Throughout this guide you will learn, step by step, how to paint a MTL and submit it to the IVAO MTL Catalog.
This guide only covers how to paint MTLs for FS9, FSX, P3D and MSFS. For X-Plane use X-CSL.
Liveries created for MSFS 2020 will also be compatible for MSFS 2024 - no extra steps are required.
¶ 1. General Rules
- The creation and/or distribution of own MTL packages is strictly prohibited. Any violation of this role can result in removal of the membership of the VA and/or user account from IVAO (copyright violation).
- Only the MTL Team is allowed to ask permission for the use of a livery or model in the MTL Library. You are not allowed to ask permission in name of the MTL Team.
- The repaint must be based on an official paintkit of a MTL model. Liveries which are based on other models are not accepted. A list of paintkits is available here.
- In all circumstances, the MTL team has the right to refuse a submitted livery.
- To make it easier for you and us to submit downloaded liveries from Avsim/FlightSim/Others we requested "general permissions" from painters who have done a lot of liveries, please check the list here and see if you find a livery from one of them first.
¶ 2. Requirements for Real Operators and Airlines
- There is no limit on the maximum number of included liveries but the amount shall be within reasonable limits.
- Liveries that are nearly identical to existing ones will be rejected.
- Liveries of former airlines that ceased operatios are allowed, this includes also other historical liveries.
- No fictional liveries are accepted, the MTL team has the right to request proof of existance for example a picture of the real aircraft.
- All general rules apply.
¶ 3. Requirements for IVAO Virtual Airlines
- The Virtual Airline must be registered as a virtual airline with IVAO, and as such must apply all IVAO Virtual Airline rules
- A virtual airline based on a real airline is not allowed to submit liveries, except those of the real airline (under the real airline ICAO code and without virtual airline modifications).
- A virtual airline based on a real airline which is defunct for at least 5 years, can submit fictional liveries under the real airline with a maximum of 20 liveries
- A virtual airline group not based on a real airline is allowed to submit a maximum of 20 liveries
- The ICAO code of the virtual airline is not allowed to be the same as a real airline.
- All general rules apply.
¶ 4. Requirements for IVAO Creators
- Must be part of the Creator Partnership Program (https://creators.ivao.aero/)
- Must be Diamond Tier (displayed on user profile under HQ Awards)
- Limited to only 1 aircraft variant livery.
¶ 5. Requirements for IVAO Sponsors & Partners
- Must be approved Sponor or Partner by BoG
- Maximum of 10 aircraft liveries allowed
¶ Paintkits download
All paintkits can be found here here.
If you notice a missing paintkit then please let one of the MTL staff know about it. Email mtl-data@ivao.aero
¶ Using the paintkit
- It is highly recommended to use Photoshop since all paintkits are saved as PSD files, however Paint.NET is a free alternative that is able to open PSD files as well as a DDS export option.
- Only edit and submit the pure texture file. Lightmaps or anything else is not needed.
¶ DDS Plugin for Photoshop
All FSX/P3D/MSFS textures are saved in .DDS which is not natively supported by Photoshop and you will need a plugin called Intel Texture Works to be able to export or open your texture under that type of file. You can download it from here. Installation instructions are on the website.
¶ Exporting DDS
- Before export you need to flip the texture vertically. In photoshop select
Image > Image Rotation > Flip Canvas Vertical
- Verify the domensions are
2048x2048px. Any higher resolution will not be accepted. - To export go to
File > Save as a copyand export as a.DDSfile. - Make sure to use the correct file name
- Export as Color and BC1 to keep file size smaller. Alpha/Transparency channel is not required for our models.
¶ Exporting BMP
If you wish livery to be available for FS9 users follow these steps:
- Open the texture with DXTBmp
- Do not flip the texture
- Dimensions need to be
1024x1024px - File > Save as > Extended Bitmap > DXT1 (no alpha)
¶ Preview textures with FS9/FSX/P3D
You can preview textures via ModelConverterX (https://www.scenerydesign.org/modelconverterx/) which is a tool to preview .mdl (FS9 FSX P3D) files.
- Download MCX from here and extract it into it's own folder.
In this example we will use the FAIB A320 CFM model:
- Go to: ..\SimObjects\IVAO_MTL2\IVAO_A320\model.CFM\
- Export the DDS texture into this folder
- Open the .mdl file with ModelConverterX
- Verify the texture is named correctly and loaded.
¶ Preview textures with MSFS
You can preview textures via ModelConverterX (https://www.scenerydesign.org/modelconverterx/) which is a tool to preview .gltf (MSFS) files.
- Download MCX from here and extract it into it's own folder.
In this example we show how to preview A320 textures:
- Go to: ..\Community\IVAO_MTL\SimObjects\Airplanes\IVAO_A320_CFM\model\
- Export the DDS texture into this folder
- Open the .gltf file with ModelConverterX
- Verify the texture is named correctly and loaded.
¶ Submitting Livery
Send an email for each livery and attach the texture files (PNG or DDS) either via zip archive or google drive folder/file hosting services
Include livery details:
- The name of the model: A320 CFM engine with sharklets
- The name of the livery: American Airlines (Retro)
- The name of the airline/operator: American Airlines
- The ICAO code of the airline/operator: AAL
- Author: Jane Doe, janedoe123@email.com
- Your name, email and, VID (even if you are not the author): John Doe, johndoe123@email.com, VID 123456
You will receive an automated response if the email was received.
Please allow us up to 7 days to process it depending on the amount of liveries. You will receive another email once it has been accepted or rejected.
¶ Submitting Model
Send an email and simply state the requested aircraft type you wish to have added as new MTL model. You can check https://mtl.ivao.aero/catalog if the model exists already.
You will receive an automated response if the email was received.
¶ Reasons for Rejections
Similar livery already exists
- Changes such as tailnumber, engine variant or other insignificant changes that are not considered a new livery design.
Temporary themes or decals
- Non-permanent liveries that are only used for events, special occasions, celebrations.
Bad texture quality
- Textures that are deemed too bad in overall compression quality or livery paintjob.
Incorrect texture
- Files that cannot be opened, incorrect type, size, or orientation of texture.
VAs: Livery title should match the livery.
- Example, submitting a pax livery titled "cargo".
VAs: Livery limit
- Maximum of 20 livery variations per overarching VA group.
- For example: ABC Airlines, ABC Airlines Express, ABC Airlines Cargo would all count as a single VA Group and have a total limit of 20 MTLs regardless if these are listed as seperate VAs in the IVAO database.
¶ Questions and Requests
- MTL team will NOT create repaints for you, this is not our job. We only maintain the MTL library.
- For questions feel free to contact the team on mtl-data@ivao.aero