Hard Light Productions Forums
Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => The Modding Workshop => Topic started by: Col.Hornet on August 21, 2013, 11:53:18 am
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RELEASE EDIT NOTE:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/0x74m3avflihvnl/Hydra_Conversion.rar
(http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=85353.0;attach=25972;image)
The fighter is ready to use. The screenshot was taken on 3.8.0 build
Model and textures were done by me. Nyctaeus took care of mapping and coversion job.
If you notice any problems/bugs, please notify us ASAP :)
Dev thread:
Hello guys :)
Some time ago I decided to start learning how to use Blender to bring some of my ideas into reality. This project was inspired by guys from Diaspora and their Strike Viper :) I'm going to make a double seat re- make of the Ezechiel. Actually it will only have the basic shape of Ezechiel, because it's strike version will be bigger and equipped with different weapons and devices. So here is the picture.
Strike Hydra (View in 3D (http://p3d.in/9adZO))
(http://p3d.in/model_data/snapshot/9adZO) (http://p3d.in/9adZO)
(http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab206/Karolisuaf/strikehydraskan_zps2e88d71c.jpg) (http://s864.photobucket.com/user/Karolisuaf/media/strikehydraskan_zps2e88d71c.jpg.html)
If you like/ dislike it or whatever, please comment or criticise ;) I would be specially grateful for any kind of technical advices or clues from more experienced modellers. I will try to update this thread as often as I can ;)
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This isn't a critique on the form, really, but on the technical side of the model. The stage you are at should have fewer polys. Something under a hundred faces would probably be right.
You'll find that it get's very awkward to model with that many polygons.
I like the drawing, though. It'll be a nice ship when it's finished.
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yeah, I've just noticed that. Making that fin on the top of the hull was a little bit problematic. In next post I will show you the mesh with less polys, ready for the next phase of building :)
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I love the idea and the concept you've drawn. I'll be keeping an eye on this. bobbtmann said the only thing that needed to be said at this stage.
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http://p3d.in/9adZO
I reduced the amount of polygons and changed the shape of the cockpit glass to more visible. Now it should be fine.
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http://p3d.in/9adZO
Update
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Please, take this as a friendly advice: don't be shy in your modeling. It's seams that you're trying too hard on this part of the model.
In my experience it is best to get the rough 3D form quickly (as a kind of sketch). Then you can refine it.
This kind of process will be faster than trying to get it *perfect* on the first run. It's not that I want you to rush your work, but there's not much to comment on when the shape is not complete. Anyway, you'll be iterating through your mesh even if you don't want to (I know I always do). I don't want to be mean. Your model does look like your concept and I don't see any bad things to point out. But it's just that there's not much there either.
tl;dr: you have a good concept, keep moving and don't get stuck with getting things perfect.
I'll be watching your progress! :yes:
EDIT: added proper english
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Col. Hornet, it's pretty much what Dagger said: Modelling is like any other sort of "art" (drawing, sculpting, etc). Big shapes\forms first, then refine. The idea is that at any moment of the process, the model should be "complete" :)
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http://p3d.in/9adZO
Creating this little thing gives me so much joy :).
Now I'm working on wings shape
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i like the shape :) good work
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Wings finished, now I'm moving to create a basic shape of the main missile pods. I've also put a simple blocks to create a feeling of engine's presence :).
http://p3d.in/9adZO
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Zajebiste :D [It mean very, very, VERY awesome].
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Now, that's more like it! You really got the feeling of the Ezechiel right. :yes:
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Better now, in terms of process. :)
Think that this one doesn't look as sturdy as the original, though. The original Ezechiel looks so great due to very subtle proportions. Kiight be worth having the original model inside this new one while you're working.
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http://p3d.in/9adZO
Humble progress.
Raven, I understand your point. During my work, I'm trying to keep balance between original proportions and my design. Like I said on the beginning. This craft will be bigger and differently equipped than original Ezechiel and that's why some parts will have a different size. I've already changed the shape of the missile pods (they still require a lot of work), to make them more solid looking. I found the original ones a little bit fragile in the point where they are attached to the wings. However it may be only my weird point of view :D)
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http://p3d.in/jrsMO
Here comes the new idea for wings. I decided to change it, because I found it extremely messy and hard to edit. I hope that you will enjoy it just like the first one :)
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It's good, now it's also like the Aurora :cool:
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Coolness of the Hydra is incrasing :D. I can't wait to see it finished with textures by... You know who :P
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Here it comes. Update :D I'm finally satisfied with the missile pod's shape. I wanted them to look a little bit like F 16's travel pods.
http://p3d.in/jrsMO
Result of a night modelling with Mike Oldfield's music :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S95DzFvele8
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Can't wait to use this :)
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I love this model. Can't wait to see it finished. :yes:
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Looks really great. Super Ezec.
