Basic GIMP tutorial for designing Iracing paint schemes.

This is a basic overview of how to use GIMP for designing and painting Iracing paint schemes. With this video you should be able to use the basic skills required to design, paint ,upload, and race a paint scheme created by yourself in the Iracing Motorsport simulation.
-If you liked the video give it as like! helps me know if this kind of content is desired.
-Subscribe to keep up with Thx4tryingTV and Thx4trying Esports for the next Iracing season. Thursdays at 9 PM live streams on the NASCAR Iracing Series starting February 11th!

[@Gary-si8lr]

This video helped me so much, I was becoming very frustrated with GIMP. You sir are a king among men, lol.

[@mattstewart6663]

I've tried a lot of GIMP tutorials. This is by far the best, easiest one to follow along with for us technically challenged people! Thank you! When can we expect another one?? I'm ready for the next steps!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Going to try for this weekend! I've been working on trying to get it out for this weekend. Thank you for the feedback it's much appreciated and I'm glad you enjoyed the tutorial!

[@Redhottopic1]

Fantastic tutorial

[@iang265]

Great tutorial, so clear and succinct I could absorb all the info at 1.5x speed. Great work!

[@TheZbierman]

This is the first GIMP tutorial I have searched for (to use for iRacing) and it covered ALL the bases. I looked for this info for 6 hours last night and it's exactly what I needed. Excellent call. Thanks!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Thank you my friend! I'm glad that you enjoyed the video and happy editing!

[@Jamie-ny7xz]

I never thought that I'd be able to do something like this but you made it so easy to follow. I just uploaded my first paint and I love it. Thank you!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

I'm really happy it helped! I really appreciate the feedback and checking the video out. Happy painting!

[@Syd-un1xr]

Absolutely what I’ve been looking for in a Gimp tutorial, very well explained and defined. Looking forward to your next video. Thanks for uploading!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it and checked out the channel. Means alot. 🏁👍

[@Syd-un1xr]

Absolutely exactly what I’ve been looking for in a Gimp tutorial. Very well explained and defined. This helped me a lot, thanks for uploading!

[@insidethreewide7133]

Dude, by far, the absolute best tutorial I have seen. Watched a few already, but none were as descriptive as this. I mastered PAINT back in Windows 95 but haven't used it since. With this video and knocking the dust off this old brain I just might be able to pull it off! Now on to find more of your tutorials! Thank you so much!!! Liked and subbed. Update: There were none but thats ok. I clicked the bell just in case you do. 😐

[@SlimJJF]

Wish I had found this video a long time ago. The best gimp tutorial I've seen by a long way, especially for beginners. Thanks man!!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Thank YOU for checking out the channel. Really appreciate your support and glad you found the tutorial helpful 👍

[@ehsorb4534]

woah this is ridiculously well done, appreciate it being so specific and noob friendly

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Thank you my friend! I'm glad you enjoyed the tutorial and thank you for the positive feedback. If you have any questions please let me know and I'll be sure to help you out!

[@timwood6661]

Brother, great tutorial! Im new to iRacing and dont know much...this made it super easy! GG's

[@dhollis26]

Buddy you were born to be an educator of some sorts

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Thanks man! I try to be as helpful and clear as possible. It really means alot and thanks for checking out my video and the channel. If you have any questions on anything feel free to shoot me a message or comment.

[@Sandman_3279]

Thanks man! Keep doing what you do! You explained it very well! I was already familiar with gimp but not making iRacing paints and I learned a few things, awesome job!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Thanks for the feedback my friend! Glad it could help you out and really appreciate you checking out the channel. 🤙

[@briancalibergbmd]

awesome tutorial!! I have now done 4 schemes now and can't stop making them LOL. This was huge help!!!!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

That means a ton my friend! I'm glad I could help you out in whatever way I did and hopefully I'll see some.of those schemes on track! 🏁🤙

[@tonyiverson5613]

Thank you so much for this! I was able to design my new paint by myself. Thank you!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Glad it helped Tony! Thank you for checking out the channel and the video. Your support goes a long way!

