[Perplexer]

hey,

i dont really know if that helps, but here's quick sample i threw together of one way i try and create a shiny yet worn type of metal...

i usually render metal with strong contrasts. the sharper u keep the lines the more it will leave the impression of clean chrome (3 kind of shows what i mean... a li'l) so i smudged it up some (4) and added some more noise around the highlights/shadow lines with a small and light wet edged brush (5). i used different sizes so it didn't look too uniform. i reworked the rim lights slightly and finished up the bumpy/scratchy type surface (6). then i added some minor reflections and a tad bit of light dirt and rust to diffuse it (7). now i retouched some minor stuff, like lighten up the dirt the closer it comes to the highlights and smudge some smaller areas of the ball's surface- finishing touches basically- and then added some glow to the highlights (8)... well that, like all of the rest, depends on the mood and the light situation u want of course.

it's not really a great example, but maybe you got an idea on how to tackle your problem. have you tried to look at some references? get an old spoon or something with similar attributes and look at how the material reflects different light... it's not about drawing that kinda stuff- it's about seeing it

[nightmare]

i have no advice cuz i really don't know. but that is one sweeeeeet coloring job so far! the mech looks.... i don't know! its wonderful!

[kohse]

This is a mech from the game "Front Mission 3". It's being painted in Photoshop 5.5.

I am having trouble with the guns in this piece. The Uzi's muzzle flash and barrel lighting are bothering me and the rifle looks like it's made of plastic.

Advice and Crits needed.


Uzi detail...


[ May 07, 2001: Message edited by: kohse ]

[Sumaleth]

I think this is coming along quite nicely. The values are looking pretty good.

My only comment would be; sharpen it up. At the moment it looks like it's all being seen through a fog-lens, it's all a bit blurry. Sharp, hard edges where appropriate would really lift it up.

Row.

[stneil777]

yes i like this alot. I like the way the robot lookes right now it's different.

But for metal a cool effect is to get a photo of something reflective and crop it the same shape fo the object and use it as a layer of reflection.
Hard to explain but then you use the shpear filter tool. or the distortion one depending on the shape.

then add shadow and light over the photo.

just an idea it works real well.

[pixualize]

That's completely and utterly cool looking!

The best reference I could give on the muzzle flash would be to check out The Matrix on DVD. The scene where Neo is in the chopper firing into the builing has a great example of whet you're tyring to get. If you click through frame by frame you can see how the light interacts with the barrels and the other elements in the shot as well as the muzzle flash which is really just a bright shapeless blob.

Anyway - this is a GREAT pic. The buildings and the detail on the mec are fantastic! Can't wait to see it finished.