Vulcan XL443 at Akrotiri

nazca_steve · Post by **nazca_steve** » 17 Jul 2007, 06:22

I just finished another Paul Foster Vulcan, this time an 83 Sqn bird as based at Scampton in 1963, but shown here at Akrotiri (for the fun of it). I'll have this and another wraparound camo version on the pond soon.

Cheers,

Steve

sknepper · Post by **sknepper** » 18 Jul 2007, 22:03

This brings a smile to my face. The "classic" white textures of the old Vulcan. This version visited the old Rhodesia when I was a little cheeky boy. And the model is great! Nice work there Steve. Another repaint that's worth the wait.

nazca_steve · Post by **nazca_steve** » 31 Jul 2007, 06:41

Cheers for the feedback Sean, they sound like good memories indeed. Finally got a working draft of the wraparound done just now, there are problems with the underside but may be too tricky to sort out. Not bad though - see what you think.

XL427 of 50 Sqn:

sknepper · Post by **sknepper** » 31 Jul 2007, 19:54

Looking great Steve!

I love the logos on the fin and the highly detailed lettering around the cockpit. And that dynamic shine model gives a lovely effect also - or was it maybe with alphas :redface:

John · Post by **John** » 31 Jul 2007, 19:56

That sir is simply wonderful!

Kind regards

John

nazca_steve · Post by **nazca_steve** » 31 Jul 2007, 21:08

Thanks gents, the feedback is always much appreciated.

Regarding the dynamic shine, firstly I set the model shine to semi-gloss, then turn on 'reflecctive textures' (so as to enable the alpha channel to work). The actual alpha textures for this particular model were a very light grey, bordline white actually, so as not to give too much sheen to the wraparound scheme. I read these were semi-matt in reality, hence less sheen on my version than say the XL360 scheme I did earlier.

Ever since I got into alphas a few months ago I positively love using them and really wish I'd sat down and learnt them a lot earlier (when I did my first Canberra series!). Oh well, at least these Vulcans get the gloss they deserve!

And yes, I love the 'running dingoes' logo as well - can anyone shed some more light on the background to that? On the note of XL427, there are some cracking photos of her on 'Vulcans in Camera' web site, including a unique shot of her being blasted off her undercarriage for battle damage testing/firefighting work I assume. Flames and all!

I will try to get this and the white scheme on the Pond tonight.

Techy111 · Post by **Techy111** » 15 Aug 2007, 14:25

Hi Fella love the re-paints

I have just started the long road to doing repaints and wondered what program you use ? I use PSP9 and with some repaint kits i just don't know how to add dynamic shine to FS9 aircraft (stumped) :-( Also i think the alphas too dark..... How can i adjust it (am i being a tad cheeky ? )

Heres a little piccy i did with an FSX chopper and using alphas for this one i could get a lovely gloss but for FS9 i can't seem to get it????

Yeah i know sorry its a Helicopter STUPID

Techy

nazca_steve · Post by **nazca_steve** » 15 Aug 2007, 17:00

Hello Techy,

it's not being cheeky at all to ask, glad to help out (even though it's a chopper!). I use PhotoShop CS for my paints but I am sure you can achieve the same quality in PSP or something similar. To adjust the alphas, you need to play with the level of black/white in the alpha channel channel of the channels tab (or something similar in PSP). in P-shop, 100% white is flat matt, i.e. no shine, and 100% black produces an insane level of reflection that is something akin to looking into the sun

and the model will look virtually white from shine. If your alphas are coming out too 'dark' I assume this is not shiny enough for you and you might want to set the alpha to more of a darker shade of grey. in P-shop you only need a very light shade of grey to produce the kind of metal reflections I did on my silver Canberras, and an even lighter shade for the Vulcans above.

IF you are still not seeing any dynamic shine at all, it means the model was not exported with this setting on. Do not fear, there is a plugin out there called 'Shiny' that allows you to modify the overall gloss level on your model as well as actually trigger reflective textures (i.e. enable the alpha channel). I can't remember exactly where it was now, but it is mentioned in another thread on here (I think it was the VX185 Canberra thread, but don't quote me on it!). If you can't find it, let me know and I will email it to you.

Good luck and keep up the painting.

Steve

Techy111 · Post by **Techy111** » 15 Aug 2007, 17:47

Hello Steve thanks for the reply mate..... Having checked the forums i cannot find a post in relation to the "shiny plugin" you mentioned
Could you please e-mail it to me if you have the time ?

Thanks

Techy

nazca_steve · Post by **nazca_steve** » 15 Aug 2007, 19:38

Just sent you a PM with the details.

Classic British Flight Sim

Vulcan XL443 at Akrotiri

Vulcan XL443 at Akrotiri

Re: Vulcan XL443 at Akrotiri

Re: Vulcan XL443 at Akrotiri

Re: Vulcan XL443 at Akrotiri

Re: Vulcan XL443 at Akrotiri