solution:Code:
-- small sub-model for use in all models to place (cutout) decals on them, texture can have a alpha channel for a cutout decal but it's not a mustdefine_model('decal', {info = {lod_pixels = {20, 50, 100, 0},bounding_radius = 1,materials = {'decal'}},static = function(lod)end,dynamic = function(lod)math.randomseed(tonumber(string.sub((string.gsub(reg,"%W", 1)),5,7),36)) --[[ generates number from ship registration# for random seed, any string is converted to a number, with replacement of non-alphanumerical by 1, because you might like to "hack" your savegame to give your ship a name instead of a reg#, e.g. "KILLER!" or " LUCKY-7", then decal selection still works! further modelviewers given reg# "IR-L33T" still works with that to
--]] local dec = math.random() -- randomizes 0 to 1, uses seed for a uniqe fractal number in between 0 to 1 (inclusive), identical numbers produces the same random result set_material('decal', 1,1,1, 0.9, .7,.7,.7,10) -- creates semi-transparent material to cut out alpha channel, has to be 0use_material('decal')if dec < .15 thentexture('models/decals/decal_a.png', v(0,0,0), v(0,0,-1), v(0,-1,0)) -- calls the texture for the decal,elseif dec < .29 thentexture('models/decals/decal_b.png', v(0,0,0), v(0,0,-1), v(0,-1,0)) -- if sequence could be expandet to 10000!(limited by reg# length) different decals, but max. 20 will be ok else if dec < .43 thentexture('models/decals/decal_c.png', v(0,0,0), v(0,0,-1), v(0,-1,0)) -- when adding a additional one, divide 1 through no. of total decals, add one to result in hundreth unitselse if dec < .58 then texture('models/decals/decal_d.png', v(0,0,0), v(0,0,-1), v(0,-1,0)) -- feel free to exchange the existing ones with your own style else if dec < .72 then texture('models/decals/decal_e.png', v(0,0,0), v(0,0,-1), v(0,-1,0)) -- accepts any quadratical sized texture, recommendet are 100x100 - 200x200 else if dec < .86 then texture('models/decals/decal_f.png', v(0,0,0), v(0,0,-1), v(0,-1,0)) else texture('models/decals/decal_g.png', v(0,0,0), v(0,0,-1), v(0,-1,0)) end endend endendendquad(v(0,0,0), v(0,1,0), v(0,1,1), v(0,0,1)) -- creates a quadratic shape 1m x 1m for the decalend})create a new folder into "....data\models\" named decals put the above script named decals.lua and your textures for the decals into the new folder, of course they have to be named like it's given in the script (decal_a to decal_g). you can expand the script if you like, to have more variations. recommendet texture size is 100x100 - 200x200 pixels regular quadratic to make it work, with a optional alpha channel to cutout the decals. of course this works only on new ships models, which includes a call for the decal model, it will look like this:
Code:
if lod > 1 thencall_model('decal', v(3.56,0.6,-5), v(1,0,0), v(-0.235,1,0), 1.2) call_model('decal', v(-3.56,0.6,-4), v(-1,0,0), v(0.235,1,0), 1.2) end
the example code is from my IP Shuttle for a left and rightside placement (i guess you have recognized them allready)you can download my decals folder from here (the shuttle who uses them as a first example isn't finished yet, i'm still not satisfied
): decals.zip
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now i'm a bit helpless i can say and really like to give that project up or lay on ice until i find a solution.maybe a complete rework is the only solution for it, but i THOUGHT it's going to be a quick conversion of a existing model, now it seems to get much more complicated as expected.it's only one specific mesh, that's what gives me the headake, it couldn't be polycount, my courier has as double of polys wether than uncle bobs lanner model, skins i also took only the small ones for lower lod, no effect.maybe it's the mapping, but on the other hand skin size and triple use of it, what i thought at first would be the reason, brought me to the useless idea to split the skin for each used material, it didn't changed a thing. there is something "secret" within the mesh of the lanner which makes it extremely hard to be calculated in pioneer.maybe it's the mesh itself, i discovered that a lot of polys did stand loose, they are not like a common mesh, i think one thing i will try i haven't weld all vertices of the mesh so it becomes a "real" mesh. or i can do a radiosity "copy" of it and generate a new one, maybe that could help.maybe we will see this ship never in pioneer, because i really don't know where to search for by now. 
but others have to be made, maybe i prefere one of my own models again next, or do a pure scripted one again, like the ip shuttle, that will be the safest way to succeed.edit: forget all the above argueing and whinings 
