.   And +1 for bringing up copy protection for the skinner's efforts.  Important point.