P-38J "Happy Jack's Go Buggy" Capt Jack Ilfrey, 20thFG 79thFS

[Devil 505]

Amazing

[oboe]

Thanks!   I think I'll try that with the anti-glare - I was just using the art from the original submission so many years ago, was really concentrating on trying to get the metal to look right; went down and back lots of dead ends.   Oddly, it wasn't until I activated the dirt/grime, shadow, glare, and panel shading layers that it just really came to life.   It made a big difference in the look of the metal.       

I went with just plain red stencil lettering for the canopy frame "NO STEP", but was force to leave it off the fillet as the scale is different and I couldn't get the crisp lettering I needed there.

I used the Normal map in combination with 'baked-in' effects for the panel section shading.  The Normal map doesn't handle it really well, leaves blotchy marks at certain sun angles, but I left it in anyway. I also found a way in Photoshop to give the metal a slight bluish tint, which seems to help a lot with some of the surfaces.   I left the rivets off the Normal map, it just can't handle those small details.  I think I left the cowl screw depressions there though.  Weird how you need to invert the color for things if they are on the booms depicted upside down in the diffuse map - I never would've figured that out and owe that all to Greebo and his build log.  <S> 

[Vraciu]

Thanks!   I think I'll try that with the anti-glare - I was just using the art from the original submission so many years ago, was really concentrating on trying to get the metal to look right; went down and back lots of dead ends.   Oddly, it wasn't until I activated the dirt/grime, shadow, glare, and panel shading layers that it just really came to life.   It made a big difference in the look of the metal.       

Yeah, I didn't pay it any mind until someone pointed it out to me.   I thought it was just the way it had to be until I saw Greebo make his look straight.   Stared at it for hours to figure it out.

I went with just plain red stencil lettering for the canopy frame "NO STEP", but was force to leave it off the fillet as the scale is different and I couldn't get the crisp lettering I needed there.

I wound up getting it to sorta work by resizing a larger set of letters.  It isn't perfect, but it's close.   May be worth a shot.

I used the Normal map in combination with 'baked-in' effects for the panel section shading.  The Normal map doesn't handle it really well, leaves blotchy marks at certain sun angles, but I left it in anyway. I also found a way in Photoshop to give the metal a slight bluish tint, which seems to help a lot with some of the surfaces.   I left the rivets off the Normal map, it just can't handle those small details.  I think I left the cowl screw depressions there though.  Weird how you need to invert the color for things if they are on the booms depicted upside down in the diffuse map - I never would've figured that out and owe that all to Greebo and his build log.  <S>

Okay, thanks.  I'm having the same problem.  It will leave random rectangles on certain places on the skin.  Really random and I can't figure out a cause, so I was debating if it is even worth the effort any more.

That build log was phenomenal.   I learned a lot of techniques from it.    I haven't fiddled too much with the Normal map on the 38 yet.   I don't have a good program for making them.   

[oboe]

I attached the Normal map for Go Buggy.  Try it on one of your skins and see if you can tell a difference.  Whats really cool is just change your whole diffuse map to a 1024x1024 square filled with medium grey - 128/128/128.    Then you just see the effects of the Normal map.  I especially like what you can do with the oil cooler doors on the nacelle sides, and how you can "raise" the wingtip navigation lights and tail lights.   Keeps the wheel rim from looking flat too.

I'm wondering now if those anti-glare panels were really black, or if they were really dark olive drab...

[Vraciu]

I attached the Normal map for Go Buggy.  Try it on one of your skins and see if you can tell a difference.  Whats really cool is just change your whole diffuse map to a 1024x1024 square filled with medium grey - 128/128/128.    Then you just see the effects of the Normal map.  I especially like what you can do with the oil cooler doors on the nacelle sides, and how you can "raise" the wingtip navigation lights and tail lights.   Keeps the wheel rim from looking flat too.

I'm wondering now if those anti-glare panels were really black, or if they were really dark olive drab...

Thank you, sir!   I'll try it.

Black vs OD...   That's been a tough one.   I had that struggle with BRAT III.  Go with your gut.   I'll look at my book again...

[Vraciu]

I'm wondering now if those anti-glare panels were really black, or if they were really dark olive drab...

I'm going with OD.   Lyric probaby has the photo I have in mind but it's Jack with his ground crew by the nose.   The other 38s in the group have black score boards and the color is DEFINITELY not the same as the anti-glare.   A color photo of "WRANGLER" also has a black scoreboard and an OD anti-glare.


Edit In:

This is the picture I was talking about (Lyric posted it earlier).  That's OD as opposed to the black letters.




Based on the mission markings it was taken after this one, which could lead one to lean toward black anti-glare since it looks so dark.

[oboe]

I agree.   OD it is.   That composite I posted on the first page with the 3/4 view art profile and side profile of the nose also shows OD.  I can save the black antiglare fot Itsy Bitsy II.

[Vraciu]

Black is one of the toughest colors to do right.  I'm killing myself on a Mustang as we speak.   

[oboe]

Thanks to Vraciu for pointing out the anti-glare problem on the nose of bare metal P-38s.   I think it looks much better - also went with dark olive drab rather than black for the anti-glare paint color; Lyrics photos helped making that decision.







I gave the pilot figure a little upgrade too, he's sporting a new 8th AF leather jacket, flight helmet, life preserver, and RAF goggles:

[Vraciu]

Fabulous.  Absolutely fabulous.  I especially love that planview shot.  I didn't think the 38 could look that good. 

[oboe]

Thanks for your help.  Just submitted it.  Fingers crossed, hoping it'll still make the next skin batch.   

It's been a favorite scheme of mine since way, way back.  The yellow and black look good with bare metal I think.

[Vraciu]

Thanks for your help.  Just submitted it.  Fingers crossed, hoping it'll still make the next skin batch.

You're more than welcome.  Always happy to return the favor.  The haters on here don't realize how we all work together. 

[Devil 505]

Again, fantastic job. That pilot upgrade looks great.

[Shuffler]

Man o man... woot

[lyric1]