Another scenery question

[psferg]

Is there a way to control the opacity of textures in TS 12? I am looking for a better way to blend textures.

 

[mezzoprezzo]

Is there a way to control the opacity of textures? I am looking for a better way to blend textures.

Yes.

With practice you can apply thin or thick coats of texture. It depends on three factors.

a) The “radius” of the spray pattern.
b) How fast you click the left mouse button when spraying the texture.
c) Where the cursor is placed on the terrain.

Here are three examples (using VAVballast and oz dirt)

1. Very (very!) quick and light click on grid intersection.
2. Very quick click on grid intersection.
3. A normal click just to the right of the grid intersection with the “radius” increased as little from minimum as is possible.

The “radius” isn’t round. It will spread in a jagged pattern, fading at its edges. Its shape and spread will vary greatly depending upon the position in the grid where the spray is placed.

It is not possible to always get the transparent look exactly where you might want it, but I find that with a bit of trial and error and use of the Undo button it usually works out OK. It’s well worth practicing on a spare bit of baseboard to see what can be achieved.

Cheers
Casper



Edit: I’ve just noticed the addition of “TS12” to your question which you edited whilst I was putting together this reply.
Hopefully the above will be relevant. If not, perhaps it will be of some use to other members.

 

[maruffijd]

This trick still works in TS12. Another trick I use is scroll out a bit and quickly swipe as I lay paint. Great for the randomizing the fades and softening sandlines at the back of beach scenes.

 

[psferg]

Thanks for the replies. The effect I was looking for was more like Mezzos #1 in all scenarios, but I guess not. Thanks again for the replies.

 

[mezzoprezzo]

@maruufijd
That’s a useful additional trick.

I’ve just been experimenting with that quick swipe technique. I’ve found that holding down the rotate key (either of the square bracket keys ‘[‘ or ‘]’) gives an even fainter image than swiping only. You do need to hold down the rotate key for around one second before applying though, to wait for the compass needle to start spinning. It takes a moment to get up to speed.

@psferd
I’ve yet to find a way of having a transparent look over bigger areas. It would be nice to have a button to achieve this though!

 

[psferg]

Yes, I see what you mean...unfortunately, it still depends where the cursor is placed on the grid, though (if you're doing spots), and you cant see the grid if you're overlaying textures.
One added (BIG) bonus of doing this is that, by doing this you reduce that annoying repetitive pattern some textures have.

 

[maruffijd]

Thank you for the tip, But I did know this. I generally use quick taps and swipes for a custom feathering over a more solid base coat that essentially blur the seams. If I do it just right, I can maKe some realy dirty looking snow driftd on the side of the roads.