custom shape metal

ZeroGravity · 11-01-2006

hi everyone,
i'm trying to convert some clothes into metal, so that it looks like some sort of
body armor, but i want the shape to remain mainly as it is right now and i want to maintain the cloth's shadow. if i simply just do a gradient over the area that's supposed to be metal in a sort of chrome style, it doesn't look realistic enough.
Is there a way I can create a realistc effect of metal?

>>> this is the picture i'm using:

the black satin part there is supposed to be converted into a sexy metal armor ^^

turvas · 11-01-2006

By me you could just take the satin part off. ^^

´And no, i don't know any realistic enough metal effects. One thing surely iś, that it should be:

Grey
With scraches
The grey should be bit blue

But i still think that this image would be better of without the armor, but now i'm not you, right.

**tamlin** · 11-01-2006

One way to do it would be to select just the satin part (using your Selection tool of choice) and then add a Curves adjustment layer, with a sinewave-type curve. I've attached a zip file containing a preset curve that I've just made that gives you an idea - obviously you can tweak it to your own requirements. To install it, unzip the MetalCurve.acv file to somewhere on your computer then add the Curves adjustment layer. Click Load and navigate to wherever you saved MetalCurve.acv. Adjust the effect by dragging the points on the curve around, or adding new ones.

Attached is an example of the curve in use. I know it's a bit crude, but it was something I just threw together to give you an idea.

agentxi · 11-01-2006

hey tamlin that's a great start!

i think you can really add to what tamlin's done by adding a 'reflection' layer and then distort it so it looks like the metal is bending around the body...you can find a lot of HDR images out there...and then add some scratches, and adjust the lighting on it so it matches your photo's lighting better and all that jazz...

also if you find some good references onto how it looks... you could even go so far as grabbing a hi-rez image and just doing some clone stamping on it.
here's somethings that came up when i did a google search...
http://sussen.com/photos/vH033c.jpg
Suit of Armor hand made by sculptor and artist Bruce Gray
http://www.swordandstone.com/armour/...mei_armour.jpg

Google = searchy goodness

**tamlin** · 11-01-2006

Suit of Armor hand made by sculptor and artist Bruce Gray

That suit of armour's great!!! I want one!!