les, yes; that's the thread!

i have subscribed to that thread (probably twice).  my problem is, i can't find anywhere in my profile/control panel where my subscribed threads are stored.  so i can find them again.

 

vilters, thank you for the pic!

and everyone else with the subtraction math.

as for mutliplying, i really wanted to use a mask method to try different blending methods (blend, multiply, whatever) to get a better tattoo.  if possible.

 

 

hang on a sec... where is the 'texture filtering' setting in 2012?  NM! i found it!!  its on the image map window shade thingy-doodle settings.

 

okay, now...  when i use the 'add subsurface scattering' wacro... it uses the blend like the regular image map, to plug it into the alternate diffuse and yadda yadda.  but.  unlike when i hit that wacro with a plain texture on it, the result comes out lighter than the original skintone.

   any help on that?  should i post my shader thingies?