Of Bitmaps and Alpha Layers

[nigel richards]

Getting down to basics...

It may help us to have a clearer insight towards layered texturing by taking a brief look at the elements that form a well rendered aircraft surface.

Having a plan of action eases our work flow, so lets break this down into 7 basic stages or groups of layers which will give us our finished artwork.

Below these 7 layers or groups will be our background, or guide:

This is the texture created by the model designer for mapping.

It forms a highly accurate guide for your work. Well worth taking time to familiarize yourself with the details not only in your paint program, but also by close examination on the actual model in sim.

 

[nigel richards]

So let's take a brief look at the 7 elements.

The 7 elements are numbered according to their natural hierarchy within the layers you'll be creating; the higher the number, the higher will be its position in the stack.

Sounds rather confusing perhaps - it's really quite simple and logical in reality;

1. Airframe skin
The physical skin - metal, fabric or these days often synthetic composites.

2.Paint Areas
The major areas of paint on your project;
Camo, de-icers, walkways, stripes...
The bit that everyone's itching to get at, but neglect the other layers and your textures will never get off the ground - just flat areas of colour.

3.Graphics
Logos, insignia, lettering, stencils etc

4.Construction
Rivets, joints, panels, cavities
Well worth every second spent here. Much easier to achieve really great results than most people think.
Just VERY time consuming - here more than anywhere else, you simply need to be patient and methodical.

5.Weathering
Scratches, scuffs, chipped paint, grime, exhaust stains
Probably one of the most artistic and fascinating areas of texturing - gives character and life to an aircraft.
(My favourite part)

6. Light and shadow
Those two great companions.
This is where we can add the weight and substance that our virtual sunlight can't quite create.

7.Reflection
Yes! The Alphas

 

[nigel richards]

Just a little office tidying up before we get cracking...

As already mentioned, I work in Photoshop (admittedly an old version), but it serves me well.

If anyone beginning this tutorial has the program but has until now, not used it; please consider taking the plunge - you'll never look back.

I downloaded Gimp a couple of days ago with the aim of perhaps being of some help there, also.
Alas! My new setup runs on the Greek edition of Windows 7 and this was picked up by Gimp.
In other words; Yep - it's all in Greek.

Therefore I will press on in Photoshop 'logic' with the hope that someone familiar with Gimp can jump in here with Gimp related questions.
A cursory look around in Gimp shows the layout and tools to be based on Photoshop, so at least that's a step in the right direction.

As we're going to be making our first simple LAYERED texture probably tomorrow, those opening up Photoshop for the very first time may wish to take the following preparatory steps;

 

[nigel richards]

 

[nigel richards]

Nothing like having a nice clear, uncluttered work surface to make a fresh start

Tomorrow

 

[Matt Wynn]

and then you have the nutters like me... who just naturally take things a step too far.....

and yes... good evening/afternoon gents!

 

[Hurricane91]

and then you have the nutters like me... who just naturally take things a step too far.....

and yes... good evening/afternoon gents!

Hello Matt, good to hear from you. How is it going?

 

[Matt Wynn]

pretty good cheers.... been kept busy by the boys (and girls!) in the HAF, working patch designs for them.... slowly getting back into the simulator now once more!

 

[nigel richards]

Layered Textures Tutorial - Part 1; intro

Here is the first step in our series of tutorials.

We sincerely hope this encourages more folk to try their hands at texturing.

 

[nigel richards]

Tutorial page 2

 

[nigel richards]

Tutorial page 3

 

[nigel richards]

Tutorial page 4

 

[nigel richards]

Tutorial page 5

 

[nigel richards]

Tutorial page 6

 

[Maarten -]

and then you have the nutters like me... who just naturally take things a step too far.....

and yes... good evening/afternoon gents!

Hey Matt, great you're back!

Cheers,
Maarten

 

[nigel richards]

Tutorial page 7

 

[nigel richards]

Tutorial Base zip

Just as a reminder, here's a link to the tutorial basepack model kindly made available by Milton;

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/local_links.php?catid=207&linkid=20593

I have also received several kind request to make the tutorial pages downloadable in zip form.
As soon as they're packaged up and uploaded, I'll post here.

Happy painting, friends

 

[PeteHam]

Thanks Nigel.

Never could get my head around working with layers, despite several very talented friends helping.

But .... I'll keep trying ( some would say I'm very trying )

Pete.

 

[nigel richards]

Thanks Nigel.

Never could get my head around working with layers, despite several very talented friends helping.

But .... I'll keep trying ( some would say I'm very trying )

Pete.

Ah! Pete; great to have you with us

You teach me to fly and I'll help you learn textures, LOL ))

Seriously, please don't hesitate to ask, if there's something that needs clarifying

 

[lemonadedrinker]

Hi,
Looking forward to the Zip, and I'm really interested to see if I can get the hang of these layers and so on. .

Andy.