Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: artik on November 02, 2013, 02:03:58 PM
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I want to create some skins. I want to start from something existing and change it.
Are there skins that contain no-markings, no-tail-numbers, squadron marks, but do contain materials properties like rivets marks etc - basically "unpainted" aircraft from the production line?
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You would have to ask someone for a template.
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I need several templates: P-51D, Spitfire 14, 9 & 5, Mosquito, C205, 109G6, Lancaster, B-17 and C-47
It is for custom terrain.
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I want to create some skins. I want to start from something existing and change it.
Are there skins that contain no-markings, no-tail-numbers, squadron marks, but do contain materials properties like rivets marks etc - basically "unpainted" aircraft from the production line?
The short answer is NO.
The "template's" are from the default skins. But, they are flat images of the complete skin bitmap. You need to trace the Panel lines and rivets as a baseline. Remember, the default skins are not always accurate in terms of placement of panels, hatches, and rivets. Check references, compare them to the default skin, and adjust accordingly. You should check out Krusty's skinning tutorial: http://www.nakatomitower.com/skins/
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The short answer is NO.
The "template's" are from the default skins. But, they are flat images of the complete skin bitmap. You need to trace the Panel lines and rivets as a baseline. Remember, the default skins are not always accurate in terms of placement of panels, hatches, and rivets. Check references, compare them to the default skin, and adjust accordingly. You should check out Krusty's skinning tutorial: http://www.nakatomitower.com/skins/
I would recommend Krusty's tutorial if it were up to date. A lot of the information on there comes in handy but it isn't very useful unless the person learning is using Photoshop CS2. Like for myself, I started with PSCS4 which was a lot more different from CS2. . .Now I have CS6 which is a completely new interface compared to CS2.
And the templates I was referring to are the templates in which you could get from another skinner of the rivets and panel lines. Whilst correcting someone you should probably comprehend what they are attempting to say before attempting to flat out correct them. It is a bit annoying.
Getting templates from another skinner can decrease the time spent on a skin by a lot. Taking the time out to do every single rivet and panel line can be extremely time consuming.
:salute
I need several templates: P-51D, Spitfire 14, 9 & 5, Mosquito, C205, 109G6, Lancaster, B-17 and C-47
It is for custom terrain.
I actually don't have any of those A/C panel lines but if you ask around (KaZan, FtJr, Greebo, cactuskooler), maybe they would be willing to lend you some templates to practice from. Sorry I can't be of much help.
But with that being said, if you plan to learn to skin you might as well learn how to do panel lines because it is the most time consuming job in skinning. (In my opinion)
Good Luck :cheers:
:salute
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I would recommend Krusty's tutorial if it were up to date. A lot of the information on there comes in handy but it isn't very useful unless the person learning is using Photoshop CS2. Like for myself, I started with PSCS4 which was a lot more different from CS2. . .Now I have CS6 which is a completely new interface compared to CS2.
If he is competent with his chosen editing software, then Krusty's site will do fine. Also, if he isn't - but is willing to learn, then it is perfect for learning the ropes. We all started somewhere, and those willing to do the work and learn the skills needed, will find that community will be very supportive. Which brings me to the next point...
And the templates I was referring to are the templates in which you could get from another skinner of the rivets and panel lines. Whilst correcting someone you should probably comprehend what they are attempting to say before attempting to flat out correct them. It is a bit annoying.
Getting templates from another skinner can decrease the time spent on a skin by a lot. Taking the time out to do every single rivet and panel line can be extremely time consuming.
Call me "old school" but I'm a firm believer that: you get out of your work, what you put into it. This holds true for both personal satisfaction as well as receiving accolades from others. Sure, tracing the panel lines and rivets sucks, but if you're not willing to put the work in, then why would anybody else just give away what they worked to achieve? I surely won't give any of my work away, but I'm always willing help somebody learn to do it for themselves.
Artik, which G-6 are you thinking of skinning?
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Thanks for the responses... I see the picture.
In any case if there is an alternative painting for P-51D without invasion strips I'd be glad to use it as base.
