Painted on v. Modeled in

[DashingDan]

While fiddling with the Britkits' SW-1200 I noticed that the side panels along the loco's nose are outlined in the original texture, and yet when I put on my own texture-in-progress the panels were clearly visible, even though I had not duplicated them in my texture. So I guess my question is: why paint them on if the panels are already modeled in the 3d model?

[Kali]

You make them more defined that way, and you can add subtle differences in lighting. May not matter so much with the new shadow engine but it's still worth doing.

Also gives you a guide for painting.

[GreatNortherner]

Hi,

I may be wrong about this, but my impression was that the hoods on the SW1200 are actually 'flat' parts, without 3D doors, but rather the doors being a combination of shadows/highlights on the main texture and the "underlaying" bump map adding to the effect. Depending on what color your repaint is and how you want it to look like, it might be a good idea to keep the highlights and shading on the texture intact for a more 'edgy' look of the model in the sim.

Cheers,
Michael

[DashingDan]

Hmmm...lighting, shadowing, bump maps. I'm taking notes. Thanks!

[Kali]

I have a little example of the difference shading can make even when the shape has a model.



The brighter green coach on the left is the default DT issue; the bodyside is all one colour, and you can see it has a little curvature. The one on the right - beside being a bit darker - has had a little graduated shading applied to the lower curve of the body. Not very much, you can hardly see it if you look at the actual texture, but the difference it makes is enormous.

[DashingDan]

Sure, without the curve on the doors and the end of the body you'd never know the coach on the left has a curve, but on the right there's a hint of darkness suggesting the curve down the length of the car. Very cool! (I'll have to investigate the rest of the textures on my repaint WIP.)