[@cknight814]

Thank you so much for these videos, super easy to understand and follow along. I tried to take the “big picture” of gimp in and was quickly overwhelmed, but your videos made it so easy though!

[@danspa85]

FANTASTIC VIDEO! Thank you so much for this. Absolutely fantastic! It helped a lot. Please keep doing more pf this...

[@Thx4tryingTV]

You got it 👍 thanks for checking the video out! Means alot and if you have any requests let me know.

[@DreamstoRealityAutomotiveTV]

Great video man!!! I use gimp for my KZbin channel but struggle, I learned so much more just by watching this. Thanks!!

[@vististaalgaard2421]

Hey man, i just used your video. It still works and are a great help for starters! Thank you so much!

[@ReavusRacing]

Fantastic guide/overview. Wish I had watched this before struggling through trying to make some ACC liveries.

[@deronshank75]

Bro, u r genius. This video was the best video I ever watched on you tube for a how too video. You would make a super special teacher. The way you explained things in detail. I just wanted to give u a big huge Thank You because I know how much work goes into making one of these types of videos. Alot of preparation goes into making these time consuming videos and we notice it. Good job Im looking forward to the advanced video. Ur basics video was like a episode of Howard Stern, u couldnt turn it off in fear of what youd miss next haha. Good stuff man keep up the new work. Is there any videos newer then the first basics and #2 of advanced ?

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Deron thank you so much for your appreciation. It's been really awesome to see this video help others, which makes all the time spent making it worth it. Right now there's only basics and advanced. Having very limited time the last little while has made video making difficult but I plan on making an updated video if new features come to gimp. Thank you again, and happy painting!

[@KrazyKrws]

This is a really great tutorial and I'd love to see more. Thanks for the content and direction.

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Thank you for the feedback! I'm glad it was something that helped you out, there is a second part on the channel as well.

[@kennethvranken9460]

Just watched the video. Helps alot, was struggling with rotating things. Plz do an advanced video. I want to use gradient in my paint.

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Thank you man! Appreciate you. I'm currently working on the next video for more advanced stuff so stay tuned! Should be coming out soon

[@mattyost4080]

This helped so much, I'll be searching and hoping for more in depth tutorials

[@metzgerov]

Best beginner video I have found

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Thank you my friend, tried to make it easy so everyone can understand and make a paint scheme from their own vision. I really appreciate you checking out the video!

[@hughwesleysyme6876]

Still one of the best tutorials i've ever seen. I have had this playing Both times ive decided to make some kind of Livery. thank you again. However why to turn the mask off i found: If you happen to have the wire one selected it will infact show up in iracing lol its kinda funny to see

[@Thx4tryingTV]

So funny you say that, if you're ever having a hard time lining things up, I've turned on the wire on an all black car and you can see what lines connect where. Thank you for checking out the tutorial and I'm glad it helped you!

[@250R1983lover]

Ahhh the number blocks, right where they should be

[@Thx4tryingTV]

When I first started I didnt even look at the number blocks and I had alot of difficulty 😂 sponsors in the way especially the roof one and colors that matched my numbers so they were like invisible. It was bad.

[@Doom_Head621]

you made that so simple, much appreciated!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Thank you John! I'm glad that it helped you. Really appreciate your feedback and checking out the channel.

[@Gar136]

Very informative and detailed explaination, thank you!

[@WolfsbaneXI]

Solid tutorial!

[@jescolman4793]

Clear and concise, thank you!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@1984kylea]

Great tutorial thanks.

[@marshallstrong7854]

I made my first car last night thx to your video I can't fig out the spec maps to save my life tho looking fwd to seeing that next video I subbed to ya buddy so I can get notified

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Video will be out tonight! Thanks for the sub it means a ton and I'm glad you were able to create a scheme!

