Hard Light Productions Forums
Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => The Modding Workshop => Topic started by: Jadehawk on September 29, 2008, 06:30:27 pm
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Hey all,
I have extensive experience in making templates and creating skins for CG aircraft in the Il2 series of games. Some of you may have seen my work at several sites relating to the Il2 flight sim if you venture into that area and what I want to do now, is extend my skills to create skins or textures as they seemed to be called here.
I'm currently making a campaign that uses the SOF Banshee but I wish to redo the skin or texture that it currently uses and cannot use the current files they use to create any useful layered template.
I do not see any sites that have templates for others to use for creating such things as I wish so I'm here to ask for help in what I need to go about to start making as such? If none is available, then maybe someone can create a new 2048X2048 UVMap? I dunno if this is the correct way to go about all this, but gotta ask! :)
Here is a screen shot of a Do-335B2 in the Il2 flight sim I did. I created the template for this and also created this skin from that template. I even created the details such as wheels, tires, gun muzzle, etc you see here.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/1-JG54White11.jpg)
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That would be great... although to be honest I think the Banshee needs some geometry fixing before it can be remapped like that. If you want a new, clean UV map then certainly someone will have to open up the model; while they're at it they could make an Ambient Occlusion map too. All in all it's probably something that you want to team up with a modeler for.
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Thanks for the reply! :)
I was not aware there were any issues with the Banshee. I just know the current skin does not suit my needs. Since I know squat about making a UV map, I'm at mercy to any of the modelers here for help set me up.
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Since I know squat about making a UV map, I'm at mercy to any of the modelers here for help set me up.
Huh. And yet you say you set up a template for that fighter you posted. How do you work, exactly? That is, what do you need to be able to make a texture?
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In that flight sim, they had what they call Voids. It was a single layer file that had all the outline, panels, rivets and some details all on one layer. It was up to the individual to create new layers for such as panel lines, rivets etc. These "Voids" were similar to what is called UV maps outlines here I believe?
When a new CG model was released for the flight sim, they also had these voids so the community can create what I just described. I do not see anything like that here for these ships. Hence why I'm asking about all this.
What I'll need is a UN map outline of the Banshee as described in the texture tutorial.
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Hmm...a HTL Banshee.......hmm.....
*slaps himself*
No, no! Focus T-Man..focus! No time for that now.
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Ah.
For that then you would need a modeler to open the Banshee, look at the UVs, then take a snapshot of them and post them here.
Gimme a moment...
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Oh dear gods my eyes are bleeding.
Jadehawk, PLEASE, for the love of all that is good and holy in this world, let someone revamp the model before you remap it. Please.
[attachment deleted by ninja]
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The current uv is not suitable for a 2k texture even if combined on one map. An ambient occlusion pass looked patchy in a few areas which would cause problems for a normal map
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ok just got home from work...HOLY...Oh man! I can see what your talking about with that map. my gut feeling is if I even tried to use that, it would be for a lost cause.
Galemp, I do thank you for taking the time to make a map from the Banshee. I appeared to be a good looking machine with a bad texture map when I first saw it. .
I guess if anyone wanted to fix that model, I do see some areas that could be improved upon. Namely where the lower wings attach to the body. I believe the engine front area could be extended forward to meet the front edge of the wings to improve the looks? but it being a very dark map, it's hard to see any of the model details and if you say it's bad, I'll take your word for it! :yes:
If none wishes to improve this, then I'll look for something else to work with. Any takers?
Galemp, Again thanks for your help!
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Well, the FS Upgrade Project (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,53969.0.html) is always looking for help. I don't think any fighters are still using the old 256x256x8-bit PCX textures, but there are a couple minor ships that are still left untouched, like the PVEP Ra and PVSG Ankh. You can just browse the Assets Media VP and see what needs help.
Alternately you can look and see if a mod team needs someone to draw textures. I have a model that's not yet UV-mapped, otherwise I'd let you have a go at that.
Sorry I couldn't do more for you.
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You helped more than you realize! I work in Paint Shop Pro 9 and also Pro X as well. What I'm gonna do is try something simple just so I can get my feet wet making this stuff then try something more substantial.
