Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: Kazan_HB on January 08, 2022, 06:23:54 AM
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My Spitfire Mk Vb (WIP)
(https://i.imgur.com/XLiltzq.jpg)
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(https://i.imgur.com/I8K1l1h.jpg)
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Looking good!
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:aok
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Great to see you back skinning Kazan.
The Spitfire is looking good. One thing that looks a little off to me though is the colours of the RAF markings, both the red and blue seem to be a bit too bright and saturated to my eyes.
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Thank you!
That's not done yet. :)
I use specular map for rivets.
(https://i.imgur.com/08Y9Hv5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bdBwcGO.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MaqeMCF.jpg)
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Very nice. Yeah, I would tone down the markings a little. The fuselage letters and insignia are a tiny bit stark. But still a beauty.
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I agree about the markings being too bright.
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update:
(https://i.imgur.com/iy4XDUX.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XlWvwZ1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UCaaF6G.jpg)
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Much much better. The symbol behind the duck is flaring a little still. That's due to the white. Dial that back and you'll have it nailed.
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Very nice Spit, Kazan. Welcome back to skinning!
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Thank you all!
update:
(https://i.imgur.com/H5KHaHb.jpg)
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I couldn't convert my BMP file to 32 bit :bhead :bhead :bhead
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OK done thx Greebo for tip :aok
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Thank you all!
update:
(https://i.imgur.com/H5KHaHb.jpg)
That looks good. Nice job.
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The marking look better, but still can be improved.
The white and Sky should be made much darker.
The blue and red should be made darker and duller.
Also, I think you should fine tune your normal map settings. The panel lines and cowl fasteners are very deep. Looks like an 1/72 Airfix model.
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The marking look better, but still can be improved.
The white and Sky should be made much darker.
The blue and red should be made darker and duller.
Also, I think you should fine tune your normal map settings. The panel lines and cowl fasteners are very deep. Looks like an 1/72 Airfix model.
Yikes. I missed the normal map the first time through but I see it now. Yes, the lines are too deep.
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I couldn't convert my BMP file to 32 bit :bhead :bhead :bhead
Converting the AH3 diffuse and normal maps to 32 bit can be a bit of a pain. I have described how to do it in this post in the stickied "AH 3 Skin File Format Guide" (https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,388296.msg5302396.html#msg5302396) thread. Essentially it involves converting and saving the files using Gimp. The problem is that the latest version of Gimp causes an error that causes AH to read the file incorrectly. This can be got round by re-saving the 32-bit file with MS Paint which uses the same sort of bmp header format as AH3. Alternatively if you can find the old version Gimp 2.6 this will save the file correctly without having to re-save with MS Paint.
The lighting in AH3 seems to do odd things to very light and very dark colours on skins. So to get round this skinners have been moving all their dark and pale colours towards the middle of the colour range. For instance in AH2 my standard white was 220/220/220 RGB and in AH3 it is 180/180/180 RGB. This stops it giving off an overpowering white solar reflection in the game. Other very light colours like RAF Sky and NMF finish have also been darkened up for the same reason. My blacks and other dark colours have gone the other way. Apart from adding AH3 lighting effects the main thing I do in my skin updates is change to the new palette of colours. I can post a list of my AH3 colour choices if it helps.
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That wouldnt be from you.
I found that Pixelformer, its easy. Import your file and export as BMP 32bit. http://www.qualibyte.com/pixelformer/download.html
I did that today:
(https://i.imgur.com/FM303ZU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tCsVQ3t.jpg)
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Kazan, the improvements you've made to this skin since first post are dramatic.
I have one suggestion for you, regarding paint chips - if your paint chip layer is above the panel line layer, the panel lines won't show through the chips. This appears to be happening - see the large chip below the cockpit on the left side, just behind the black cross kill marks. It appears to sit on top of the panel line, and blocks out the line directly beneath it.
Since panel lines are really nothing more than the shadows of the gaps between panel sections, they should be very near the top in layer order. The panel line should be visible through the chip, just as it is visible through the "RF" and "D" painted on the side of the fuselage.
