Hard Light Productions Forums

FreeSpace Releases => Asset Releases => Topic started by: Black Wolf on February 02, 2014, 11:03:42 am

Title: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (6 sets)
Post by: Black Wolf on February 02, 2014, 11:03:42 am
(http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/images/Head-VC3.gif) (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/images/Head-VC4.gif) (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/images/Head-VC5.gif) (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/images/Head-VC6.gif) (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/images/Head-VC7.gif) (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/images/Head-VC8.gif)
[EDIT] Full set of six released  - Download Here (http://www.mediafire.com/download/gvk77pa3er3h7p7/ZodHeadz.zip)

So, awhile ago, we all pooled some money together and paid for a Vasudan to be modelled. It's a pretty cool mesh, and it's going to serve very well when Mjn redoes the cutscenes, but unfortnately there haven't really been too many concrete bonuses to FREDders or modders from it. Yet. Well, having been prodded by mjn as part of a deal we did, I finally got around to rigging the mesh up for poser and getting it animatable. The results look like this (so far):
(http://i59.tinypic.com/2lw1893.gif)

So, for those who want it, here's (as far as I know) the first new set of Vasudan head animations that have been made since FS2 was released: https://www.mediafire.com/?a4o8dmdc7tf45ma

Now, this first set, I want to emphasize, is very primitive. They will improve over time - I will probably need to go back and fix some of my grouping, probably reconvert the mesh into Poser, make some other changes, but I wanted to release this one because:

A) Vasudans are ridiculously, insanely underrepresented in the head anis, especially if you're using any of my Terran ones - dozens of terrans, two Vasudans (command type, a couple of fighters in there too). For a whole species. 2. Frankly, I would have released something half as good as this just to start to redress that balance, but also,
B) Given that the community as a whole paid for the model, it felt wrong to hold on to something like this, even if it's not technically at the level I want it to be at.

So, here everyone goes then. :) I promise this is only the beginning for this endeavour. The zods, just by their nature (and the nature of the available material) are going to be kind kind of samey in a setting like this, so I probably wont do as many as I've done the Terrans. But expect more over the coming weeks and months anyway, if only to redress that imbalance a little bit. Feel free to give feedback and make comments, but remember that I'm kind of feeling my way through here, so I can;t promise I'll be able to do anything about even the good ideas. But I will read them all and take them on board as much as possible.

[EDIT]For the record, the second head ani will look like this:

(http://i60.tinypic.com/syb908.gif)

Note the slightly different head shape, more pronounced horns, better lighting and more contrast in the texture, more detail in the BG. Overall, it'll be a better set, although the movements may still be a tad meh. I'll sort them out soon enough though.

[EDIT2]Now animated!

(http://i62.tinypic.com/o8ymw3.gif)

FPS is faster ingame, can't find a decent GIF program to change it in.
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (1 set)
Post by: Lepanto on February 02, 2014, 02:00:05 pm
Yes! YES! Thank you!  :yes: You'll probably be making a lot of modders happy with new Zod headanis! Yeah, they might not be the best-quality, but even these are still quite useable.
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (1 set)
Post by: Shivan Hunter on February 02, 2014, 02:20:28 pm
bup bup bup-bup bup bup bup

these are awesome
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (1 set)
Post by: Nyctaeus on February 02, 2014, 02:36:14 pm
You are great :D
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (1 set)
Post by: Black Wolf on February 03, 2014, 12:16:17 am
Second set of anis done.

Second set only (http://www.mediafire.com/download/b7d29787r6q0z87/Head-VC4.zip)

One and Two combined (http://www.mediafire.com/download/gvk77pa3er3h7p7/ZodHeadz.zip)
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (1 set)
Post by: Luis Dias on February 03, 2014, 04:18:48 am
Pretty cool although slightly awkward to communicate with naked aliens...!
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (1 set)
Post by: Oddgrim on February 03, 2014, 04:40:05 am
bubububububu, good stuff!
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (1 set)
Post by: T-Man on February 03, 2014, 04:59:20 am
Oh I remember seeing pics of him. Nice job here Wolf and Mjn!
Title: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (3rd set)
Post by: Black Wolf on February 03, 2014, 06:40:55 am
Thanks everyone! I'm glad people are happy so far. I'll probably do one more set with this model and then go ahead and rebuild it. Probably have the next one done in the next day or two, and then not sure when the next lot will come through, but hopefully a matter of weeks rather than months. Still, I'll have tripled the number of available head anis by then, so I'm going to be pretty happy with it I think. :) Anyway, without further ado, set number 3!

