General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: pxdig on December 06, 2016, 07:47:17 PM
Title: P51 request
Post by: pxdig on December 06, 2016, 07:47:17 PM
i was really gonna try teach myself to do a skin, but its way outside my skills and abilities.
I love this paint job from the 355 Fighter Group / 354 Fighter Squadron and if anyone has the time I would surely appreciate it and i promise its the only one I would fly. Thanks to anyone that undertakes this, i wish I could....
BTW, i looked on youtube to see if anyone had made a tutorial, no luck. Has anyone actually ever done a tutorial ?
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Vraciu on December 06, 2016, 10:22:51 PM
I was actually working on a WR Pony like one of these, but all the D slots are full, so.........
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: oboe on December 07, 2016, 11:50:48 AM
Hi pxdig,
That's one of my favorite P-51D schemes; in fact I did skin it and it's pretty close to being completed. There's no submission process established for AH3 skins yet, and as Vraciu says, the P-51D slots are all full anyway. <S>
(http://i.imgur.com/jFFhrry.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RgE2TkF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UjGRjj5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rKDzeVS.jpg)
Here's some actual WWII color footage of the 355th with some very nice closeups of Col Graham. Worth a look if you've never seen it.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Vraciu on December 07, 2016, 12:00:36 PM
That's one of my favorite P-51D schemes; in fact I did skin it and it's pretty close to being completed. I never submitted it though because as Vraciu says, the P-51D slots are all full.
(http://i.imgur.com/jFFhrry.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RgE2TkF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/UjGRjj5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rKDzeVS.jpg)
Here's some actual WWII color footage of the 355th with some very nice closeups of Col Graham. Worth a look if you've never seen it.
I forgot about this one of yours. Freaking SMOOTH man. :aok. Damn I wish I could get that metal effect down. Awesome.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Skuzzy on December 07, 2016, 03:05:10 PM
Actually, there is one slot open for the P51D. It happened when we migrated over to AH3 and made one of the AH2 skins the new default.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Vraciu on December 07, 2016, 03:08:49 PM
Ooh. Submit this one Oboe!!!
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: oboe on December 07, 2016, 04:53:44 PM
Skuzzy, you guys made a great choice for the default P-51D. Cactus' work on that skin is superb.
This is good news. I'd be happy to finish up "Down for Double" and submit it, when we are able to submit skins. Is there any chance of retiring some of the older P-51 skins to make additional room? I was working up a few different bare metal schemes for the '51D, trying to learn how to get the feel of bare aluminum without adding much environmental reflectivity, which to my eye makes the airplane look a little too much like modern day airshow-quality polished aluminum.
Here's another unfinished one, from the 55th FG: (http://i.imgur.com/ZsmS2dc.jpg)
I felt like I was catching on, and I've learned a few more things since then.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Vraciu on December 07, 2016, 05:32:35 PM
How do you get those rivets and panels on the fuselage below the cockpit to look like that? They literally look wavy. Grrrrrr.
*JEALOUS*
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Skuzzy on December 08, 2016, 06:22:46 AM
I hope he used the normal map to accomplish that look.
It's beautiful.
I still can't find a way to properly convert from my working file to Normal format. Frustrating as heck.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: oboe on December 08, 2016, 08:01:24 AM
I'm pretty sure its just the default P-51D Normal map. I was experimenting with the interplay between the Specular and Environmental map settings and the base colors chosen for the natural metal look, so wasn't concerned with Normal map effects yet.
I think what you're talking about here is the shadow and glare layers along the screw lines that fasten the wing fillet to the fuselage. Basically, for each screw head, create dark spots for shadow up-sun (1 px up, 1 px to toward the front from the screw head) and a light splotch for glare down sun (1px back, 1 px down). Then you adjust the opacity of these layers til you get a believable look that makes the metal look depressed where the screw fastens the sheet metal to the frame underneath. The rivets on the fuselage underneath the canopy also have a faint dark shadow in front of the rivets, and a slight glare line behind (for the vertical rivets).
There is still a lot I have to learn about the Normal maps - I think we are supposed to be able to reproduce this effect using the Normal map instead of shadow & glare layers in the diffuse map (the base skin file). The game's graphic engine should handle creating the proper shadow and glare effect on its own, and adjust it per your viewing angle and the angle of the light source. So far though I've only been focused on trying to get the bare metal look right.
btw, for pxdig, there have been some helpful tutorials written. A couple of old ones are saved here:
These are both old and in need of updates, but still contain helpful info. Greebo also wrote one which I think is stickied at the top of this forum.
