Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: Vraciu on April 15, 2014, 03:47:32 PM

Title: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Vraciu on April 15, 2014, 03:47:32 PM
Done and submitted.  After my eyes uncross from this ordeal I will see if I can improve it.    It looks better in the game than the screenshots show.   I guess my video card is a little lame...

This is Lt. Robert McCampbell's P-51D-5-NA "Jo-Baby" (WD*D) of the 4th FS, 52nd FG, Italy.  Lt. McCampbell was credited with three victories and two probables while flying Spitfires and Mustangs. This is the late-war version of his airplane with the all-yellow tail. Lt. McCampbell earned two DFCs and his unit was twice awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

MY THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED WITH THEIR PATIENT ADVICE AND GUIDANCE (including, but not limited to, Grapetang, Greebo, HornetUK, Devil505, Saxman, and many others).




Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Vraciu on April 15, 2014, 04:09:02 PM
Composite...

Link to original thread of the skin in progress:  http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,357987.0.html
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Dragon Tamer on April 15, 2014, 04:53:16 PM
The panel lines need to be darkened up a bit, they are barely visible except at certain angles. I don't see any rivets at all, so they definitely need to be darkened.

The skin looks too clean, as if it just rolled out of the factory. Throw some grunge in there somewhere, possibly do some paint wear on the markings. Your exhaust stain is barely visible, I would say either make it darker or longer (or both).

It's a good start but it needs some more work before it's submitted.
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Vraciu on April 15, 2014, 05:39:18 PM
The panel lines need to be darkened up a bit, they are barely visible except at certain angles. I don't see any rivets at all, so they definitely need to be darkened.

The skin looks too clean, as if it just rolled out of the factory. Throw some grunge in there somewhere, possibly do some paint wear on the markings. Your exhaust stain is barely visible, I would say either make it darker or longer (or both).

It's a good start but it needs some more work before it's submitted.

It is clean on purpose, per the photos in the original thread.   The panel lines are the same as the photos (actually, they're more visble on the skin than the actual aircraft) and are visible in-game (not as much in the screenshots though, since my resolution needs help I guess).   I respectfully disagree that the panel lines need to be more visible--in the photos they're barely noticeable.  The skin is over-weathered compared to the actual aircraft.  I took artistic license to dirty it up even this much.   It was a clean airplane.

Not every airplane in WWII looked like a dump truck...   That is a popular misconception and stereotype.   Dirty airplanes robbed performance.  Many pilots and mx teams kept that in mind and treated their aircraft accordingly.  McCampbell's crew certainly did, as did most of the yellow tails.   Other airplanes from the group are similarly clean in photos.


 :salute  
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Saxman on April 15, 2014, 10:49:15 PM
Not every airplane in WWII looked like a dump truck...  

That's the nice thing about Marine birds. Navy regulations didn't allow much variation in the paint jobs, but you've got LOTS of options for scuffing them up. Looking forward to how my skins like Vargas Cowgirl (and that heavily sand-blasted inner wing) whenever I'm able to update them with spec and bump maps.
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: lyric1 on April 15, 2014, 10:49:30 PM
 :aok
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Vraciu on April 16, 2014, 05:31:56 AM
That's the nice thing about Marine birds. Navy regulations didn't allow much variation in the paint jobs, but you've got LOTS of options for scuffing them up. Looking forward to how my skins like Vargas Cowgirl (and that heavily sand-blasted inner wing) whenever I'm able to update them with spec and bump maps.

 :aok   :rock

Not to mention the environment Navy and Marine planes operated n was ALWAYS a harsh one.  European Theater planes in some cases had an easier time of it in that regard.

I am definitely an advocate of Spec & Bump mapping now...   It makes a huge difference.
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Banshee7 on April 16, 2014, 08:13:59 AM
Nice Vraciu!  May be my new Pony skin!!
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Vraciu on April 16, 2014, 10:34:34 AM
Nice Vraciu!  May be my new Pony skin!!

Well thank you, kindly.  If it gets adopted take it for a spin.  I think you will be pleased with it.
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Banshee7 on April 16, 2014, 10:38:10 AM
It's something about the yellow on it! I like big, vibrant colors so everyone can see me  :devil
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Vraciu on April 16, 2014, 11:12:48 AM
It's something about the yellow on it! I like big, vibrant colors so everyone can see me  :devil

 :rofl  :cheers:
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: BnZs on April 17, 2014, 02:08:16 PM
 :aok
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Vraciu on April 19, 2014, 07:28:52 PM
:aok

TY, B!
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: ALFAMEGA51 on April 20, 2014, 09:35:56 AM
That looks awesome!  :aok
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Vraciu on April 20, 2014, 10:44:56 AM
That looks awesome!  :aok

Thanks man!
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Chosen on April 23, 2014, 01:19:53 AM
Vari you've done an awesome job. That will be my new pony skin once it's approved and in game. I like my LA-7 for get up quick and make some close in kills, but the Pony is still my favorite long range fighter. I can not wait to put that one on.

 Good Job Mate
      =S=
     :joystick:
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Vraciu on April 23, 2014, 11:41:05 AM
Vari you've done an awesome job. That will be my new pony skin once it's approved and in game. I like my LA-7 for get up quick and make some close in kills, but the Pony is still my favorite long range fighter. I can not wait to put that one on.

 Good Job Mate
      =S=
     :joystick:


I thank you kindly, sir.  :salute
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Banshee7 on June 18, 2014, 11:11:07 PM
Any word on this skin?
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Vraciu on June 19, 2014, 03:42:27 PM
Used the time with the update hiccup last month to improve the skin.  Added additional detail.  Planning to submit it this weekend for the next release.  Will post updated screenshots then.


Managed to add flaked rivet paint, radiator exhaust door, and access panels in various locations that weren't there before.  Also cleaned up the bump and spec maps a bit.  Added a non-bump material file adjustment that makes it look better when bump mapping is disabled.

Hopefully you will be pleased with the results. :)

Thanks for asking. <S>
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Banshee7 on June 25, 2014, 04:30:25 PM
Looking forward to flying it!!!

#S#



Josh
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Vraciu on July 01, 2014, 12:11:14 PM
Here you go.
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: BFOOT1 on July 08, 2014, 09:38:21 PM
Here you go.
Excellent skin bud I'm using her now!  :aok
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Vraciu on July 08, 2014, 11:28:53 PM
Excellent skin bud I'm using her now!  :aok

 :cheers:

I have some tweaks when the update utility comes online.  If there is anything you think it needs shoot me a PM.  Glad you like it.  Thanks for the shout out. :)
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Banshee7 on July 09, 2014, 10:58:18 AM
I've been flying it, too. :)
Title: Re: 4th FS, 52nd FG P-51D "Jo-Baby"
Post by: Vraciu on July 09, 2014, 08:46:09 PM
I've been flying it, too. :)

Right on!  Hope it passes muster for you.  :)  :aok  :x  :cheers:  :salute  :pray