Hard Light Productions Forums

Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => The Modding Workshop => Topic started by: blowfish on December 21, 2007, 02:08:20 pm

Title: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 21, 2007, 02:08:20 pm
One of my first models, the GTD Thanatos.

Currently ~15000 triangles, in need of textures.

(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/blowfishpro/My_Stuff/Thanatos/Thanatos1.jpg)
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/blowfishpro/My_Stuff/Thanatos/Thanatos3.jpg)
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/blowfishpro/My_Stuff/Thanatos/Thanatos2.jpg)
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/blowfishpro/My_Stuff/Thanatos/Thanatos4.jpg)

This is a WIP, so feedback would be appreciated.

EDIT: Fixed image links
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Hades on December 21, 2007, 02:31:34 pm
Cool.
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: castor on December 21, 2007, 02:34:27 pm
Not much of a comment, but  think I like it (would like even more if more of it would fit on my screen at once :) )
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Admiral_Stones on December 21, 2007, 03:35:50 pm
Holy sheetorz  :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :wtf:

But somehow I always think of a huuge fighterbay in between these two front arms. Probably because some carrier from a game I cant recall. :sigh:

Duh, I should look closer. There already is  :ick:
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 21, 2007, 03:39:35 pm
I'm considering actually modeling the fighterbay.  Do you guys think I should?
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Mobius on December 21, 2007, 03:44:39 pm
Is Thanatos a good name for a Terran ship?
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 21, 2007, 03:55:35 pm
Thanatos was the Greek god of death and mortality.  I think it is a good name for a Terran ship (yes, I am aware that it was a Shivan cruiser in "Apocalypse")
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: gevatter Lars on December 21, 2007, 05:33:05 pm
That is one nice ship.
Just a question...are there weaponpods/turrets on the inside of the hangarbay arms? At that position the would most likely shoot at each other. You might concider putting them on a podest or facing to the front so that they shoot down incomming bombs or whatever isn't supposed to land in the hangar. Maybe make it a turret that can point up and down but not to the other side of the arm. No one wants to shoot himself ^_^
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 21, 2007, 05:39:27 pm
That's an interesting point.  If it doesn't work, then I will remove those two turrets and replace them with just one right above the hangar entrance, but for now I am just going to leave it (I'll keep that suggestion in mind though).  I think something similar was done on the Hecate (there are two turrets between the main engines).
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Hellstryker on December 21, 2007, 06:05:49 pm
I use sketchup, its not n00b  :wtf: exporting can get a little annoying but it works just fine
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 21, 2007, 06:07:51 pm
I use sketchup, its not n00b  :wtf: exporting can get a little annoying but it works just fine

Converting can be a nightmare.  I guess it depends on how your model is built, but Truespace doesn't seem to like me.
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Hades on December 21, 2007, 06:10:19 pm
I use sketchup, its not n00b  :wtf: exporting can get a little annoying but it works just fine

Converting can be a nightmare.  I guess it depends on how your model is built, but Truespace doesn't seem to like me.

Truespace hates every one. :nervous:
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Hellstryker on December 21, 2007, 06:18:36 pm
Just get a friggin crack for sketchup pro
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 21, 2007, 09:30:09 pm
I use sketchup, its not n00b  :wtf:

I never said SketchUp is noob, I meant I'm a noob.  I think my post count doubled today.
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: redsniper on December 21, 2007, 09:50:27 pm
lvlshot plz. kthxbye.
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Hellbender on December 21, 2007, 09:53:09 pm
Nice work!

I think you did well with the design. The main turrets are good looking.

Nice clean lines and functional style. I hope to see it finished!  :yes:
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 21, 2007, 09:58:32 pm
lvlshot plz. kthxbye.

I knew there was a tag that did that, I just forgot what it was.  I put the tags in.
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Hellstryker on December 21, 2007, 10:32:07 pm
Your not a noob if you can model THAT  ;)
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 21, 2007, 11:28:27 pm
Well, I've had a little experience modeling in the past.  This is one of my first models for Freespace.  I am new to texturing and converting though.  Does anyone have a dark blue/grey tile texture that I could use (Preferably without panels)?  And maybe a version with windows too?  I can't seem to find anything that will work for the main body of the ship.