<S>
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Vraciu on December 08, 2016, 09:01:04 AM
Good info. :aok
What I am fascinated by are the flush rivets and the panels between the wing fairing and the cockpit.
I have had ZERO success in duplicating any of these effects. I only just figured out how to make the tail fairings and engine panel joints pop.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Skuzzy on December 08, 2016, 10:35:29 AM
I really would like to see these effects being done with the normal maps. That is the proper method of doing it. We really need to get skins away from using canned lighting effects.
That said, if you do not alter the panel lines and rivets, then the default normal map should work for most all planes. Use it and then make any other changes to the skin to reflect the look.
If you use the default normal map and do not change it, then you do not need to submit it with the skin, as the default normal map will be applied to any skin which does not supply a normal map.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Vraciu on December 09, 2016, 11:20:27 AM
I really would like to see these effects being done with the normal maps. That is the proper method of doing it. We really need to get skins away from using canned lighting effects.
That said, if you do not alter the panel lines and rivets, then the default normal map should work for most all planes. Use it and then make any other changes to the skin to reflect the look.
If you use the default normal map and do not change it, then you do not need to submit it with the skin, as the default normal map will be applied to any skin which does not supply a normal map.
Is there a screenshot available of the default normal map? I would like to know how it should look as I struggle with mastering this process.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: oboe on December 09, 2016, 02:24:27 PM
Is there a screenshot available of the default normal map? I would like to know how it should look as I struggle with mastering this process.
You can look at it directly. Its a file called P51D_N.bmp located in the p51d folder of the skins directory. Greebo's tutorial in a thread stickied above has information on how to create it.
<S>
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Vraciu on December 09, 2016, 03:05:00 PM
You can look at it directly. Its a file called P51D_N.bmp located in the p51d folder of the skins directory. Greebo's tutorial in a thread stickied above has information on how to create it.
<S>
Ah, that's right. Thank you. :salute
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: pxdig on October 16, 2017, 09:44:25 PM
So, whatever happened to this request for the 355FG/354FS ???
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Vraciu on October 16, 2017, 09:46:57 PM
So, whatever happened to this request for the 355FG/354FS ???
The D skin slots are full. Oboe is working on this skin--and a few others, all of them really nice. Once a slot opens up (either through some orphans being purged or the 3D model being revamped) I am sure he will submit it.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: oboe on October 16, 2017, 10:59:11 PM
I stopped working on it after Vraciu took the last open P-51D slot.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: pxdig on October 22, 2017, 04:25:19 AM
The skin that "took" (?) the final D slot was quite well received and was a bit of a group effort. (Everyone from Hitech/Skuzzy to Oboe helped.) It is the relatively rare OD P-51D.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: oboe on October 23, 2017, 11:45:22 AM
pxdig,
To my knowledge Skuzzy has never advocated or agreed to purge orphaned skins. Its been suggested more than once, but all I've seen him say on the subject when asked directly is that he doesn't like to think about it; it gives him a headache. To the contrary, I've seen him state he is against replacing skins because some squads may prefer a particular skin and if it is removed they get upset.
Also, if and when the 3D model of the P-51 is revamped, I will have nothing to submit - the texture map will surely change and no one's existing skins will be compatible - everyone will have to start over. That is the nature of a 3D model change.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Vraciu on October 23, 2017, 12:36:54 PM
To my knowledge Skuzzy has never advocated or agreed to purge orphaned skins. Its been suggested more than once, but all I've seen him say on the subject when asked directly is that he doesn't like to think about it; it gives him a headache. To the contrary, I seen him state he is strongly against replacing skins because some squads may prefer a particular skin and if it is removed they get upset.
Also, if and when the 3D model of the P-51 is revamped, I will have nothing to submit - the texture map will surely change and no one's existing skins will be compatible - everyone will have to start over. That is the nature of a 3D model change.