Again thanks for the links and help! Who knows, I'll be helping you and others someday soon.
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You'd be a godsend for TotT. If you want to know more you should probably PM blowfish, as he knows more about it than I do.
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I'd be happy to help...providing I can do something with texturing. I understand some aspects of the texture process, but this "Baking" thing has got me lost. I also hear it takes some over an hour to do? Like what?!? Are they actually "baking" it to the CG model or what? In the Il2 series of flight sims, you make a skin which is a 1.0mb skin file that the game will apply it to the CG model. Makes it very easy for anyone to create new skins by the dozens providing you have a layered template to create skins from.
I'm getting the feeling that's not the case here? I read that Tutorial, but there are some stuff that just does not make sense to me about what is actually going on. OK I'll shut up before I go ballistic with all these Questions!
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Ah, so you're looking for something more like this... (http://pjfoliver.googlepages.com/crotex.zip)
'Baking' and 'UV Mapping' refer to the process of getting the skin from your modeling program into a single texture that can be edited in a graphics program. Generally it has to do with taking complex geometry, lighting, shading, and other effects that you normally get with lots of layers and high-intensity calculations and combining them all into one texture. The END RESULT is your skin, and that's what the game ultimately uses, but getting it there takes significant effort on the part of the modeler.
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EXACTLY!
This type of work is what I do. Here is a screen shot of some of my work like this:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/Do-335B-21-JG54White11.jpg)
In Il2 flight sims, we make all the shadows and highlights as we can. The game engine does the rest more or less and the game engines also had a Shine render that we don't have to mess with.
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What you do works fine. You don't need to touch baking.
Extra bits you get to play with are glow, shine and normal maps.
Being able use a 3d modeling app can speed up some parts. Doing the shading can be sorted with ambient occlusion. An app like Blender allows you to paint on the model - it's not great but it would allow you to have the cammo pattern crossing multiple uv boundries with out much effort. It can also be used to save an outline of the uv map in whatever size you want. Lithunwrap might be an option for saving uv outlines also.
There are no layered templates/voids. Usually all that is avalable is the final texture, mostly because the files are so big. What it means is you will end up using a few more tools to get the job done.
The other tool is a model viewer, so you don't need to mess about with tables.
http://downloads.sourceforge.net/alliance/PCS2_2.0.3_2008-05-15.exe (http://downloads.sourceforge.net/alliance/PCS2_2.0.3_2008-05-15.exe)
Once it's installed go to options>preferences and add .\ to the texture path. It will allow you to have the pof and textures in the same directory.
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I'd be happy to help...providing I can do something with texturing. I understand some aspects of the texture process, but this "Baking" thing has got me lost. I also hear it takes some over an hour to do? Like what?!? Are they actually "baking" it to the CG model or what? In the Il2 series of flight sims, you make a skin which is a 1.0mb skin file that the game will apply it to the CG model. Makes it very easy for anyone to create new skins by the dozens providing you have a layered template to create skins from.
I'm getting the feeling that's not the case here? I read that Tutorial, but there are some stuff that just does not make sense to me about what is actually going on. OK I'll shut up before I go ballistic with all these Questions!
That's exactly what we need, texturers.
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So in that case he needs unwrapped UV templates to paint on.
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You interested in joining in with TAP JadeHawk? We could really use someone who knows how to draw textures.
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So in that case he needs unwrapped UV templates to paint on.
That's blowfishes job on TotT
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I'm gonna try reworking this:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel.jpg)
If I can, and you guys can help me out and feel I might be worth the hassle, then yeah I'll be happy to help out. :)
This is a quick and dirty job just to get rid of the way to bright white areas. You can see a spot I missed under the front nose. The original is 256X256 and quiet small to work with. The panel line are also crappy as a result and in no way can you work to produce highlights and shadows, etc. well enough.
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And here is a couple of hours worth of love... ;7
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel2.jpg)
I got a long way to go before this is anything like what I want. But it's s start ;)
Yes I see some missed matched panel lines, but this it the first time I applied the texture to the model.
Comments?
