The new mod Im working on adds a widget overlay whenever a helmet is equipped.

Video: https://youtu.be/jJDkSva_B5Q

Image: http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/Scrivener07/ironoverlay.png

Image: http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/Scrivener07/ScreenShot76.png

Image: http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/Scrivener07/ScreenShot78.png

Image: http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/Scrivener07/ScreenShot79.png

Image: http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/Scrivener07/ScreenShot80.png

Image: http://s1268.photobucket.com/user/Scrivener07/media/ScreenShot81.png.html

Image: http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/Scrivener07/ScreenShot82.png

In the future I plan to add unique overlays for each vanilla helmet. For modded armors I plan to add support for custom overlays and the ability to associate any helmet with any overlay.

The overlay featured in the video is loosely based on the vanilla iron helmet and is a temporary placeholder.

Let me know if you have questions, feedback, or would like to contribute overlay shapes to the project.

Looking great! I love the F3 helmet overlay mod, this will be amazing for the immersion. Really like the dynamic alpha options.

Interesting idea for sure I would move the overlay a little bit closer, because eye holes are not that far from your eyes so you don't see it this way like a binoculars in the movie. I know it is just a placeholder and prove of concept, but still this is the first thing that occurred to me.

@Starfis I know, the current shape is unbearable. But Im not an artist and just wanted to get a system up and running fast. So true about the binocular view. I think its called vision parallax that would hide the center part of the overlay.

The F3 mod incorporates this by making this part more translucent than the rest of the overlay. Same goes for any damage or to texture to the helmet material. Will this kind of layering be possible?

Yea, any kind of layering is possible. Im thinking about removing the center all together and doing it more like the fallout visors. http://static-4.nexusmods.com/15/mods/120/images/11474-1-1267497037.jpg

Hm, yes that works, but there have been alternatives.
in the case of this https://www.google.nl/search?q=F3+enclave+helmet&rlz=1C1GIGM_enNL650NL650&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=993&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMI6LrOp_zpxwIVzG8UCh2NkQde#imgrc=jAxLmh9E8G4pvM%3A there are two eyepieces with a center piece, which has been made more translucent in http://static-8.nexusmods.com/15/mods/120/images/11474-1-1267500354.jpg. I personally like it better that way.

There is a http://www.nexusmods.com/oblivion/mods/8991/ for Oblivion which does the same thing if you need some inspiration how they managed the center part. Also the FO3 mod is outdated and not finished, Project Nevada is closer to how you would probably see http://static-4.nexusmods.com/15/mods/130/images/40040-1-1302383941.jpg in real life, ie not completely black but with some texture because there is still enough light coming inside the helmet which would illuminate its interior.

Ooo I see the middle part with a low alpha now. I think I like that much better and it will be easy to do.

Oh that's right, Oblivion had one too. Lovely!

Still needs to be taller.

http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/Scrivener07/ironoverlay.png

Taller – definitely. I'd work towards softening the edges and even showing the slightest bit of material (iron, ebony, steel, etc..) around the visor opening as if the light is peering through. If you could script a night variation, that would be amazing.

Softer: http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/Scrivener07/ScreenShot76.png

Subtle: http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/Scrivener07/ScreenShot78.png

TallNWide: http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/Scrivener07/ScreenShot79.png

The tall and wide one is great, but it could be a bit more subtile. Great job and very interesting mod!

They are just 1080x1920 png files if anyone wants to take a crack at it too.

I have no idea how this all works but I would love to give it a go

I'll see if I can cook something up tomorrow.

Edit: I'm assume that anything goes? It's not just restricted to B/W/alpha?

My best attempt? Im trying to make a few usable ones to try on other helmets.

Image: http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/Scrivener07/ScreenShot80.png

Image: http://s1268.photobucket.com/user/Scrivener07/media/ScreenShot81.png.html

Image: http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj569/Scrivener07/ScreenShot82.png

I might give it a shot when I get home. Personally, I'd lean towards those fallout visors posted earlier or even the helmet visor view in racing games. These means harder, less feathered edges, and a bit of light peering through, revealing some of the inner texture of the helmet.