However...... In the B section there *IS* a duplicate skin, best I can tell. Fencer is still in the game so his should obviously stay, but the other one should go. This is assuming I am correct. Maybe it is not a duplicate. QP*L and QP*L "Salem Representative". :headscratch:
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Fencer51 on October 24, 2017, 02:06:18 AM
However...... In the B section there *IS* a duplicate skin, best I can tell. Fencer is still in the game so his should obviously stay, but the other one should go. This is assuming I am correct. Maybe it is not a duplicate. QP*L and QP*L "Salem Representative". :headscratch:
It is not a duplicate. At different times during the war aircraft were lost and others took their "squadron codes". Machnix's P-51B is from the fall of 1944 long after Hofer's QP-L was transferred to another pilot and changed to QP-F. It was subsequently lost in a taxi incident on July 17, 1944.
Of course there is the whole different serial number thing...
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Vraciu on October 24, 2017, 10:52:58 AM
It is not a duplicate. At different times during the war aircraft were lost and others took their "squadron codes". Machnix's P-51B is from the fall of 1944 long after Hofer's QP-L was transferred to another pilot and changed to QP-F. It was subsequently lost in a taxi incident on July 17, 1944.
Of course there is the whole different serial number thing...
I am aware of the serial number "thing" Fencer. I was not able to find the machine online anywhere (and happened to transpose the serial numbers in my head)-- that's why I asked about it here. (How ironic that you are criticizing me for misreading a serial number when you did the same thing over 43-12391 in another thread.)
However...... In the B section there *IS* a duplicate skin, best I can tell. Fencer is still in the game so his should obviously stay, but the other one should go. This is assuming I am correct. Maybe it is not a duplicate. QP*L and QP*L "Salem Representative". :headscratch:
Of course there is the whole reading thing...
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Vraciu on October 24, 2017, 01:55:21 PM
Unintentional post.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: pxdig on October 26, 2017, 12:57:15 AM
The skin that "took" (?) the final D slot was quite well received and was a bit of a group effort. (Everyone from Hitech/Skuzzy to Oboe helped.) It is the relatively rare OD P-51D.
Don't take it personally, I thought the multiple emojis banging their head made it clear it was a comical over the top comment. You made a great looking skin and submitted it first, no harm no foul. You were just faster than Oboe.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Vraciu on October 26, 2017, 10:36:45 AM
:cheers:
:salute
Now that made me laugh. :rofl
(And thanks for the compliment.)
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: oboe on December 27, 2017, 04:13:16 PM
I decided to finish this skin and took a bunch of screen shots of it today. Tried to try to turn one of them into a vintage-looking color photo: (https://i.imgur.com/RN1FxJ1.jpg)
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: lyric1 on December 27, 2017, 04:34:50 PM
I decided to finish this skin and took a bunch of screen shots of it today. Tried to try to turn one of them into a vintage-looking color photo: (https://i.imgur.com/RN1FxJ1.jpg)
Been a long while for this aircraft to get into the game. I recall Gaboon said he was a relative of the pilot of this plane.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: FTJR on December 27, 2017, 08:42:51 PM
I decided to finish this skin and took a bunch of screen shots of it today. Tried to try to turn one of them into a vintage-looking color photo: (https://i.imgur.com/RN1FxJ1.jpg)
just awesome Oboe...
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Slash27 on February 08, 2018, 11:04:27 PM
Skuzzy, you guys made a great choice for the default P-51D. Cactus' work on that skin is superb.
This is good news. I'd be happy to finish up "Down for Double" and submit it, when we are able to submit skins. Is there any chance of retiring some of the older P-51 skins to make additional room? I was working up a few different bare metal schemes for the '51D, trying to learn how to get the feel of bare aluminum without adding much environmental reflectivity, which to my eye makes the airplane look a little too much like modern day airshow-quality polished aluminum.
Here's another unfinished one, from the 55th FG: (http://i.imgur.com/ZsmS2dc.jpg)
I felt like I was catching on, and I've learned a few more things since then.
I really wanted to fly KATYDID
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: oboe on February 09, 2018, 06:40:11 AM
I really wanted to see you fly her.
How are you doing, Slash?!
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Slash27 on February 09, 2018, 08:28:10 AM
Good sir. Just busy. How have you been?
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: oboe on February 09, 2018, 12:59:54 PM
Hanging in there, can't complain. Looking forward to the scenario coming up.
Are .... Angels in the game? Haven't see you guys around in long time I think.
Title: Re: P51 request
Post by: Slash27 on February 10, 2018, 04:54:58 PM
No idea anymore. The HA forum got purged and I haven't flown since 2014 I think.