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Hey guys,

maybe you can help me. When adding scratches and damage to a model, I usually apply a darker color with a sponge and then highlight the lower edge of the scratch with a color lighter than the basecolor, so it creates 3D effect.

But what do I do, when the light source is hitting the surface in a 90° angle? Say for example I wanted to add damage to a metal plate which is lying flat on the ground. Do I highlight all 4 sides of the damaged area or will this look unrealistic?

Appreciate your input!


Cheers!

If its flat on the ground and the light source is derectly overhead then as you say, there wouldn't really be any shadows and all edges of the scratch would be highlighted. this might look a bit funny though as even daylight tends to have a direction. You could therefore pick a location for your light source in relation to the plate and shadow the closer edges and highlight the other edges.

The reason for highlighting remains the same; to reinforce and exaggerate the edge.
Generally we highlight the centre of large flat panels to reinforce contrast at the edges; this gives you a light direction of 'inward' toward the centre of the panel, and tends to leave the edges darker so an edge highlight will look sharper and more angular. Highlight scratches / chips / cracking appropriately with that in mind. As this is a light-facing surface, your base colour should be lighter than for other surfaces, and contrast for the chip highlights should be less intense (as the directional light 'across' them is less intense).

highlight the outer edges. Only do two connecting edges, thatll give it the 3'd image on the ground. Usually with light there is always an angel or incidence.

Thanks for the tips, I will try adding only slight scratches and more muted highlights, so the effect won't look over the top.

Cheers!