Artik, which G-6 are you thinking of skinning?
I'm actually working on skins for Israeli terrain fro 1948-1956 events (not for MA). 109G6 is a substitute for Avia-S-199
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/Avia-S199-hatzerim-3.jpg)
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when an artist is 'skining' an aircraft, is he, in the case of just changing markings,
just add the markings over existing skin, does he have to then make all the lines n rivets again.
does the default skin have all of that already?
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The default skin is just a flat bitmap when you download it to your computer. When you draw over it, it completely covers what's underneath. What you don't cover, remains unchanged. By using an editor with layers you can trace panel lines, for example, without altering the base bitmap. Some skinners change everything, others very little.
Artik, I saw your terrain thread and I'm very impressed. I'll skin that Avia for you, but it best fits the 109G-14. An Egypt - Israel event would be pretty sweet.
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Rudy Augarten flew for the 101 AC#123.7
he signed a photo of his AC for me.
the 199 had underwing 20s, an 'R6' like mod.
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Artik, I saw your terrain thread and I'm very impressed. I'll skin that Avia for you, but it best fits the 109G-14. An Egypt - Israel event would be pretty sweet.
Wow... Thanks!
One thing I want to reskin 109G6 as Avia S-199, not G14. S199's airframe is 109G6's one.
There were two differences between G6 and Avia:
- Engine, instead DB605, it used Junkers Jumo 211F Engine (the engine+propeller of he 111)
- Because the central canon could not be installed in Jumo engine. So it flew with two canon pods.
So 109G6 is much better replacement (also it is still way better than S-199)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Avia-S199-hatzerim-2.jpg)
Also note, skinning it may be little bit tricky for somebody who does not speak Hebrew its tail number is "120.ד" where "ד" is Hebrew letter Dalet.
I had already made the Spit IXLF (actually Spit-XVI - but it is actually the same in AH)
(http://cppcms.com/files/makeahmap/images/spit16.jpg)
Compare with:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Spitfire-MkIX-hatzerim-2-1.jpg)
Finally I'll make skins for Israeli Air Force P-51D, Mosquito, B-17, C-47 and Royal Egyptian Air Force Spit V, Spit IX, C-205 and Lancaster (also the last one hadn't seen the action)
(http://2004.uploaded.fresh.co.il/2004/09/09/939001.jpg)
Rudy Augarten flew for the 101 AC#123.7
he signed a photo of his AC for me.
the 199 had underwing 20s, an 'R6' like mod.
Some more information about him: http://101squadron.com/101real/people/augarten.html
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where do you get the fonts for letters and numbers for US aircraft?
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where do you get the fonts for letters and numbers for US aircraft?
I usually don't use the font but I take my pen tool and I pen tool from a historic photograph. That is so I get the most realistic number as possible. As for insignias I have a load of PSD's saved of assorted WWI and WWII insignias.
:salute
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Wow... Thanks!
One thing I want to reskin 109G6 as Avia S-199, not G14. S199's airframe is 109G6's one.
There were two differences between G6 and Avia:
- Engine, instead DB605, it used Junkers Jumo 211F Engine (the engine+propeller of he 111)
- Because the central canon could not be installed in Jumo engine. So it flew with two canon pods.
So 109G6 is much better replacement (also it is still way better than S-199)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Avia-S199-hatzerim-2.jpg)
Also note, skinning it may be little bit tricky for somebody who does not speak Hebrew its tail number is "120.ד" where "ד" is Hebrew letter Dalet.
In AH, the G-6 and G-14 have the same DB605 engine. The G-14 uses MW50 for WEP. That is the only difference as far as engine performance.
Both have the same 20mm hub cannon as the default armament, there is no way to disable it.
In terms of other similarity between the G-14 to the S-199, both have tall tails, large bulged wings, fixed tail wheel, and the Earla Haube canopy. Furthermore, the G-14 weighs more than the G-6, making it closer in weight to the heavier still S-199. Also remember that the Czech G-6's were built late war and to the specs of the G-14 minus MW50. Hence, G-14 is the only worthy substitute for the S-199.