I've also taken to spreading the paint wear/chipping faintly along the panel line near large chips, to represent wear along the panel's edge. It softens the sudden appearance of a large chipped area.
Looking very good!
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Maybe i should put lines layer to specular map?
Sound good..
thx :)
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Maybe i should put lines layer to specular map?
Sound good..
thx :)
Absolutely put the panel lines into the specular map. Crank them up to full 100% black. It just means they won't shine at all, which of course makes sense for panel line gaps.
<S>
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Specular mapping for fine lines detail, is good alternative ( or for rivets).
<S>
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Just to be clear, it's not one or the other - you put the layers in both files - the diffuse AND the Specular (and actually the Power and Environment too). The Specular, Power, and Environment files are basically grey-scale copies of the diffuse file.
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That wouldnt be from you.
I found that Pixelformer, its easy. Import your file and export as BMP 32bit. http://www.qualibyte.com/pixelformer/download.html
I did that today:
(https://i.imgur.com/FM303ZU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/tCsVQ3t.jpg)
This fixed your normal map issue. Now it really looks slick.
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Nice improvement.
Oboe is right about how to do panel lines and rivets with the diffuse and specular maps.
Really, the only map you might not want rivet detail is on the Normal map. It can't properly render a singular 1X1 pixel at a shallow depth.
What I do is have panel lines and larger fasteners (3x3 pixels) on all file types and small rivet detail on only the diffuse and specular maps.
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Its looking good Kazan, nice job.
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(https://i.imgur.com/itl9Uv2.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/NfVaV1M.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7DwSOdo.jpg)
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:aok
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thx :)
(https://i.imgur.com/rbcK9cE.jpg)
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Quite nice - really great look on the ragged edges of the invasion stripes. You might consider a bit of grease or oil stains/leaks around the screws and panel seam on the lower nose cowl section? Seems like that would be a logical spot for engine grime to escape.
Also, since this panel is removed regularly for engine service, it wouldn't be out of place to introduce some slight paint chipping around the screw heads?
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Nice one.
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Now Spitfire is dirty and old ...
(https://i.imgur.com/dtFKKgo.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/IuXiJav.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/F6EkWbZ.jpg)
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Its looking good Kazan. Why have you removed your squadron codes though?
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Its looking good Kazan. Why have you removed your squadron codes though?
ooops...i am old too :old:
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Bf 109K4 JG27 blue 7
(https://i.imgur.com/0qCoWvP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EnheNab.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/RrrFLOf.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9yCPSA5.jpg)
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The K-4 is not bad, but there are a few items that need addressing.
1. You need to fix the colors on the prop spinner. On the AH 109 bitmaps, the rear portion of the spinner is on the fuselage parts. You need to paint those areas black or RLM 70 (Don't worry about continuing the white spiral, those were rarely painted on the backing plate on real 109's)
2. Continue the yellow nose band under the nose. This was an IFF marking and having it visible to ground gunners was even more important than for other aircraft. Also, darken the color to reduce the level of glowing.
3. The fuel filler cap and triangle stencil need to be moved forward into the next fuselage section. Also, the Blue 7 needs its placement moved forward, with the fuel grade stencil overlapping the upper left corner.
4. Enlarge the fuselage crosses so that the width fully spans between the panel lines in its section.
5. Add the opening in the cowl for the exhaust pipes. This area is a rectangular hole for all of the exhaust stacks. The top should be angled downward to the rear to match the upper exhaust shroud piece.
6. Add the lower cowl bumps. The G-10 and K-4 had wider engines than previous 109's that necessitated widening the front of the lower cowl. This was achieved by adding teardrop shaped fairings.
7. Add cooling scoops to the forward cowling. Beginning with the G series, all 109's had a pair of scoops added to the front cowl on each side. The rear scoops are slightly higher up than the forward set.
Here is an image from my K-4 template to illustrate what I'm talking about.
(https://i.postimg.cc/sDHgt0Vw/K-4-Sample.png) (https://postimg.cc/1f6SFBVq)
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:aok
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Devil 505
You are Bf 109 ekspert, thanks for all the good tips. :salute
(https://i.imgur.com/eJchzFU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/iUCVfSs.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QgUDlvz.jpg)
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Looks good Kazan, nice work.
