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Finally! A "How-To" on Painting MultiCam & OmniPat, A study of the elusive pattern
Charlie Echo
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Apr 29 2008, 09:19 AM
Finally! How-To Paint MultiCam™ & OmniPat™
A study of the elusive pattern
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by Charlie Echo
I hope a few of you will find this useful. I put a lot of time into this and only a few of us are crazy enough to mak
everything match for the sake of paintball.
This study of the pattern is shown as MultiCam, but with digital stencils, can be converted to SpecOps version,
OMNIPAT.
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This How-To IS: Only a study of the pattern.
This How-To is NOT: how to apply Duracoat or any other paint for that matter. It is not a reference on how
use masks or airbrush techniques.
Why am I doing this how-to?
If it took me awhile to figure out the pattern, it quite possibly has been difficult for others as well. And I must ad
speaking here from the view point of an airbrush artist, photographer and graphic designer, it has been difficult f
to figure it out. However I modified the production of the pattern somewhat as to not get into trouble with Crye
Precision, the owner of MultiCam patents.
Also, I have seem some horrible attempts at MultiCam and Omnipat. I am not saying mine is the best either. I co
have done better if I used frisket material for my airbrush work and mixed my own colors. Simply, use this as a g
I had promised this for quite some time now. This is my last endeavor for the paint section of SpecOps since I ha
completed my A-5 in MultiCam Duracoat and my Custom 98's.
I believe Duracoat is the ultimate over other paint products, but you may use this pattern with any color process
see fit that is in-line with your budget and time. You can use Krylon, Brownells, etc. I won't go into the different
here since there are enough references in this forum. Look it up.
You may be tempted to take short cuts on this pattern. IF you do, I warn you of the dire consequences - it won't
as REAL MultiCam or Omnipat. (I will let you be the judge. You know how much time and money you have. If you
have more money than time, I suggest you read this to appreciate how much time is involved and send it to Spe
to have it painted.)
If you change it; here is why it won't work.
First, we will look at how MultiCam is successful and how it works.
DISGUISES VOLUME AND SHAPE
The design takes advantage of the way the human eye/brain perceives shape, volume and color. By using proprie
high resolution digital fades from one color to another, the colors and shapes of the pattern become hard to reco
and define. The wearer's profile begins to loose its edge and fades into whatever color or shape surrounds him. I
works on the principle that an observer can see something but still not recognize it as anything to be interested i
Since only a very small portion of the human eye perceives color, the brain does a lot of “filling-in” for the eye.
MultiCam™ takes advantage of this principle and helps the observer to “see” the pattern as part of the backgrou
Read More from MultCam's website
Here are the colors I used. They are the basic set that comes with the MultiCam kit(They call it "Multicolor", I gu
because they can't say "MultiCam" for infringement reasons) from Duracoat . The colors are close - but not exac
only problem I have with the kit is I really don't like the dark brown. It is too light or thin and won't darken as de
shadows. Make sure the dark brown is dark brown and almost black. Maybe someone here can suggest more acc
colors, but here is a guide you can use for now.
MultiCam Swatch Chart (colors may vary from screen to screen)
Always be sure you prep the surface - Sandblast, thinner, Scotchbrite or sandpaper, brake cleaner, etc.
Production Note: Depending on how you use your stencils, you may want to reverse the order of painting. Or rev
male, as opposed to female pattern stencils.
I used female stencils from a cutout sheet of paper. moving the stencils around until I have the object covered.
Put down the base coat of Multi Tan
Feather in Multi Medium Brown in large areas. No stencils needed here. Be sure to feather it smoothly by hand. T
key is to get a subtle transition. Sometimes I use male patterns to let some of the base tan show through with h
egdes as well as smooth gradients. Keep in mind some feathering techniques can't be obtained by taping down
patterns.
Using stencils lay down the Multi Medium Green
Before removing the stencils (this is harder to do unless you are using a stencil with adhesive), feather in the mu
dark green
Arbitrarily reposition the stencils and feather in a second layer of dark green
Then ad in a few small shapes of solid dark green for break up.
