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Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => Help Wanted/Offering Help => Topic started by: Novachen on June 12, 2019, 07:07:29 am

Title: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Novachen on June 12, 2019, 07:07:29 am
Heyya guys,

a small request.

I stumpled in the technical database over this tech entry for the GTSG Mjolnir.
Quote
Vastly tougher and deadlier than the earlier Watchdog, Cerberus, and Alastor models, the Mjolnir is a danger to any hostile fighter or bomber that comes within range. Its two beam weapons and three missile banks enable it to take on multiple bogeys simultaneously.

The Mjolnir that is in the game has actually nothing to do with it. So i am looking for a Mjolnir that offers these additional features, because i want to integrate it into my translation/upgrade for FreeSpace 2.

So the new model (or is there an already existing one?) should be also able to fulfill the same role as the Anti-captial ship sentry in the campaign, too.

To visualize my idea:
(https://abload.de/img/gtsgmjolnir5jkdf.png)

The main/front aaa beam should be able to fire on targets at the front. The rear aaa beam should be able to protect the complete back and a bit of the side of the Sentry Gun, that is the reason why it should be of top on a small tower.
And the three missile launchers should be positioned on three of the arms. Maybe the rotation speed of the arms have to be reduced, so that the launchers are able to target and to fire their missiles in time... Also this rotating segment should not be an own subsystem anymore, because i do not know what actually happens with the turrets, if you destroy it. :D Exception could be, if its "destruction" simply stop its rotation only.
That is actually the idea i had in mind after i read the technical entry... So this Mjolnir would have it's weakness if you attack it from the side, which should be fine for the first line of such sentries.

Thanks in advance to whoever is interested to make this model. :).
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Nyctaeus on June 12, 2019, 09:27:37 am
The initial draft of Mjolnir was apparently something different. V provably envisioned it as complex defence system capable of both defending itself, prociding anti-fighter screen for crucial objects like installations or jump node areas and finally, to inflict tremendous damage to cruiser-sized targets and bigger.

ProtoMjolnirs were just op :P. V realized that, and made a new model to be more demanding from gameplay perspective, but forgot to write a new tech description.

As for the model itself, I guess it really existed but it was dropped before FS2 was released. To make something like that, you would actually have to design this thing from scratch. It's easy to mount AAAf, but there is no proper spot for missile lanchers because almost half of the surfaces of Mjolnir are rotating.
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Colonol Dekker on June 12, 2019, 09:58:58 am
I always thought it sounded like a GOD platform from babylon 5.

Not sure what the usage would be on that model without permission, so I'd say have a play with making one using the existing model.   There's a kitbash tutorial on the modding subforum that walks you through adding submodels. 


Give it a go  :) :yes: :yes:
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Novachen on June 12, 2019, 10:19:16 am
I always thought it sounded like a GOD platform from babylon 5.

Not sure what the usage would be on that model without permission, so I'd say have a play with making one using the existing model.   There's a kitbash tutorial on the modding subforum that walks you through adding submodels. 


Give it a go  :) :yes: :yes:

Well, i will try it. It is actually many years ago since i added submodels to an already existing model. So i was not even sure how i make that  :D

So i will read through that, i think.

Because this thing sounds interesting and not even too OP actually. Also it would work in the Retail campaign without any rebalancing, nevertheless.


But for the time being, i have changed the tech description to the model that is present in the game.

As for the model itself, I guess it really existed but it was dropped before FS2 was released. To make something like that, you would actually have to design this thing from scratch. It's easy to mount AAAf, but there is no proper spot for missile lanchers because almost half of the surfaces of Mjolnir are rotating.

Is it not possible to have turrets on rotating submodels in FS2?
I mean, that rotating stuff could be the reason why they need only three instead five missile launchers... because due to the rotation, everything in range can be targeted and attacked.
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Nightmare on June 12, 2019, 11:01:26 am
Quote
Is it not possible to have turrets on rotating submodels in FS2?

It is possible.
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Novachen on June 12, 2019, 12:00:24 pm
Well... that was quite easy.

