SKYLAB retexture already paying off

I am glad I decided to rework the Skylab Texture.

I have better reference than when I did the texturing test and it is already showing in the current line work.

I have just made a couple of the panel lines from the main body but the difference between this version and the old one is already visible.

The skylab is mapped diferent to the MIR model and allows for more bespoke work in the texture so it will be closer to the real thing. The level of accuracy will depend on the reference and certain artistic license.

I will probably add some more geometry to include a few details I had no knowledge of before. I still have some space in the texture....not much though.

Retexturing Skylab

After working on the MIR space station I have decided that the old texture style tried on SKYLAB is not up to the new standard.

The old style was quite flat shaded and almost cartoony. The new style is, without going to far, a bit more realistic and detailed.

This is the old texture style

I have decided to start from scratch again in this model so it is back to the Ambient Occlusion map.

Colouring Technique

I have found a nice technique to add colour to the greyscale texture.

The usual multiply layer makes the textures look dirty and dark. The new technique I am using involves adding colour by layering overlay and soft-light layers.

The best thing about this technique is that allows the refinement of colours long after they have been applied. Using layer masks to apply them also makes sure that the colour is consistent across the whole texture. This was quite annoying when you complete a metal panel and have to repeat the process in a new one...."How did I do it?.....this method is perfect for repeating.

Other good point is that the materials can be repeated in different textures by copying the layers and reseting the layer masks....

I am very happy with this new process. This shows the core module being coloured. The red-brown color is the starting base over which the rest has been layered.

I have to give all credit to Stephen Flack as I learnt this technique with his tutorial.

http://www.steflack.blogspot.com/

Greyscale Mir texture complete

Finally the greyscale texture is done. I will increase the contrast in the cloth covers but that is about it.

The next step will be to add the colour and final details.

MIR textures rework

I have been looking for better reference for the MIR space station.

I have found quite a few good pictures so I have decided to rework the textures to make more sense of what it really looks like.

Once I had the reference there is no way I could ignore that the textures I made were so far from reality.

The new textures are still an interpretation but are much closer to the real thing.

This is just a quick taste of what is coming at MIR

MIR texturing

After a lot of other work I have started making the final paneling in the MIR.

Here are some shots of the core section. The details are a free interpretation of the real thing.

Earth Images

I think this is a good time to show some shots of the earth used in the game

They have been rendered using several layers.

The first layer is the diffuse earth colour which has the photographic information and some bump map to add volume and shadows.

The second is the cloud layer. This is made out of two spheres with the same texture but different settings. The bottom of these two layers has a blur factor on the alpha mask to create extra volume under the top sharper layer. These layers cast shadows on the bottom diffuse sphere.

The top is the atmosphere layer. It is made out of a flat bright blue colour made visible using a falloff effect. This effect means that the layer is only visible at shallow angles. The result is the blurry atmosphere at the edges of the earth.