For the shadow detail, it is important to make sure it is dark brown for good contrast use the dark brown sparing
Only a few dark spots goes a long ways.
Now drop in the highlights, like the shadow, a few spots goes a long ways.
Note about highlights and shadow details:
I noticed the highlights and shadows are usually clumped together in strips. So don't evenly spread the highlight
shadows around, rather clump them together.
Finish up with sealer or matte finish coating.
Well, I hope this helps anyone trying to replicate painting the Multicam pattern to your project. If you mess up, y
can always send it to BigBone. For the most part, this pattern is very forgiving if you don't get it exactly right. If
followed my instructions without modifying it, you should have something that looks alot like MC. As I said before
can be modified to apply to OMNIPAT by using digital templates. Feel free to ask any questions. I will do my best
update and reply to any inquiries.
Good luck!
This post has been edited by Charlie Echo: May 13 2008, 09:30 AM
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Bone37
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Apr 29 2008, 09:31 AM
Post #2
Nice work! This will be Very useful.
Played a scenario over the weekend and my friend has Multicam, he was nearly invisible!
We were 50ft apart and I couldn't see him.
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Charlie Echo
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Apr 29 2008, 10:20 AM
Bone37, Can't wait to play a large scenario game in my new colors.
Here is an additional reference, I found online, not done by me - nicely done none-the-less.
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Bone37
Apr 29 2008, 10:36 AM
QUOTE(Charlie Echo @ Apr 29 2008, 12:20 PM)
Bone37, Can't wait to play a large scenario game in my new colors.
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Here is an additional reference, I found online, not done by me - nicely done none-the-less.
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Youre gonna love Multicam! It is clearly the best camo out there.
Post #4
Have you played one before? Where?
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ger
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Apr 29 2008, 01:56 PM
Post #5
Bravo Charlie Echo, Bravo...
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Charlie Echo
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Apr 30 2008, 06:38 AM
Post #6
Thanks guys! Since you had a chance to look over this and seeing what is involved, just
wondering are you guys willing to give it a shot and paint this pattern or does it look too
complicated?
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Post pictures of your progress.
Regarding MultiCam and Omnipat, I think it truly is one of the most versatile camos out there
that is applicable to just about any environment, terrain and season. In other words, I think it's
the best one size fits all of camos.
Someone asked me if Duracoat is reasonable on plastic? Yes, durable enough for me to rely on
keeping it on my pistol grip. The foregrip, hopper and stock are plastic resins as well. Seems the
harder the plastic, adhesion respectively increases. I made the mistake of not cleaning my
fingers with thinner after painting. 3 weeks later green duracoat on my nails still there. Duracoat
thinner won't seem to budge it now. Duracoat should make nail polish! Let this be my funny way
of reminding you guys to wear gloves when you paint. Especially with Duracoat.
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Big Bone
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May 1 2008, 12:50 AM
Post #7
LOL, I know what it feels like to have painted hands. It can get a little embarrassing at times
(especially when its a very suspicious color) but a bit of lacquer thinner always helps to get it
off. Whatever you do, don't soak your hands in that stuff though
it will hurt like... ya know,
bad. Good post Charlie BTW, very cool man.
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Quick QuestionsWhat do you guys think of the possibility of SO selling vinyl and camo kits for a very reasonable
price? I'm talking Omnipat kits, Woodland digi kits, maybe "Multicam", and just precut vinyl for
those who like to use there own paint. I might make a topic of it if I get decent response. Didn't
want to hijack your fine thread though Charlie, it's just something that popped into my head.
BB
This post has been edited by Big Bone: May 1 2008, 12:51 AM
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Hellspawn
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May 1 2008, 08:30 AM
Post #8
QUOTE(Big Bone @ May 1 2008, 01:50 AM)
LOL, I know what it feels like to have painted hands. It can get a little embarrassing at times
(especially when its a very suspicious color) but a bit of lacquer thinner always helps to get it
off. Whatever you do, don't soak your hands in that stuff though
know, bad. Good post Charlie BTW, very cool man.
