Another crack at bare aluminum

[oboe]

I added a bluish tinge to the bare metal, which also ended up darkening the diffuse map and looks better than the old version when side-by-side.  Tweaked the Power, Spec, and Env maps.  Still not sure how close I am.  I keep thinking I'll find the perfect balance.  Maybe I need to dial back the specularity more, and crank up the power even higher?  Or, enhance the contrast in the metal shade variations within the panels on the spec map?

This is Don Strait's "Jersey Jerk" from the 356th FG.  Was pretty tedious lining up all the diamonds on the nose but I was curious to see how this scheme would look in AH3:

[Vraciu]

It's quite nice.  The belly struck me the most.  Really sharp. 

[Owlblink]

I think that is my favorite representation of aluminum yet!

[Devil 505]

That looks damn good.

[Vraciu]

And to beat a dead horse..

Another example of why we need either a P-51K or a few orphaned skins put out to pasture.   Just thinking out loud.    Pardon the repetition. 

[Owlblink]

And to beat a dead horse..

Another example of why we need either a P-51K or a few orphaned skins put out to pasture.   Just thinking out loud.    Pardon the repetition.

Whatever the case may be, Oboe can take his experience from this skinning and apply it to his older ones

[lyric1]

 

[FTJR]

Very nice Oboe !


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[Greebo]

Looks really good Oboe. I don't think you need to increase the panel shade variation on the diffuse, any more and it would look draw your eye too much.

One minor criticism I'd make is that on the shot of the underneath of the aircraft the rivets and fastener highlights look too visible on the painted areas. Perhaps you could make copies of these layers and place one of each above and one of each below the paint layers with the ones above set to a lower opacity.

[Vraciu]

Looks really good Oboe. I don't think you need to increase the panel shade variation on the diffuse, any more and it would look draw your eye too much.

One minor criticism I'd make is that on the shot of the underneath of the aircraft the rivets and fastener highlights look too visible on the painted areas. Perhaps you could make copies of these layers and place one of each above and one of each below the paint layers with the ones above set to a lower opacity.

You mean the unpainted areas?

I was looking at Brat III the other day, specifically the rivets on the inner wing panels.  I think he got the belly just about perfect.   Maybe you're right on the highlights for the inner panel wing bolts but the rest I'd leave alone. 

If anything I think the fuselage might be a tad "chalky" in some spots.  Still excellent overall.

[oboe]

Thanks guys.  I would be interested in seeing the picture of Brat IIIs belly, Vraciu.  I have quite a collection of P-51 photos now myself, but not sure how many good shots I have of what I refer to as the "belly pan" - the center section of the wing bottom - I've left it bare metal, and seem to recall that the fasteners on the perimeter of this section are quite large and noticeable, but can't recall of the top of my head whether that is from studying Cactus' or Fester's super detailed skins, or if I have a photo of it somewhere.

I know what Vraciu means when is says "chalky", and I suspect it means I have spec/power set too low, as chalk is not reflective at all.  Also I agree Greebo that the variation in contrast in the bare aluminum is at the edge of "too much" but I was wondering if reducing the contrast here (diffuse map), but increasing it on the spec map would achieve the desired result.  My rivets for the painted area of the wing are in a separate layer so its easy to dial back the opacity of them to make them less visible.

It really helps to take screenshots and get feedback.  You guys are invaluable, and I've also spotted a few things wrong that I missed despite just staring, panning, staring at it in game, under different lighting conditions. 

I also think I want to try an increase the power and env values for the painted nose - I'm trying for a harder finish there - I think what I have looks more like a "satin" finish.

[Vraciu]

Here you go.   Yes, they're VERY noticeable.  Wish I had taken this from head on.  Looked just as you rendered them. 

[Vraciu]

Whatever the case may be, Oboe can take his experience from this skinning and apply it to his older ones

True.  Seems to be our only option right now.

[oboe]

True.  Seems to be our only option right now.

Ah, but all my older skins are P-38s, and a new P-38J model has already been shown on AH's Occulus Rift store front page. 

I did start with my bare metal experimentation with a '38J, but when I saw the new model I shelved it.  All my '38 skins could disappear at any time - I have no idea what HTC's time frame is for the introduction of the new '38 (I assume the G and L new models wouldn't be far behind), I have no way to tell whether it'd be worth my effort or not; how long any updated skin might last in game before the new models roll out.

I have a more than a few bare metal 38's that are just painful to look at - the conversion process left them with an overall chrome-like finish.

[Vraciu]

What about your B?