[@marshallstrong7854]

@@Thx4tryingTV I am looking fwd to it man I play some fortnite too seen it on the channel

[@TheShadowofKaos]

Great video and incredibly helpful with how detailed you are! How did you get it so when you download the template it has all those layers in the paintable area? Whenever I download, it just has pitbox, maybe one other item and then all of the iracing patterns. Thanks again!

[@duncan_idaho]

Fantastic video! Thank you for this

[@guerillaboyzz8781]

Best tutorial, you are amazing!

[@hutchinsonmotorsports]

Nice video buddy

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Thank you my friend!

[@gregmerryman7939]

Would like to see a more in depth video. Mostly on getting logo's online and transferring to the car. Thank for the tutorial.

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll defintely make another one going more in depth with more elegant paint schemes and transferring logos from an outside source onto the car.

[@dallasaggie1004]

Thank you for this!!!!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

You are welcome! And questions feel free to ask. Thank you for checking out the video and my channel! 👍

[@godseq3139]

Thank you a lot man!!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

You're welcome! Glad I could show you any tricks you might have found useful

[@AfraidRacer]

Thanks a lot, that was awesome!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Glad you enjoyed the tutorial! Hope all is well, and thank you for checking out the channel.

[@Redhottopic1]

Are you able to do a ams2 template tutorial 😊

[@mattstewart6663]

Lets say you wanted the Cup Series logo but it wasnt a black car....how do you easily get the outline around the letters to disapear?

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Hey Matt, it's going to be a little trial and error to get the outline gone by adjusting the threshold in the magic wand tool. Alot of times to get a really crisp edge I personally use the free select tool to trim out what I dont want.

[@johndoeswork]

This is very helpful but the problem I have is I don’t race, so I don’t have iRacing or an account with them. Is there a program to wrap my paint schemes around to see what they’ll look like to check my progress other than iRacing’s UI thing? Hope that makes sense, any help would be appreciated I’m trying to paint a car for my son

[@Thx4tryingTV]

So I'm not familiar with any program that you can use but that's not saying there isn't one. What I would try is research something called car render scenes for iracing.

[@xDANNYTHEBLADEx]

Love the video I learned so much but my car isn't showing up in iracing I don't know what I'm doing wrong

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Make sure that you are saving the file as a .tga file. Trading paints only accepts .tga files. Also be sure that you are adding it to the correct category, for a sim stamped number if you accidentally put it as a custom number it will not show up.

[@HizenHerz24]

Ok so what am I possibly doing wrong? I added a layer to add a design on the car, used the free select tool, and then tried to paint it the color I want, and it literally does nothing? The new layer is above the base layer, and I didn't use any base iracing patterns or anything. Not sure what is wrong?

[@mobilechikane8574]

I get a "cannot modify the pixels of layer groups" everytime I get to the actual painting bit.

[@tomlathrop4094]

I thought there was a specific format for the car paint file which includes your iracing member number

[@edwardmossowjr9556]

Awesome tutorial! Looking to edit or create a custom number, any tips??

[@Thx4tryingTV]

I'm glad you said something about that, I've been looking for more things to include in my in depth tutorial so I will be sure to include that. Thank you for checking out the video! Means alot.

[@marshallstrong7854]

When we look at r paint on my content is their anyway to not see the sim stamped number

[@JimbagJimster94]

When checking work looking at the model the trading paints paint scheme doesnt show up, just the standard iracing schemes

[@Thx4tryingTV]

So this could be a couple things. One is trading paints is not running correctly which I have had happen. With the car viewer open, close out the trading paints program. And restart it from the start menu. Another thing is be sure you're exporting as a .tga file. Any other file type will not show up in iracing. Hope this helps.

[@250R1983lover]

Subbed

[@RedEagleNZ1]

Hello. please create Timberwolf or Nesquik car paint scheme from Busch series. No one has created them yet.

