[agent44]

How do I get this to look more like metal? Right now I think it looks too plasticy. (is that a word?) Any Advice?



[This message has been edited by agent44 (edited September 12, 2000).]

[StormVermin]

Umm... although the image isn't there (broken image url) you can try lightening up the parts of metal that the light is hitting with the burn tool. Just hold down alt while using it to lighten the colours rather than darkening them.

[JaffaCAke]

well you can give the hilighted parts more hilights you could also ass some rust or little splodges of mold by making a splode like shape in a new layer then setting the opacity of the layer to 50% or something like that.

[LeperKhan]

Okay, there are a number of things you can do to enhance this image. Play around with these different options.

1. Your rivets/bolts should be a different color than the embossed metal plate. That way, those elements will read strong.

2. Storm was also right. You need much stronger highlights for your metal edges. Using the airbrush makes the highlight too blurry and creates the plastic feel.

3. The mottled metal pattern on the disc isn't working. Essentially, it looks like you ran a noise filter and then scaled it up. If you're truly going for a mottled look, the patches should be larger and of a little less contrast, IMO. However, if you want to create a chipped pattern on the disc, work with large areas of high contrast with sharp edges. Again, watch the blur on that airbrush. Try using a 1 pix paintbrush, line, or pencil

Hope these help.

L

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