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The Thomas Ruth Antonov AN 225

Jafo

Jafo

SOH-CM-2024
Fun model ....huge plane with originally really small graphics. I've done a few in the past...so this time decided to rework the graphics from 1024 res to something bigger/cleaner. There are some repaints around in 4096, however there's more to a paint than just the paint. This model has specs, bumps, and 'light', not just paint/alpha.

First step was to chase all the model openings to be mapped per-pixel....and only the doors were pretty right. Nothing much in the 'windows' or nose opening were done, and the biggest issue was the 4 times too big bumps that made the model/plane look small...like an Airfix kit.

So ... I redid all the linework as a single pixel at 4096 .... chasing the seams in the model map. 2 weeks later I'm just about done with the fuselage...and better part of 2 days got the rudder openings to make sense...dealing with a right...a reflected left....and a 90% shrunk inner.
The main, and the bumps are currently 36 layers...so eventually I'll upload the kit for others to mess with...

I like working with models that have 'everything' on one bitmap ....so there's less chasing between pieces. This one's mostly OK, though I haven't even begun to look at the wings yet on separate bitmaps.

At the scale I'm painting you can read the phone number and email addy for 'International Cargo Transporter' [I have an urge to paint one green and put the number '2' on it .... "international Rescue" ...;)
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Next step is mapping seams on the tailplane surfaces and working out what 'scale' they were mapped to the image at ....looks like they were scaled down too...;)
 

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Here's the Kit in progress. I work in PSP 6 as I've used it for so long it's second nature.... and it can save-as in psd to keep PS users happy...;)
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One of the first things I did was rig up some smoke effects to engine N1 and vapour trails to wingtips and rudders ...;)
 

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Thanks for your efforts and describing the process.
This aircraft has a lot going for it internally and with the different animations.
Upping the realism on the surface textures is just the enhancement she needs.
 
Getting the bumps to behave....got some lines on the tail ....lots more to do...;)

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OK...so I finally got the hang of the fuse....the bitmap and its alpha....and the bumps and its alpha....and the spec....and its alpha....and the 'light'....and its alpha.
Now all I need to do is the same again....with the wings.
That means I've done 4 bitmaps.....only 6 more to go.....yay.....;)

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Well....the wings are an absolute pain. The linework doesn't match - link up with anything...so cannot work as a guide. I've had to reverse-engineer every part/opening by defining their boundaries on the bitmaps.
An example....there are 4 flap sections [trailing] per wing...each has a top and bottom...each of those has 4 boundaries. That's 32 lines that need to be mapped by trial and error.
Then there's Airlerons .... another 16 lines ....and spoilerons ...another 4 per wing...before segmenting.
By defining actual boundaries of each 'part' I can determine what's blank on the bitmaps....as well as make sense of what aligns with what.

Probably at least another day or 2 before I can even get to the linework. The original linework I did was rubbish...;)
 
Jafo said:
Well....;)
Click to expand...

Yeah, I hate it when that happens. Hopefully you will not hit a total show stopper somewhere along the way. I've had that happen on more than once aircraft during my repaint career. It always shows up when I am about 99% finished with my repaint. DOH! :cower:

Tommy
 
There's not a lot of detail around re the wing panel lines...but I've 'fudged it'. Once I'd worked out where the images actually were on the bitmap...and where all the moving surfaces started and ended....this is most of the bitmap/alpha sorted. Then it'll be bumping the lines and fading them a bit...and doing the specs....;)

ant 225-11.jpg
 
I still have the rest of the bump maps for the wings to do.... but the rest of it is mostly right, not just as the real ITC animal...but am organising 'what ifs' as well so the kit can be used for 'anything'...;)
ant 225-13.jpg
 
Jafo said:
.....but am organizing 'what ifs' as well so the kit can be used for 'anything'...;)
Click to expand...

:encouragement::encouragement:

I know at one time China was interested in producing the An-225, but I am not sure what happened to that deal. Regardless of what has transpired, I would think that China's aerospace industry is capable of producing their own in-house super heavy lift transports and need not rely on An's designs. Still, an An-225 in a China repaint would be nice.

Tommy
 
Reworking some existing what-ifs....attempting to convince the wings they are metal....

ant 225-15.jpg
 
Yes...that'll be easy to do....as I'll be releasing proper layered kits [in psd] to enable anything [almost]...;)
 
Getting 'happier' with the metal....probably need to stain/dirty it up to get it more 'right'....

ant 225-16.jpg
 
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