Need some help with a Jug 11

[Serenity]

I am starting on this P-47D-11, and have hit a snag. I need this diamond pattern on the front engine block. I am having a LOT of trouble getting this to match up. Now, the size and shape of the diamonds cannot be changed without making the skin inaccurate. So, any suggestions?

[The Fugitive]

I think its a stretching issue. You have to make shapes on the skin that once they ARE stretched, then they look like diamonds. As to what that shape is.... I don't have a clue. I think it all going to be trial and error, tweaking each one till its right.

[Serenity]

I think its a stretching issue. You have to make shapes on the skin that once they ARE stretched, then they look like diamonds. As to what that shape is.... I don't have a clue. I think it all going to be trial and error, tweaking each one till its right.

Ive been trying that, with absolutely no success and it is driving me freaking crazy. Unless someone who already has done a pattern like this has any suggestions, Im going to drop the project. Not worth get tossed in the loony bin for

[fyvsix]

Hope you get some help on this one, I would love to use that skin.

[hammer]

Several 47s have the square pattern. Maybe looking at one of those would give you an idea of what stretches where.

[Greebo]

I usually work stuff like this out mathematically, it ends up being quicker than trial and error in the long run.

Create a new test layer to mark the exact borders of the cowling area. You won't get the squares to wrap around the bottom of the cowl due to the stretching, so start by drawing a line to mark the upper border of the stretched area. Then draw a line across the centre of the top panel and also the upper border of the fuselage side panel and the lower border of the upper cowl panel. Edit these after viewing in the skin editor if necessary, accuracy is important here. Next draw vertical lines where the centres of the yellow squares will go. These ought to get slightly (1 or 2 pixels) closer to each other towards the front of the cowl.

The idea is to measure the number of vertical pixels needed for each vertical line. Lets say the rearmost vertical line has 180 vertical pixels on the side fuselage panel and 30 on one half of the top panel.

Assuming you have 7 squares vertically you will need to space the squares 30 pixels apart. Each line foward of the rear one will be a bit shorter and the spacing will be a bit less. Create a second test layer and mark these divisions over the vertical lines.

Then on a third layer draw your diagonal lines by joining up the dots. Check they line up correctly in the skin viewer. When you are happy, flood fill the squares then copy and paste them to the other side of the skin.

[Serenity]

I usually work stuff like this out mathematically, it ends up being quicker than trial and error in the long run.

Create a new test layer to mark the exact borders of the cowling area. You won't get the squares to wrap around the bottom of the cowl due to the stretching, so start by drawing a line to mark the upper border of the stretched area. Then draw a line across the centre of the top panel and also the upper border of the fuselage side panel and the lower border of the upper cowl panel. Edit these after viewing in the skin editor if necessary, accuracy is important here. Next draw vertical lines where the centres of the yellow squares will go. These ought to get slightly (1 or 2 pixels) closer to each other towards the front of the cowl.

The idea is to measure the number of vertical pixels needed for each vertical line. Lets say the rearmost vertical line has 180 vertical pixels on the side fuselage panel and 30 on one half of the top panel.

Assuming you have 7 squares vertically you will need to space the squares 30 pixels apart. Each line foward of the rear one will be a bit shorter and the spacing will be a bit less. Create a second test layer and mark these divisions over the vertical lines.

Then on a third layer draw your diagonal lines by joining up the dots. Check they line up correctly in the skin viewer. When you are happy, flood fill the squares then copy and paste them to the other side of the skin.

Thanks Greebo!