(http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/images/Head-VC5.gif)

All three sets (http://www.mediafire.com/download/gvk77pa3er3h7p7/ZodHeadz.zip)
Just the third set (https://www.mediafire.com/?h5ny783yejajb6w)
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (3 sets)
Post by: Black Wolf on February 03, 2014, 10:17:11 pm

(http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/images/Head-VC6.gif)

All Four sets (http://www.mediafire.com/download/gvk77pa3er3h7p7/ZodHeadz.zip)
Just the fourth set (https://www.mediafire.com/?ao766x5pd4cfdao)

And, while it might be somewhat masturbatory to self-highlight a thread, I reckon these are pretty cool (even if I do say so myself), and that's all the justification I need. ;) Besides, I'll justify it by saying I want modders to know about these so they can get the maximum utility out of them,. No ego stroking whatsoever. :p
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: Lorric on February 03, 2014, 10:30:52 pm
So, awhile ago, we all pooled some money together and paid for a Vasudan to be modelled.
I am curious about this. Was there a thread?
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: swashmebuckle on February 03, 2014, 10:45:57 pm
Any chance you could do one where the camera is off to the side a bit like some of the pilot anis? I like that look, and I find it easier to distinguish between them at a glance when they aren't all viewed from the same angle. Awesome work.
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: coffeesoft on February 04, 2014, 02:07:40 am
Nice job, looks good  :yes:
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: Black Wolf on February 04, 2014, 02:31:02 am
I am curious about this. Was there a thread?
There was, but I can't find it for the life of me. Mjn may know where it was.

Any chance you could do one where the camera is off to the side a bit like some of the pilot anis? I like that look, and I find it easier to distinguish between them at a glance when they aren't all viewed from the same angle. Awesome work.

I only realized after the third one that I hadn't been tweaking the angles the way I should have been, which is a bit annoying. All future ones will have varied angles, but in all likelihood they'll stay face-on, more or less, just because this has been the convention for all of [V]s anis and all of my anis - one of them with a different angle would be somewhat jarring. That said, if it were intentionally like that, used for a specific characters or something, it might work.
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: swashmebuckle on February 04, 2014, 03:12:46 am
Yeah I didn't mean full profile or anything like that (though it could be pretty amusing), just a small but noticeable offset like the second vasudan pilot in the stock anis.
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: 0rph3u5 on February 04, 2014, 04:15:23 am
Great job! Thank you very much!

This has me wanting to make a Zod campaign right now ... but RL first, INF second, then personal projects...
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: InsaneBaron on February 04, 2014, 07:34:46 am
Nice! I needed these!

Odd request, but... any chance of a head that could represnt he Vasudan emperor?
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: mjn.mixael on February 04, 2014, 08:03:23 am
I am curious about this. Was there a thread?
There was, but I can't find it for the life of me. Mjn may know where it was.
I think this (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=74179.0) is the relevant thread.

Any chance you could do one where the camera is off to the side a bit like some of the pilot anis? I like that look, and I find it easier to distinguish between them at a glance when they aren't all viewed from the same angle. Awesome work.

I only realized after the third one that I hadn't been tweaking the angles the way I should have been, which is a bit annoying. All future ones will have varied angles, but in all likelihood they'll stay face-on, more or less, just because this has been the convention for all of [V]s anis and all of my anis - one of them with a different angle would be somewhat jarring. That said, if it were intentionally like that, used for a specific characters or something, it might work.
I suspect they did that to differentiate the vasudan pilots slightly better as they realized the same problems you did.
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: Lorric on February 04, 2014, 08:47:26 am
I am curious about this. Was there a thread?
There was, but I can't find it for the life of me. Mjn may know where it was.
I think this (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=74179.0) is the relevant thread.

Ah, thanks. Shivan model? Did you get a Shivan head ani?
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: mjn.mixael on February 04, 2014, 08:58:33 am
I have detailed meshes of all the FS characters (Terrain: pilot, engineer, scientist, commander, marine... And the vasudan) except the Shivan. I have been working on the Shivan slowly on my own.
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: Lorric on February 04, 2014, 09:02:34 am
I have detailed meshes of all the FS characters (Terrain: pilot, engineer, scientist, commander, marine... And the vasudan) except the Shivan. I have been working on the Shivan slowly on my own.
I see.
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: Black Wolf on February 04, 2014, 10:01:59 am
Odd request, but... any chance of a head that could represnt he Vasudan emperor?