I have done that already and it is working :nod:

(https://abload.de/img/gtsgmjolnir_2wnkt4.png)

Well, the only problem i have, if i kill the "Outer Ring" subsystem, it disappears, but the Missile Launchers are still there, but invisible and not killable then. But they can kill me. :/.
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Nightmare on June 12, 2019, 12:38:10 pm
Ah ****, sorry I remeber that bug (I had it with the moving arms Sathanas). Somewhere on Discord the SCP bot said the bug was fixed, but IIRC no new nightly built has been posted since then. For now you can only use SEXPs to get rid of the turrets.
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Novachen on June 12, 2019, 12:42:18 pm
Ah ****, sorry I remeber that bug (I had it with the moving arms Sathanas). Somewhere on Discord the SCP bot said the bug was fixed, but IIRC no new nightly built has been posted since then. For now you can only use SEXPs to get rid of the turrets.

Ah good to know.

Currently i changed the flags of the Outer Ring system, so that the Rotation simply stops if it is destroyed. So the turrets are still there and can be destroyed now.
Even it is indeed a not easy-to-kill Sentry Gun now... but so it seems to be more fitting to the tech description.
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Nightmare on June 12, 2019, 12:56:00 pm
Probably they just should have made the model much bigger, I never understoof why they had to mount such a huge beam on such a tiny model. If the Mjolnir was the size of a Deimos (or a bit smaller) it would've been more logical. All they had to do beside that was replacing the NTF fighters chasing them down with a bomber wing.
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Novachen on June 12, 2019, 01:05:42 pm
Well, if i understand the Technical Database correctly it should be 2 AAAs and 3 Missile Launchers... but not a Mjolnir Beam that can take down Cruisers or larger.

And as an Anti fighter/bomber plattform i do not think, that this one is too small.

Maybe the NTF killing one is a special issue, where all weapons were deactivated to have enough energy for the Mjolnir Beam.... no clue.

The good one, i now actually have the possibility to do such things...

And without your hints that would not be possible in the first place... so a big thx for that to you and Dekker.
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Nightmare on June 12, 2019, 01:13:09 pm
Quote
Maybe the NTF killing one is a special issue, where all weapons were deactivated to have enough energy for the Mjolnir Beam.... no clue.

Actually I don't think there's a need to reason things that can not be reasoned. GTVA should mount them all on flat plains, equip them with subspace drives and toast Saths left and right. If :v-old: had stayed with the version they apparently had when they wrote the tech desc it would've been all fine, as you noted. :nod:
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Colonol Dekker on June 12, 2019, 04:30:48 pm
You could Fred an event

When
>is subsystem-destroyed=ring
Then
Destroy subsystem-weapons that live on ring

Or thereabouts?
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Nightmare on June 12, 2019, 05:31:07 pm
Looking at the MVP model, there are probably 2 bugs with the Mjolnir that you'll have too unless you already fixed them:
-debris-2 should be named "debris-grind02a00" to turn it into livedebris as it is made from the subsystem, but the subsystem disappears entirely when it is destroyed (no special subsystem flags and no -destroyed submodel); which causes the debris to pop into existence again upon the Mjolnirs death.
-same for debris-3, which should be named "debris-grind01a00".
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Galemp on June 12, 2019, 05:52:14 pm
For what it's worth I have a remapped baked efficient and bugfixed Mjolnir right here. (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-tPg_h7zgTu2nl43y6WISrTBd3UGxiH1) I posted it to FSU internal but got no response.
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Nightmare on June 12, 2019, 07:12:16 pm
Can't you upload the files to FSU SVN?
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Galemp on June 12, 2019, 10:38:07 pm
I don't have SVN access configured on my PC just yet. Too much to do and too little time. I managed to get this done though.
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Novachen on June 13, 2019, 12:34:35 am
Looking at the MVP model, there are probably 2 bugs with the Mjolnir that you'll have too unless you already fixed them:
-debris-2 should be named "debris-grind02a00" to turn it into livedebris as it is made from the subsystem, but the subsystem disappears entirely when it is destroyed (no special subsystem flags and no -destroyed submodel); which causes the debris to pop into existence again upon the Mjolnirs death.
-same for debris-3, which should be named "debris-grind01a00".