The "ד" is just two intersecting strait lines, right? I think I can handle drawing it freehand. Are there any other Hebrew markings that you know of?
:cheers:
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Take a look on this chart:
(http://www.hitechcreations.com/components/com_ahplaneperf/genchart.php?p1=15&p2=84&pw=2>ype=0&gui=localhost&itemsel=GameData)
109G6 already has too high speed in comparison to S199. The G-14 makes the situation even worth.
Maximal 109G6's speed is 398mph, while Avia's top speed is 370mph (30 mph less) and G-14 is around 407mph making it faster by almost 40mph.
109G14 is actually good opponent to Pony, while S199 is by no means such a plane
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Don't forget that the chart does not show performance with the 20mm gondolas.
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BTW, this is a squadron symbol, that goes on the left side of the 199's nose
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/he/c/c0/IAF_Squadron_101.png)
The "ד" is just two intersecting strait lines, right?
Yes something like T with its top moved to the left.
ד
More pictures :
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Hatzerim_Avia_20100129_1.jpg)
This is a little bit different painting but gives an idea where the IAF symbols on wings are placed
(http://www.ipmsusa3.org/reviews/Books/Aircraft/white-crow/white-crow_avia_s199-2.jpg)
Thanks!!! :rock
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I have to admit I am a bit excited about flying this deathtrap in a scenario! :D
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dont forget the octane rating triangle at the '11oc' of the star.
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One thing about templates I learned...
If you need to change large parts of skin you don't need to redraw all the rivets... Use bump map.
- Create a selection of an area you want to completely redraw
- Copy selection to bump-map image (easy using quick-mask feature of GIMP)
- Copy the rivets part from bump-map to the original skin image
Now you have perfect gray color set of rivets and other aircraft lines without any colors.
Now 3 skins I already completed
(http://cppcms.com/files/makeahmap/images/skins/c205.jpeg)
(http://cppcms.com/files/makeahmap/images/skins/p51d.jpeg)
(http://cppcms.com/files/makeahmap/images/skins/spit16.jpeg)
And I must admit I really like how REAF Macchi C.205 looks
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In IL-2 the templates are widely shared, usually in the same folder as the skin you download. In AH, Skin templates are highly protected by their owners (it does take quite the time & effort to make one. Just a difference in the two communities I guess. I'm not a skinner, so I have no templates to hand out, but when it comes to anything else I do (sounds, terrains, etc.) I'm always more thann happy to share with anyone who asks. Keeps the community tighter that way in my eyes. :salute
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In IL-2 the templates are widely shared, usually in the same folder as the skin you download. In AH, Skin templates are highly protected by their owners (it does take quite the time & effort to make one. Just a difference in the two communities I guess. I'm not a skinner, so I have no templates to hand out, but when it comes to anything else I do (sounds, terrains, etc.) I'm always more thann happy to share with anyone who asks. Keeps the community tighter that way in my eyes. :salute
To be honest, as somebody who is part of both IL-2 and AH2 community, I find AH2 community much more open.
Now about the templates. From a skin to skin my "performance" in skinning improves. And I figured that you do not really need templates (I created the 3 skins above without any templates). The first "problem" in re-skinning was to get all the fine structures like service doors, lines of rivets etc correctly. However, given the B/W bump mapping texture it is very easy - you already have B/W pattern of rivets, doors and other fine structures. You only need to copy them. This way I skinned P-51D and C205, and it was quite fast job to do. I spend more time on fine grained painting details as how to get all the insignia correctly, put correct tail numbers, get correct colors, and squadron symbols and of course get the appropriate and accurate sources.
Collecting and verifying sources sometimes takes much longer time. In many cases there are no original photos of the aircraft only some paining schema from doubtful sources - so you just go and recheck against 2-3 other sources before you can assume that they are correct.
For example IAF B-17 would be quite hard to get correctly. There is a one B/W photo of tail marking. The rest are drawings of the same aircraft with the same tail number but with contradicting colors.