Yes, that's one way to do that. But this tip won't be necessary if all would simply follow the instructions for Skinning by S397; Either using the Clamp layer or Albedo layer that is included in all or at least most templates, or by applying a Level modifier manually (Level to range 10 - 220 or 10 - 210 with clamp). More info on the background and reasons can be found in the DevGuide for instance. On other note: Great skins coming up here recently! @Highlandwalker you don't have the JT5 from URD? Your skins would suite those Godzillas well too!
Just a quick look at the guide reveals this Clamp your talking about is a Photoshop styled layer. All because it has a Photoshop style and looks some how special, it's not! It's the same as I use and have suggested to use that will work in all paint programs were what you call the Clamp is only a Photoshop specific layer mod. But at the end off the day the effect is the same. We don't all have Photoshop and many that do may have a older version that also is not compatible to a more modern layer style. "(Level to range 10 - 220 or 10 - 210 with clamp)." I have spent some time testing and have found that RGB 220 to 210 are still to light on most colors. But it's a choice. I mealy keep it simple.
Yes, you are right, that clamp layer is a set of effects or such that only works with PS (the templates are made with PS, so this should be no surprise). And this was discussed so many times, so we really don't have to discuss this again and again. The GIMP does have a tool to manipulate the RGB Level of a bitmap. You can also Clamp the output. See below. And I'm pretty sure that other graphic editors have similar options/tools. I personally do transfer the clamp layer of the original template into a group/folder in which I do paste the flattened, leveled, and clamped skin for export. Now, you are also right, the range is not always correct for every use. Artists should use the default as a suggestion and adapt it to their taste. Sometimes you want a bright white, 220 or even 225 might be good values here. And the other way around, if you want to have a more warm white, 210 or 205 would be the better choice. Same with black of course; sometimes you want a real dark black like a black hole (Level 0 or 5), and sometimes it should be black like a very dark grey (Level 10 or 15). Of course you can also play with different setups on the same skin if you do apply Level to selected layers instead of the flattened image. So many creative options!
Aston Martin GTE 2019, here's skin I did last night. Enjoy. Download at Racedepartment. https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/s397-aston-martin-gte-2019-dca.28324/
Small update. Side skirts now painted and all white bonnet. https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/s397-aston-martin-gte-2019-dca.28324/updates
Back to some Bathurst 12 hours skins,I have procrastinated about how to handle the non 397 GT3 cars aston, lambo, ferrari and nissan. Was going to add a few in from other mods but the BOP is not great so decided as a test to see how kcmg livery looked on the calloway and its not bad So its looking more likely the B12 pack will be all 397 GT3 cars.... still aiming for a pack of 28 full field but no promises! Hopefully finished before next years race
New update for the E-SPORT Series. https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/e-sport-gt3-series.27552/
Thanks to Highlandwalker I use some of his design. https://www.racedepartment.com/threads/gte-aston-martin-wynns.172884/
The newest one i did. Because it is a league skin, the sponsor had to be fictional, i think i will put the livery reworked with the real sponsors on the GTE and on the GT3. Was personal my favorite Aston livery, the Bilstein one from the 24hour
2018 Le Mans AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE EVO #51 https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/2018-af-corsa-ferrari-488-gte-evo.28650/
2018 Le Mans AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE EVO #71 https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/2018-af-corsa-ferrari-488-gte-evo.28650/ 2019 Le Mans Car Guy Racing Ferrari 488 GTE #57 https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/2019-lemans-car-guy-racing-ferrari-488-gte-57.29128/
The first ones will soon be available for download at Racedepartment. But there are a few things left to do.
Bathurst 12 hour skins continue this is still very much WIP... I know its not a lambo but still starting to look pretty nice and adds plenty of colour to the field