CedB Posted January 1, 2018 Author Share Posted January 1, 2018 Thanks Keith - yes, tiny isn't the word for them! To give myself a break from graphics fiddling I painted the walkway things with some H33 which, as we know, is nice and rough at this scale: Then it was back to the transfers. I printed out the image from the Boultbee site scaled to the same size as the model: Untitled by Ced Bufton, on Flickr So that I could measure the idents: Back into Inkscape tomorrow to isolate the letters. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spadgent Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 Looking good. Fingers crossed for the idents. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted January 2, 2018 Author Share Posted January 2, 2018 Thanks Johnny As it turned out Inkscape was easier than I thought. I found this article on the 'net so, if I remember correctly, my steps were: Import image Use the pen tool to trace the outline of the ident. Adjust the 'nodes' to get a nice shape With the new shape selected, click the dropper and click on some Sky. Surprisingly this filled the new shape with Sky - neat Repeat for others Clone results for two copies Move the new objects off the image and delete it Resize the objects to 7mm high, keeping proportions. Print and test Dry fit by Ced Bufton, on Flickr Looking good to me. What? What's the matter? You want me to print them on decal paper? Honestly, some people are soooooo picky. Now I'm happy with the size and shape I've edited the file and changed the outline to Sky too. Later babes* *Just to prove I'm 'down with the kids'. Yes, it does sound like a disease. Yes, I hope I get better soon too. 12 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06/24 Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 Bravo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 Bravissimo Ced You have made great strides with Inkscape maestro I think all we need now is a link to the magic 'decal' paper Tony used on his Dornier and we're cooking with gas dude* *see, I can do the hip talk too Do they still say 'hip' these days? When I was a lad... 😨 2 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted January 2, 2018 Author Share Posted January 2, 2018 Thanks Jon Thanks Bill Yes, I think they do say 'hip' these days, usually followed by 'replacement', sadly! I have gathered suitable transfers from the stash: Gathered by Ced Bufton, on Flickr I'll print out the custom ones and find some decalling mojo... 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 1 hour ago, CedB said: With the new shape selected, click the dropper and click on some Sky. Surprisingly this filled the new shape with Sky - neat I wonder how much of a good match the sky dropper is Stuart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles87 Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 My brain hurts! 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 1 hour ago, CedB said: Looking good to me. Same here I use Inkscape for my masks, great tool Ciao 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted January 2, 2018 Author Share Posted January 2, 2018 1 hour ago, Courageous said: I wonder how much of a good match the sky dropper is Thanks Stuart Good point. It's from the photo I took so 'realistic' I hope... although looking at the real thing I think their Sky on the band and serials may have had a matching problem too. Thanks John - your brain hurts? Imagine how mine's feeling! With the 360 video editing and now this I've learnt the basics of far more software than I had planned for my retirement! Thanks Giorgio - custom masks eh? Hmmm Decals printed, I just need some mojo now: Printed by Ced Bufton, on Flickr Damn, they look blocky again don't they? Back to the drawing board later... 4 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 Nice work Ced, can't wait to see them on the model! I just recently downloaded Inkscape after seeing Giemme's masks so I can join you guys in the custom game. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted January 2, 2018 Author Share Posted January 2, 2018 Thanks Cookie - I can't wait either!! OK, calm now. Stuart got me thinking so I updated the serials using the Digital RAF Colours reference from Clubhyper: Proper Sky by Ced Bufton, on Flickr @Courageous you were right - you can see the difference between the Sky 'K' and the original colour from the photo, now amended too. Printed again - I'd printed the 'old' logos file (idiot) rather then the Perdu inspired 'Word' one, now corrected. Both now not as blocky: I just need to calm down now and work out why the 'Enter/Return' key isn't working. Just in the post editor. Give me a break, please! OK, saved and then edited. I've learned this afternoon that shouting at software doesn't work... but it does make you feel better. Calm, calm... 