Well, because i changed the behaviour, that the destruction of the outer ring only stops its rotation, i had this bug only for the Inner Ring, of course :D.

You could Fred an event

When
>is subsystem-destroyed=ring
Then
Destroy subsystem-weapons that live on ring

Or thereabouts?

Yes, i could. That would be other alternative i have.
I have not decided how i handle that, actually. Because it could be a too big weakness for a Mjolnir, if you can knock out all of its Launchers with the destruction of the Outer Ring. Even it is an interesting weakness nevertheless.

Even i was not able to get them to work with other missiles then FighterKillers. Have to say, that i would actually like to test it with Cluster Bombs. But i have slowed down the rotation time in the mean time, maybe it is working now.

For what it's worth I have a remapped baked efficient and bugfixed Mjolnir right here. (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-tPg_h7zgTu2nl43y6WISrTBd3UGxiH1) I posted it to FSU internal but got no response.

Well... i am irritated. What bugfix you mean here? The stuff Nightmare mentioned above with the debris?

And is this actually only a reskinned Mjolnir with this debris stuff or is this an even higher poly version?


But nevertheless, i am offering the version i have created so far, which also includes the debris fix for the inner ring.
MjolnirSG download (http://www.mediafire.com/file/k4zducr3bebojp8/MjolnirSG.7z) it is 14 MB, because i used the Turrets from the Fenris by Hades/Nyctaeus for the Launchers on the Mjolnir as they were most fitting. So i have included the required texture from it, too. Did not know about the textures, because i have already included the upgraded Fenris into my mod package  :lol:
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Nightmare on June 13, 2019, 05:25:31 am
Looking at the MVP model, there are probably 2 bugs with the Mjolnir that you'll have too unless you already fixed them:
-debris-2 should be named "debris-grind02a00" to turn it into livedebris as it is made from the subsystem, but the subsystem disappears entirely when it is destroyed (no special subsystem flags and no -destroyed submodel); which causes the debris to pop into existence again upon the Mjolnirs death.
-same for debris-3, which should be named "debris-grind01a00".

Well, because i changed the behaviour, that the destruction of the outer ring only stops its rotation, i had this bug only for the Inner Ring, of course :D.

Well since normal debris doesn't take subsystem rotation into account it would still appear where it is not supposed to appear. :D

Quote
Well... i am irritated. What bugfix you mean here? The stuff Nightmare mentioned above with the debris?

And is this actually only a reskinned Mjolnir with this debris stuff or is this an even higher poly version?

They have new maps and pieces of debris; but the issue with the subsystem debris remains there too. Most notable differnce seems to be that they're pointing directly aheady (so you can use set-object-facing).
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Nyctaeus on June 13, 2019, 06:06:18 am
Most importantly, GalEmp's Mjolnir is properly UVed. No tilemaps so much better performance.
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Colonol Dekker on June 13, 2019, 07:41:08 am
Is there a way of referring to the sub-models in the media vp without needing to include them? 
 :confused:

#aimingforefficiency
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Nightmare on June 13, 2019, 08:14:24 am
Do you mean your tbl files get overwritten? Just make a new one like GTSG Mjolnir#Modname
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Mito [PL] on June 13, 2019, 04:30:07 pm
Why not place all three missile launchers on the cylinder thingy on Mjolnir's back side, on the cylinder sides to be exact, and a single AAA (or even both?) beam on the flat surface?
Title: Re: Need a 'textcanon' GTSG Mjolnir
Post by: Novachen on June 13, 2019, 04:48:38 pm
Why not place all three missile launchers on the cylinder thingy on Mjolnir's back side, on the cylinder sides to be exact, and a single AAA (or even both?) beam on the flat surface?

Because my imagination after the reading of the Tech Entry had other plans.  :)

It is actually simple as that  :lol: