DUEL of the DIAS!

[zerobxu]

There is a much simpler way that might have already been mentioned before but I dont know >.>

Well... that's the beauty and depth that is Photoshop. There's usually at least three or four ways to do any given task. You call it "simpler", but it sounds a little bit messy--and certainly less organized. Of course, the end result is still the same: Colorized lineart.

I think I'm going to stick to FichtenFoo's method. I like it, and I've got a handle on it now. Heck, I've already started toying around with future projects.

[Chopper Dave]

It's really not that hard and I wouldnt call it unorganized, I just cant explain it well with just words...so you know what that means, now im gonna have to make a picture tutorial  

Edit: Ok! I hope this helps out!

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/1787/linearttutnj4.jpg

You may notice that the tut is rather noobish. I made it that way so that people who maybe arent used to Photoshop can use this tut easily.

[erix93]

Wow!! Nice tutorial, Chopper!!  :wink:

[zerobxu]

It's really not that hard and I wouldnt call it unorganized, I just cant explain it well with just words...so you know what that means, now im gonna have to make a picture tutorial  

I don't think I implied anywhere that it was difficult, Dave. I was suggesting that FichtenFoo's method is more suitable to my needs. And--as I said--there are certainly alternative methods (such as yours) that ultimately reap the same output.

Edit: Ok! I hope this helps out!

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/1787/linearttutnj4.jpg

You may notice that the tut is rather noobish. I made it that way so that people who maybe arent used to Photoshop can use this tut easily.

It looks good, but I might suggest taking the time to make some actual circles and arrows as opposed to "painting" them on--it would take a lot of the "noobish" edge off your jpeg/tutorial and give it a little more polish.

[Doctor Seleski]

More than one way to skin a cat.  PS is much like any other artist's tool... every artist uses it in a way that feels natural to them.  Sure, there are some wrong ways of doing things, but there are many, many correct ways.  Usually they are each of version of the other.

Thanks for sharing another way, Dave.

So, zero, did you get anything more done?  I am currently in the building phase... glueing the parts that don't have internal components to prepaint (not bothering with modifying), etc.  I hope I an cutdown on the need for putty.  And as you said to me last week, those shoulders should be fun.

[zerobxu]

I didn't get a thing done... Waited for my sister at a Chinese restaurant for over an hour, and got home in time for the last 20 minutes of LOST (who's body was that on the table?!?). From there, I fell asleep until about 2:00 a.m., stayed up an hour to get caught up on FFF, and then crashed again until 5:45 a.m. Woke up, went to work.

A little more on-topic, thus far I've just managed to paint up some of the visible internal portions. Nothing's been assembled yet. Tonight, I should have some reasonable progress to post. I'm going to attempt to assemble this from the ground up (feet, legs, torso, arms, head).

[Doctor Seleski]

(who's body was that on the table?!?)

That was Colleen, Pickett's wife.  Remember, she was shot by Sun two episodes ago on the sailboat (below deck).

A little more on-topic, thus far I've just managed to paint up some of the visible internal portions. Nothing's been assembled yet. Tonight, I should have some reasonable progress to post. I'm going to attempt to assemble this from the ground up (feet, legs, torso, arms, head).

Interesting.  We are going about it in a different manner.  I guess I am working my way up to painting.

[zerobxu]

Interesting.  We are going about it in a different manner.  I guess I am working my way up to painting.

That's the beauty of hand-painting, my friend. If it doesn't have a seam, or you won't be able to get to it easily later; just grab some paint, some thinner, and a brush and dive in. Of course, I think the lid comes off the putty tonight...

[Chopper Dave]

Thanks Erix!

Sorry Zero, I wasnt trying to convince you that it was easier, I was just saying it isnt hard.  :pinch:

Also when I made the thing it was 3 in the morning, so I didnt want to take the extra time to make it look professional. It gets tyhe point across, and thats al it needs to do

[Funaka]

The On-Topic part-

Good to see you guys making models! I think this topic is a good way to keep you guys working! (sound of whip craking   ) I'm also a slow/hesitant builder, good to see our kind getting down to business...

And for Chopper Dave-

Thanks for the tutorial, man. I just installed Photoshop Elements today. I had been using Corel Photopaint before, what a difference!!! Between your tutorial and PSE's SMART[/i] tools I was doing in minutes what would take me hours in Corel. Sweet! Now just teach me how to draw so I can change the Kampfer lineart and put it on the KKKKK thread to "copyright" my idea.

[Chopper Dave]

Well unfortunately, I have yet to come up with an effective way of doing that...the only way I know of is to print out your lineart, trace it, then draw in the new details. After you've finsihed your drawing, use a scanner and clean the scan up in Photoshop. Yea, its a bit involved I know...if anyone has an easier method I also would like to hear it!

Edit: I did just think of a way but it includes buying an expensive piece of equipment...you can buy tablets that you can use with GFX programs such as Photoshop in order to draw on the screen. Of course there is a lot more you can do with them as well. (I have seen some breathtaking artwork done in PS that utilized these tablets)

[zerobxu]

Good to see you guys making models! I think this topic is a good way to keep you guys working!

Thanks! It's a fun build! The progress report for last night is that I managed to get a little more painting and a teeny-tiny bit of assembly done. The rear skirt is assembled and painted, but still needs clear coats & decals. The lower legs are assembled, but still need putty, sanding, and paint. And the gold looks awful on the various cables, so I won't be doing that.

On an odd note, I've encountered two pieces so far where a peg has been snapped off. Never seen that on a Bandai model before. Weird. I'm wondering if maybe the plastic isn't more brittle on this kit, for some reason. Maybe I should stop venting liquid nitrogen onto my workspace.  

