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Thread: Update: Skinning templates and skinning tutorials.

  1. #1
    Team Fusion major_setback's Avatar
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    Update: Skinning templates and skinning tutorials.

    Hi all,
    The second lot of skinning templates have been released. This happened quite a while ago, but this has generally been overlooked by the community.

    Official TFS simple templates for the Bf108, G50, Cr42, Tiger Moth, Defiant, Bf109F and Bf109F-tropical are now in the download section of the forum

    Download link: https://theairtacticalassaultgroup.c...?categoryid=43

    There are now a total of 12 official templates in the download section of this forum (13 if you count Bf109F and Bf109F-trop as different).



    There are some skinning tutorials within the zipped download files. I'll reproduce these here (in lower quality) so that this thread can also act as a skinning tutorial.

    PART 1 (this first part has previously been shown on the forums)


    Starting Skinning. Using Layers

    In order to use the templates you need a paint program which can handle multiple layers such as Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Gimp, Paint shop Pro etc. There are some free programs around that you can use. Try googling the ones mentioned, or look for a similar free program.

    It is not difficult to use multiple layers.
    Layers are stacked on top of one another. The uppermost layer is the one that will be most visible. Think of it as if it were multiple panes of transparent glass on top of each other. You paint on each layer to build up a final picture/skin. The camouflage is on the lower layers, with emblems and national insignia on top of that. Finally weathering will be on the top layers. Layers can be semi transparent so you can see the layers below.

    Here is a very simple introduction to the use of layers:

    Simple layer tutorial on Youtube:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gxcIn8L__w


    Getting Started on Making Skins:

    The aircraft skin is projected onto the 3D model.
    Think of it as if the aircraft parts are taken off the plane and each part is laid out on a flat surface. The wings, elevators etc. are separated and laid out in different places on this flat surface. The aircraft skin is projected onto those parts. Each aircraft part will have a corresponding place on the skin.


    The templates are quite detailed, but very simple to use. They include several camouflage colours (for both Desert and Channel), and several different national markings depending on the aircraft type.

    Example of the templates. Here is how they look in Photoshop Elements. Note: turning on the eye icon to the left of the layer will make it active/visible. You can see the eye icon in the screenshots below. Click on it to activate the layer, so that it will show on your skin. To make changes to the layer you have to click on the main part of the layer; to the right, where the name of the layer is: Click on the layer name to edit the layer...
    ... In the first screenshot (below) the layer that is being worked on is 'sky, underside', which is shown with a darkened black background behind the text:

    example 1.jpg

    example 1b.jpg

    And here is how they look in Photoshop CS2 (an older version):

    Photoshop example 1.jpg



    Unlocking a layer so you can work on it:
    You can unlock layers by clicking on the 'lock' icon at the bottom of the layers! This will enable you to adjust the outlines of the camouflage.
    Here is how to unlock one of the locked layers: (this method will de different on other programs):

    locked layers 1.jpg


    Using the Templates
    Very little skill is needed when using the templates. You just need to make the layers visible: just turn on or off layers by clicking so the eye symbol shows - see the screen captures.

    Changing the colours
    You can change the colours of the various camouflage pattern parts if you like. The camouflage layers are temporarily locked for transparency, so depending on your software all you would need to do is use the paint bucket to change the colour (transparency and edge should be preserved) ... so just flood the layer with colour using the 'paint bucket'. Un-tick the box at the top of the picture called 'contiguous' and you will only need to click once with the paint bucket! This option will show when you chose the paint bucket:

    example 1c.jpg

    NOTE: Turn off the white (or black) background layer outline, it is just there as a rough guide. It will probably show in-game if not turned off.

    Save your skin!
    Save your skin in jpg format. If you save in PSD format then all the layers will remain intact, so it is a good idea to also save in PSD format. Then you can do further editing later on, and make alterations to your skin.
    Put the jpg skin in your skin folder for the appropriate aircraft in order to view it in-game.


    -- -- --


    PART 2


    Panel Finder Tutorial

    This tutorial will help you to use the panel finder in order to locate and paint aircraft parts. You use the panel finder to locate the part of the skin that corresponds to an aircraft part.


    skin tutororial 01.jpg

    skin tutororial 02.jpg

    skin tutororial 03.jpg

    -- -- --

    PART 3


    Guide for Skinning Small Parts on the Bf109F


    This tutorial is specifically aimed to help with skinning the Bf109F, but if you follow this method it may help you understand how find skin parts on other aircraft's skins.

    Guide for skinning smal parts v2 screen 01b.jpg

    Guide for skinning smal parts v2 screen 02b.jpg

    Guide for skinning smal parts v2 screen 03b.jpg

    Guide for skinning smal parts v2 screen 04b.jpg

    Guide for skinning smal parts v2 screen 05b.jpg

    Guide for skinning smal parts v2 screen 06b.jpg


    These tutorials are also included in the downloads, along with the Panel Finder and the special skins shown in the tutorial for finding cowling fasteners and tail reinforcing strips on the Bf109F, showing the position of these parts.

    The tutorials are also available from the Team Fusion Simulations resources site:

    https://www.team-fusion-simulations....link=27#item27



    Happy skinning!

    Cheers,
    Team Fusion Simulations / major_setback
    Last edited by major_setback; Oct-03-2021 at 17:24.
    http://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2673&dateline=1390351127

    Principle skinner
    .

  2. #2
    TF Leadership RAF74_Buzzsaw's Avatar
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    Re: Update: Skinning templates and skinning tutorials.

    Thanks for this Keith!

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    Re: Update: Skinning templates and skinning tutorials.

    Excellent work Major.

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