[@Thx4tryingTV]

This may be a good project I might look into. I've never created a scheme modeled after a real car so it might be a fun project. Thanks for the idea!

[@cbbcbb6803]

Good tutorial. One issue. I don't like the dark theme mode. It forces us to fumble around in the dark.

[@eboz3213]

By the time you read this I might have it figured but my page from where you said click on car just before the 5min mark is completely different from what my page looks like so I’m lost.

[@Thx4tryingTV]

So do you mean where the iracing basic paint layers can be selected?

[@eboz3213]

@@Thx4tryingTV no from where select your car. In my content. But idk if downloaded the Gimp thing correct I see it in my document. But my screen isn’t gray like your with the Gimp. Paint “booth” thing idk. I pretty stupid with computer stuff. So i stopped before I get myself in trouble.lol

[@marshallstrong7854]

Do u kno how to drag an image over a car n cover it all like 2048x2048

[@paulyoung3367]

Great video! Wondering how to change the color of the wire?

[@Thx4tryingTV]

You can pick the "alpha to selection" tab when right clicking that wire layer. It should highlight the wire frame and you can color it to an off color from your base.

[@paulyoung3367]

@@Thx4tryingTV Perfect, thanks!

[@allie8645]

Good Toot \O/

[@Mgeorge_5]

Iv actually been painting for a while. But the ONLY thing I struggle with is making a camo scheme..idk y. I want to do my own bass pro shops car but idk how to work with camo, I feel like I'm missing something very simple.

[@StudioDaVeed]

I have the basics. But Where do I find the Pit Box Tool Box to paint? Thanks!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Pit box colors are usually found in the bottom left corner. They ate defaulted as red and green tiny boxes

[@StudioDaVeed]

@@Thx4tryingTV Whoomp there it is! Thank you!

[@FinalWX13]

ty

[@Covenant-Matters]

Okay but I made my own decal and I need to put it on the front of my hood how do you do that

[@Thx4tryingTV]

The best way to do this is to turn on the wire frame, this will show the contour of the car. Import the logo as you would any other picture, crop out unwanted parts (if there are any) and place the logo on the hood section of the car using the wire frame as a guide.

[@Covenant-Matters]

Well I only want one thing on the front of the hood and other stuff done to the car would it be OK if I paid you $25 to make one that I wanted to create

[@TheNWCowboy1]

How do you change the colors in the default paint patterns from that red, blue, and green??? Need to know! Haha

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Haha good question so the reason they are red, blue and green is so they contrast eachother alot. Find the layer you want to change, and use the magic wand set at about half threshold to select each area. Then just pick the color you want in the brush tool and paint it up!

[@narsclroracingleague]

i am using ncs23 temps for roracing how do u get stuff under the car?

[@Fathead758]

I've selected paints to race but can't c them in iracing paint shop will they not show up until I race them?

[@Thx4tryingTV]

So I have this problem when in the car viewer, sometimes I have to start trading paints for it to show up even though it's running in the background. As long as you have trading paints installed, and the paints selected on trading paints and you can see it in the preview you should be all set. Try this. When in the car viewer if the paint isn't showing go to your start menu and type trading paints and run it.

[@Fathead758]

@@Thx4tryingTV thanks I'll try that

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Hey man just checking in to see if you got your issue resolved.

[@Fathead758]

@@Thx4tryingTV yeah it says they won't show up in paint shop only in race

[@michaeldeitch3642]

25:46 I’m painting an Xfinity car but it’s saying I can’t paint on layer groups. How can this be fixed?

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Are you trying to paint one of the patterns from iracing? If so you need to ensure you're on the correct layer inside the layer group. Think of it this way, the layer group, has the layers inside it in the case the patterns. You can't paint over all the groups but instead need to ensure your painting on the specific layer or pattern you desire. If you're trying to paint the base make sure you're on the base.

[@michaeldeitch3642]

Ohhhhhh I got it now thanks!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

@@michaeldeitch3642 no problem! Hope you have an awesome day and thanks for checking out the video!