Edit: I did just think of a way but it includes buying an expensive piece of equipment...you can buy tablets that you can use with GFX programs such as Photoshop in order to draw on the screen. Of course there is a lot more you can do with them as well. (I have seen some breathtaking artwork done in PS that utilized these tablets)

You're talking about Wacom products. I don't own one, but I hear nothing but good things from both the pros and the amateurs that use the Intuos and its predecessors.

[Funaka]

Edit: I did just think of a way but it includes buying an expensive piece of equipment...you can buy tablets that you can use with GFX programs such as Photoshop in order to draw on the screen. Of course there is a lot more you can do with them as well. (I have seen some breathtaking artwork done in PS that utilized these tablets)

You're talking about Wacom products. I don't own one, but I hear nothing but good things from both the pros and the amateurs that use the Intuos and its predecessors.

Awesome tool, but too much $$$. It'll go on my list of things I'd love to have but can't afford, like an ALPS printer and a full version of Photoshop...

[zerobxu]

Awesome tool, but too much $$$. It'll go on my list of things I'd love to have but can't afford, like an ALPS printer and a full version of Photoshop...

I'm in the same boat--I'm lucky enough to have my employer purchase software (and hardware) that I can both use at work and at home. I've been told that the cheapest way to get a full, legal version of Photoshop is to buy an unregistered copy off eBay and then pay Adobe for the upgrade to the most current version (is it still "CS2"?). It's still expensive, but that route will save you $300-$400.

[Major Blah]

At my univeristy one can get a student rate for about $250 CND for the full CS2 I think...

Still a lot compared to...

[pu_rplecow]

Hey, we have that here too.. only they threw in studio 8 along with CS2. These software are just way out of a normal person's budget. Unless of course, you earn money from it. Otherwise, theres just no way we would get it. Its like half a month of a decent salary here in my country. My university also offers the entire macromedia studio 8 at about 40usd. Quite a steal. I'll get one when I graduate.

Anyway to be on topic.. Updates updates!!! This thread has been highly entertaining! I wanna see the white dias materialise, I like the color scheme!

[mtomczek]

Edit: I did just think of a way but it includes buying an expensive piece of equipment...you can buy tablets that you can use with GFX programs such as Photoshop in order to draw on the screen. Of course there is a lot more you can do with them as well. (I have seen some breathtaking artwork done in PS that utilized these tablets)

You're talking about Wacom products. I don't own one, but I hear nothing but good things from both the pros and the amateurs that use the Intuos and its predecessors.

Awesome tool, but too much $$$. It'll go on my list of things I'd love to have but can't afford, like an ALPS printer and a full version of Photoshop...

I bought my 9 x 12 Intous 3 Wacom tablet off ebay for $200 bucks. They arent as expensive as you think.  Worlds of difference once you get your hands on one.

[zerobxu]

I would've gotten more done tonight, but Mojo (my dog) decided to get cracklin' sick in the house, so that (and the subsequent clean-up/disinfection) pretty-well wrecked my mood. Nonetheless, I did make some decent progress on the Rick Dias tonight. For the first time, I tried adding 91% alcohol to the white Squadron putty. It went from a very thick putty consistency to a very runny oatmeal consistency. In short, it was considerably different than what I was used to for applying it. It did seem to get into the seams better, however. Sorry--no pictures yet to back it up (somehow, I tweaked my camera so that everything has a blue hue to it--I need to figure that out). So here's where the ol' Rick Dias is at:

*Upper-torso, rear skirt, and "backpack" (excluding weapons): ready for clear coat
*Forearms: ready for paint
*Lower legs and lower torso: ready for sanding
*Everything else: varying states of assembly/paint
(so much for starting with the feet and working up)

I'm considering using a different display base for this thing. I know the "Adrianna" base I have is almost done, but I think the surface is a little too curved to work well with the feet of the Rick Dias. I think it might just be ideal for the feet of my Gaza-C, though. I've got another idea for a base. Depending on how much mobility the assembled legs have will determine whether I go with the Adrianna or abandon it in favor of something else. If I do go with something else, it'll also be inspired by the box-art--just a different approach. The next few days will tell...

[bhop73]

I bought my 9 x 12 Intous 3 Wacom tablet off ebay for $200 bucks. They arent as expensive as you think.  Worlds of difference once you get your hands on one.

Another option is the 4x5 Wacom Graphire which is around 100 bucks.  It's not as nice as the Intuous, but it gets the job done.  I used to use one before I was able to afford an Intuous.

[zerobxu]

Well, I've been making slow and steady progress on the Rick Dias (and base), even though I haven't been posting it. Would you really want to see various unassembled pieces in various stages of paint? No? Me neither. That's why I actually assembled what I had tonight. Oh sure, the forearms are missing their covers. And yeah, it has no head. But it's definitely a Rick Dias.

DUEL of the DIAS!

(click to enlarge*)

As you can see, it's getting slowly closer to being done. This weekend, I got quite a bit of the putty/sand/paint done. In addition, I stained the wooden base. Although the "Adrianna" still isn't attached to it, you have a much better idea how the whole base is going to look now. I was hoping to make some progress on it tonight, but I took ill this afternoon and spent most of the evening in a Theraflu-induced nap.

If I didn't have anything else going on (and stayed pleasantly healthy), I might have it done sometime this week, but the local IPMS is having a 1:32 car contest on Saturday and I'm way behind on that. Decisions, priorities, etc.

*Note the presence of Cajun style vienna sausage--just for Major Blah.