Custom liveries are very popular in sim racing, but there are many different types - and countless designs. We want to know: What are you looking for in a custom livery for your virtual race car?
Header image: Vaillante McLaren 720S Evo for ACC by @Whalenap
Sometimes, stock liveries just are not enough and real-world designs have lost their charm. Of course, there are timeless classics that have appeared on real cars that will likely never get old, but having something different adorning your vehicle can make it feel that much more special.
For some, built-in livery editors like in Assetto Corsa Competizione are enough. A few basic color slots, a few patterns and materials to choose from, no real sponsor decals save for a few pre-defined ones - this can look cool, but is relatively limited when it comes to a full livery.
Other titles like EA Sports WRC sport much more intricate systems, though those tend to take quite some time to fiddle around with to reach an acceptable result. All-custom liveries can be created via templates using programs like Photoshop for almost any title, opening the door to anything you could imagine.
This Shell livery never appeared on an actual Sauber-Mercedes C9 - it looks like it could have, though. Image credit: @SebastiaanW33
Real-life liveries from the past or other cars, fictional liveries, custom team designs, humorous alternatives - the creator's imagination is the limit. But what type of livery are you usually looking for?
A real-life livery that is not included for the same car in a certain title? A historic scheme brought back, maybe even for an entirely different type of car? Your own team's design that would not look out of place on a real car? Something absurd or humorous like "plz dont punt I'm slow " written on your rear wing? The options are almost endless.
Just for Assetto Corsa, over 18.000 skins have been uploaded to RaceDepartment. In Trading Paints, a bespoke third-party application dedicated to custom liveries and making them work has found tremendous popularity over the years. Thousands of skins for Assetto Corsa Competizione and rFactor 2, as well as hundreds for Automobilista 2 here on RD clearly show the enormous demand.
The design of 1970s F1 team Hesketh on a 1980s Group C Porsche 962C? Not exactly rooted in reality, but it looks great, if you ask us! Image credit: @nopitch1
In fact, certain liveries have already inspired memes, like the Red Bull Racing design on any car in iRacing meaning that the driver will likely try high-risk manoeuvers at every opportunity they get. Others appear to even use those liveries tactically to make others more cautious around them.
What is your philosophy on custom liveries? Feel free to answer our poll and give your thoughts in the comments below - and to show off your favorite schemes as well!
Header image: Vaillante McLaren 720S Evo for ACC by @Whalenap
Sometimes, stock liveries just are not enough and real-world designs have lost their charm. Of course, there are timeless classics that have appeared on real cars that will likely never get old, but having something different adorning your vehicle can make it feel that much more special.
For some, built-in livery editors like in Assetto Corsa Competizione are enough. A few basic color slots, a few patterns and materials to choose from, no real sponsor decals save for a few pre-defined ones - this can look cool, but is relatively limited when it comes to a full livery.
Other titles like EA Sports WRC sport much more intricate systems, though those tend to take quite some time to fiddle around with to reach an acceptable result. All-custom liveries can be created via templates using programs like Photoshop for almost any title, opening the door to anything you could imagine.
This Shell livery never appeared on an actual Sauber-Mercedes C9 - it looks like it could have, though. Image credit: @SebastiaanW33
Real-life liveries from the past or other cars, fictional liveries, custom team designs, humorous alternatives - the creator's imagination is the limit. But what type of livery are you usually looking for?
A real-life livery that is not included for the same car in a certain title? A historic scheme brought back, maybe even for an entirely different type of car? Your own team's design that would not look out of place on a real car? Something absurd or humorous like "plz dont punt I'm slow " written on your rear wing? The options are almost endless.
Just for Assetto Corsa, over 18.000 skins have been uploaded to RaceDepartment. In Trading Paints, a bespoke third-party application dedicated to custom liveries and making them work has found tremendous popularity over the years. Thousands of skins for Assetto Corsa Competizione and rFactor 2, as well as hundreds for Automobilista 2 here on RD clearly show the enormous demand.
The design of 1970s F1 team Hesketh on a 1980s Group C Porsche 962C? Not exactly rooted in reality, but it looks great, if you ask us! Image credit: @nopitch1
In fact, certain liveries have already inspired memes, like the Red Bull Racing design on any car in iRacing meaning that the driver will likely try high-risk manoeuvers at every opportunity they get. Others appear to even use those liveries tactically to make others more cautious around them.
What is your philosophy on custom liveries? Feel free to answer our poll and give your thoughts in the comments below - and to show off your favorite schemes as well!