Photoshop gun concept mock ups
 

Recently I've been looking into painting my guns. But before I went and dumped a whole bunch of time and money . I wanted to get a better idea of what would look the best. So I developed a method in photoshop To create some concept mock ups. Enjoyed working on them , so I made some more for guns I don't own as well . They're fairly simple to make and could be done by someone with a basic understanding of photoshop.
Could possibly make a tutorial if there's some demand.
http://oi44.tinypic.com/2poqw6a.jpg

Tutorial?

Are you just dropping a camo palette over the guns, masking the areas you want the camo to apply to, and using one of the overlay modes? That's how I've done it in the past but it didn't give results quite as good as yours.

+1

That's very atractive. Almost makes me want a pdr-c :D

Should be basic, but I'm curious as well. The camos look really good on those images.

its simpler then that . no need to mask
will post tutorial tonight

ty i got a real bad itch to buy one as well while making it

Step one
Get an image of your gun or one you want . Use google images and search for the make and model of your gun. Find an image that has a good side view and it also must contain a white background . Look for one that has a decent image size. You can also take a picture of your gun , but make sure that it is on a light background . Now find some Camo patterns, very easy to find on google ,look for your favorite pattern.Also you can import accessories from other images by cutting them out with a polygonal lasso tool. Again , must be a side shot
http://oi40.tinypic.com/4lkk9g.jpg
http://oi42.tinypic.com/2nv9w6h.jpg

Step two
open your images in photoshop
go to
image>image size
And set the resolution to 300 , the images you get from Google are 72 dpi .300 Gives you more to work with.
Now cut and paste the accessories you want to use into your main image .
Use polygonal or magnetic lasso.
For this image I used the scope from a G&P viper
After you are done with the accessories
Merge all layers into one
http://oi44.tinypic.com/xc130x.jpg
http://oi43.tinypic.com/2cq16r5.jpg
step 3
After you have merged your layer into one image
Right click layer in layer window > Duplicate it 3 times ,
Leave one copy in the background untouched and hide from visablity , this will be your back up
Step 4
Paste Camo on top of the gun, cover the whole gun , you can duplicate the Camo or scale the camo depending on the pattern frequency you desire
Now merge the Camo layers together if you need to
and move the camo layer underneath your second gun copy layer
http://oi40.tinypic.com/2r2ars7.jpg
http://oi39.tinypic.com/34j4114.jpg
step 5
Now hide your top gun layer.
Then select the second gun copy .
Go to image>adjustment>desaturate
To remove the color from the layer.

Now the magic part
In the layer window go to the blending mode drop down menu . And pick hard light .
This should impose the Camo pattern on your gun , make sure the gun layer 2 has the blending mode and not the camo
http://oi39.tinypic.com/2yx54pt.jpg
Depending on the brightness and contrast of your original gun and camo images
You may not get the desired effect.
To fix this
Select your gun layer with the blending mode and then
Go to image>adjustments>levels
Use the sliders to change the brightness,
a lighter camo like a desert camo , is going to require you to make a lighter hard light blend. Play with the sliders in the levels widow to get the desired result ,
Do the same for the Camo layer , and see if you get a better look
http://oi42.tinypic.com/9gwy7c.jpg
Step 6
Now make the top gun layer visible and select it
Grab the eraser tool and set the brush to a softer stroke
Start erasing the parts of the gun you want Camo .
This will reveal the layer underneath with the blending mode
Do that till you're happy with the results
http://oi40.tinypic.com/2lxcdiu.jpghttp://oi39.tinypic.com/294ja0l.jpg

Duplicated you back up image layer and try different scheme option
And swap in other camo patterns , and experiment

post your results

Wow, these look really good. Nice job, and thanks for the tutorial!

this is sweet. I know what I'm doing after my midterm tomorrow

now if only it where that easy to actually paint those camos onto the guns

It is, look up Hydro dipping, or water transfer paint.

That's fine if you wanna take pictures of it and hang it on a wall for all to see
FYI the cooler and crisper you make a paintjob look, the worse it functions.
All those items that come in nice clean multicam? Yeah it stands out like a sore thumb in the bush, too shiny, too defined.
You need something blended, shaded and dirty to blend in with nature, like so;

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...82444596_n.jpg
https://scontent-b-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/...58408627_n.jpg

Sweet !!! Awesome job

Hydro dipping is no walk in the park,
It requires a lot of work to, probably equally the same amount of prep time as spray painting
You're still going to have to do a base coat . That hydro film needs a light surface because of the opacity of the film . True that you are saving time when you dip your parts but it also probably requires a good amount technique , experience and technical aptitude to get right .
I enjoy the results of hydro dipping. I was looking into hydro dipping as well but there's limitations with this process also.
For me I would like the ability to make my own film patterns . That requires an expensive printer. And you pattern frequency is static , you can't scale the film if you want the bigger Camo patterns . And from what I have seen, most of the web retailers you can purchase dip kits from have the same limited selections of films.
These patterns in my mock ups , can be made with the traditional spray paint .
For me I would use the plot cutter I have access to at work to cut vinyl stencils. This way I can scale and modify the Camo .The cutter can cut pretty good detail and you get nice clean lines as opposed to cutting by hand. You also have more option in terms of custom colors

Either way there's no half assing

you can also piss about with not so doable textures and make a art gun
http://oi39.tinypic.com/34rt4pu.jpg

I find painting a base coat not a big deal, prep is not so bad, its creating the pattern on the items that is difficult, I have had a few things dipped, it holds up really well, the valve cover on my drift car is dipped wood grain (since I'm classy like that) and with the high heat of the turbo right beside the valve cover and vibration it still looks brand new with no discolouration, I don't think that spray paint would hold up the same.

edit* that gun above my post is dope!