Oh yeah, I'm working from a layered template I made that's 1024X1024
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That's pretty awesome. I'm assuming you'll slap detail on top now? :P
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Yup! One step at a time ;)
Here is where I am now with this.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel5.jpg)
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The part where the sides meet the top seems kind of.. wierd to me. Other than that, :yes:
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heh, all i did was make my Ez's copper-colored parts pink once... :p
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Those thrusters ARE WIP right? (They look kinda...bad at the moment.
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Everything is a WIP. :)
And them light colored thrusters are not thrusters. They are Thermo-ceramic thrust Vector petals. Being in the aviation industry for over 20 years, Ceramic and Ceramic composite blends are the future. They may change, but that also depends on how the rest of the craft works out. When I do skins....or testures as they are known here, they can take me anywhere from a week to a month or more. Depends on what's in involved and what I'm trying to accomplish with the end result. We'll see :)
I'm gonna backtrack and redo some lines to suit my taste as all I did was copy 90% of the lines just to see what is where.
Thanks all for the comments!
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I see you're using FRED to preview your textures.
I would highly suggest downloading PCS2 (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/POF_Constructor_Suite_2) for this. Not only is it more accurate than FRED in rendering models, but it would also be faster and you can click a single button to refresh the textures. It also supports glow and shine maps.
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Yup, knew about that, but did not know what to do with it as I cant see how you load up textures when it can't support .PCX files? The PCS2 I have is from the download for Freespace2. Is that an older version of PCS2 and need to update it?
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Perhaps. What you need is the POF and the texture in the same folder.
It doesn't have to be PCX, though. PCS supports TGA and DDS textures as well.
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tried moving the POF and the PCX files into a folder on their own. No dice.
Also please don't tell me my textures color depth has to be 256 in order for the game to use them. I wish it used .bmp files as when you use the program BRIGHT with these, it works wonders to blend the 256 colors naturally.
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tried moving the POF and the PCX files into a folder on their own. No dice.
Also please don't tell me my textures color depth has to be 256 in order for the game to use them. I wish it used .bmp files as when you use the program BRIGHT with these, it works wonders to blend the 256 colors naturally.
The other tool is a model viewer, so you don't need to mess about with tables.
http://downloads.sourceforge.net/alliance/PCS2_2.0.3_2008-05-15.exe (http://downloads.sourceforge.net/alliance/PCS2_2.0.3_2008-05-15.exe)
Once it's installed go to options>preferences and add .\ to the texture path. It will allow you to have the pof and textures in the same directory.
For pcx - yes it has to be indexed 256. If you are using PCS2 just use bmp or tga for testing, a lot less hassle.
Use either pcx, tga or the recomended dds format for Freespace Open.
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Thanks fellas! I must be doing something wrong. While I loaded up the model, the textures for the glass and cockpit showed up on the CG model. But not my texture for the ship and it's in the same folder. Yup, it's a 256 bit PCX file and it loads up in FRED2, but not the PCS2.
Anyway, here is some new screenies of my current progress.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel7.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel8.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel9.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel10.jpg)
And this one for your desktop for anyone who wishes too.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel11a.jpg)
Comments?
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Nice work :)
I'm not really a fan of the thrusters, but everything else looks good :yes:
Also, the guns look kinda weird, with half being light and the other half being dark :wtf:
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Thanks, I'm not 100% taken with them myself. I did them just to see how the end result would be....and I did! The guns I have not messed with since I started and will slap some new ones on the things soon.
As for the thrusters...I'm thinking of getting rid of the petals and making it a more solid piece of some kind. Color, texture whatever else is up in the air at the moment.
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Last update for the evening!
Refined gun, missile and Thruster petals.
Keep the comments coming fellas as I really REALLY want this to work out well for everyone. :D
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel12.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel13.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel14.jpg)
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That's much better. The vines as they were on a light color wasn't working...
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Those engine fins make it look like a plane straight out of Battle Fairy Yukikaze. Scary freak-show stuff.
The earlier screens before the edits to dull grey colours... they scream "JAM!!!!" right there. :shaking:
From the screens, it's feels a bit too cartoon-y and has a certain paper/cement look to it rather than metallic, along with a paint scheme resembling the Rhea to go with it, but to each his own. :nervous:
Cool. :) :yes:
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I need this ;)
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I'd change the thruster petals.. Have the line go vertically instead of horizontaly. Should look better as it's easier to align.
