Hard Light Productions Forums

Hosted Projects - Standalone => The Babylon Project => Topic started by: Deepblue on August 07, 2004, 11:44:46 pm

Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Deepblue on August 07, 2004, 11:44:46 pm: Here are some tantalizing screenies of my (hopefully) last version of the 40mm, if anyone likes I will put the fx and tables (both of which have been moddified to be closer to the show [I just watched season 4 over the last two days])

One:
(http://server6.uploadit.org/files/DeepblueWA-Scweet.jpg)

Two:
(http://server6.uploadit.org/files/DeepblueWA-Cool.jpg)

Three:
(http://server6.uploadit.org/files/DeepblueWA-WAAAHGIVEIT.jpg)
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Trivial Psychic on August 08, 2004, 12:06:23 am: Is there anyway to compensate for the symetry in the starfield? Its realy noticable in pic. 2.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Edwin on August 08, 2004, 12:17:53 am: wow that looks sweet.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Deepblue on August 08, 2004, 12:51:00 am: Thats there because of the way the skybox was textured. So possibly.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Fury on August 08, 2004, 01:56:33 am: We've already got Lightspeed to upgrade weapon effects.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: IPAndrews on August 08, 2004, 09:45:31 am: Besides that version of the 40mm looks less accurate than the one you posted before. Very odd.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Deepblue on August 08, 2004, 05:36:00 pm: It is more accurate when you look at the B5 battle sequences as well as your intro vid, I decided the other way looks crappy pretty much anyway you do it.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Fury on August 09, 2004, 05:32:08 am: :rolleyes:

So you decided a blue blob wasn't good enough so you went and did another blue blob and decided it looks better?
Right.

I don't mean to sound hostile here or anything like that. Its simply a fact that each style cannot please every single person. There are many ways to make weapon effects, below I will explain to what we will aim with R3 and later releases.

Being a B5 total conversion does not mean we have to stick with original outdated effects of Babylon 5 TV-show and possibly movies. If its possible to make a blue blob to look like a detailed plasma bolt, by gods it will be done. If it resembles the original effect enough to know what it is, thats enough. We will slowly improve every aspect of visual quality without being held back by B5's outdated early 90's CGI, which is very good in its own right but we can do better with fs2_open. If not now then eventually.

You didn't like R2 effects, thats all good. It was R2 which was using original FS2 engine, not fs2_open. And we will continue to use stuff from FS2 and R2 until it is replaced by something obviously better.

Sorry to say but your weapon effects aren't as good as you think they are. The obvious difference is in higher resolution and tga format. I would still prefer old R2 effects over yours if these would be in higher resolution and in tga format. That will happen in time, hopefully with clearly better effects than R2 ones.

However, we are still a bunch of looser modders with indivuals of great talent and skill. While above might sound like we can do miracles, it is not the case. Right now we have Lightspeed to upgrade our current weapon effects, but he is a busy man and we and neither should you to expect too much from him. I however would expect more or less like he did with original FS2 effects. Some may like it, some may not. Its a matter of personal taste.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: IPAndrews on August 09, 2004, 06:17:05 am: Quote
Originally posted by Deepblue
It is more accurate

Deepblue. It is, as Fury says, a blob. With the previous 40mm effect there was some disagreement between myself and Fury. Not this time though. This time we are in complete agreement. B,l,o,b.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Xelion on August 09, 2004, 06:21:56 am: Blobs! How good can they get? I think if there too good I'd be paying more attention to my weapons, rather then my surroundings... then I'd be worried :nod:

Besides what Trivial Psychic said about Symmetry, nice screenies Deepblue :yes:
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: -Norbert- on August 09, 2004, 01:00:09 pm: I think it's pointless to discuss how the perfect plasma puls shot looks.
Take good care when watching the show and you will see, that even on TV they didn't looked the same evey episode.
But most time it looked not like a single object, but more like 4 or 5 "plasma-balls" with an overlaping glow-effect. Which is the same way they looked in R1.
In R2 I haven't really taken care, if they where chanched from R1.

