Ok, so I have dabbled into skinning recently and after using a couple of templates I have decided to practice a polished metal skin. I chose the p40 because it makes a lot of sense (the skin is logical - it doesn't invert, flip round or anything unusual.)

What I did was I started with a base and slowly added layers (with lighter colours) i did 6 layers in total I think (or maybe it was 5). Is this basically what you are suposed to do?

This is what I have come up with:




The thing is - it doesnt look that good. Do I need to do more layers, mess around with opacity a bit more (I made the mistake of changing the opacity of the brush, this meant I kept going back over spots - I didnt really have control. Should I have used the layer opacity instead?) and I think I need a steadier hand.

Its not that bad. I would add a solid layer of light gray underneath the paint you already have on there. I believe it might help.

Hey, Nice Job!

Simmers Paintshop

Look here.. Under tutorials.. I believe there is a good one there on making metal..

It needs some colors. I add not just a hint of blue, but also some purples, yellows and tans. Also, don't try to "polish" each part individually. Keep in mind that they are all parts of the whole. For example, I would continue the shine all along the sides of the fuselage.

Also, the control surfaces on the P-40 were fabric covered, so they should not match the metal parts.

"Bare metal" (officially it was NMF - Natural Metal Finish) is probably one of the hardest things to skin in IL2!

quote:

I chose the p40 because it makes a lot of sense (the skin is logical - it doesn't invert, flip round or anything unusual.)

Well, the underside of the wing does get used on both sides...

quote:

Well, the underside of the wing does get used on both sides...

to me that seems like I only have to do half the work (or a quarter or somthing =))

Anyway thanks everyone for the advice - I will certainly look into it the second I get a chance.

~S~

Skinning are bare metal skin is the hardest.
My advice would be:
1-Make a plain black skin and see how the light is apllied in the game over the 3d model.
2- Once you've noticed what areas are highlighted apply a low oppacity white layer on that areas in the template (most of the time it is the the back of the fuselage, central part of the wings, central part of the elevator)
3- You have to remember that you have to trick the eye, basically white=bump, black=hole
4- a metal sheet isn't plain grey you have to introduce some nuances of blue and other colors.

The balance between all these factor lead to a good metal effect. But it is a hard work.