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http://p3d.in/9adZO
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Hornet, it's perfect. Now maybe you should try including a proper cockpit and making some back/engine details?
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At the moment I'm working on the proper shape of the engines (these ones you see on the mesh are just a concept;) ) They will have hexagonal shape and will be placed like in A10. Now you can also see my idea for external missiles. I plan to equip Hydra with three types of such missiles. Light, fast torpedo, which will be used to destroy low or medium armoured targets, anti- subsystem/ turret missile (3'rd gen. of Stiletto or something..) and also Infyrno- like high explosive missile to slam incoming bombers :D. There will be 3 pylons for these rockets, so we must choose between these three types.
http://p3d.in/9adZO
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Very, very nice! The hull could use lots more details, however, but it's coming together!
R
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That's a nice ship you're making. I like the general shape but the engines seem a little bit too small to me now. Try taking the engines and scaling them up a bit.
Overall though, I can't wait for it to be finished.
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Yeah, I've been thinking about this but the problem is that this ship has very fragile proportions, that's why I must scale every part very carefully. Any other size of the engine does not fit.
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Yikes, that's a big problem. It doesn't really matter in the end though because most people are gonna be into the action of the game itself so I doubt there will be too many problems with the engines.
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Do the engines really need to be separate pieces? Maybe you could fuse them to the hull, make them longer and thicker.
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I plan to add some armour plates, flaps and some other details to the engine pods so after this job they should look thicker.
Valiran, take a look at the original Ezechiel. It's engines are even smaller and shorter
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Got a point there. Armor plates and other greebling can add some mass to a model. Overall, I think it'll be fine after the fine detailing stage.
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http://p3d.in/9adZO
Update. I don't have much time recently but I started to work on the cockpit.
More details on the engines will come as soon as I'll get some inspiration ;P
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That cockpit seems a bit disproportionally large.
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Too deep, long or?
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It looks a little too large over all. How long is the Hydra going to be? Right now it looks a little bit too large for a dual seat heavy strike fighter.
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Update. I rescaled the cockpit. Now it may look like I'm preparing three seats but in the last section I want to put some details, electronics computers or whatever :D
It's a strike fighter so it will have plenty of weapon systems
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That is MUCH better. Kudos.
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Updating. I have a question of great value to experienced modellers. What is wrong with geometry? I see strange artefacts in many places all over the hull :/
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Those are probably bad normals and smooth groups.
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I'll try to fix it. Thanks, at least I will know where to look for the answer.
But is that possible that position of some vertexes can cause the bad shading?
EDIT2
I've added "edge split" modifier to the entire model. Is that correct? I don't see any ugly polys now, but it cause any problems in the future? (bad geometry or problems during texturing)
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All edge split does is make smooth shading play across surfaces differently, at certain angles parts will have smooth shading while others will have sharp, clean partitions. This is useful for making certain areas smooth and keeping other areas flat and it can occasionally get rid of artifacts. If you want you can look at my Nuadha to see how I have used Edge Split to get the perfect degree of smoothness for my ship.
Try removing doubles (edit mode with all selected+W-> remove doubles) to see if there are any useless vertices that could cause bad polys as well.
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OK I managed to fix the ugliest artefacts.
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Did you get rid of the edge split modifier? I think you should keep it, I liked how the fighter looked. If you don't like it, you can change the angle until it meets your standards.
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I can keep it for now. But during the work I must be more careful to not **** up the geometry :D
Also I slightly modified the compressors in the engines. I will also add some more pipes and other elements there.
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That is understandable. Good luck.
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Update. Today I had some fun with the engines. How it looks now. Please find out :D
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Those are some... sexy-ass engines. Nice detail. Going to put some extra details on the main body like the topside triangle on the Nyx?
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Me Gusta. I agree with BritishShivans, more detail is needed on the body.
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Small update. I changed the shape of the fin under the hull a little bit.
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Looking good. I'm interested as to what color scheme you are going to use for the texture.
