In these tutorials threads i’m going to run through some tips, tricks and ideas along the way you can use on your own designs to give your cars that extra boost. Like most artistic and creative environments experimentation works wonders so mix things up or use this as a basis to trying someone new or mixing ideas together.
One thing to mention is the tutorials i’ve written are my own way of working and constructing using the fewest layers possible but you can still use the same theory and adapt them to the way you work. I know many painters have some weird tricks to create in game artwork!
I trust many find this useful.
If you have anything else you’d like to know or any more tutorials you’d like to see shoot me a PM.
If I can do it I will, but I can’t show you all my tricks can I 
Whilst we have the special effect base colours but there are occasions where you want to use a base colour but have carbon effect panels.
This is one of the simpler ways to produce a believable effect you can use on your designs. (I will cover masking and use of carbon in a future tutorial)
NOTE: In this tutorial the car has the Special Matt Carbon Base, which i’ve overlaid a pink solid vinyl layer to minimise glare whilst taking screenshots of each stage.
//Step One…
First off we need to pick up the main decal we’re to use.
“Community Vinyls 1” > 2nd row from top, far right as shown below (surrounded in blue)
Whilst there are a few vinyls that will work to create carbon this is the better version to start off with.
//Step Two…
Resize to your liking but make it tall enough to scale down later on and still be able cover the side of the car. This version of carbon takes up so few layers so you can go HUGE and not have to worry. A X-Axis of 2.00 & Y-Axis of 10.00 i’d suggest as a minimum will cover most cars but go as high as you like on the Y-Axis.
//Step Three…
Skew decal to anywhere from angle of 0.60 to 0.80 (personal preference)
Optional Step - If you wish you can use transparency on layer before moving on. Recommend no more than 0.90 Opacity
//Step Four…
Take your layer and then copy paste. Keeping the X-Axis the same will help here in making sure the side by side groups don’t have unsightly gaps between them. I’ve recoloured one layer white so you can see them side by side.
Tip: Highlight the Step Two layer and make this larger to aid you in visual alignment as I have
//Step Five…
Group what you have aligned (Once happy with it) and move either way so you can simply copy again and align. Keep doing this till you have enough coverage to fill the cars side or top etc.
//Step Six…
Colouring the final layers. I’d personally always have the carbon layer darker than the base! It looks strange (unless thats what you like) but you can mix up your own. The tutorial uses the below HSB codes.
Background: H=0.00 / S=0.00 / B=0.15
Carbon Texture: H=0.00 / S=0.00 / B=0.05
//Step Seven…
Scale your carbon to whatever size you like the look of.
There is no right or wrong but i’d go to a level you can see some definition in the weave.
//Step Eight…
Take all the layers on the side and then stamp over the remaining sides of the car.
DON’T insert left to right or the skew angle will go the wrong way.
The final results should look similar to the below should be what you’ll have.
//Step Nine…
Done!
Your complete and you have your carbon the most important step. Save the layer group.
Now your done you can change a few minor things and make different effects very easily.
Try using different base colours under semi-transparent layers (behind your carbon texture) will create some cool effects or even use transparency on the main decal from the start!
Really Go Mad and Experiment!
Below is Polished Aluminum with 0.85% Opacity Layer in black with a Black coloured Carbon Texture.
Any Struggles?!
Questions?!
Post!
I’m really no author, I paint pretty things.
Enjoy and good luck!
[AB]
