The 3rd Age

Last Alliance Battle Mod

Last Alliance Battle Mod

The final battle between the Alliance of Men and Elves and Mordor.

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Texturing the Golasgil Household Knights

Avatar of Nertea

Nertea

Category: Graphics
Level: Intermediate
Created: Thursday June 14, 2007 - 22:50
Updated: Sunday March 20, 2011 - 13:23
Views: 31244
Summary: Extensive description of texturing methods

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This tutorial covers, in detail and with a lot of pictures, the entire texturing process of the elite troops of Langstrand.

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Here is my concept art for the unit. I'll be following this as best as I can

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Texture Layout


I previously mapped the texture to 2 separate files. One contains the body, another contains the accessories: hair, face, helmet and sword. A screenshot of each UV unwrap window left me with these two files:

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I next create a couple of layers in each document, each containing a base colour for that object, and laying out the various components of the skin as per my concept drawing.If I were modeling, this would be the blocking out stage, using placeholder objects for everything. One reason to do this is to check UV mapping edges and lay out the colour scheme properly.
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Once that is out of the way, we can begin the real work.

One of the most important components of this guy, as per the concept, is the chainmail hauberk. So, I’m going to draw some 4 to 1 style chainmail. I already have some in a seprate document, but it is showing its age, and lacking it accuracy.
So, new Photoshop document, any large size will do. I’ll use 1024x1024, so I can use this later for almost any size of chainmail.

Using the ellipse tool on add mode, draw a grey circle around the size of your individual ring. Then, set it to subtract mode and draw a second ellipse inside to create a ring. Rasterize the layer and squash it slightly – chainmail is almost always set at an angle. It can also be perfectly rounded, which is probably easier if you're trying to work out the precise linkages.

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Next, to give easy depth, apply a bevel effect in the blending options dialog. Adjust this as you wish to create the style of ring you want. Flat, rounded, all will have different effects. Of course, each ring may only be 5 pixels high on the final texture, so you may not care at all!

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Now rasterize again, to make the bevel permanent. Because there are other scales, there will be reflections, which I will draw in as a second light ring with the dodge tool

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One more operation on the ring – since it is a bent piece of wire, draw in a little junction where the two ends would have met. Then, duplicate the layer and hide the duplicate, so if you screw up the next step you can come back to it. (Note: while I was trying to figure out the linkages, I screwed up completely around 3 times)

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I suggest getting some references for the type of chainmail you wish to make. Since I’m making 4 to 1, there’s a specific linkage style I’ll use, and you should study what link style you want to determine where the layers should be placed. 4 to 1 just means 4 rings link in each one. 6 to 1 is denser and so on. Most European stuff is 4 to 1, so it's the most reasonable for Middle-Earth textures.
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And the chainmail is pretty much done at this point.

Comments

Display order: Newest first | Page: 1, 2, 3

Bart (Administrator) - Saturday September 1, 2007 - 7:12

I have it too and I'm sure there is an ellipse tool

Guess Who - Saturday September 1, 2007 - 5:44

i got the latest photoshop somethings are different their is no ellipse mode.

Bart (Administrator) - Saturday September 1, 2007 - 3:43

he explains it in the tutorial

              
Quote
Using the ellipse tool on add mode, draw a grey circle around the size of your individual ring. Then, set it to subtract mode and draw a second ellipse inside to create a ring. Rasterize the layer and squash it slightly

Guess Who - Thursday August 30, 2007 - 2:10

oh i get it but how do i make those circle things for the chain mail?
sorry for double post.

Guess Who - Tuesday August 28, 2007 - 2:27

omg so good too hard for me to follow :P

EggyDan - Wednesday August 15, 2007 - 8:34

This is amazing Nertea! So awesome!

{IP}Sauron - Tuesday July 3, 2007 - 13:48

Offtopic: Wow! If he isnt human what is he then?

Ontopic: It's a nice tutorial i gotta practice skinning some "speical" things and then i can maybe follow this tutorial.

FlameGuard - Friday June 22, 2007 - 11:51

I dont understand how one person can be so good.... Simple amazing... Are you sure your human?

JEV3 - Tuesday June 19, 2007 - 12:18

I... am... awestruck...

I'll certainly keep this tips handy... or I mean, keep a link to read it again when my break is over... *lol*

Some newbies may need to watch out when using this tut though... When they suddenly start making extremely detailed skins, others may think they are stealing! *rofl*

GothmogtheOrc (Team Chamber Member) - Monday June 18, 2007 - 17:19

Absolutely stunning work there Nertea! It's amazing to see how good you are (and how bad I am :p).

Thanks for writing this tutorial for us!
-Gto

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