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Similar to this one which we can actually see in ED & BP. Texturing will be done by my friend. The part of the work that I'm the most afraid of is UV mapping :D
We plan to release the model with several colour variants (basic scheme will be the same) and details on them (skulls, flames, dragons etc.) I will also make some special weaponry (including new models of missiles)
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You know you have me. I can help you uving and converting this beast. The most important thing is texturing, that is actually not my speciality :P. I can't wait to see final results from "your friend" :].
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Hey Folks! :D
YES, LTNS I know, been off on many different adventures but I have been keeping tabs on this every now and then. When I saw this on the main page, I just had to come and see more about it as the Ezechiel has a soft spot in my heart with the Shu Mk II a close second.
I have been doing mostly my Aviation Art, but may return back to some of this as I truly miss FreeSpace! Congrats Col Hornet and good luck on completing your evolution of the Beloved Ezechiel!
All the best,
Jadehawk
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Update. Cockpit is getting more and more crowded :D
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looking good
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More details on the way.
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Looking good, however I would like to point out some odd little glitching going on at the front of the cockpit where it connects to the fuselage.
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I corrected this, now the armour plate around the cockpit looks better.
And now I'm starting to think that the hull is getting detailed enough. I'd like to keep the fuselage smooth and simple, the rest of the details will be made on texture and normal map. Original Ezechiel has such plate on the hull but it's barely visible :rolleyes:
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I decided to stop the modelling process. The model is now undergoing the UV mapping.
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...stop the modelling...
Those words are blasphemy!
Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
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She has enough details in current state. We decided to keep main part of the hull simple and slender, without much addonital details. Hydra is currently on my workbench, I'm mapping her.
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This thing's turning out very cool! :)
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http://p3d.in/Eb5nr I found this in some dark place on my PC. I just wanted to show you without making another topic
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Looks like a Karuna precursor with the nose of an Orion
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Hecaorio-Karuyana? I see four ship influences there. :p
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Now I'm not going to finish the frigate, because I need to do something else. Hydra must be finished (UV mapping is almost ready, then we'll start texturing. This will be something entirely new for me, so I feel, that I'll need a lot of your help ;) )
BTW. All of us know that every fighter needs a place where it can land, refuel, rearm or simply finish the mission. :)
http://p3d.in/qpQj2
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That frigate is nice, a shame it won't be finished though.
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That frigate is nice, a shame it won't be finished though.
Hey, he said "now" but but he never said "never" :P. I think we will manage to finish the frigate one day, but now other things have higher priority.
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Hi, I added your p3d public gallery in the new p3d pages directory (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/HLP_modellers%27_p3d_pages_directory (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/HLP_modellers%27_p3d_pages_directory)), but only the frigate appears there. Since I've seen in this thread you built other models maybe you could publish them too, just to enrich your showcase! unless you prefer to keep them private of course... :)
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UV is done thanks to Betrayal :) Now I must talk to my friend, meet her and get to work on the main texture.
(http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab206/Karolisuaf/hydramapped_zpsfb051313.jpg) (http://s864.photobucket.com/user/Karolisuaf/media/hydramapped_zpsfb051313.jpg.html)
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*claps like a seal because he cannot clap properly* good job, looking very nice.
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It was a horror to uv, but also a great honor :P. Can't wait to see her textured :D. Don't worry, there will be two pilots in her cockpit. Leaving empty seats are not in our style.
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That's freakin Awesome! Maybe someday I'll give it a spin texturing this when I got the time. You guys really keep the flame going on this game and I am glad you do!
All the best,
Jadehawk
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I know your great skills, and it would be a honor for us to collaborate with you :). We don't know when our texture artist will be ready, so if You have some time and want to spend it for the Hydra, we would appreciate it.
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Thanks Betrayal!
Currently I am on my new laptop which is my first as I always had a work station. My work station is currently unplugged and in storage. but I may see how this laptop can handle my Corel Paintshop Pro X5 as I have been making WWII Aviation art profiles in very large format. Creating them is similar to making textures, so it wont take me that much to get back up to speed.
All the best,
Jadehawk
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PM me or HoRnet when you get ready :).
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You're welcome Jadehawk. Things have changed and at this moment we don't have our texture artist any more.
I will be waiting for a message from you.
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Hi again fallas :)
I'll have the whole next week off. So I'll see about what I can do. I must stress that you keep finding another person to Texture as I am not sure how fast I'll get this done due to other commitments elsewhere. But I will do this for sure, just not sure how long it will take. I'll contact you both later on this week. :yes:
All the best,
Jadehawk
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Seasons Greeting Folks! I just got my work station setup and am ready to Rock in Roll :)
Can one of you two send me the UV map and I'll see what I can do.
