Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: Kev367th on May 24, 2006, 02:55:45 PM

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: Kev367th on May 24, 2006, 02:55:45 PM

There is a problem with the shinyness on this model (doesn't get applied to main wings, posted in bugs forum).

Hopefully as new skins aren't going to be released until after the next patch, this can be included as a fix in the patch.

Anyway-

Seafire - 807 Sdn Fleet Air Arm, HMS Hunter, Singapore 1945. Flown by Sqn Ldr L.E. Gardner.
Possibly assited in downing a Ki-43 May 16 1945 over Suamtra.

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: Guppy35 on May 24, 2006, 03:30:30 PM

I like that one very very much Kev.  Great work as usual

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: Hoarach on May 24, 2006, 04:41:32 PM

Even if it is a spit, I like it. :aok

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: Kev367th on May 24, 2006, 04:42:48 PM

Thanks Dan, did a little tweaking, this should be the final I submit.

Unless..... :)

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: Lord ReDhAwK on May 24, 2006, 05:38:36 PM

gorgeous Kev :O

ReDhAwK

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: Krusty on May 24, 2006, 05:51:19 PM

Isn't a BMF seafire a little... uh.. stupid? They painted naval planes to protect them from corosive salt water, and even THAT paint wore off quickly. LOL, can't imagine the seafires with no paint lasted very long. :P

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: moneyguy on May 24, 2006, 06:37:15 PM

i like it :aok

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: Kev367th on May 24, 2006, 08:22:55 PM

Thanks all.

It's based on -

http://www.eaglestrikeproductions.com/cgi-bin/amddecals.pl?scale=48&setid=443&dbs=aeromaster&pgs=2&currpg=1&dclimg=ad48443

Yup Krusty you would think so.

Gotta find a bare metal IX now :)

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: Kev367th on May 24, 2006, 08:34:32 PM

Funnily enough Krusty it seems to be an oddity. as you said the overwhelming majority were painted.
I believe they weren't actually bare metal but covered with a clear lacquer.

Here's a yet unfinished Seafire, same unit, same timeframe, but in the more usual SEAC colors.
Even this has it's odd part to it, the wing roundels were definately not standard.

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: Hoarach on May 24, 2006, 08:38:21 PM

Im just a sucker for bare metal stuff.  Only reason I dont fly 38Gs is because its olive drab.  I dont like the look of the olive drab stuff.  If I ever change the skin of a 47, 51, or 38 it has to be bare metal.  Probably a reason why I may not fly Black Market Babe for the 38J even though it will be nice to finally have another 475th J skin but its olive drab.

Maybe you could do a bare metal 38J skin kev as your next project?  Do a 431st 38J with red props and red stripes on the boom and elvs?  Or maybe a Putt Putt Maru for the 38J. :aok

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: Kazaa on May 25, 2006, 05:57:20 AM

All hail Kev, master of the skins :aok

Couldn't find a but kissing smiley, that will have to do :D

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: macleod01 on June 05, 2006, 08:51:33 AM

small question, how do you get bare metal?

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: Kev367th on June 05, 2006, 09:36:29 AM

Bare metal -

I start of with a gradient fill in a rectangular shape that encloses the whole area.

Then I use the deform tools to get the rectangle to the actual shape.

Then touch up using an airbrush

Then I have two layers -
a) Blue tint layer
b) One that uses a random pattern to break up the overall smoothness.

Finally I add another layer containing dark areas corresponding to some of the panels.

Sometimes will add a light layer containing panels that are to be lighter.

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: macleod01 on June 05, 2006, 09:58:49 AM

Thanks, thats helped my creation a lot! Thank you!

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: macleod01 on June 05, 2006, 10:06:38 AM

ok, another problems emerged, what do you do if you want to get colour and Bare Metal together, like side by side?

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: Kev367th on June 05, 2006, 10:36:52 AM

You have two options -

a) Use the shiny materials file and everything looks shiny.

b) Use the flat materials file and everything looks dull.

The materials file is what controls whether the overall appearence of the aircraft is dull or shiny. It is currently not possible to specify individual areas.

A flat materials file can be got from any of the default Spit skins, a shiny one from the P51D.
Note - In both cases it is just called material.

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: macleod01 on June 05, 2006, 10:49:40 AM

Ok, how would you suggest I go about creating this C-47? I need the shiny metal on the rudder and main fusalage next to the bright orange of the tail and nose, and I need help

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: Kev367th on June 05, 2006, 10:56:16 AM

Put the metal on one layer.
The basic orange/white parts on another layer
The national markings on another layer
The unit markings on another layer.

These layers don't include the usual panel lines, rivets, screws etc layers.

Once youve done it try it with both material files, see which looks best.

For a good idea on layers work goto
http://www.ah-skins.com
 and download one of the templates.

For a guide, most of my skins use around 30-40 layers.

Title: Bare metal Seafire
Post by: macleod01 on June 05, 2006, 11:09:47 AM

Thanks, I'll give it a try. I feel really stupid asking these questions but its the first time Ive tried to customize a skin. If I have any more questions I'll get back to you. So you'll hear from me soon!