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It needs more 'macro' scale details, like scorch marks around the engines, impact burns, dirt and grime around the panel edges; that kind of stuff. Some warning labels and flight decals (like those on the Medusa or Valkyrie) would go a long way to making it more real, too.
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i have to ask again Jadehawk, would you be willing to work for The Apocalypse Project team? If yes, add me on msn, i'll fill you in on the details.
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Hey fellas :) Just got home several hours ago from working OT.
Again thanks to each and everyone of you for helping out with your opinions. It's MUCH appreciated! :nod:
I think I finally got the pixalating...(if that's a word), figured out. Also, don't feel like your pestering me with your critique as your not! I like to hear others opinions, both good and bad. :yes:
I changed the Thruster vanes again... and I think they are too dark? Comments and\or suggestions on that? I also added more detail here and there and also will add some service markings soon and I will save that for near the end of the Ezechiel reskin. I also corrected some alignment issues as well. I hope the color and hue is better now for the ship?
Yo, Pecenipicek, I'll get back to ya on that issue seriously! I'm not sure what I can help with, but I want to complete this first before I dive into something else.
I'll contact ya on MSN later today or tomorrow as this is my "Daddy weekend" and my kids come first.
Galmp, thanks for reminding me as noted that just above!
Trashman, hows the new ones? Suggestions?
And everyone else, Fire away your comments and ideas. :yes:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel16.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel17.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel18.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel19.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel20.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel21.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel22.jpg)
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Looking good. Add warning/danger labels..those arrows and similar stuff.
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Looking better already, those panels really pop out now. Nice blending on the painted stripes overlapping the panel seams, too!
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HOT DAMN! :yes: Would you be willling to texture for the TotT team? Or BWO, or TAP for that matter, since We're just younglings to the forum and hold little authority really. Do what you like, but put those skills to good use. :nod:
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Thanks fellas! Question.... after all this re-skinning I'm doing, What the hell is a Ezechiel anyway? :lol:
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HOT DAMN! :yes: Would you be willling to texture for the TotT team? Or BWO, or TAP for that matter, since We're just younglings to the forum and hold little authority really. Do what you like, but put those skills to good use. :nod:
Hey Hellstryker, I guess my PM to you didnt work? Sent one last week just as I was starting this stating I would give it a go. I also would be helping out Pecenipicek if I can. Like I said to him, I'll do what I feel I can help out with and I'm still trying to get my bearings on how all this works out. Just so you guys know that! :yes:
Also, I'm off until this evening (Pacific Coast time zone). So no replies until then.
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Try inverting the colours
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I happen to have the idea of doing an SOC version that is somewhat like you mentioned! Good call! :nod:
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What the hell is a Ezechiel anyway? :lol:
Alternate spelling of Ezekiel, an Old Testament prophet.
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HOT DAMN! :yes: Would you be willling to texture for the TotT team? Or BWO, or TAP for that matter, since We're just younglings to the forum and hold little authority really. Do what you like, but put those skills to good use. :nod:
As long as he helps a project who's in dire need of help it's ok, otherwise...meh... :doubt:
TAP, for example, needs its models to be textured...right? :)
pecenipicek docet...
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My Evening update :)
I added in some weathering and panel wear. I happen to prefer LIGHT weathering versus heavy stuff. Just my preference is all :)
Here are three more.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel23.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel24.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel25.jpg)
Notice I changed the squadron stripe color... Well that's because the Jade color is reserved for my Wing. The 318th Fighter Wing also known as the Jade Dragons.
Rich in history, They were one of many of the GTA Fighter Squadrons formed back before the Great War and also one of the last Fighter squadrons out of Capella Node before the Shivans pulled the plug on it's sun. Most of the Fighter wing was lost fighting the Shivans and protecting the last ships out of Capella that the Wing was never rebuilt until now.
