Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: BMathis on February 27, 2009, 09:51:58 PM

Title: Squad Nose art - In game
Post by: BMathis on February 27, 2009, 09:51:58 PM

I was wondering if any of you Photo-shoppers could do a short write up on how to create a standard Nose art for Squads (in game)... I have tried before, but cannot get the file right; I've looked at the settings that need to be used, but can't reproduce them. I just do not know if I have to start the picture with the settings, or what I really have to do... I have Photoshop 6.0

If anyone can help me with this, I would really appreciate it.

Regards,

Mathis

Title: Re: Squad Nose art - In game
Post by: ebfd11 on February 28, 2009, 01:03:23 PM

Mathis send me the art you want and ill see what I can do for ya..

Title: Re: Squad Nose art - In game
Post by: BMathis on February 28, 2009, 06:58:52 PM

I would, but it'll be a custom one from scratch. I just need some guidance (Step by Step to get the format correct) :)

Title: Re: Squad Nose art - In game
Post by: moot on February 28, 2009, 07:36:30 PM

This is the 64x64 bmp that your squad would use, or something for a specific plane?
If you open any of the working noseart bmp's in your /squads folder, you'll get the RGB color values for transparency.  After that it's a matter of finding the right compromise between crisp but jagged edge between nose art and transparent area, and softer but less polyvalent edge.  Meaning that softening the edge of the noseart so it blends in with one particular paint scheme might work, but won't work with too different another paint scheme.

Next possible difficulty is getting the color table (since the game compatible format is "indexed color") to include the important colors, i.e. transparent grey and the main exact colors your noseart needs to have.  Photoshop sometimes skews the color distributions when compressing for Indexed Color mode.

Title: Re: Squad Nose art - In game
Post by: BMathis on February 28, 2009, 07:40:53 PM

Allrighty, I'll give it a Go.  Thanks M00t... Is there another editing program that would work better for the Squad logo/noseart?

Title: Re: Squad Nose art - In game
Post by: moot on February 28, 2009, 07:45:57 PM

In my experience, it's got everything you need. A vector editor might give you some sharper lines, but at 64x64 it might make no real difference.
You can find the color table and edit it (double click on any color square, IIRC) in
Image > Mode > Color Table (if you're already in indexed color mode)
or
Image > Mode > Indexed Color (and then select "Custom..." in one of those drop down menus)

Title: Re: Squad Nose art - In game
Post by: Lord ReDhAwK on March 01, 2009, 01:30:18 AM

Heya gents,

A vectoring program will not give the crisp, final output once it is rasterized.  The rastering to index conversion will pixelate the final mathematical lines a vectoring program produces.  Photoshop is all the program you will ever need.  There are tricks you can use in Photoshop to try and keep your details at a 64x64 pic.  However, it is limited by small things (like using a broad font, vs. a skinnier font because the skinny font will blow out.) Just one example.  YMMV.

ReDhAwK

Title: Re: Squad Nose art - In game
Post by: BMathis on March 01, 2009, 02:11:49 AM

Thanks ReD; I know you're one of the masters of this...

All I'm looking for is a short tutorial so to speak...  There are not any on the web, at least not for a AH squad logos. I'm Just wondering if the "photoshop masters" could do a short write up, step by step, on how to create one.

Mathis

Title: Re: Squad Nose art - In game
Post by: Lord ReDhAwK on March 01, 2009, 09:48:32 AM

Heya Mathis,

I will write one up today (Sunday.)  I will try to include graphic examples and such. 

ReDhAwK

Title: Re: Squad Nose art - In game
Post by: BMathis on March 01, 2009, 11:15:48 AM

Alright!  Can't wait to see it. I've messed with M00ts Method, and had a little success... I'll be waiting to read yours ReD.

Thanks bro!

 :salute

Title: Re: Squad Nose art - In game
Post by: Lord ReDhAwK on March 01, 2009, 12:00:42 PM

Tutorial written and posted as a solo topic.  Hope it helps.  Might I add?

Pure, Unadulterated, Sticky material  :aok

ReDhAwK