[@platy1740]

Hey excellent video, just a question. Once my tga file uploaded in trading paints I try to open Iracing but can't fint it :/ Every liveries available are the ones from the game but not mine. What should I do? Thanks!

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Hey bud! Thanks for checking out the channel. So what I'm gonna want you to do is ensure you have trading paints downloaded and running. Sometimes you may have to restart trading paints to get it to show.

[@platy1740]

@@Thx4tryingTV Thank you for you response, unfortunately I tried to reinstall it, I made sure it was running, I even chose someone else's livery (in case I had fucked up something) but still showing the basic livery of the game... I don't know what could cause this

[@Thx4tryingTV]

@@platy1740 hmm. Let me ask you this. Are you using trading paints pro?

[@platy1740]

@@Thx4tryingTV nope

[@hi_im_sota]

@@platy1740 i know im late to the party but have you clicked race this paint in trading paints? if not that should fix the issue if you havent already found a solution in the last year lmao

[@cfiskustrucking]

Can you view your painted car before you upload it to iracing

[@infinitelystoned5812]

Id put middle fingers on the roof and hoodflaps so if i get turned, i can express myself

[@ignatiusnoirant8174]

I just wanna put my surname across the front of my wing on my 305 sprintcar. Dunno how though.

[@Thx4tryingTV]

So what you should do is upload a paint that you have the wire mesh layer on so then you can look and where everything lines up. Then go back find that location you want your name on the gimp file take the wire mesh off and you should be good to go

[@ignatiusnoirant8174]

@@Thx4tryingTV Thanx for the reply. Sounds beyond my computer knowledge and ability. I'll have a go though. Cheers🏁

[@Thx4tryingTV]

@@ignatiusnoirant8174 Give it a try! And if you need more help feel free to reach out and I'll do my best to help you out. Sometimes trial and error on paints is the best thing. Upload one, see how it looks, move it. Upload it again until you get the result you want.

[@ignatiusnoirant8174]

@@Thx4tryingTV I will. Cheers again. 👍

[@EpicGamer-kj1tj]

Gimp crashes whenever i try and open the template

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Make sure you are running the latest version of GIMP and when you open the template make sure that it's an .xcf file.

[@skittlecar1]

Is there any way to do the magic wand like photoshop?

[@Thx4tryingTV]

The magic wand will function like the one in photoshop. If you're not seeing the tool in your toolbox, go to the top of the gimp program where it says "tools" then go to selection tools and you'll see the magic wand in there. Looks exactly the way you'd think with a line and a star. Then you can use it to do selections, and adjust the threshold to what you need it to.

[@AntiGenZandY]

I cant paint or do anything, just has a cancel circle over everything, wtf

[@veeker48]

29:53 whenever i try to bucket fill a selected area it won't do it and says "cannot modify the pixels of layer groups" and/or "the layer is not visible" when i have every single layer visible... do you know what's wrong?

[@Thx4tryingTV]

One of the most important things is to ensure you are A working in the layer you want to and the layer is selected. And B that you don't have a layer that you only have a portion if selected. Also make sure you're not on a layer group, but rather the specific layer inside that grouping.

[@veeker48]

@@Thx4tryingTV appreciate it. this is quite the process to figure out lmao

[@Thx4tryingTV]

@@veeker48 Trust me it took me a while to figure out the little things to make things easier. When I first started I was ready to throw the monitor out a window lmao

[@NascarmanYT]

The file keeps downloading as a zip file. Do i need an extractor for the psd file?

[@Thx4tryingTV]

If you're using GIMP simply change the extension to .tga this should fix you're issue you are describing. Gimp will export whatever file extension you have.

[@Taylormitchellracing314]

how do unlock the rotate?

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Most rotate issues stem from the layer you want either A. Not being selected which would mean you're not on the layer you're trying to rotate. or B. The layer not being locked. In the right hand column if it says "floating transformation" make sure you use the movement tool to lock it, which would appear as an anchor and this is done by putting the cursor just outside the layer zone and clicking.

