No matter how CS:GO skins are colored, their shape is determined by the fact that they are superimposed on the same models. However, there are skinmakers who try to change this by creating skins that create optical illusions or reproduce textures that are completely uncharacteristic of realistic weapons.
.Desert Eagle Blue Ply
A prime example of this approach – DesertEagle Blue Ply. Its coloring reproduces the texture of wooden planks, making flat surfaces look three-dimensional and composed of several layers. Another interesting feature of this skin – is how it is affected by the float value. As it gets bigger, the skin doesn't just get darker or scuffed: the «wood» texture itself starts to change.
USP-S Business Class
Another example of a skin whose creators put a lot of effort into creating an unusual texture – USP-S Business Class. Leather elements have been added to the design of the grip and barrel with great detailing. Some people think that this texture does not fit the overall style of the gun, but the thoroughness of detailing is impressive in any case.
M4A4 Poly Mag
Another area of experimentation – is the creation of optical illusions. For example, the M4A4Polymer Horn magazine, in perfect keeping with the name of the weapon, is colored so that it appears to be made of clear plastic. In fact, of course, this is not the case, and this effect is achieved through a clever pattern. Nevertheless, many players appreciate this skin for its unusual design.
MAC-10 Pipe Down
A similar technique is used in the MAC-10 Full Pipe Down design. At a glance, it's hard to believe that this skin actually has the same flat body as the rest of the MAC-10. The thing is that its coloring reproduces the intertwining of pipes, which creates the illusion of volume even at a close distance.
SSG 08 Parallax
Sometimes skinmakers directly turn to the techniques of creating optical illusions. For example, with the SSG 08, the Parallax appears to be covered in black and white stripes like zebra coloring. However, added to them is the effect of chromatic aberration – elements of red and blue colors on the edges of the stripes. As a result, the pattern seems volumetric or slightly blurred before the eyes.
The authors of skins for CS:GO are constantly exploring new possibilities, making the most of the available tools. Therefore, we can expect that both the variety of the workshop and the set of skins that end up in the game will be constantly replenished with unusual solutions, and many of them, in addition, are not so expensive.