I'm trying something with the engines:

BEFORE
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/blowfishpro/My_Stuff/Thanatos/ThanatosEngines.jpg)
AFTER
(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/blowfishpro/My_Stuff/Thanatos/ThanatosEngines2.jpg)

EDIT: Fixed image links
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Hellstryker on December 21, 2007, 11:34:55 pm
... you cant texture it now... you got to export it to .cob and UV map it and texture it in truespace. the best way to do this would be to export it to .obj and convert that .cob with lithium unwrapper
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 22, 2007, 12:22:17 am
I have been able to texture in SketchUp in the past.  If I apply the textures correctly, then I can export to 3DS, then import that into TrueSpace, group subobjects, then import into PCS2 and it should work fine.  Well, at least it worked fine with one model I did (on a side note that model had terrible collision detection).
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Hellstryker on December 22, 2007, 12:35:38 am
Well, if you say so
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Getter Robo G on December 22, 2007, 02:45:00 am
I had some priorities I wanted to get to first, but after I popped into the thread to check it out I'll look through my texture collection (1000's).  Do you have a test version that can take a texture?

  At this stage it's not wrong if you're deciding on a scheme to have all the common areas mapped (main hull, bridge, turrets, engines, major portions of body) then after getting an idea of the general look you go back and include the greebles etc...

On a side note, love teh turrets!!! also those bridge details on top! Can I cannibalize them in the future?

Also a suggestion. I like the design, and woudl like to see more in that "family". How about an AU version that's mostly a carrier. GTCa Triumph (or whatever) where the area between the two arms have a top and bottom and the bay runs from where they end now tot eh front of the arms (or just short of the end bow turrets.

(sorry I'm a sucker for Battleships and Carriers, it's a fetish - of sorts) :)



Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: bizzybody on December 22, 2007, 03:07:10 am
Looks good! But those forward engines, uh, no. The exhaust would do nothing except fry the aft hull. Where they are would be like trying to move a sailboat with a fan bolted to the stern, blowing into the sail. ;)

Without having the model to examine, it looks like you know what you're doing with Sketchup. I've seen some models done in it that had horrible geometry problems with un-attached vertexes and edges occupying the same space and internal polygons in solid sub-objects.
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Getter Robo G on December 22, 2007, 03:35:30 am
I forgot to mention... If you have suitable textures already, color changing in photoshop might be just what you need... (I do that a lot for some base textures instead of searching for JUST the right one.)

 ;)
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 22, 2007, 10:42:53 am
I had some priorities I wanted to get to first, but after I popped into the thread to check it out I'll look through my texture collection (1000's).  Do you have a test version that can take a texture?

What Format?

On a side note, love teh turrets!!! also those bridge details on top! Can I cannibalize them in the future?

Feel free, if I ever get this thing done.

Looks good! But those forward engines, uh, no. The exhaust would do nothing except fry the aft hull. Where they are would be like trying to move a sailboat with a fan bolted to the stern, blowing into the sail. ;)

Without having the model to examine, it looks like you know what you're doing with Sketchup. I've seen some models done in it that had horrible geometry problems with un-attached vertexes and edges occupying the same space and internal polygons in solid sub-objects.

That sounds like a good idea, but I might need something else to do with the blank hull space those engines will create (or I could just leave it blank, I will se how it turns out).

I forgot to mention... If you have suitable textures already, color changing in photoshop might be just what you need... (I do that a lot for some base textures instead of searching for JUST the right one.)

 ;)

I have been able to created textures already in Photoshop, but Leopard doesn't play nice with Photoshop Elements.  I will see about getting it installed on the PC I use for conversion.
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Getter Robo G on December 23, 2007, 07:50:43 am
Thought you might want to try it out anyway, just a hint of detail.
Light grey hull plating.


[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Hades on December 23, 2007, 07:51:40 am
That could use more detail in the texture IMO.
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Getter Robo G on December 23, 2007, 07:58:28 am
I know but he doesnt want any:

"Does anyone have a dark blue/grey tile texture that I could use (Preferably without panels)?  And maybe a version with windows too?"

If he likes it, then windows are pretty easy to add later.

Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 23, 2007, 01:04:04 pm
Thought you might want to try it out anyway, just a hint of detail.