It's new Commander was one of the few left alive. Vice Commander Christophe Ivanov was a strappin Lieutenant with just over a year in service at the time of the Capellan exodus. A sharp Pilot and steady gun slinger, he was flying on his Commander's wing at the time and, he knew his number was up when they had their backs up against the wall in a nearly hopeless situation. But as long as the refugees were able to escape, then it all was well worth it. Just as they were ordered to fly back through the node, their Commander answered a call for help just as the Sun went Supernova and was ordered by his Commander to escort the last through the node. That was the last time anyone ever saw Commander Vince Kotosama.
I could go on, but...that's another story! ;7
Any Comments on the current weathering? Yeah I know Service markings....they are next. ;)
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And for you SOC fans out there...I hope this passes your muster! if not, please stand behind the rear left thruster while I check the throttles :P
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/SOCEzechiel1.jpg)
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Darker metal on SOC variant = LIKE.
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So it IS the same Jadehawk! Hey! NS-Ice/IceFire from the IL-2 community...I see we cross some of the same communities. Jadehawk does some fantastic work...he once skinned a set of three Ki-100 fighters for a IL-2 campaign I was doing.
Great work with the Ezechiel! Venom would be proud!
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Awww, I liked the jade stripe.
Can we convince you to do the GTVA/SOC variants in the same color scheme as the Artemis/DH variants? Like, white with pink, and teal with white?
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Yup! Dat be me Ice-Fire and thanks for the complements! Nice to see you around these parts!
Freespace was my original love when it came to Flight sims. When I was able to bring it onto my XP machine, it was love all over again! But this time I can contribute back far more than I did long ago. I'm still messing with Skins for Il2, but they are one the back burner and I think you know why too now!
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Awww, I liked the jade stripe.
Can we convince you to do the GTVA/SOC variants in the same color scheme as the Artemis/DH variants? Like, white with pink, and teal with white?
Humm....I'll have to study them and give it a try. Might work.
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HOT DAMN! :yes: Would you be willling to texture for the TotT team? Or BWO, or TAP for that matter, since We're just younglings to the forum and hold little authority really. Do what you like, but put those skills to good use. :nod:
Hey Hellstryker, I guess my PM to you didnt work? Sent one last week just as I was starting this stating I would give it a go. I also would be helping out Pecenipicek if I can. Like I said to him, I'll do what I feel I can help out with and I'm still trying to get my bearings on how all this works out. Just so you guys know that! :yes:
Also, I'm off until this evening (Pacific Coast time zone). So no replies until then.
How odd, I did not get that PM. I'll have bengal give you access on the freespace mods for as soon as you make an account. http://www.freespacemods.net/forum/
Edit: Also, I liked the teal stripe better than the red one as well.
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Have been signed up there for awhile now ;) Did all the intro stuff as required too. :)
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Alright, I told bengal. You should have access by later today :nod:
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Thanks for that Hellstryker!
I'm at work on my lunch break and was looking at my current progress...
Since this is my first reskin, I'm gonna make some of you happy. I'll bring back the Teal stripes for you all to enjoy. :)
Now, now, don't go "wishy-washy" on me just because I have heart! :P
I'll also add some weathering to the SOC version later tonight. Any more comment replies will have to wait until I get home.
Also, I want to modify the CG model or whatever I need to change to add a place where the user can add their Squadron logo on the sides of the ship. Has this been done before? What do I need to do?
Thanks again all!
Jadehawk
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That could take a little work. Reconverting models is no simple task, sadly, and neither is converting insignia.
Still, with the work you're doing, it's definitely worth it. :D
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SOC Version shouldn't have much weathering, IMO. Make it nice and shiny.
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Ok Finally back online. :) These have service markings applied and also some new medium darkened panels. The SOC version got new Reactor and Buzzard Glow panels
Here's the latest Purdy stuff:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel26.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/SOCEzechiel2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/SOCEzechiel3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/SOCEzechiel4a.jpg)
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Very pretty. Looks like a big step up!
What mod is the Ezechiel from again? INF?
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INFSCP uses it, but not INFR1.
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Gotcha.
Love the little warning label under the cockpit. For some reason I notice that stuff in combat a lot, little flashes of detail.
You should put more touches like that on there! (Also, I really appreciated your attention to detail with the thrust-vectoring ceramic flap stuff earlier.)