This would even fit the discribtion of pulsed plasma gun. -> pulses of 4 to 5 shots.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: capsfan9803 on August 09, 2004, 01:08:44 pm: It might be a blob, but it's an awesome blob. I can't wait for this mod.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Lynx on August 09, 2004, 01:09:20 pm: Finally some nebulas that don't look like radioactive vomit blobs. Now it the stars would be smaller....
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Deepblue on August 09, 2004, 08:48:43 pm: I decided that I too, hate the blob, so I made this version.
Behold the latest greatest 40mm effect evar!~

(http://server6.uploadit.org/files/DeepblueWA-Better.jpg)

If anyone wants the table and effects feel free to ask.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Sigma957 on August 09, 2004, 09:54:46 pm: I like those ones :D
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: tomcat on August 10, 2004, 02:00:04 am: Blobs? I can't believe it ...New Blobs?? What is next new Nebula pack ? :)
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: IPAndrews on August 10, 2004, 03:24:54 am: Now that's more like it! As Fury said, the talented Mr. Lightspeed is working on effects upgrades. In the mean time though, please can I use your new 40mm effect? My email is [email protected] . At the end of the day we'll use whichever effect turns out to be the best in R3.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Eternal One on August 10, 2004, 03:43:42 am: Quote
Originally posted by tomcat
Blobs? I can't believe it ...New Blobs?? What is next new Nebula pack ? :)

Nial version 8? :)
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Ryx on August 10, 2004, 04:04:21 am: Love the stars :)
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: IPAndrews on August 10, 2004, 04:06:25 am: You do? Looks like someone's run amok with a bucket of glitter.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: IPAndrews on August 10, 2004, 04:07:48 am: Quote
Originally posted by Eternal One
Nial version 8? :)

Don't even joke about it. I'll kill you. I'll kill you all.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Fury on August 10, 2004, 04:12:31 am: Oh my, IP's losing it.
*runs*
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: tomcat on August 10, 2004, 05:11:27 am: well as a matter of fact ... a new Nial would be quite nice...like 2000 polygons nice smoothing, bump maping, mmmm

So IP when can we see it :) ;7 ;7
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: CptWhite on August 10, 2004, 06:56:06 am: Ahh yes welcome to the Nial joke everyone, this one runs and runs. :D
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Xaphod on August 10, 2004, 07:15:25 am: Indeed.
Partly my fault I admit.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Eternal One on August 10, 2004, 08:13:11 am: Admins, could you please change the title of Xaphod to "Man of many Nials".

Thank you ;)
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Deepblue on August 10, 2004, 11:05:19 am: I noticed awhile back in the portfolio of a modeler a nial he had made apparently for TBP. Is that the joke?
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: tomcat on August 10, 2004, 11:34:37 am: what is the name of that Dude..?
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: IceFire on August 19, 2004, 10:07:58 pm: I remember the Nial thing :)

What are we at now? Five or six? :D
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Setekh on August 20, 2004, 06:51:20 am: This newest version looks markedly better than the last. Nice one. :)
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Slasher on August 20, 2004, 03:29:38 pm: Yeah, but another one would never hurt.

:nervous:

What?
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Edwin on August 21, 2004, 10:13:37 am: thou hast unwittingly given me something to do.

slapped it together in milkshape over the past few days:

http://members.cox.net/azedwin/screenie.JPG
http://members.cox.net/azedwin/screenie1.JPG
http://members.cox.net/azedwin/screenie2.JPG

Verticies: 7252
Triangles: 15096

watcha think?
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Taristin on August 21, 2004, 10:23:38 am: 15,100 triangles? Ouch.
I hope there'll only be one on screen at a time.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Fury on August 30, 2004, 11:35:03 am: Showing off current "EA Heavy Plasma" effect. (http://koti.mbnet.fi/fury/misc/screen04.jpg)

As some of you might guess from the screenshot, Hyperion's main gun now fires plasma in salvos of four. Don't panic though. Unlike in R2, in R3 it does not target fighters.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: redmenace on August 30, 2004, 04:31:24 pm: is it animated? ;7

Looks towards lightspeed
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Ranger1 on August 30, 2004, 09:11:11 pm: While on the subject of updated graphics. Is there any possibility of seeind lights on the pylons of the omega, nova, and hyperion? I see they work in fs2 open on the arcadia and ulyssess.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Lightspeed on August 30, 2004, 09:20:48 pm: aww that's bad JPG compression :doubt: :)
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Deepblue on August 30, 2004, 10:18:36 pm: Bab open had some glowpoints on the hyperion but they dont look that good.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Fury on August 30, 2004, 11:04:59 pm: I am currently working with Centauri mass driver (http://koti.mbnet.fi/fury/misc/screen00.jpg) effect with Lightspeed.

All effects will be tweaked between now and final release but changes will be tweaking only.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Fury on August 31, 2004, 02:38:20 am: New EA 60mm effect, screenshot taken by Col. Fishguts.
(I so hope he used the latest tables...)

