Jo-Baby - P-51D 52FG, 4FS - Updated AH3 - Part Two

[Vraciu]

So, with Fencer, Oboe, Devil, etc. showing some pretty impressive mottling for NMF, along with my slightly better understanding of how the new spec maps behave, I decided to attack my first skin again.    The progress has been hit and miss.

I was able to get mottling in and some panel color variation but the skin seems too white.    But when I toned it down I lost some of the effects.  (Perhaps that's a good thing.)   

Here's what it looks like.   Is this now too dark?   I definitely think it looks better with the sunlight reflecting off of it than it does without.  I believe the photo in flight  (Mustang 00.bmp in the file list) is what it looked like about five percent lighter...



The wing still washes out some in light.

[Devil 505]

Nice improvement on the specularity and color of the metal. I honestly would not worry about the wings so much because you are going for the puttied and painted look, which I think you achieved. I would darken the panel lines and rivets on the fuselage add or brighten baked in panel line and rivet highlights on the fuselage. Also, have you tried that panel line and rivet shading technique I showed you a few weeks ago?

[Vraciu]

Nice improvement on the specularity and color of the metal. I honestly would not worry about the wings so much because you are going for the puttied and painted look, which I think you achieved. I would darken the panel lines and rivets on the fuselage add or brighten baked in panel line and rivet highlights on the fuselage. Also, have you tried that panel line and rivet shading technique I showed you a few weeks ago?

I messed around with it a little bit but I am still not doing it right.   That's my next step once I get this other stuff right.   I will check off your list then the last step is the panel lowlight layer you mentioned.  I've been studying your skin files.

Thanks for the feedback.   

[FTJR]

I think it looks pretty good.  I've been quietly watching your threads as I have been also having trouble to understand the new system.

Keep it up. 

[Vraciu]

I think it looks pretty good.  I've been quietly watching your threads as I have been also having trouble to understand the new system.

Keep it up. 

Thanks, man.  I'm trying.  I really am.  At least I am trending the right way.

(You might wanna' tell Skuzzy my stupid questions are actually helpful.  I think I have worn both him and Hitech out with my constant queries.   Devil and Greebo are about to shoot me, too.  LOL)   

[Vraciu]

Nice improvement on the specularity and color of the metal. I honestly would not worry about the wings so much because you are going for the puttied and painted look, which I think you achieved. I would darken the panel lines and rivets on the fuselage add or brighten baked in panel line and rivet highlights on the fuselage. Also, have you tried that panel line and rivet shading technique I showed you a few weeks ago?

I've got to admit that effect is quite the trick.

How many pixels wide for the panel lines?   My rivets that are adjacent to the panel lines are a little bit too close to do individually.   That's okay I presume.

[Devil 505]

I've got to admit that effect is quite the trick.

How many pixels wide for the panel lines?   My rivets that are adjacent to the panel lines are a little bit too close to do individually.   That's okay I presume.

you want to be able to see about 12-15 pixels in width for a single panel line with rivets on both sides at 100% opacity. Remember that you want to blur the entire layer until you can't see any edges. Also avoid perfectly strait lines and be careful where lines intersect - easy to go too heavy there.

For close rivet lines start from the outside lines and then fill in the gap until you get almost consistent coverage.

[Vraciu]

you want to be able to see about 12-15 pixels in width for a single panel line with rivets on both sides at 100% opacity. Remember that you want to blur the entire layer until you can't see any edges. Also avoid perfectly strait lines and be careful where lines intersect - easy to go too heavy there.

For close rivet lines start from the outside lines and then fill in the gap until you get almost consistent coverage.

Okay so I probably did them too thin, but wow does it make a difference already.  This thing is transforming right before my eyes!!!!!     

Once I do it correctly should I carry it over to the Spec Maps?

Do I also do this for the panel lines on painted areas?

[Devil 505]

Looking good.

Yes, give the entire plane complete coverage. I would add it to the spec maps - especially for the metal areas.

[Vraciu]

Roger that.

Is this effect's purpose depth, weathering, or both?

[Devil 505]

both.

[Vraciu]

Putting this photo link here for reference.

[Vraciu]

All done.   Well, I may need to adjust the transparency a bit but... What next?

And should I use this technique on OD skins also?



This really looks a lot better...

[Devil 505]

Looks like you need line and rivet highlights on the flaps and ailerons. Also you can boost the level of them on the fuselage to make them pop a bit more.


As for the OD, yes use the panel and rivet line shading on all your skins.

[Vraciu]

Looks like you need line and rivet highlights on the flaps and ailerons. Also you can boost the level of them on the fuselage to make them pop a bit more.


As for the OD, yes use the panel and rivet line shading on all your skins.

Roger.   The highlight layer is omitted on the Spec Map right?