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Looks good Kazan, nice work.
thank you <S>
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Nice improvement.
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Nice work, Kazan!
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Would taming the brown a hair help any?
Looks nice regardless.
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Italian Bf 109K1 1 Gruppo di Caccia
(https://i.imgur.com/xAsul41.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/F9g66KR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/B3Zjzsl.jpg)
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(https://i.imgur.com/NQjuQ0v.jpg)
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:aok
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Nice one.
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Excellent.
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Nice job Kazan.
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I like them but I still think a slight desaturation or an increase in transparency would do the paint some good. Nothing major. Just a little.
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I like them but I still think a slight desaturation or an increase in transparency would do the paint some good. Nothing major. Just a little.
I have to agree in regards to the Italian job. It "jumps" out at me a little.
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JG I./53 Yellow six, but I'm not sure if the markings are correct?
(https://i.imgur.com/FVjQB11.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sI7yffy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZfBrNNT.jpg)
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(https://i.imgur.com/KZiyf4o.jpg)
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What reference do you have for that scheme?
I'll tell you straight away that the markings do not match the unit. The vertical bar aft of the cross would be for a III Gruppe machine, not I Gruppe. Planes in I Gruppe would just have the side number.
The yellow cowl ring would be accurate for a I Gruppe aircraft since they were operating from airfields in Czechoslovakia and Hungary late in the war. But they would not likely have the black band on the tail. III Gruppe would be the opposite since they were in Germany.
Also, your color of the German crosses is very peach looking. It's very apparent on this skin but also like this on your other K-4's.
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That was a book. Bf 109K4 1945 jg53 "Operation Bodenplatte"
I have found it:
https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/14341/fsx-luftwaffe-messerschmitt-109k/
(https://flyawaysimulation.com/images/downloadshots/14341-messerschmitt-109k-jg53-yellow-6zip-3-me109k.jpg)
(https://flyawaysimulation.com/images/downloadshots/14341-messerschmitt-109k-jg53-yellow-6zip-9-thumbnail.jpg)
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:aok
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Devil, you might mention the leading edge blending technique also.
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That was a book. Bf 109K4 1945 jg53 "Operation Bodenplatte"
I have found it:
https://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/14341/fsx-luftwaffe-messerschmitt-109k/
(https://flyawaysimulation.com/images/downloadshots/14341-messerschmitt-109k-jg53-yellow-6zip-3-me109k.jpg)
(https://flyawaysimulation.com/images/downloadshots/14341-messerschmitt-109k-jg53-yellow-6zip-9-thumbnail.jpg)
Like I said, your skin and this other one based the same material have mixed elements. which are contradictory.
I did some searching for reference photos and this is the closest I could find to your skin's scheme.
(https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-109G/JG53/images/Messerschmitt-Bf-109G10U4-Erla-1.JG53-White-9-salvaged-remains-Germany-1945-01.jpg)
This does seem to be a I/Jg 53 aircraft with a light colored cowl ring and black tail band. It's a G-10, which is fine for the AH K-4. I'd say that you adjust the adjust the markings and cammo pattern to match the photo.
Here's a scheme that I think would be a good example of the fuselage paint pattern. The low contrast of the top colors makes me think that it may be painted in green and brown instead of gray and green.
(https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-109G/JG300/images/Messerschmitt-Bf-109G10R3-Erla-16.JG300-Black-4-WNr-150816-Germany-1945-0A.jpg)
Devil, you might mention the leading edge blending technique also.
Yes, it would be a good idea to not have pant colors change on a seam in the 3D model. Try panting the underside color on the leading edge of the upper wings and horizontal stabilizers and blending it into the top colors. Also, try blending your cammo colors across the seam in the upper cowling parts. I noticed these flaws in your other K-4's also.
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I wrote wrong, this is III./JG53
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a1/ef/35/a1ef35d912acd2b3e626f8613943102b.jpg)
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Kazan, It would be impossible for you to be correct about this scheme based on that flawed reference. The details simply contradict the facts of what is usually seen on late war 109's from Jg 53. Without a photograph of the actual aircraft that clearly shows all these elements being present, I personally would not trust the artwork. But your skin has been in game like this for over a decade, so I won't insist that you change it.