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 I have all this 'devil work' of DIY decals to look forward to myself and your 'Guinea Pig' trials are saving me work. Not wishing to upset your 'trials', I would have produced my own Sky paint chip from the paint I would use, scan the paint chip and make a custom palette so that could be picked for the serials. ...on. Stuart 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 (edited) Getting there Ced, getting there I reckon Stuart has point, too Ciao Edited January 2, 2018 by giemme 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 It must be the printer Blocky is like newsprint colour application little dots to build the image I'm sure you are using the laser colour printer aren't you If you want to send me your image file I can do you an inkjet print of this Inkjets seems to print a layer of flat colour rather than the dots you are getting But, the actual Inkscape related images look great ( just an aside on this, even in wartime photos Sky type S on the tail band could often be seen to vary from the Sky on the lettering so not a big problem if the Sky differs) 😆 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_c67 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 I' don't have to ask, what type of printer, what resolution and what "quality" of print are you using Ced? The dots suggest an older model (which can include anything that's a few years old ) and a normal "quality" print. For my DIY decals I've used a workspace of 5k by 3k (I think!)and gone from there. Will check properly tomorrow! If my insomnia allows... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdrianMF Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Looking good Ced! There are only two curves in the squadron codes (in the bottom of the "J") and so it would be pretty straightforward to mask them up stroke by stroke and brush in some Sky. You could even paint them on to clear decal paper and apply them if you are happy with the result. Just sayin' Regards, Adrian 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonl Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 This is an education! Great stuff! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 x3 on a likely printer issue Ced. Frustrating. But you are becoming an Inkscape sensei in the process. That looks more like a draft quality or low dpi output to me. Solid color should not have a 'dithering' pattern in it like that. Console yourself with a selection from the War Movie Menu: Veal Met By Moonlight The Great Escalope Das Boeuf Battle of the Liver Pate The Gruel Sea 1 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 14 hours ago, perdu said: ( just an aside on this, even in wartime photos Sky type S on the tail band could often be seen to vary from the Sky on the lettering so not a big problem if the Sky differs) Read somewhere (maybe in a post by the late Edgar) that the fuselage band was painted on by the factory with the codes being done by an M.U. prior to issuing to a squadron - which is now my stock excuse for the difference in my painted on fuselage bands & kit/xtracolor codes...!! I'm surprised Monsieur @TheBaron didn't mention making home made masks from sticky back plastic which worked well on his Dornier - the Spit codes look very suitable for similar treatment.... Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted January 3, 2018 Author Share Posted January 3, 2018 18 hours ago, Courageous said: I have all this 'devil work' of DIY decals to look forward to myself and your 'Guinea Pig' trials are saving me work. Not wishing to upset your 'trials', I would have produced my own Sky paint chip from the paint I would use, scan the paint chip and make a custom palette so that could be picked for the serials. ...on. Stuart 15 hours ago, giemme said: Getting there Ced, getting there I reckon Stuart has point, too Ciao Thanks Stuart and Giorgio Colour management is a nightmare, not just because of the different 'programmes' running the software, screen and printer but also the 'balance' on the camera. Good idea but it might open another can of worms? Thanks Bill and Charlie. You're right of course, the resolution is being messed up somewhere. Trouble is the screen is 72dpi (as far as I know) and so they will look good until printed. I have a Dell colour laser (C2660dn) and a Brother inkjet so I should be able to do something with 'Best Quality' printing and 'coated' paper - thanks Bill for the offer anyway. Thanks Adrian. Paint the idents by hand? Good grief man, you must be confusing me with someone of much better skills and much steadier hands 2 hours ago, Leonl said: This is an education! Great stuff! Thanks Leon - yes, it's certainly teaching me a lesson (boom boom tish!) 1 hour ago, TheBaron said: x3 on a likely printer issue Ced. Frustrating. But you are becoming an Inkscape sensei in the process. That looks more like a draft quality or low dpi output to me. Solid color should not have a 'dithering' pattern in it like that. Console yourself with a selection from the War Movie Menu: Veal Met By Moonlight The