Apache Longbow AH64D

Personal Project

Illustrative styles, Motion path exploration and Sound/Video editing.

Software

Photoshop and Adobe Animate

Overview

The Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow is a next-generation attack helicopter with advanced target acquisition systems and radar. It's one of the most feared warbirds in the U.S army due to its formidable arsenal. It's main armament is the 30mm M230 Chain Gun, and it can carry a variety of offensive weapons on its four pylons. The radar can detect up to 256 targets within 50 km.

Turn on the sound on the bottom left for a total immersion.

Design Highlights

Inspired by the Apache Longbow fearsome look, I wanted to explore light refractions, motion and digital pixel painting. I started by using different brush techniques and tweaks in Photoshop to digitally paint the textures and light refractions on several composite layers. I chose a warm color palette for the surrounding atmosphere and sky. I then exported several of the final components into Adobe Animate, for example the rotors, the machine gun and the missiles for animation. All the powerful light blast from the cannons were refracted and carefully designed to reflect onto the canopy and hull of the chopper when in full action.

I used Adobe Audition to create and edit the sound effects, which was then later added and synchronized to match the action, making the whole thing totally immersive.

Making of...The Digital Painting Process in Photoshop - Accelerated video

Final Results