how can this image be optimized

[lexsis]

ok, check it out.  http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-12/521935/test.jpg

I know it doesnt look good so how can I optimize it., Im working hard to make skins with the quality of those in the DTD mods.

as you can see, its real equipment pasted onto the canvas and I tried to blend it in a bit by playing with the pouches and you can see the results.

thnx.

[Raven2367]

quite good really!
I was playing around with it just now and came to the conclusion that it would be good to turn up the contrast by about 30%...
Ummmm, yeah, i probably havent got the authority to say such things but thats just my 20 cents

[Cocobolo]

http://www.planetrainbowsix.com/dtd/cocotest.jpg

Each image has a link below it for a slightly bigger image.
I figured it would be easier to give you the tools and the finished texture and tell you how I put it all together. That way you can redo it if you want to. Each step is numbered on the image for reference.

Step-1
First thing I noticed is that although you had built the back and sides of the vest, you forgot to do the front of the vest. The Blackhawk STRIKE vest you chose is wearable over body armour, and although the vest textue I used is not the exact vest, it's pretty close.
SO I cut and copied one side of the vest , then duplicated it and flipped it horizontally for both sides. I erased the part where the pouches were, and played with the color balance and contrast a little to get it to match. I also used the burn tool to darken some parts.

Step-2
The second step was to add the back portion. This was pretty easy, and you did this step just fine, but the resolution was low so I just went ahead and added this piece. My piece doesn't have the laces, but is basically the same. I used the burn tool to add some shading to the sides, and used the color balance and contrast to match it to the front panels.

Step-3
For the sides, I cut  pieces of the back portion, and placed them on the sides, and erased parts so they would fit. I then used the burn tool to shade them near the pouches. Shading is important to make the finished product look realistic. (Look at whatever is in front of you, your keyboard, etc, and imagine how it would look without any shading at all)


Step-4
Here I cut a buckle off the strap on the front of the vest, duplicated, and used them on the lower sides. If you look at the reference/source pic, you'll see that's where they are, but the source pic does not give a good view of them.


Step-5
Here, similar to the front of the vest, we have to add the straps that join the front and back of the vest. I selected this area, of the base texture, and played with the color and saturation to get a match. I then used the burn tool to darken parts and give it some dimension.


Step-6
Last step, the pouches. The ones you have here are sized well, but are lacking in contrast and look blurry. I cut some pouches off of the reference pic and adjusted the size and color, then used the burn tool to darken the edges. The last step I used was selecting the buckles and darkening them also, since they had a shine on them.

The most important thing is to start with a good sized, hi-res image. The main factor in realism is contrast/dimension, the illusion that you are looking at something 3 dimensional. You want the detail of a photo without the shines and look of a bright light shining on it. The shines and light are what makes something look "photoish" instead of realistic, if that makes any sense. This is why I use the burn tool so much on this type of texture. It removes the bright areas and subdues the image to a more neutral look.
have fun!


http://www.planetrainbowsix.com/dtd/cocotestex.jpg

[Whisper_44]

 

nice tut Coco, when you letting all the cats out of the bag? I'm going to try this when I get home.

Any chance you did some experimenting with the RAID type BDU's? Or do we have a skin like that already and I missed it?

[Cocobolo]

LOL, yeah it kinda turned into a tutorial, wasn't planning it that way. I may go for a full tut, but it'd be for advanced Photoshop users, as I couldn't show every little step, erasure, etc. Plus it's be really long, lol. But this didn't take too long so maybe I'll tackle it.

I had some of the RAID jackets in NED, and I recently got some really good images of all the features. The pants are some high tech garments, wish I had some.

[Whisper_44]

I hear you on wanting some - and I am ready for that tut whenever you feel like putting it out.

www.specwargear.com offers them apparently only to Mil or LO currently, opening up some public units in Sep '04

Some expensive shit......

RAID Shirt Prices


1) 100% Cotton RAID BDU Shirt: $88.00

2) NYCO RAID BDU Shirt: $97.00

3) Soft elbow pad insert set up: $14.00

4) Slanted Breast Pockets (specify velcro nametape position): $9.00

5) Easy Access Velcro Closure of four existing pockets: $11.00


RAID Pants Prices

1) 100% Cotton RAID BDU Pant $88.00

2) NYCO RAID BDU Pant: $97.00

3) Soft knee insert set up: $14.00

4) Pants slash pocket flaps: $11.00

5) Easy Access Velcro Closure of cargo pockets: $8.00

6) Elastic shock cord ankle cuff closure: $4.50
 

[Cocobolo]

Worth every penny, but yeah, not available. I don't think they're the only ones selling them though. I did copy every pic off the site tho, lol.

[lexsis]

wow, coco.

your work is an inspiration, it really is and now Im motivated more than ever. your step by step instructions are awsome.

Im trying another vest following your instructions, I hope to make a really nice vest this time around !!  

[Suicide_Commando]

Coco never ceases to amaze me. That skin looks awesome and it's only a demo.

[WardenMac]

Hes the man. Never understood why he doesnt receive more recognition  

[lexsis]

Hes the man. Never understood why he doesnt receive more recognition  

yes, he's the man for sure, no doubt about that. hopefully he'll make a complete tutorial like the one above complete with before and after images. everyone will want to use it and word should spread quickly., anything I can do to help, just hollar.

[Suicide_Commando]

I think Coco gets lots of recognition. People always on GR.net are listing NED or IDF in their favorite mods lists.

[Whisper_44]

I'll agree that the mods are on the favs listing, but I don't think people know who Coco is..or Mac or Cobra..they know DTD which says a lot about the teamwork these guys have. Other teams have come and gone, some are struggling to finish their first project for GR, and these guys are already talking about #4.
Coco, Mac & Cobra have been breaking ground for 4 years each has a place in the Hall of Fame  

Okay boys wipe my chapstick off your asses and get to work.  

[Cocobolo]

 

I think he tutorial guys are always going to be the ones who get the recognition. Sometimes I get stingy with my techniques, until I've had them out there for a while. But I will prolly do a tutorial on texturing sometime soon.

[WardenMac]

I think Coco gets lots of recognition. People always on GR.net are listing NED or IDF in their favorite mods lists.

I mean as a complete modder. How many others can do what he can. There are several guys out there that stand out as doing one thing well, but how many piece together a entire project, make skins (which no one touches, IMO), the best weapon modder (IMO), etc...I could go on.
Thats why I stayed on all this time and will continue too.

Theres never been a debate on who makes the best textures and never will IMO  . Ya wanna know who? huh? do ya? THE HAMPSTER  

[lexsis]

ok boys, here's my lattest attempt. from 1-10,  how well am I following coco's instructions? (remember, Im just learning to do this   )

the circled areas are were I had some trouble., I dont know what to do about that but I guess I could wipe it out altogether or maybe use the clone tool to color match it?!?!

I might use this one as demolitions vest, demo & support vests have easier pouches to work with.

......um, the uploaded image was reduced in quality way too much and looks terrible., anybody got space for the image?

[Cocobolo]

mail the image to me and I can put it in the post 4 u.

[lexsis]

thanks coco, I just sent it.

[Stalker]

lookin damn good coco!!

can't wait for the whole tutorial

and I have a lot of respect to the the DTD team!

[lexsis]

http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v325/lexsis/samples_1.png



here's a repeat of my post with image

" from 1-10,  how well am I following coco's instructions? (remember, Im just learning to do this   )

the circled areas are were I had some trouble., I dont know what to do about that but I guess I could wipe it out altogether or maybe use the clone tool to color match it?!?!

I might use this one as demolitions vest, demo & support vests have easier pouches to work with"