Great Escalope Das Boeuf Battle of the Liver Pate The Gruel Sea Thanks Tony. I'm not 'entirely' convinced it's a printer issue - yet. I'll go through my steps later. Nice selection of films though - you are a wag! 49 minutes ago, keefr22 said: Read somewhere (maybe in a post by the late Edgar) that the fuselage band was painted on by the factory with the codes being done by an M.U. prior to issuing to a squadron - which is now my stock excuse for the difference in my painted on fuselage bands & kit/xtracolor codes...!! I'm surprised Monsieur @TheBaron didn't mention making home made masks from sticky back plastic which worked well on his Dornier - the Spit codes look very suitable for similar treatment.... Keith Thanks Keith. I did consider masks for about three microseconds and then decided I couldn't cut that accurately. I'm sure a proper modeller would have no problems but kit bashers like me have to set their sights a little lower. No lower. Lower than that... OK, let's see what messes I've made so far this morning after a disturbed night. Damn you Eleanor for waking me up last night. The storm didn't help either. (Eleanor Tomlinson of course. You know, the Poldark lady. I have developed, in old age, a certain 'interest' in red heads that I didn't have before. Theories?) Tiny Kora decals applied to the prop: I've since sanded, filled and repainted the spinner. Underside roundels from Xtradecal and stencils from Eduard: The Boultbee customs went on OK: but need touching up with the matching camo colours. We knew that didn't we. Didn't we? If they don't look 'better' they'll have to come off and I'll re-try (or give up). As usual the Xtradecals have settled nicely with Micro Sol: Settled with Sol by Ced Bufton, on Flickr So my next job is to work out why I'm getting blocky printing and why (oh why oh why) the Sky in Inkscape isn't Sky when it's printed: Not Sky! by Ced Bufton, on Flickr Arrggghhh, dammit and several Anglo Saxon curses! 4 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perdu Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 (edited) It isn't sky because you are printing on clear paper All colour needs reflectance to make it shine, the lightness of a colour depends on how much 'light' gets sent back to the eye If you remember my Wasp build I had to print my white letters on white paper and use a RAF BG background colour that lets the letters stand out You will always have to do this if you want to print on a standard printer, inkjet or laser just a fact of life Now if you want me to play, say so I'd be happy to This was me finding the right background colour in MS Word Edited January 7, 2018 by perdu 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beard Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Hats off to anyone who goes to the trouble of printing their own transfers but couldn't you cobble the codes together from spares or a generic sheet? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedB Posted January 3, 2018 Author Share Posted January 3, 2018 Thanks Bill, you are very kind. Bearing in mind the problems I had with the 'Boultbee' backgrounds though I'm losing the will to live... Thanks Simon - you'd think I'd have something in the stash, or to be able to buy something for goodness sake, but I can't find anything of the same font. Goodness knows what it is... not standard RAF WWII that's for sure. More problems this morning. Trying a different print setting ('Color') gave me a stripy finish on both plain and decal paper: Plain paper by Ced Bufton, on Flickr Colour paper by Ced Bufton, on Flickr so I thought I'd try Inkjet paper: Inkjet by Ced Bufton, on Flickr See, bobby, so now I'm doubting the drivers. Same image, different print, both straight from Inkscape running in Xwindows on my Macbook. Anyway, those might work so I just need to coat the dried ink with the special varnish I bought with the paper: Untitled by Ced Bufton, on Flickr Oh ha ha ha. Want a close up? Fortunately it's lunchtime so I can forget about it for a while. If anyone knows where I can buy Sky ident transfers of THAT font I'd be obliged. Very. Making some masks is starting to look very attractive... 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 (edited) 51 minutes ago, perdu said: It isn't sky because you are printing on clear paper All colour needs reflectance to make it shine, the lightness of a colour depends on how much 'light' gets sent back to the eye If you remember my Wasp build I had to print my white letters on while paper and use a RAF BG background colour that lets the letters stand out You will always have to do this if you want to print on a standard printer, inkjet or laser just a fact of life Yeah Ced, what Perdu said...didn't you know that. Starting to think that this DIY decal melarky isn't that straight forward. Edited January 3, 2018 by Courageous Addition 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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