Well, I managed to paint my first skin yesterday but I'm still in the steep learning curve in photoshop. I'd like to know what tools you guys use to select and paint-over the wireframes included in the templates. I was using the magic wand and then the "fill" option but I was left with the wireframe line unpainted when I selected multiple polygones at once. Is there a way to merge non-adjacent selections to fill the little gap left by the wireframe itself?

Hope this is clear, it's kinda hard to describe photoshop issues on a forum!

Thanks in advance!

you're not supposed to paint ON that layer, you're supposed to use it as a reference guide

the filling is only going to fill the area its not in, which... yes that means it would leave behind hte wireframe

Paint on a layer below the wireframe. I turn down the opacity of the wireframe layer a little bit so I can see through the lines so it doesn't cover up parts of my skin, while still being able to see it and use it as a guide.

If that doesn't make any sense, someone could upload a pic of their layer palette so you can see how they do it. I might upload a pic if you need, but I can't guarantee a speedy reply.

Thanks guys but I think I haven't explained my needs correctly. I'm already painting in the layer below the wireframe. What I wanted was to paint precisely some adjacent polygons to follow a shape. I'd choose the wireframe layer, use the magic wand to select the polygon areas I wished to paint and then choose my other layer and go to edit -> fill to paint it. I'm only seeking a way to quickly select the little space in my selection left by the polygon line itself as it isn't picked by the magic wand

Does that make more sense?

Don't use it like that, it'l be very rough. What you should do is use the pen tool to draw a shape and use the wireframe only as a guide. Hope you know what I mean. Instead of selecting or useing the select tool use the pen tool to draw your shape. Otherwise if you prefer to do it your way you can always use the lasso to select the unselected lines.

Or, you could use the polygonal lasso tool wihtout any feathering. That way, you can follow straight lines perfectly, but also follow curves and such. Works well for me.

I'd use the pen tool (what am I said "I'd?" I DO use the pen tool :P) but if you isist on doing it your way, use the paintbrush to fill in the areas where lines are left over.One thing to point out; using your method it doesn't sound like your painting new things on new layers. I highly recommend taking full advantage of the layer system in Photoshop. It WILL make your life A LOT easier. (And if you're like me and have at least 60 layers for a skin, use the folders to organise them :P)

i delete the wireframe from master skinnerz templates and use photoshop's grid. wooks jsut as well

Quote from Zachary Zoomy :

i delete the wireframe from master skinnerz templates and use photoshop's grid. wooks jsut as well

You have no idea what the wireframe is for then.

Quote from Davo :

You have no idea what the wireframe is for then.

yep

No you don't; the wireframe shows the mapping boundaries of the car. The PS grid doesn't as it doesn't know anything about the 3D model. The grid will help you alin stuff on the top and right side of the car (and the front maybe) but as soon as you get to the left side the grid won't do squat for you.

If you delete the wireframe, then why do you bother downloading the skin kits? The wireframe is, essentially, what the kit is all about.

here's a suggestion for you....... when finished, just make the wireframe layer invisible!

Furthermore, a feature of photoshop that many people forget about or don't know about is to drag your mouse while holding mouse1, down or across. It will put in a guideline. You can have as many as you want and its extremely useful for a specific reference point!

Mouse1? That's left click isn't it? If so, that is how the primary function of just about every single tool in Photoshop is used. AFAIK the only way to use guides is to make the rulers visible, then click and drag out from one of the rulers to make a guide with the same orientation.