There's no technical reason why not, but the question I have is how would you actually do such a thing? Represent the emperor I mean - how would he look different to a regular Vasudan? Does he wear a crown, sit on a throne? These all seem very Terran to me. So I suppose, yes, it's possible, but I'd need to know how such a thing could be achieved within 50 frames of greyscale 160x120 pixel animations.
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: InsaneBaron on February 04, 2014, 10:27:42 am
Odd request, but... any chance of a head that could represnt he Vasudan emperor?

There's no technical reason why not, but the question I have is how would you actually do such a thing? Represent the emperor I mean - how would he look different to a regular Vasudan? Does he wear a crown, sit on a throne? These all seem very Terran to me. So I suppose, yes, it's possible, but I'd need to know how such a thing could be achieved within 50 frames of greyscale 160x120 pixel animations.

I admit there's plenty of room for interpretation; we could probably have a whole thread devoted to it. I bring it up because Emperor Senusret (son of Khonsu II) is a major character during the later half of my campaign, and would get a fair amount of dialogue. (The first ani, BTW, is perfect for Prime Minister Rhamses). My own project aside, it seems like a handy head to have available.

While he might not necessarily wear a crown... Vasudans seem to have the concept of armor. Maybe some kind of more ornate, ceremonial, "medieval" version of the armor you see on Vasudan pilots? Camera angle might add to the effect; a low angle might make him look impressive. I'll keep brainstorming...

Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: Black Wolf on February 04, 2014, 10:36:49 am
That would probably look very good, but keep in mind, my access to assets like that is basically nil. The Vasudan was a $300 custom made model - the armour would be in the same ballpark unless a talented HLP modder made it (I am not that modder - I lack the talent and the time).

One thing I can do is add simple objects like a sash - here's a still render (I'm miles away from animating it) of what that might look like:

(http://i58.tinypic.com/izb3gh.gif)
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: mjn.mixael on February 04, 2014, 10:40:03 am
I started work on the zod pilot armor and just never finished it. I guess I can get to work on that again at some point.
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: InsaneBaron on February 04, 2014, 10:45:43 am
That would probably look very good, but keep in mind, my access to assets like that is basically nil. The Vasudan was a $300 custom made model - the armour would be in the same ballpark unless a talented HLP modder made it (I am not that modder - I lack the talent and the time).

One thing I can do is add simple objects like a sash - here's a still render (I'm miles away from animating it) of what that might look like:

(http://i58.tinypic.com/izb3gh.gif)

I understand it's a tall order; if the armor isn't available, that's ok.

Unfortunately, my computer isn't loading the image, so I'll have to wait till this evening when I can use my better one.

If it doesn't work out I'll just use another one of these anis and rely on the dialogue to give you a clear impression of Senruset.
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: Black Wolf on February 04, 2014, 12:41:40 pm
That would probably look very good, but keep in mind, my access to assets like that is basically nil. The Vasudan was a $300 custom made model - the armour would be in the same ballpark unless a talented HLP modder made it (I am not that modder - I lack the talent and the time).

One thing I can do is add simple objects like a sash - here's a still render (I'm miles away from animating it) of what that might look like:

(http://i58.tinypic.com/izb3gh.gif)

I understand it's a tall order; if the armor isn't available, that's ok.

Unfortunately, my computer isn't loading the image, so I'll have to wait till this evening when I can use my better one.

If it doesn't work out I'll just use another one of these anis and rely on the dialogue to give you a clear impression of Senruset.

http://imagebin.org/290959

Here's an alternate possibility, from a different angle.
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: swashmebuckle on February 04, 2014, 01:35:13 pm
Vasudan in scarf! So cute!
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: Mobius on February 04, 2014, 01:48:54 pm
I see what you did there, Wolf. Well done. :)
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: InsaneBaron on February 04, 2014, 02:16:56 pm
Hmm... I like it. Definitely regal looking. Somehow I imagined the emperor with more... "stuff" on him, but like you said there's only so much that can be done without another $300.

