How To: Freehand Skins.

[Konblade]

Ok today we will discuss the difference between Freehand/CnP/Filters/Recolrs. First off Freehand is drawn using the paintbrush or airbrush. Second CnP means Copy and Paste which is a.k.a. Clone Brush, Filters and Gradients are usealy bad for metal like in many skins( I will not name anyone's skin ), Recolor is using the selection tool and clicking on the recolor button, which will change the color, duh. Tips: Add Shading to all of your skins, that will show effort, and always remember to shade with a paintbrush or airbrush. Never use MS Paint, it will lead to hazrdous results, includng Skin Cancer :lol: It is good to have a theme when skinning as to not make a cyborgnetic Elf with a yellow shield or a purple lion emblem on the sword. Embelms are very nice to have on a skin when it's a personal race, faction, or just for fun. Runes are also apporprite on Ogres, Orcs, Elves, Trolls, and most Tribal Creeps. Always try different things and have fun with it.

 

[Saikann]

I hope you and everyone else understands this:
It is most likely only with wc3 modding (and maybe a few other games) that you have the luxury of using models that have already been skinned.
When modding for some of the more complicated games, like ut2k4 for example, you don't just recolour a skin or anything.
When a model is freshly UVMapped, it will look somewhat like this:

With a wireframe like that, freehanding is the only choice you have. Now, i don't think all the skinners here are going to be skinning the default and already textured models forever. So do plz get into freehanding as early as possible, it will help you later.

 

[Konblade]

Ok

I've thought of something else to add. When skinning, always skin the whole skin, not just the head, or the body. Even if it's only supposed to be a Demon Hunter with some Black Armor, it never hurts to make a scar. or a tatoo. Don't over use the opacity brush or it might look like a total recolor to some people.

 

[Saikann]

Indeed, we speak the same language now, Konblade.
My addition to your (good) point:

If you already have added what you want to a skin, and dunno what to do about the rest. Then redo the remaining parts, to look the same as before, but in your own personal style.

 

[Afronight_76]

shoulne this be in the tutorial section?

 

[Saikann]

Well, don't you think its a discussion thread ?

 

[Afronight_76]

i meant to say, shouldnt this be in the tutorial forums?

 

[Konblade]

Hmm, it's a sticky now... Who made it sticky?

 

[Saikann]

Good idea, then people will have an easier task finding info on it

 

[Sansui]

oh ya *stickied*

 

[Konblade]

More about Skinning:
When you skin, make sure you use a decent tool. I use Paint Shop Pro 9. If you think "OMFG! I can't afford that!" than just download the trial version. Think about how cloth works. It has wrinkles, and can still shine. Think about how it would look if it was tight, like a ninja gi (uniform), or a loose fitting cloak, like an Acolyte. Always try different methods, and before you submit... Think if anyone needs this. Is it that kind of quality? Test it in game, and in the WarCraft III Viewer.

 

[Afronight_76]

konblade, itd be a lot more helpful to some ppl if you made a step-by-step process of how to make skins using screenshots. you beeter do that before i decide to do it.

 

[antihero]

Konblade, your skins are nowhere good enough to be telling people how to freehand skin.

I mean, hell, a week ago people wanted to ban you for posting your crappy 2 minute work in the skins section.

 

[Konblade]

It was several weeks ago, and you are not one to talk. All I wanted to do is help people with skinning, so shut up or say what you think is helpful.

 

[antihero]

Well, I think my skins speak well enough to the fact that I freehand well, and I'm not talking about the marginal skins I submitted to this site.

I mean maybe I'm crazy but skinning is pretty self explanitory, its the technique and knowing how to use your tools that is hard.

http://www.depthandmotion.com/VC_Tut01.htm
http://www.planetunreal.com/identitycrisis/tutorials/skinning.shtml
http://www.planetquake.com/skindom/tutorials/
Tutorials like these help you improve your skill.

 

[Konblade]

This is for what the people at WarCraft 3 Search think, not a link to some site. I am going to make a Alpha section to this thread later.

 

[Konblade]

Not a sticky anymore? Crap.