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There's a lot of unrealistic profiles out there and it's always a bit of a risk to base a skin entirely on one. For a new skin I'd usually like at least one original photo as a reference to accept it into the game. However for for an update I'm not bothered, loads of other skins in the game are also based off inaccurate profiles.
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Kazan, It would be impossible for you to be correct about this scheme based on that flawed reference. The details simply contradict the facts of what is usually seen on late war 109's from Jg 53. Without a photograph of the actual aircraft that clearly shows all these elements being present, I personally would not trust the artwork. But your skin has been in game like this for over a decade, so I won't insist that you change it.
You have right! Someone made wrong drawing.
My goal is real airplanes skins.
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He looks good
https://www.stormomagazine.com/ModelArticles/Me109K4/MichelGruson/Bf109K4_1a.html
(https://www.stormomagazine.com/ModelArticles/Me109K4/MichelGruson/Dsc04262_550.jpg)
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He looks good
https://www.stormomagazine.com/ModelArticles/Me109K4/MichelGruson/Bf109K4_1a.html
(https://www.stormomagazine.com/ModelArticles/Me109K4/MichelGruson/Dsc04262_550.jpg)
That is a gorgeous model. Wish my builds looked that good.
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ok i start another italian 109K4
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Spitfire VIII 145Sq RAF
(https://i.imgur.com/ny1t6oR.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BZFfpYG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KQDRQoQ.jpg)
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Good looking Spit Kazan, nice job.
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Thx
i just saw your new Spitfire VIII skin, great job too
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Nice one.
Is the radio antenna supposed to be brown?
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P47M Thunderbolt flown by W.Lanowski 61st Fighter Squadron
(https://i.imgur.com/Xp51sAq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EsBXHyv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/aLfHW3z.jpg)
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Very nice Kazan. One little thing though, maybe you could make the red on the Polish emblem match the duller and darker red on the cowl.
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Very nice Kazan. One little thing though, maybe you could make the red on the Polish emblem match the duller and darker red on the cowl.
Polish flag is not red and white, it is Vermilion.
But I can correct that, maybe they don't have too much choice with colors.. :)
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Nice one.
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:aok
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(https://i.imgur.com/grpidG6.jpg)
And another wolf from Zemke's Wolfpack. Major B.Gladych P47m Pengie V
(https://i.imgur.com/xF5Nwr0.jpg)
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(https://i.imgur.com/grpidG6.jpg)
And another wolf from Zemke's Wolfpack. Major B.Gladych P47m Pengie V
(https://i.imgur.com/xF5Nwr0.jpg)
Hate to burst your bubble "Pengie V" never had nose art.
Not that its relevant here neither did "Pengie IV"
(https://i.imgur.com/ldGC3PMh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Lu5hjPzh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FPaq7HTh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sDVsGbch.jpg)
Some pics for your other one that you may or may not have.
(https://i.imgur.com/81XMpMXh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/JY8fHGwh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/dibo8WGh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ojSBrSkh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8AFL2h0h.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Hi7hy8Mh.jpg)
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You killed the penguin...
Do you know this article? https://www.largescaleplanes.com/articles/article.php?aid=717
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Lanowski story (English) https://witoldlanowski.co.uk/
(https://i.imgur.com/ccJKape.jpg)
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Nice work.
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You killed the penguin...
Do you know this article? https://www.largescaleplanes.com/articles/article.php?aid=717
Have now. I am aware of the debate though & the answer is black. Other colour photos I have found for this squadron leaves no doubt. :aok
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Nicely done.
I am aware of the debate though & the answer is black. Other colour photos I have found for this squadron leaves no doubt. :aok
Is there anything you can post here that can end the debate?
If it's that cut and dry, then Kazan should probably darken his paint shade.
Also, I think the light blue on the insignia is too bright. The screenshots on Pengie make it clear that this color glows in the sunlight.
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Is there anything you can post here that can end the debate?
