In this tutorial we will create our base skin, it will be ground for future projects

First we need some image editor, something more powerfull than MS Paint ;)
We'll use GIMP, it is as good as Photoshop, and it has one big quality. It's free :)
GIMP home page

We also need S1 Skin Viewer. You can find it in download section, remember to unzip to Your LFS directory

Ok, now we're ready to start.

Step 1 - Preparing project

1.1
Start GIMP, open "XRTURBO.jpg" image. You will find it in LFS\DATA\SKINS directory

1.2
For better quality we have to resize it
Click menu Image -> Scale Image. Set width and height to 1024 pixels

1.3
Open "Navigation" dialog. Popup menu ( rightClick on image ) -> Dialogues -> Navigation
Zoom image and remove GT logo from sides, and hood "grooves"

Use "Smudge" tool to smooth image

1.4
Save file as "XR_GT_BASE.xcf". Note that we save GIMP xcf file instaid of jpg file

Step 2 - Creating body mask

"Body Mask" will be our "help" layer. We will use it for selecting particular car parts

2.1
Open "Layers" dialog. Popup menu ( rightClick on image ) -> Dialogues -> Layers, or Ctrl+L
Also open "Colours" dialog

2.2
Add new layer, name it "Body Mask"
Set its Opacity to 60%

2.3
Use "Navigation" dialog to zoom image, select "Pencil" with red color and draw shape of each part of the car

Note, that we create mask only for one side of the car
Of course You can make mask for both sides, but it will be easier to just copy bitmap with mirror mode

Important thing!
Particular car parts can't create continuos area. Take care to leave empty space between them

Step 3 - Creating body "3D" effect

LFS S1 is kind an old game, its rendering engine is a bit worse than present games ;)
We can help it a bit by applying "3D" effect

3.1
Add new layer, name it "Body 3D"

3.2
Active "Body Mask" layer ( select it on layers list )

3.3
Use Select "Contiguous Regions" tool to select car side

3.4
Open "Gradients" dialog, select "FG To Transparent"

3.5
Active "Body 3D" layer
Turn off "Body Mask" layer ( eye icon on layers list )

3.6
Use "Gradient" tool, put gradient on bottom side

3.6
Put gradient on top side

3.7
Make rectangular selection over car side
Copy selection ( CTRL + C )
Add new layer, paste image ( CTRL + V )
Apply mirror effect. Menu Layer -> Transform -> Flip Horizontally

3.8
Use "Move" tool to place image
Merge "New Layer" with "Body 3D" layer ( "Layers" dialog, right click on "New Layer" -> Merge Down )

3.9
Add new gradient ( "Gradients" dialog )
Set "Left Endpoint's Colour" to black, same with "Right Endpoint's Colour"

Apply "Split Segments at Midpoints"
Select left segment, set "Right Endpoint's Colour" alfa to 50%

Select right segment, set "Left Endpoint's Colour" alfa to 50%

3.10
Active "Body Mask" layer, select roof

3.11
Add new layer
Zoom image to view roof and apply gradient

3.12
Now it's time to use "LFS Skin viewer"
Save Your project as jpg file
Run "Skin Viewer", set CMX to turbo, and load Your skin

As You can see roof doesnt fit car side, it's to dark

3.13
Get back to GIMP, and change "New Layer" opacity ( about 45% should work )
Save project as jpg, switch to Skin Viewer, and click "Reload"
Repeat until colors fit

3.14
When You're done, merge "New Layer" with "Body 3D" layer

3.15
Repeat steps 10-14 with other car parts

3.16
Ready? :)
Our 3D effect is to strong, so change "Body 3D" opacity
Set any value You like, i did 70%

Ok, we're done, our base skin is ready :)
Save project as xcf file ( jpg's dont have layers information )

Download project