[@Taylormitchellracing314]

@@Thx4tryingTV thank you

[@FabianWinkler]

The tutorial is really good. But not renaming the new layers is a really bad habit

[@TheNWCowboy1]

How you change the color on the pattern layer? Gives me an error telling me I cannot modify the pixels of layer groups? Give me the link if theres a video you did? Help? Lol

[@Thx4tryingTV]

It's very important to make sure you're actually on that specific layer in the group. The way it's broken down is the layer group contains all the patterns. You then have to make sure you have the pattern you want selected. You'll get that error if you still have the group selected and not the specific pattern you want if that makes sense.

[@bennyltd78]

How do I insert my own sponsor please

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Hey BPM sorry for the late response, you may have figured it out by now. Easiest way is to find your sponsor logo, and save it to a folder where you save all the resources for a specific project (to find it easier) open that up in gimp, and the car template. You can now drag the logo layer over to the car and it will insert the logo layer ontop of it. Hope this helps.

[@scottboom5091]

Whenever I flip the stripe it flips the whole picture? What am I doing wrong?

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Make sure that you have just the stripe layer selected. If you are still on your base layer it will flip the whole thing.

[@scottboom5091]

@@Thx4tryingTV yeah I make sure I do...idk guess I’ll just try to match it.

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Make sure you "select none" when on the stripe layer.

[@scottboom5091]

@@Thx4tryingTV what do you mean by that?

[@noahmadler7300]

when i try and paint it says “cannot modify the pixels of layer groups” does anyone know why it’s saying this?

[@Thx4tryingTV]

What part are you trying to paint?

[@noahmadler7300]

@@Thx4tryingTV i’m doing a legend car. the fenders

[@Thx4tryingTV]

@@noahmadler7300 make sure that you are on the correct layer when trying to draw and make a design. I know sometimes if you accidentally have a layer selected it'll give you that error. Make sure I'd you're doing the base you expand the layer group to see all the layers it contains using the little plus sign on the layer group.

[@noahmadler7300]

@@Thx4tryingTV ok i got on the right layer now. but now it’s not letting me paint🤦‍♂️

[@Thx4tryingTV]

@@noahmadler7300 when you're on the base, make sure you have the whole base layer selected. I think it's under edit, select none. Then you should be able to paint on the base layer.

[@AAA-yu1eo]

It won't let me upload it keeps asking what I want to open it with

[@AAA-yu1eo]

Nothings working

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Where are you trying to upload it? Make sure that the extension at the end of the file name is the desired format. For and Iracing pain scheme it should be example.tga

[@AAA-yu1eo]

@@Thx4tryingTV I'm trying to upload it to trading paints but it ask me how do you want to open this tga file

[@Thx4tryingTV]

@@AAA-yu1eo so on trading paints you should just be able to browse your computer for the file. You have to make sure you exported the paint scheme as a TGA file that's the only type of file that works with trading paints.

[@AAA-yu1eo]

@@Thx4tryingTV Thank you this video was really great i got it to work it had to be uppercase letters

[@marshallstrong7854]

How do I save the file to open it in trading paints

[@Thx4tryingTV]

Same steps as the first tutorial. File, export as, change the last 3 letters to ".tga" and upload that file to trading paints.

[@marshallstrong7854]

@@Thx4tryingTV it's only letting me save as xcf so I must b missing something do u gotta use car_000000.tga

[@Thx4tryingTV]

No no it's not "save as" a little further down it says "export as" that's the one you click on

[@marshallstrong7854]

@@Thx4tryingTV so I painted a car I wanna send to a friend how do I save that so I can send it to him so he can upload is why I'm asking I got it fig out how to export to my cars in trading paints n I can save as xcf then export to my cars but how do I save his n send it

[@marshallstrong7854]

Thx for ur help also