[nitpick]The second shot seems a little too dark, you can't see how elaborate the sash is.[/nitpick] However, the second background is cool!
Title: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis 7 & 8
Post by: Black Wolf on February 05, 2014, 05:48:17 am
(http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/images/Head-VC7.gif)

(http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/images/Head-VC8.gif)

Did up both sets, people can decide what to do with them on their own.

Pack of all 6 Vasudan Anis (http://www.mediafire.com/download/gvk77pa3er3h7p7/ZodHeadz.zip)

Head-VC7 Only (https://www.mediafire.com/?o8422yatd8tag5b)
Head-VC8 Only (https://www.mediafire.com/?aaam1py4119vbae)
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (6 sets)
Post by: 0rph3u5 on February 07, 2014, 07:54:42 am
Are the glowy eyes intentional?

Also could you make an .ani for a "mysterious vasudan character" like a spy or someone whose face you don't actually get to see? (Like having the light source not in front but behind the character)

This project really wants we to revive "Words of the Prophet" (my HoL campaign)
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (6 sets)
Post by: Black Wolf on February 07, 2014, 08:25:26 pm
Are the glowy eyes intentional?

More (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/File:Head-VC2.gif) or less (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/File:Head-VP1.gif). They were perhaps a tiny bit less prominent on [V]'s zods, but they were definitely there.

Also could you make an .ani for a "mysterious vasudan character" like a spy or someone whose face you don't actually get to see? (Like having the light source not in front but behind the character)

It would be relatively easy to do, yea, but not for awhile - I'm unlikely to have much time in front of my main compy for a couple of weeks. I'm guessing this is for the "prophet" part of the project you mentioned?
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (6 sets)
Post by: 0rph3u5 on February 08, 2014, 05:11:18 pm
Also could you make an .ani for a "mysterious vasudan character" like a spy or someone whose face you don't actually get to see? (Like having the light source not in front but behind the character)

It would be relatively easy to do, yea, but not for awhile - I'm unlikely to have much time in front of my main compy for a couple of weeks. I'm guessing this is for the "prophet" part of the project you mentioned?

Don't worry, I won't be needing it for some time (my Inferno overlords have so far been patient ... they might not remain that way)

And yes, the namegiving Prophet would need somekind of mysterious set-up ... but also any T-V war campaign with a Zod traitor could benefit from it IMO
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (6 sets)
Post by: Lorric on February 08, 2014, 05:23:37 pm
I read through the thread mjn.mixael linked me some days ago.

I wonder if "Angry Vasudan" made it through in some form? Would be great for a HoL Vasudan or just enemy Vasudan.

(http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk264/mjnmixael/Private/MikeCreatureRender.jpg)
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (6 sets)
Post by: Goober5000 on March 03, 2014, 01:48:57 pm
Very cool thread. :yes:  I didn't have time to really study this when it was first posted, but it deserves a bump, don't you think? :D

Black Wolf, you should know that Head-VC8c.ani was somehow left out of the full pack.  It's still available if you grab the VC8 pack by itself.
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (6 sets)
Post by: Black Wolf on March 03, 2014, 03:47:41 pm
Thanks Goob, glad you like them. :) I'll fix the group pack as soon as I'm in front of my main pc again.
Title: Re: [RELEASE] - Headz Anis (4 sets)
Post by: T-Man on March 03, 2014, 05:07:00 pm
All of these are looking great! It's impressive you've taken (what I assume is) an identical character model and yet been able to get so many distinct-looking characters out of it. I love the look of VC7! :yes:

While he might not necessarily wear a crown... Vasudans seem to have the concept of armor. Maybe some kind of more ornate, ceremonial, "medieval" version of the armor you see on Vasudan pilots? Camera angle might add to the effect; a low angle might make him look impressive. I'll keep brainstorming...
Perhaps they only have 'functional' clothes that have a utility or symbolic meaning? So Vasudans don't have 'normal', 'fashion' clothes like we do, but have things like the flight suit (that might even heat their bodies while on Terran ships; if Vasudans are adapted for desert living, Terran temperatures might actually be a bit cold for them), armour, or thick robes for when there's sandstorms (reminded of Scroll of Atankharzim's robed vasudan). The scarf could thus maybe be a traditional symbol of office of some kind, allowed only by that specific caste or position (so not unlike a crown, but just they went with scarfs instead of headpieces)?