Sure, these are pretty easy. You can make a template for this pretty easy, and then apply it where needed. I the attatched pic, I painted with a 21 pixel soft edge brush in pure black. The verticals are on their own layer, I only painted one, then copied it across. The horizontal is on a layer above. Merge those layers to make it easier to work with the final frame shape.
Now you can place this along the control surface, and set the opacity and blending modes to get a good effect in your paint scheme. Also, try using different brush sizes when making the frame, to make it more to scale with the part size.
When I get back to the PC later today, I'll add some more thoughts to this.
Ok, here we go. I apologize for the delay in getting done with this.
I did the process two ways in the attached PSD. On the upper elevator, is the quick easy way. Just some shader lines, and with different transparency, as I mentioned before. The more difficult method is one I used on my skins, and is shown on the lower elevator. Each layer is named to make it clear.
Hope this is helpful, if you need more guidance on it, please post back!
Interesting technique Serval, I never built my ribs that way. My "hard" method is only three or four steps, so I couldn't make a nice article from it.
But I have time to type out the method now.
First I make a rectangle marquee in the rough size/shape of the interior of the rib. file rib1
Next, use the airbrush to darken the marquee on three sides (in my pic the marquee is hiden) The hard part here is keeping the flow even, and feathering out towards the trailing edge of the surface. A pressure tablet is a big help here. file rib2
Optionally, I deselect the area, and round the eges with a soft brush eraser I round the corners and soften the edges slightly, depending on the look I want. file rib3
Finally, select the area, and use the move tool ("V" hotkey) and hold "ALT" to drag a copy of the selection. File rib4
For quick work, I hold "ALT" and "Shift" and use an arrow key to move a copy of the selection away from the original. The "ALT" key makes a copy of the marquee, while the "Shift" key moves the selection by 10 pixels with each arrow key press. Then release "ALT" and use the arrow keys (with shift if neeeded) to adjust the position exactly. Repeat over and over, holding "ALT" when ever a new copy is wanted.
Of course, once a large are has been formed by copying, you can then make a new selection of that entire large area, and move it easily to other places.
Just a thought... Does "cloth" surfaces have rivets on them? I think it was stitched (is that the proper english word?) Anyways, it is done with needle and thread. After that, some cloth is glued over the stitches. IIRC
BTW, I never bothered with canvas control surfaces myself.
Good point. I used to have a few close up photos of P40 control surfaces, but I am not sure where they are now. I think I recall that there were a few rivets (or tacks?) on the ailerons, but the elevators and tail, I just can't remember.
I suppose it could be different with each plane, either with stitching (yes that's the right word) or with tacks or other fastners.
Rivets on canvas doesn't make sense to me. Stitching sounds like the logical one for me.
I looked in my P-40 books.
When on the ground the elevator looks very smooth, so you might think it is metal.
But in flight I have E anf F pictures that clearly show the ribbing effect at the leading part of the elevator. Probably by airflow.
So, at least E anf F versions had canvas elevators.
And another interesting observation is that in flight probably the leading edges of canvas surfaces show 'bigger' ribbing then trailing edges.
Something we can think about to simulate while skinning