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Thanks again :)
That warning label is the Emergency ejection placard and in this case, is the actual panel that is pushed in to reveal the Red cable ring that when pulled, twisted to the Right 90 degrees and will fire the canopy off Five seconds later.
If any of you modders can take a look at the Il2 Flight sim, there is a feature where you can add Pin-ups to the side of your airplane for the American versions. I was hoping that we could have something like that for adding Squadron badges of our own. I realize this could very well be wishful thinking. But as least I did think about it. ;)
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The 01 plate on the side should probably have been a squadron logo. :doubt: I don't think the model is set up correctly for that to work though.
The FS engine definitely supports squadlogos though.
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Your right! I completely forgot about that! I turned if off as it was bugging me while working on it. Maybe I can play with it and see what happens.
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Nope. There's a bug on the Left side of the ship where that 01 goes. I think the texture for it is not on the surface of the CG model. But partly embedded as sich as part of the number does not show.
But I did go back and made this. Just added a layer to the texture. Note, this is not gonna be part of the SOC texture (So far) when I release it as it's just to check and see if it's workable.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/SOCEzechiel6.jpg)
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Making squadron insignia is easy. I've been adding them to several craft so far without a hitch.
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Could you edit the POF and forward it to Jadehawk, then?
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you know, it would be pretty easy to throw some of the older layers of this texture into a heightmap and generate a very good normal map from it.
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Could you edit the POF and forward it to Jadehawk, then?
I can add insignias whenever you want. It's easy. Heck, I imported the Media VP Perseus and added insignias to it. IT's easy:
What you do is import the model in Ts.
Get rid of EVERYTHING except the main mesh body + light.
Than create two(or more) planes, UV map them, texture them with some insignia (doesn't matter which..as long as it's a texture that lets you see where the top and bottom of the insignia go). Move them around till they hover just a tad above the hull surface where you want the insignia to be, scale them. Union them into a single object. Attach it to a light and name it InsigLOD00.
Save that object as Shipname_Insig.obj
Use PCS1 to convert it, save the model as shipname_Insig.pof
Use PCS1 to open the original ship .pof, go to insignia, hit import and select the insignia.pof. Save and you're done.
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PCS1? :doubt:
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Yup... PCS2 (at least the verison I use) can't import insignia or generate them from a InsgLOD00 object
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Hey all,
I have completed the GTF and SOC Ezechiel textures. I will post the final versions after I grab something to bite. Stay tuned. :)
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Are they normal mapped? ;7
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Normal mapped? I'm gonna say yes unless you say otherwise. Where can I put these files? There are four texture files per ship. Only the cockpit and 01 numbered texture I did not mess with. I turned off the 01 texture by adding a - in front of the file.
I added the lights on the wing tips and top fins as well as under the nose. I also added the missing "light" for the glow beams for the wings and engine pod sides.
I dunno if these are acceptable or not in their current configuration as I first made a .bmp file from the layered template. Then ran that through BRIGHT and then saved the end result as a .pcx file.
Anyway, here they are in their final configuration.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel27.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/SOCEzechiel7.jpg)
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Insignias can be handled through texture replacement anyway (i.e. changing the 01 texture to something else in FRED).
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Yup, tried that and well it worked on one side as I explained yesterday. The other side was not so good.
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Odd, since the 01 shows up just fine on both sides...
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[whine]But I really wanted Artemis colors...[/whine]
And FYI, Jadehawk, PCX textures are no longer used. If you have some way of converting them to DDS, they would use less video memory and have better color fidelity. Coders would thank you. :)
By 'four texture files per ship' I'm assuming you mean diffuse, shine, glow and normal? Because your screenshots aren't showing it...
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I'm done with these two...not the others ;)
I'll need to find out how to save them as a .dds file and the files I have are just the basic .pcx normal file. No shine, no glow file and diffuse. I'll need to figure out how to do them.
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Insignias can be handled through texture replacement anyway (i.e. changing the 01 texture to something else in FRED).
That's a crappy work around, since the game won't recognize them as REAL insignias.
Just put the thing for download somewhere (try MediaFire) and I'll add real insignias to it in 5 minutes.
