Bell Kiowa

[GrubbyFingers]

Thanks, Guys!

Illustrator? BH, I do need SOME sleep! The original linework is all done in Illustrator and then imported into PS in one hit. I then grab each individual path as I need to create a mask or a selection. The domed vent is about seven layers of paint, masks and styles. The mesh is a downloaded pattern.

I often end up with a folder with just one layer in it and two different masks applied to both the layer and its enclosing folder. See how the bevel and emboss on the mesh layer is only apparent on half the circle? That's because the containing folder has a C-shaped mask that exposes the entire circle, but only half the surrounding area.

I don't know what the story is with the tailshaft. It appears to be bent or curved on the prototype. I don't know if there are flexible joints at each bearing block. It certainly doesn't look like it. When you look along the length of the shaft, there is a definite rise as it enters the dogbox. That would put some ugly stresses on a continuous tube.

This about 36 hours work so far, including the interior.

Grubby.

[inkworm]

Stupid question by why so many layers for the simple effect, when it could be done with just three layers, one for the mesh, one for the shading/highlights and one for the rivets?

Plus I find it easier to break up the paths into different bits in Illy and then import say the fuselage, then the wing paths etc as separate shape layers and easier to load selections, pick up the paths as required.

Still the results are damn good even though it isn't finished yet.

[GrubbyFingers]

What can I say Inky, I like layers!

The way I work it is quicker for me to do lots of layers without much on them than trying to keep the layer count down and having complex painting on fewer layers.

I find it is all easily adjustable this way, too.

It may be a hangover from my photo-retouching work where everything you do has to be repeatable, editable and non-destructive

Grubb.

[inkworm]

It may be a hangover from my photo-retouching work where everything you do has to be repeatable, editable and non-destructive

Grubb.

Well that's all changed now!

I find too many layers, even with good layer/group management, naming etc still slows me down trying to find the right layer but like you say you're probably so used to it all that you don't even realise you're doing it most of the time I bet.

Any chance of a post of some of your layers to satisfy my curiosity?

[GrubbyFingers]

Hi Inky,

I'm not sure what you are asking for, sorry. You can see the breakup of the layers in the first image. Each layer has been moved to the right from the one underneath. When you stack them back on top of each other, you get the domed intake.

Grub.

[Supah]

I find too many layers, even with good layer/group management, naming etc still slows me down trying to find the right layer

I hear that more often, once people hit 50 and the eyesight goes they have trouble keeping track of things

[inkworm]

I hear that more often, once people hit 50 and the eyesight goes they have trouble keeping track of things

I hear that some people are unable to draw more than one aircraft type

This is what I meant Grubby, my layer set up for a VAK191B

[Supah]

But what if you would want to adjust certain shading but leave the rest intact? Merging a lot of layers loses you quite a bit in flexibility.

[Supah]

BTW my F-104 has 1479 layers in it for a G model in NMF with about 12 paintschemes in that PSD.

[inkworm]

But what if you would want to adjust certain shading but leave the rest intact? Merging a lot of layers loses you quite a bit in flexibility.

Get it right in the first place!

I don't merge down, just use fewer in the first place and by loading selections from the paths it gives me the flexibility I need to made adjustments where required. An actual count gives me 48 layers (honestly) at the moment and may only need 1 or 2 more to finish it off.