Simviation Forums

Anyone know how to go about adding panel lines to an aircraft created in FSDS?  I was thinking of toying with the textures (e.g., put an edge around moving parts) but this seems to be a tedious way to go about it.

Thanks - Brian

Panel lines are in textures - whether gmax or Fsds..

Either that, or I'm not understanding the question.

Thanks - I was under the impression there may be software designed to draw panel lines on easily.  Messing with textures (especially getting them lined up around control surface cut-outs and gear doors) seems like a lot of hit-or-miss work, but if that's the way to go then so be it.

[quote]Thanks - I was under the impression there may be software designed to draw panel lines on easily.

I agree 100%  with Felix. The VAS Gold makes things MUCH easier. Matching up the edges of camoflage between various parts etc.

For camo I usually prepare a base PSP layer which has no blurred edges, this can be used easier to register the fit up, and when correct, duplicate the layer (hid the orginal) and apply 2.5 to 4.0 gaussian blur.

Another thing with panel lines......
A one pixel wide line applied to say a 256 x 256 texture will appear wider than one on a 1024 x 1024 texture. This can make the end result look a bit tacky when various parts don't line up 100%.

Use standard 1024 x 1024 texture sizes if you can for maximum resolution.
I worked out at one stage that on a standard fuselage, a 1024 texture would give an effective panel line about 8-10mm wide on the finished plane..... a bit wider than the real thing!

Cor, so that's how you all get those nice lined up textures.
Me, I just guess and hope for the best.  :-)

Oh, you've noticed.


Kev

Thanks for all the info guys.