If it's that cut and dry, then Kazan should probably darken his paint shade.
One of these parts with remaining paint is from a Lancaster and the other a 61st Squadron P-47M?
https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235003212-56th-fighter-group-m-colour/
(https://i.imgur.com/a8oZauP.jpg)
Lets start with "Pengie V".
The image is horribly out of focus still looks black.
(https://i.imgur.com/Lu5hjPzh.jpg)
3 more 61st birds all look flat black.
(http://i.imgur.com/8FLmsm8.jpg) (https://imgur.com/8FLmsm8)
The blue roundel pops against the black of HV-S.
(https://i.imgur.com/dXBIg35.jpg)
"Sue" HV-K.
(https://i.imgur.com/84dPxgI.jpg)
"Joy Boy" HV-P.
(https://i.imgur.com/nouX70u.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/c5i7dam.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7XM1dKY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/c6l9ywv.jpg)
Lt. Ellis's plane "Blue Eyes" Lt. Ernest H. Treff standing on it.
Flat black it appears to me also the other 61st aircraft in the back ground.
(https://i.imgur.com/MGF6CTy.jpg)
Here is a 63rd squadron plane that Fencer did for the game. A newer book that came out after it was skinned has pointed out something in this image that is easily missed.
(https://i.imgur.com/FeXcclvh.jpg)
The black cowl band is not that far off from the shades of blue used for the 63rd squadron. I think the closeness of some of the 63rd's blue tones get confused with the 61st's black upper surfaces. Plus the huts in the background painted like the jug in the foreground same colours of blue.
Look at the plane in a black and white image the black cowl is notably different.
(https://i.imgur.com/9DJsYT4h.jpg)
From a 56th fighter group book I have.
(https://i.imgur.com/rn4SP2Gh.jpg)
Don't be surprised when black earlier models of the P-47 of the 56th fighter group show up in game. :devil :bolt:
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Great stuff, Lyric.
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Why on Earth did they go with black?
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Why on Earth did they go with black?
They wanted individual looks for each squadron.
61st chose black.
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Great stuff Lyric thx
Test:
(https://i.imgur.com/Ov6dwvq.jpg)
How does my USAF markings look in psd file.
(https://i.imgur.com/oDdM6sr.jpg)
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They wanted individual looks for each squadron.
61st chose black.
Ah, okay. Makes sense.
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Great stuff Lyric thx
Test:
(https://i.imgur.com/Ov6dwvq.jpg)
How does my USAF markings look in psd file.
(https://i.imgur.com/oDdM6sr.jpg)
The insignia looks fine in the PSD, but if that's the same as before then it's too light/bright.
Your main paint color still looks too blue and also over saturated.
I suggest that you try the black shade I used for my P-39Q night fighter "Spare Parts". RGB 33/38/38
(https://i.postimg.cc/QthT1XjC/Spare-Parts-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SX1Rpb2b)
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Sq./I by KaZaN 'ah ahem' just saying... :rock
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Spitfire mk IXc flown by Major J.Falkowski.
(https://i.imgur.com/6j8z5CT.jpg)
Some people say that's BS. B.Affleck had flown the Spitfire.
a proof :noid
(https://i.imgur.com/ekJaYm5.png)
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:aok
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Looks really nice.
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Nice one.
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Very sharp Kazan. I don't know too much about RAF color schemes - but are the fuselage ID codes supposed to be a different color than the white fuselage band? The letters seem to have a slight greenish shade to them compared to the band?
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The letters and the band should be the same colour.
I'll check that right away.
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Replace color function does not work correctly.
Thx Oboe
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Replace color function does not work correctly.
Thx Oboe
Are you using GIMP?
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Adobe Photoshop CS3
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Adobe Photoshop CS3
Ok. In GIMP, I noticed that if you have two elements that are close in color and you try to make them match using the color exchange tool, it will flip the colors instead of matching them.
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Sounds a bit like CS3, first glance everything is fine. And then there is an error.
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Great job on the Spitfire and P-47M skins Kazan.
The colour changing tool can be temperamental in Paint Shop Pro too. If I have problems I just select the object and use a large paint brush tool to change the colour.