PDA

View Full Version : Reflective cloth? The case for matte clear coat spray


Hammerfel
03-26-2005, 08:19 PM
Most of my Joes and Cobras wear cloth, so why are they so refelective? the answer is "because they're plastic" of course, but it does kind of ruin the issusion, don't you think?

Take a look at the back of Duke's shirt in this shot. Should it be so reflective?
http://www.hammerfel.com/dios/disciple/images/briefing14.jpg

No, unless Duke has a think for latex or leather shirts! :)

And while General Hawk's uniform isn't very reflective here, his face is shining as if he's sweating like a pig!
http://www.hammerfel.com/dios/disciple/images/high_stakes_11.jpg

I think I'm going to spray my cloth-wearers with a matte clear coat, and leave the shiny ones shiny (Baroness, Destro, black Airborne).

What do you think?

Violentfix
03-27-2005, 06:21 AM
I've tried this, it works ok, but not great and you'll end up with a bunch of Matte finished figures.


I was wondering, I haven't tried myself but I plan on, have you ever tried using a polorizer to get rid of thse reflections?

Tim Elf
03-27-2005, 09:52 AM
Um... they ARE plastic.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I mean, if you want to go for ultra-realism, you'd need to Photoshop out every single joint, too.

Sometimes, reminders that they ARE plastic toys we're dealing with are just fine.

Hammerfel
03-27-2005, 01:57 PM
Well, I have considered photoshoping out the REALLY obvious clues that they're toys, like GIANT holes in their packs and such. I wouldn't do all the joints, of course. I think figure stands fall into this category, too, on the REALLY obvios side. :)
Speaking of joints, look how cool the Baroness looks with her shoulder joint photoshopped out:

http://www.joedios.com/dioramas/files/3/0/baroness004w.jpg http://www.knology.net/~invisafehz/images/Baroness.jpg

Violentfix
03-29-2005, 09:48 AM
That looks great, now you just need to fix that horrible Cobra embolem they stuck on her and she'd be a work of art.

PS as for the topic. Maybe you should try a baffle or light tent before spraying your Joes with a clear coat.

Hammerfel
03-29-2005, 11:18 AM
That's Luke's pic, BTW, not mine.

A light tent? To even out the lighting? I dunno, I still like dramatic shadows. :)

General Hawk
03-29-2005, 01:49 PM
Yeah, I have to say I'm with Tim on this, mostly because I wouldn't want to spend the time doing any of this stuff!

Sure, Photoshopping joints out and adding matte spray might look more realistic, but I'm much more concerned with story, drama, and action than how real you can possibly make the figures look.

That Baroness figure does look pretty nice, but do that to a page worth of pics and I'll bet you get tired of it real quick! ;)

Justin

Violentfix
03-30-2005, 07:16 AM
[QUOTE=Hammerfel]That's Luke's pic, BTW, not mine.

A light tent? To even out the lighting? I dunno, I still like dramatic shadows. :)[/QUOTE]


Picky... picky, J/K

OK, how about placing a sheet of vellum over your lights to at diffuse direct reflections.

Luke Ellison
03-30-2005, 08:29 AM
So the Baroness went from athletic cup to camel toe? Ewwwww :eek: