Skinning tutorial request

major_setback · #1 03-18-2012, 03:49 PM

I am thinking about starting skinning (aircraft). I have a lot of experience with Photoshop/Elements from my photographic interest; using layers etc. so I don't think the painting/colouring part will be much of a problem. But I would like a simple tutorial to guide me through the basics of skinning, explaining what a 'template' is, and so on.

Can anyone suggest a good skinning tutorial? Preferably one that has been specifically done for CoD.

U505 · #2 03-18-2012, 06:45 PM

I have search already one but didn't found yet.I have search alone how to make a skin and all i already i can use it to help you if you need (in the case i know how to do it of course

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JG26_EZ · #3 03-19-2012, 01:13 AM

Well, for starters, a layered template is exactly that... An image with layers of detail ie. Rivets, panel lines, or weathering. With a template, your workload for the skin you choose to create will be drastically reduced, as you won't have to add those rivets, panel lines and weathering.

Keep in mind, that some people consider a "one layer" pic of the skin with reduced colour, a template, which is not correct. A template should allow you to just add colour, and everything else is already there in the layers, and just needs to be adjusted by the skinner, (ie, the lightness/hue of the rivets/panel lines/weathering layers). All of the above mentioned layers should then appear on top of the colour scheme layer you come up with.

I have created a layered template for the bf109E with the rivets and panel lines, but did not include the weathering as that layer will take me about a year to perfect

http://airwarfare.com/sow/index.php?...tid=11&cid=315

Look for a skinning tutorial for the "old" IL2.. It's the exact same concept.
This one's a good one to get you up to speed... http://www.mission4today.com/index.p...p=show&kid=484
Here's a site with pleanty of tutorials, tips and advice. http://www.simmerspaintshop.com/forums/

major_setback · #4 03-19-2012, 09:42 PM

Thanks for the information. I have a couple of questions. I am very grateful if anyone could answer these:

What sort of compression should I use on the finished skin when compressing the psd layered file to jpeg? Highest quality?

I have seen layered skins (layered templates) with a separate weather/panel-lines layer. Have these come from a layer within the default skins, or have skinners created these themselves? If they are in the default skins then how can they be extracted? I only see jpegs in my skins folder, not layered psd files.

JG26_EZ · #5 03-19-2012, 10:11 PM

Highest Quality JPEG.. Yes!
I, for the most part, use PSP and have to run the optimizer when saving.

Re: the weathering..
Unless you can find it in the default skins, it's been made from somebody as far as I know. Unless someone has tapped into the "in-game" weathering somehow.

You won't see layered psd or psp templates in the skin folders unless you've put them there yourself.. Templates are created by us.. not them

major_setback · #6 03-20-2012, 11:53 PM

Thanks for the answers.
Regarding those layers, it seems like a lot of work goes into making a layer of panel lines!

How do the official CoD templates that are available for download at Airwarfare (3rd download down the page http://airwarfare.com/sow/index.php?...egory&catid=11) differ from normal skins? Excuse my ignorance.