Spitfire's Weird Curves

[TexasRut]

I finally decided to bite the bullet, and make my own template this time. I'm glad I did, its been a lot of fun. I've been able to do most of it myself, save for Jester's tail ribbing and the layer mask I borrowed from another template. Mostly I've just looked at other skins and tried to copy what they did. I guess that how you learn.

Anyway, my question... I'm skinning for our quarterly intersquad competition and I've run into a problem. I'm using a lightning bolt I copied from a P-51 skin a really like by Jester (I need to pay him royalties or something). The problem is the way the skin wraps it makes the lighting bolt curve where it should be straight.







I've highlighted a few of the problem areas in yellow. Usually, on a smaller detail where this happens, I'm able to correct it. However, this one is so large, with so many inconsistencies, I'm not sure where to start. Does any one have any suggestions? I hope the flaws are visible. Thanks so much for your help. I'm ready to finish this thing but I've been stuck here for a while.

[e-b-o-]

easiest solution: think about another design seriously, the stretching is because of the models uv-mapping. (see also the panel lines, they aren't straight either) you can try to adjust this in your photoshop file, but it's really a lot of work since it's a trial and error job.

[Serval]

In FB the Spit V and IX series are among the worst mapped models. Other Spitfire models have better mapping.
Just take a look at how distorted the roundels are. Several people have allready made solutions. But making it perfect is hard.
The Spitfire model is unfortunately not very suitable for making fancy skins.

[TexasRut]

Thanks Guys. I kinda figured that was the solution. Everything I could think of doing to fix it would screw something else up. Hopefully, I'll get to use it somewhere else. Serval, I learned a lot from breaking down your template. Thank you so much! You too, Ebo!

[kristorf]

If you want the MkV performance/weapons stick use a Seafire (same A/C except hook/prop/exhaust stubs), darn site easier to skin and looks very nice when done.
On a seperate note, nice skin mate.

[BLOWHARD]

BTW,



More than one way to do it

[96th_Nightshifter]

It can be done on a MK V. or IX. but it is a very painfull process.

e.g.

The one on the right is a Mk.IX and it's about as close as I could get it to a straight line along the fuselage.

The warping is a serious headache.

This is what it looks like on the skin file

[<357>ShadoW]

IAF FTW !!!!