II.JG1_Vonrd

Thanks @Warlord64! Works great!

I have two different skin folders. The first photo is Roughmets, the second is SPECS. This way I'll be ready whichever way ED finally decides to go. Honestly not a lot of difference (but I'm sure the RM would be so much better if PBR was incorporated). These are with the default json file loaded. You may notice that I got rid of the paint blotches on the #2 lower cowl to more closely match the original photo. I also toned down the mod spatter and tire mud. Also got rid of some poorly done paint chipping on the lower wings. I'm calling it done but won't actually submit to User Files until I hear what ED will be doing regarding Roughmets vs Speculars. I have plain jane markings versions of each.

Interesting... let us know how it works out. Still, the bottom line is what ED is going to finally do? I suspect it will be nothing. I'm not sure what they really expect from this contest. Still not working for me. I have one skin file using roughmets and one with SPECS. Neither shows black dome when prop spinning. Pretty sure I have the lua correct.

Thank you for the direct recommendation! I'll give it a shot.

See above post. Do you have any idea what I need to do to get the spinner dome to show as black? Please, no obscure "find your mistake"...

With the modified json file the whole damn plane is shiny. I've stuck with the default json since it is what it will be after every update. I haven't tried deleting the json. This is why ED needs to get a handle on this and implement PBR / Roughmets. They initiate a skin competition with hands tied behind our backs. Sorry if I'm being harsh but this has been an extremely frustrating experience for me. I'm very serious about doing the best skins that I can.

Posting this as a WIP for now. It's pretty much finished and I want to start on an Israeli B-17. I need a break from this one but still have some refinements that I want to do. Serial number 42-38050 was a B-17G-25-DL, code: BN U, nicknamed "Thunderbird". The plane flew 112 combat missions with the 359th Bombardment Squadron of the 303rd Bombardment Group. She reputedly was crewed by 538 different airmen, none of whom suffered an injury aboard Thunderbird. Returned to the United States after the war, she was sent to Kingman Army Airfield, Arizona, where she was scrapped. This plane is the subject of a 25-by-75-foot (7.6 by 22.9 m) mural in the World War II Gallery of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., entitled "Fortresses Under Fire", completed 1975–1976. The artist, Keith Ferris, depicted Thunderbird on her 70th mission at 11:45 a.m., August 15, 1944, over Trier, Germany, on her return to Molesworth following a mission to bomb Wiesbaden, and is historically accurate in the encounter portrayed.

Thanks Urbi So it should have a roughmet? {"B17G_RotorBlured", ROUGHNESS_METALLIC , "b_17g_rotorblured_roughmet", false}; Can I just rename "b_17g_rotorblured_S" to "b_17g_rotorblured_roughmet", and place the file in my skin folder with it noted as "false"?

I am saving as: DXT5 ARGB 8 bpp | interpolated alpha

Does anyone know how to have the prop dome show actual color when spinning? When static, it's black as shown. I have the b_17g_rotorblured_d.dds painted black and in the skin folder. I have these lines in the description lua {"B-17G_RotorBlured", 0, "b_17g_rotorblured_d",false}; {"B-17G_RotorBlured", 2, "b_17g_rotorblured_s",true}; but it's still showing white as shown.

Yeah, I tried that but now the whole plane is glossy. Also, as you say, the json will just re-appear with every update. And, thank you for the compliment!

Well, I've got a disappointing issue. It seems that what you see in the Model Viewer doesn't match what you see in game at all when using speculars. I spent many hours tweaking the specs to get just the right look and reflectivity of the bare aluminum areas. I think it looked really good. (First picture) Then I loaded the game and what I saw was not what I wanted at all. (second picture) At this point, I don't want to spend the ridiculous amount of time it would take to tweak the specs by re-loading the game each time. I'm going for roughmets. I encourage all other entrants to use roughmets as well. Maybe that will force ED to make the change.

Oh I ABSOLUTELY agree. Seems like most of the quality entries are using roughmets and they may be forced to implement them if those are the only good entries that they get. Still, it was a challenge learning how to make the speculars work and it added to my skill quill. I might just leave mine as is with the specs unless they decide to go with roughmets.

@Mach3DS... looking fantastic. Question, are you using roughmets? If so are you aware of Ninelines response to my question about whether it will be roughmets or the default speculars? right now assume the template is as it is right now. I would hate to see such stellar work wasted.

From what @NineLine said, roughmets will not be working. I don't understand what you're saying. Regardless, I've figured out the speculars and they are working just fine. I'm not doing a polished aluminum aircraft... far from it

Thanks. I'll push through with the speculars then.

@NineLine So what is the decision? I'm seeing people doing Roughmets, people changing the json file and using specs and maybe people not doing anything and using the default. Please... what's it going to be? I'm currently working with speculars (a PITA... I much prefer roughmets) but fear that my time will be wasted and will have to do roughmets in the end.

Regardless of who has the biggest... (and from my impression Urbi is extremely lacking due to his lack of civility). I really want to know... @NineLine... is ED is actually going to change the B-17 (and hopefully all other legacy modules) to PBR / Roughmets. I'm almost at the point where I need to work on the reflective parts of my B-17 skin. Mine is painted but has lots of weathering and areas of bare aluminum. I could do it as Specs but much prefer PBR / roughmets. I can do either but don't want to waste my time (which I'm beginning to think that I've spent way too much time on for an AI plane). ED needs to come to a conclusion and let us know. After all, we're working basically for free (regardless of the "Prize".

Beautiful paint chipping! Looks like hours of labor. Love the look of the prop dome. IMHO, the mirror polish of the aluminum doesn't match the weathered look though. Maybe for a fresh from factory would the mirror be appropriate. Still, Kudos! (Pretty amazing the effort we're putting into an AI only aircraft. I have 20 - 30 hrs so far...)

That's what I thought but this is what is in the first post / "rules". Does he mean just blank with no lettering? Seems worthless if it's based on standard 8th AF camo or bare aluminum. There will just be a bunch of duplicates (with maybe som slight variations from the different skinners).

Where are the files for the Borts? I extracted the Description lua for the default skin from the Model Viewer and don't see any in there.

Nice! @NineLine, would this be acceptable for the contest? It would be outside the stated timeframe.

Yes, changing to PBR / Roughmets would certainly be best. For the moment, I'm just going to work with the Specs for changes to gloss. Easy enough to go for Roughs if they decide to change the JSON.

I would like to make Thunderbird (42-38050) I would also like to do some Israeli B-17s. I think they were actually B-17Fs but have also seen renders of B-17G. I know it's not in the time frame for the contest but think it would fit well in the new Saini map.

Full repair fixed.