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it will hurt like... ya
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What do you guys think of the possibility of SO selling vinyl and camo kits for a very
reasonable price? I'm talking Omnipat kits, Woodland digi kits, maybe "Multicam", and just
precut vinyl for those who like to use there own paint. I might make a topic of it if I get
decent response. Didn't want to hijack your fine thread though Charlie, it's just something
that popped into my head.
BB
if your talking about vinyl decals that are allready colored that we can apply and then remove
later on down the road, I think its a great idea... need a marker to try it out on?
id deff buy a kit if it was a reasonable price. (omnipat)
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delux247
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May 1 2008, 10:17 AM
Post #9
lov'n your work man! keep it up
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Warwitch
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May 1 2008, 12:57 PM
Post #10
Awesome writeup, mad props. MC is definitely an elusive pattern to dissect. This should really
help the DIY'ers.
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QUOTE(Big Bone @ May 1 2008, 03:50 AM)
but a bit of lacquer thinner always helps to get it off. Whatever you do, don't soak your hands
From: The Abyss
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in that stuff though
it will hurt like... ya know, bad. Good post Charlie BTW, very cool
man.
BB
You really shouldnt be putting ANY lacquer thinner on your skin. It will eventually damage the
protective "sheath" that shields your nerve endings. Not to mention it will do severe damage to
your liver. Seriously, dont mess with it.
I found out the hard way. Now anytime I get any type of thinner on my hands they get numb.
Of course this came from years of house painting and it is cumulative. But I wont even use
mineral spirits anymore. A little baby oil will do wonders.
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Wraith X
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Post #11
May 1 2008, 04:43 PM
Big Bone if So made a set of appilable camos in the spec digi I would so buy a set for my A-5
A-16.That would be so freaking awsome man. When do you think you might have a set on a
marker for the So world to veiw and remark on man?
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Charlie Echo
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May 1 2008, 05:59 PM
Post #12
I definitely think selling masks would be a awsome idea to offer. But if I didn't already have
airbrush experience, I would have sent it to you. I just had to have multicam. I would have done
omnipat, but I did not feel like making digi stencils.
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I think you would do better at selling patterns, though. It sounds like a great way to cover the
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alternative over painting. Especially, omnipat. That is such a cool pattern people would love to
have. Plus it opens up the possibility of having the pattern without worrying about copying the
pattern and getting it matched. I think both are great ideas. Only down side to me is adhesive
residue. But what's a little residue to folks who use latex, acrylic, shoe polish and whatever. Go
for it.
!Options, man.
Thanks guys for complements. For the guys that are really going DIY on these
patterns, I want to see some other multicams besides mine and some GOOD omnipats. You got
the guide.
Kind of curious if you guys wanted to see the spray booth side of production? It's not all that
impressive, and it's covered in most How to Duracoat threads. Just a thought.
Oh, BB. How would you go about the pre printed pattern fitting to different markers? Would it
just be a big sheet that people cut to fit or would it be a template that fits different markers? If
so, what markers? And make sure its not too dark over all. When I used to get Mossy Oak tape,
it was always to dark with no highlights. the darks were only gray and best with no contrast.
Sort of a blah mud. Anyway, just some things to consider.
This post has been edited by Charlie Echo: May 1 2008, 06:32 PM
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Steel Tiger
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May 10 2008, 06:52 PM
Post #13
I'd go for some omnipat vinyls.
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Charlie Echo
May 13 2008, 10:20 AM
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Post #14
QUOTE(Warwitch @ May 1 2008, 12:57 PM)
You really shouldnt be putting ANY lacquer thinner on your skin. It will eventually damage the
protective "sheath" that shields your nerve endings. Not to mention it will do severe damage
to your liver. Seriously, dont mess with it.
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Protective "sheath?" Are you sure you are talking about hands?
Thanks. I'll be sure to heed your warnings. I don't want to lose nerve endings - anywhere.
Better yet, I will wear gloves.
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BLITZNY
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May 15 2008, 10:11 PM
Post #15
Thanks for the post
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