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I'm done with these two...not the others ;)
I'll need to find out how to save them as a .dds file and the files I have are just the basic .pcx normal file. No shine, no glow file and diffuse. I'll need to figure out how to do them.
If you have a NVidia graphics card, then the NVidia plugin for photoshop gives you options to save as .dds. For the normal Diffuse map save as DTX1.
Normal map requires a bit more work and someone else can do it for you. Glow and shine are easy to do.
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If you have a NVidia graphics card, then the NVidia plugin for photoshop gives you options to save as .dds. For the normal Diffuse map save as DTX1.
Normal map requires a bit more work and someone else can do it for you. Glow and shine are easy to do.
[/quote]
Nope, I have a ATI Radeon X1800XL Crossfire card. I'll try and see if ATI has anything like that? I also use Paint Shop Pro 9 and X2.
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Nope, I have a ATI Radeon X1800XL Crossfire card. I'll try and see if ATI has anything like that? I also use Paint Shop Pro 9 and X2.
You don't need a special plug in for the ddx thing from a graphics card. I got a regular card and just got some plugin for photoshop. Search around on google and see if there's something for PSP.
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ok Will do and thanks for the suggestion! :)
Here is another example per request.
The Death Head Ezechiel! ;7 I hope Galemp likes this one!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/DHEzechiel1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/DHEzechiel2.jpg)
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Woot! IMHO look much nicer than the blue and black.
But then I just really like that teal.
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EPIC WIN
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Hehehe glad you like!
Now, I got the plugin for the DDS file format and I'm ready to save it under that. HOWEVER! When I went to save as, I get this new save panel with LOTS of Saving options for the DDS format. I need to know exactly what selections I'm suposed to use for saving the DDS files for use here.
This image shows what it's currently set at. is this correct? What do I need to change?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/NVIDIADDSsaveformatselection.jpg)
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I also notice when viewing the model from the external view several things. The Left wing light does not work and the lower rear Right side thruster glow does not work either.
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I use DTX1 (no alpha) for diffuse map. Generate mip maps on. Preview options don't matter.
Once you're done upload the .POF somewhere and I'll add insignias to it.
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OK thanks for that! I'll get back to ya.
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OK! I'm proud to show you the first screenies of all three schemes for the GTF Ezechiel and SOC Ezechiel that were made as a .DDS file. I have noticed a marked improvement when converting it to a .DDS file. :)
I want you all to choose the one for the SOC Ezechiel ( I already know which one Galemp wants!) But as well as we all know, the SOC version can only hold one scheme unless there is a way to have each ship have a different one? I'm not aware of that, but it would be a very nice Mod to have where each ship is different in such as markings and so. (Think Pin-ups and kill markings) If there is in fact a way, I could create a whole squadron or even an entire wing. But that's another story! :P
But anyhow, here they are. :)
Standard GTVA GTF Ezechiel...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel28.jpg)
Teal SOC Ezechiel...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/SOCEzechiel8.jpg)
Or this Black SOC Ezechiel?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/SOCEzechiel9.jpg)
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Suppose you use a different color on the blue on black for the SOC scheme in place of the green?
That is my favorite one.
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So your saying to ditch the Black with Blue stripe one in favor of the Teal and White stripe one correct?
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Inlcude both in a rar. Then we can use whichever one we want.
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Err ... I don't really like the green parts on the dark versions. Could you change it to some other color?
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Hmmm...perhaps red would look good?
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It's late, but I'll post some Red, Yellow and Mauve Reactor and Buzzard Glows. And maybe a Hot pink one just to piss you guys off!! Hahaha! No offence fellas ;) Honestly I don't mind the changes. :yes:
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Yellow :yes:
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ok off to bed....but here's the Pinky one ;) Yellow is next on Friday after work.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/SOCEzechiel10.jpg)
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Err ... I don't really like the green parts on the dark versions. Could you change it to some other color?
This is what I'm saying, the green on the blue-on-black looks iffy, a different color might be better.
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ok Gotcha and thanks for the clarification :)
Here is the final look for the GTF Ezechiel and also here is the Yellow version for the SOC Ezechiel.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel30.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/SOCEzechiel11.jpg)
Off to work! See you guys later this afternoon! :)
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Don't complicate thing. It's a simple texture. It's easy to change the hue of one color in Photoshop. Whoever wants their own Ezechiel colour can do so with 3-4 clicks in Photoshop.
the black version with blue stripes and green glow is perfect as it is.