(http://n.ethz.ch/student/ebuerli/download/tbp/Badger1.jpg)
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: redmenace on August 31, 2004, 12:43:16 pm: FYI, the new effects was made possible by eternal one.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Fury on August 31, 2004, 12:51:19 pm: And there is a reason why E1 is one of TBP staff and why we all love him. :D
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: redmenace on August 31, 2004, 12:58:31 pm: and officially part of SCP also. we always appreciate some help.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Deepblue on August 31, 2004, 05:50:21 pm: Now I do like those effects very much...
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: tomcat on September 02, 2004, 06:45:57 am: stop it .. Eth1 is my ***** :)

pimpin' around
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Eternal One on September 02, 2004, 06:50:27 am: Quote
Originally posted by tomcat
stop it .. Eth1 is my ***** :)

Eh guys, don't take him seriously. He wants to model his penis and use it as our easter egg ship ala V's pirate ship.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: tomcat on September 02, 2004, 06:57:02 am: Sonnofabiatch ... it was suppose to be secret God dammit finish drunk ... The plan was that all this bunch of loosers to see it and ask around who's beautifull monument penis is that :D I was thinking at 15000p Penis ... a powerfull beam weapon ... :D
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Eternal One on September 02, 2004, 07:03:01 am: Quote
Originally posted by tomcat
Sonnofabiatch ... it was suppose to be secret God dammit finish drunk ... The plan was that all this bunch of loosers to see it and ask around who's beautifull monument penis is that :D I was thinking at 15000p Penis ... a powerfull beam weapon ... :D

Dear Tomcat, like I said earlier, if we use your penis we'd run into trouble in conversion stage since I'd have to use so small conversion factor :D
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: tomcat on September 02, 2004, 07:05:54 am: Hey that is low punch ... usually alcohol abuse create disfunctionality in that area .. :)
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Eternal One on September 02, 2004, 07:07:48 am: Quote
Originally posted by tomcat
Hey that is low punch ... usually alcohol abuse create disfunctionality in that area .. :)

But I thought you used that medicine or something in Romania? :)
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: tomcat on September 02, 2004, 07:09:51 am: well yea' but not in large quantities ... If you use quantities the the quality is lowered .. :D
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Fury on September 02, 2004, 07:17:03 am: God, I feel relieved. When tomcat told me a sick topic was posted to public, I thought he copied one of our private forum threads here.

Carry on.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: tomcat on September 02, 2004, 07:24:21 am: good idea Furry ... now how is that COPY/PASTE :D working here ? ;7
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Fury on September 02, 2004, 07:27:07 am: I will personally request a ban to you if you do that. :p

...Furry... :doubt:
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: tomcat on September 02, 2004, 07:28:35 am: the sith power will grow in darkness :D

Guys you can't imagine what things are we talking ... right ?

yea' i thought Furry was funnier ...
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Fury on September 02, 2004, 07:28:58 am: I sure hope not.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: tomcat on September 02, 2004, 07:30:57 am: to sumarise ..:)
we just don't do a damn thing ...just sit on our asses and talk dirty to each other ... :D
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Col. Fishguts on September 02, 2004, 07:40:47 am: Quote
Originally posted by tomcat
...just sit on our asses and talk dirty to each other ... :D

perfect summary of the current main topic in the internal..... ;7
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Deepblue on September 02, 2004, 05:09:22 pm: :wtf:

Get on topic.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Sigma957 on September 02, 2004, 09:01:30 pm: Why the T & A topic is more fun. :lol:
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: tomcat on September 03, 2004, 01:12:53 am: We are crazy :)
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Sigma957 on September 03, 2004, 09:00:58 am: Indeed we are ;7 but then we have to be to do what we do.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: -Norbert- on September 08, 2004, 05:14:48 am: Quote

by Mr. Fury
As some of you might guess from the screenshot, Hyperion's main gun now fires plasma in salvos of four. Don't panic though. Unlike in R2, in R3 it does not target fighters.

Why? I think only the heavy plasmas in the upper front section aren't suppost to fire at fighters.
With only up to 6 (I think) 'furys they would be absolutely helpless against fighters.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Fury on September 08, 2004, 06:02:27 am: You got them mixed. Main gun does not mean the regular turrets. Its the forward firing four barreled turret.
Title: Upgraded FX cont.
Post by: Slasher on September 08, 2004, 08:15:46 pm: The "regular" guns on the cruisers can still target fighters.

TBP has been changed so that the most powerful guns on capships will only shoot at capships now. This means the big turrets wont waste their firepower trying to swat impossible targets like Starfuries and will instead do what they're supposed to do: pound other capships! :nod:

This also puts a bigger emphasis on fighter cover. Ships like the Nova, for instance, only have a small handful of guns capable of hitting fighters. While these guns are good at what they do, mass fighter attacks wield the potential to inflict grevious damage on a Nova if it's not protected by its own fighters.

Trust me, it's fun. ;)