Hope you all had a very nice Christmas!
All the best,
Jadehawk
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Hi, please give me your email on private message and I will send you all the files you need. :)
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Everything was sent and Jadehawk got the files. Don't worry, I'm on it :P
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Fine :) So let's finish our work
Jadehawk could you make it with similar colour patter like the version which we can see in Shadow Genesis/Blue Planet mods?
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Hi Guys,
I'll have to see some screen shots of that mod as it's been over three years since I played this game. :D
Currently I am creating the panel lines and got about 1/3 of the fuselage so far. Once I got a complete set of panel lines, I'll review them and see what needs to be added and deleted to make it look good and should not effect the model at all. :)
BTW, nice job on the UV Map! :yes:
All the best,
Jadehawk
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I assume Hornet's talking about this color scheme (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/GTF_Nyx)? Correct me if I'm wrong.
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Yes. This variant. Standard, not the SOC one.
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Ok good, thanks for the info guys!
That top one is similar to the one I did for this. I can see the differences and it's quite a simple scheme to do. :) I can make several that show a brand spanking new, one slightly worn and another like it just came out of a huge battle in need of repair and service. :)
Currently I got most of the center fuselage panel lines completed. This is gonna take awhile to get it done right.
All the best,
Jadehawk
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Hey Folks! ;7
Just a reminder that I have been working on this when I can in my spare time and it's going nicely so far.
It's FUN to do, but it's taking me time as well, so don't expect timely updates as this is not the only project I am doing. I also have my Aviation art profiles I need to keep going too, but this texture project is really an enjoyable balance for my workload. :yes:
Happy Friday folks! :D
All the Best,
Jadehawk
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Hey Folks! ;7
Just a reminder that I have been working on this when I can in my spare time and it's going nicely so far.
It's FUN to do, but it's taking me time as well, so don't expect timely updates as this is not the only project I am doing. I also have my Aviation art profiles I need to keep going too, but this texture project is really an enjoyable balance for my workload. :yes:
Happy Friday folks! :D
All the Best,
Jadehawk
Don't worry, every modeller knows it take a huge amount of time... :) BUT HELL! HURRY UP with that stuff!!! We're looking foreward to see that great piece of job in action!! :P :yes: :yes:
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:bump:
Just curious to know how this badboy is going?
Is a very interesting looking ship
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We're dead in the water with this because there is no active texture artist who is likely to help us. I personally don't want to texture this myself cuz' I suck at texturing things. We can always release it with some placeholder mapping, but actually we have more important models to do.
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That's a real shame cause this looked really nice.
Hope you guys find a texture artist and get this done.
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Strike Hydra (View in 3D (https://p3d.in/9adZO))
(https://p3d.in/model_data/snapshot/9adZO) (https://p3d.in/9adZO)
Hello everyone. That's how it looks for now. I changed couple of details but mainly I changed crappy made pieces of geometry. The whole thing will be re-mapped and then I will be able to start texturing :D I've already learned a couple of tricks so I should handle the task of painting this fighter :)
Stay tuned guys and a whole squadrons of Hydras will surely leave the hangars of your destroyers to smash your enemies :) Model will be released with the missiles mounted on the racks.
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Nice work, keep it up and good luck with the texturing :yes:
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:bump:
(http://i68.tinypic.com/2n6yvib.jpg)
Time to dig up this little baby, now called the GTF Isaiah. Hornet remodelled few sections, then I cleaned up the mess and finally properly remapped it. I'm surprised how much I sucked at mapping things once o__O
In short, it's alive and will be finished :D
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That we do my friend, that we do.
(http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab206/Karolisuaf/prace%203D/hydra_zpsqdtsemaa.jpg) (http://s864.photobucket.com/user/Karolisuaf/media/prace%203D/hydra_zpsqdtsemaa.jpg.html)
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Am I the only to see this vessel only with a tiny secondary loadout (self-defence) and some really powerful primary mass drivers?
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Am I the only to see this vessel only with a tiny secondary loadout (self-defence) and some really powerful primary mass drivers?
Here's the loadout I planned:
-4 barreled primary bank,
-2 barreled primary bank with dedicated weapon, upgraded Maxim cannon, delivering more punch-per-shot but with lower rate of fire then the original. Limited ammo
-2 low capacity secondary banks,
- 6 pylons for external mounted light torpedoes
Configuration for Shadow Genesis: Reborn may be a bit different though, we'll see how will it perform in tests.
