Roughmet and SPEC Layer questions

Hey Guys!

So I'm just getting into skinning, starting with the p-51, I'm starting of looking at the bare metal livery (default) and was wondering, how do you go about coming up with the "Roughmet" texture. I've read some tutorials on the SPEC layer but I can't seem to find anything on Roughmet. Any links or suggestions?

Thanks guys!

While I don't know what Roughmet is, the SPEC layer controls how reflective something is. I had to find out on my own starting out. The lighter the color is, the more reflective it will be. I don't know why some are green and pink, but they don't need to be to work. Any color between black and white will work too. DIFF controls the actual colors, and NMp is...well...NMp. Gives the illusion that rivets and dents on modeled in 3D on your plane.

If you go on my profile and into my albums, you can see a skin I made for the Mustang, called Supergirl. Orange, blue, and bare metal.

I also recommend NOT getting the template by ED (iz Russian) and getting one from this guy who made his own template, Rudel. https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/1553631/

Make sure you have DXTBmp, and you have your ModelViewer set up. Also Note++ is helpful, though I don't know if you specifically need it.

Use the mesh layer, and you may have to eyeball it back and forth when having some design move over from one section of the mesh to another. Remember to export it, then import that image into DXTBmp, then export as a .DDS (I use the dds5 option, to be safe )

Create a new folder (My skin or whatever) in the liveries of the P-51, and I believe Rudels template comes ready to go with it's own description.lua. If not, copy a description.lua from another P-51 skin and paste it in yours. I think since I started skinning, more tutorials have come out for it.

Reflect or something is the guy who is the pro at skinning. He makes a lot. He probably would have some things to add to this. I can't get into details with the description.lua right now because I'm on Tapatalk.

I wish you luck, and happy skinning!

Roughness / Metallic Layer is the PBR Replacement for Specular.

for 2.1+ DCS Uses PBR Rendering, and Specular Layers are either Replaced w/ Roughness/Metallic Layer or the Original SPEC map is converted via Contrast and Output Values using a JSON File.

For PBR.

Red or Green Channel is Roughness, Blue Channel is Metallic

Smooth Surfaces will look more polished, and light will not scatter as much.

Rough Surfaces will look more matte, and light will scatter.

Metallic Surfaces will have more reflection and less light obsorbtion

Dielectric Surfaces will have less reflection and more light obsobtion.

Hi Skatezilla, is it possible specify JSON file for specific livery?

I mean, there is a way to declare in description.lua a custom JSON to load by the skin?

No, JSON Applies to the Model Materials.

From there, each livery will have to adjust the ROUGH/MET Channels individually in the texture map (spec or pbr)./

Will post a guide for RoughMet use later tonight.

:cheer3nc:

will actually do a video this weekend when I get time,

however I'm working the NAS Oceana Airshow, so I'm very busy this weekend.

Take your time, I can wait;)

Thanks SkateZilla, dont rush, but it will be very much appreciated !

Thanks Skatezilla, I've tried your guide with the Viggen but with no luck...I think that the model must be re-exported, right?

Maybe you can help with "old system", since I've lost hours in trying to fix the specular of my skins without being satisfied of results...

See this 2 images, same diffuse and specular with JSON:

Left fuselage in direct sun, it looks as should be

Right fuselage in twilight, chromed effect???? How is that possible?

Maybe JSON values are wrong?

I've removed the JSON files from the shapes folder, and in the model viewer my glossy skins looks better, without chrome on shadowed parts, but glass canopy is bluish.

Do you think that all models will lost JSON when 2.5 will come out and PBR with Deferred Shading will be standard?

The "new system" rough/met could save me big headaches :megalol:

Thanks

Thankyou SkateZilla for the tutorial, thats a great help to understand the RoughMet maps, thanks again.

Thanks Skatezilla, I've tried your guide with the Viggen but with no luck...I think that the model must be re-exported, right?

Maybe you can help with "old system", since I've lost hours in trying to fix the specular of my skins without being satisfied of results...

See this 2 images, same diffuse and specular with JSON:

 

Left fuselage in direct sun, it looks as should be

 

Right fuselage in twilight, chromed effect???? How is that possible?

Maybe JSON values are wrong?

I've removed the JSON files from the shapes folder, and in the model viewer my glossy skins looks better, without chrome on shadowed parts, but glass canopy is bluish.

Do you think that all models will lost JSON when 2.5 will come out and PBR with Deferred Shading will be standard?

The "new system" rough/met could save me big headaches :megalol:

Thanks

This was meant for 3D Artists Developing their Own 3D Models,

If a Model that's already in DCS has a JSON File, then the Speculars are tuned to that.

And None of the Guide Applies, as the Default Speculars are Tuned to the Contrast and Output Levels of the JSON File.

Nice so in resume what are the hierarchy of the files ?

and what can we really use for shades in DCS some are too bright  Thanks you