Thanks for the texture.  I will probably end up changing the color, but this is more or less what I wanted.

I'm not entirely sure what to do with the engines, but I decided to try something.  What do you guys think?

(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/blowfishpro/My_Stuff/Thanatos/ThanatosEngines3.jpg)

EDIT: Fixed image link
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Hellstryker on December 23, 2007, 01:05:28 pm
Dont care either way IMO. engines just take more polys
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 26, 2007, 11:56:14 pm
I figured I'm at a good place for an update.  I finally got some textures going.  Thank you Getter Robo G for the base texture.

(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/blowfishpro/My_Stuff/Thanatos/ThanatosTexture.jpg)

EDIT: Fixed image link
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Getter Robo G on December 27, 2007, 12:03:57 am
Glad to see it's coming along, and don't thank me...

Thank LUCAS.  ;7
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 27, 2007, 05:25:07 pm
Well, the mesh is ~20k triangles right now (thank the fighterbay).  I think I am pretty much done with modeling, so I just have to finish up the textures, then do LODs and debris.  Conversion will probably be the hardest and most frustrating, but hopefully I will be able to retain my sanity while doing it.
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Ñeo KÑights on December 29, 2007, 06:30:21 pm
its pretty cool, kinda big  :shaking: lol, but i'am also a n00b, thus, i    have   no   idea :mad:. other wise, its awesome. :eek2:
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Mobius on December 29, 2007, 06:32:24 pm
Well, I know what to do...

:welcomesilver:

Welcome to the HLPBB!!! :D

Nice nick :yes:
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Retsof on December 29, 2007, 06:34:05 pm
:welcomeorange:
Hello Neo, May I present my RLTM friend.  May he be a welcome injection of retardeness.  :lol:

EDIT: Dangit Mobius... how'd you beat me, Im sitting right next to the guy!
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Mobius on December 29, 2007, 06:43:51 pm
So he is a Real LifeTM friend? Bringing here friends(and, who knows, even wives *sandwich* ;) is becoming common.

I have experience ;)
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Ñeo KÑights on December 29, 2007, 06:50:12 pm
lmao, ty for the welcome, i feel wlecomed :nervous: lol, and i hope i get the hang of this stuff, i hope so anyway :sigh:. peace.
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 29, 2007, 11:40:29 pm
Well, I have some good news, and some bad news.  The good news is that LOD 0 is completely textured and ... that's all the good news.  The bad news is that this thing uses 15 textures! (and it doesn't look like any of them are going anywhere).  That includes the nameplate and the damage texture for the yet-to-be-added debris.  Fortunately, most are only 256x256 though.
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: Vasudan Admiral on December 29, 2007, 11:58:34 pm
Large texture counts really hurt performance - much more than large texture size. I reckon you'd find it well worth it to UV map and paint your own single texture for it.
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 30, 2007, 12:59:51 am
Hmmm...  I tried UV mapping awhile back, and it frustrated me very much (probably why I like tile texturing in SketchUp), but maybe I'll give it another shot.  If not, I'll try to eliminate one or two, and combine several others into one big texture.  If that method worked well, I could get it down to 10 textures (same as HTL Orion).

Aurggghh!!  Why must this thing be so hard to LOD :mad: ??!!!  It seems like every detail is visible until you get way far away from it.  I thought the fighterbay was the problem, but that's only ~3500 triangles.  Any advice :confused: ?

EDIT: Well, I guess 3500 is a good chunk of the polygons, but I was expecting more.  I guess no fighterbay could make up LOD 1, with LOD 2 at ~10km or something.
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 30, 2007, 07:30:17 pm
Broken turrets 'n debris 'n things:

(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/blowfishpro/My_Stuff/Thanatos/ThanatosDebris.jpg)

EDIT: Fixed image link
Title: Re: A Noob Uses Sketchup
Post by: blowfish on December 31, 2007, 08:56:41 pm
'nother update - LODs.  I didn't include LOD 1 because all it really does is take out the fighterbay.

(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/blowfishpro/My_Stuff/Thanatos/LODs.jpg)

EDIT: Well I think that'll be all for now.  I will start converting it soon and post here again once I have it working in game.

EDIT2: Fixed image link