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The one thing that always bugged me about the Ezechiel - no actual space for missiles. If its a primary-heavy focused, it's OK, but when people give it high missile capacity I always cringe.
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That we do my friend, that we do.
*snip* (http://s864.photobucket.com/user/Karolisuaf/media/prace%203D/hydra_zpsqdtsemaa.jpg.html)
Plz... I HATE you for that progress shot!
(http://i68.tinypic.com/29olqj4.jpg)
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If there's one thing I'd change on that design, it's this - I'd cut those pods down to half the length with a large front opening for missiles.
Would help differentiate it from the Ezechiel and give it a more missile heavy look
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Hornet is progressing with texture, when I'm, strugling with conversion and stuff. Got LOD1 and cockpit done. So far it's blyatiful!
And it's gonna have baked lightning if everything go right ^^
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Hello,
It is nice what you do but it is not a fighter that I will take because there is a point that bothers me enormously.
Your fighter is identical to GTF Ezechiel (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/GTF_Ezechiel) apart from the new location of guns and missiles.
As the Trashman signal decreases the pods where the missiles are at least the longer of the two, also modifies the wings it will give it a bit more air I jump into the pile and lower the reactors.
Good luck for the future.
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(http://images.amcnetworks.com/bbcamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Sherlock-800x800.jpg)
Your conjectures are correct. Moreover is clearly based on Ezechiel both in design terms and plots related. As standard Ezechiel is heavy strike fighter, this one is dedicated long range gunship, similar to Athena or Uriel of UEF. Both were designed by the same constructors, and are based on the same blueprints. At least in Shadow Genesis lore.
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Another texturing attempt.
Normal map:
(https://s6.postimg.org/7scr13ty5/normal_free.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/7scr13ty5/)
(https://s6.postimg.org/8pj69z5gd/normal_front.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/8pj69z5gd/)
(https://s6.postimg.org/p1t7zpjrx/normal_left.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/p1t7zpjrx/)
(https://s6.postimg.org/mzsqlglst/normal_rear.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/mzsqlglst/)
(https://s6.postimg.org/4mwqon0pp/normal_top.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/4mwqon0pp/)
(https://s6.postimg.org/gxl3uyxct/normal_ventral.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/gxl3uyxct/)
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That is a sexy fighter.
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good work folks! Cant wait to get a chance to do my skin work on this...someday. Keep it up!
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Hello.
I started with applying materials on the hull and experimenting with emissive channels and weathering.
(https://s6.postimg.org/icn6qlrvj/materials.jpg)
(https://s6.postimg.org/lxj29twf5/SPfun.jpg)
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Material update, adding details to the nose. I have no idea how to paint the engine and missile pods tough...
(https://s6.postimg.org/5gewla6hr/materials1.jpg
[img]https://s6.postimg.org/52dklome7/material2.jpg)
(https://s6.postimg.org/8xgyo95jz/material3.jpg)
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Texturing is finished. I gave the files to Nyctaeus for the conversion job.
We will release both PBR and non-PBR variants.
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All teh redieh.
Hornet, release!
Sorry for attachments. Tinypic went nuts o___O
[attachment stolen by Russian hackers]
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Ooh, pretty. The Nyx/Ezechiel isn't a bad model, but I think I like this one better.
Is the BP team planning to replace the current Nyx model with this one?
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Hail Hydra!
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Ooh, pretty. The Nyx/Ezechiel isn't a bad model, but I think I like this one better.
Is the BP team planning to replace the current Nyx model with this one?
We would appreciate this. However I've seen new GTF Nyx model on Hades' profile so they are probably not likely to replace it with Hydra.
In fact, Hydra was designed as strike compliment for Ezechiel rather than replacement. As Eze is actually excellent heavy dogfighter but poor assaultcraft due to her small secondary payload, Hydra is supposed to be long range, anti cruiser gunship with large missile capacity and also a sniper fighter.
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Done!
Please check the OP for download link.
Ooh, pretty. The Nyx/Ezechiel isn't a bad model, but I think I like this one better.
Is the BP team planning to replace the current Nyx model with this one?
Thanks. As it was said above, I made this fighter rather as a different variant of Ezechiel/Nyx, not a replacement. Think of it as an equivalents of standard Viper MK VII and strike Viper MKVIIe from Diaspora. As for it's potential role in BP, it's all up to BP team. I'm not cooperating with them i any way directly. I would be very glad if they decided to use this thing but it's only their decision to make.
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What about the show ship cockpit?
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Not made and probably will never be.
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And what about team colours?