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You need to post the templates anyway so shine/glow/normal maps can be made.
Unless you'd care to learn how to do them yourself?
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Hey Guys :)
On my lunch break and hope all is good for your Friday.
I always intended to keep the Black one regardless who, what and how feels about it. :) Just the Teal one is what I wanted to get right.
I want to learn how to make the Shine and glow maps as well as the normal one? I thought what I have done so far is the normal map? Anyway, I need to learn how to do all this if I'm gonna be helping out the TotT campaign.
However, once I find a place to upload my files, I'll let a couple of you give it a whirl.
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Mediafire and rapdshare are good for uploading files temporaraly. Permament, final release should be on FreeSpaceMods though.
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Jadehawk:
What you've been painting is the Diffuse Map. This is the basic texture that gives color to the mesh. There are other maps that get layered on in the game for different effects.
Shine maps affect the specular level and color of the texture. Here are the Harbinger maps for reference:
WEP-HARB.DDS
(http://pjfoliver.googlepages.com/harbdiffuse.jpg)
WEP-HARB-SHINE.DDS
(http://pjfoliver.googlepages.com/harbshine.jpg)
The end result looks like this. Notice how the grain of the texture is enhanced.
(http://pjfoliver.googlepages.com/harbtech.jpg)
You should add an alpha channel to your shine map to affect the level of Environment mapping. Everything opaque will have a mirror finish on it, good for cockpits and other chromed parts like those guns.
Glow maps are always rendered at full brightness regardless of the rest of the lighting. They are commonly used for lights, windows and the red Shivan glows. Here you can see the glowmaps active on the Hatshepsut.
(http://h1.ripway.com/Canadian/screen0020.jpg)
Normal maps are (usually) generated from bump maps. Let me quote Herra:
The elevation map itself must be in shades of gray for the normal map plugin to work correctly as far as I know. So you will need to, at some point, de-saturate the colours in their own layers and then brighten or darken them according to their elevation (deeper = darker, higher = brighter).
Example might be in order before I confuse people more... :nervous: This is of the workflow of the GTB Rhea normal mapping I did a few times ago... Of course, these are resized versions - the original work was done in 4096^2 resolution and the final normal map was 1024^2, but for everyone's sanity I'm using resized versions - they work just as well for showing what's going on.
Base diffuse map:
(http://i38.tinypic.com/5mdawh.png)
Stuff I want to have in the normal map. Blue is to mark seamlines, recesses and stuff like that, red is to mark stuff that extrudes upwards from the surroundings. The details are drawn on about five different layers instead of a single layer for ease of seeing what I'm doing (same reason as using bright colours that stand out from the base).
(http://i34.tinypic.com/34fxkk7.png)
Same with a neutral gray background.
(http://i37.tinypic.com/2v16agg.png)
Greyscale version of the elevation map - red has become bright (elevated areas) and blue dark (recessed areas)
(http://i35.tinypic.com/bhftk3.png)
Finally, a normal map generated from the elevation map.
(http://i35.tinypic.com/2zzuesn.png)
EDIT: The end result looks like this (click for full size):
(http://i31.tinypic.com/9tn3ix.png)
To get the final normal map to actually work in FS2_Open shader system, read this thread here (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,55854.0.html).
Also remember that this is just my preferred method of working with normal maps. Other most likely have their own methods of making them...
So in the end you would have TEXTURENAME, TEXTURENAME-shine, TEXTURENAME-glow, and TEXTURENAME-normal for each texture your fighter uses.
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If only I could get my FreeSpace to look this sexy.
Since when has there been a high-poly Harbinger?
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Whoa! Great post there Galemp! After reading all that, you can bet I wish to do this stuff big time. OK So I created a Defuse map, good! Now just need to get my grubby hands working out the other stuff! I got the whole weekend to do this and I do hope I get something worth while completed!
I also want to take this time to thanks each and everyone of you for stepping up to bat and give me some help on this journey! Honestly you guys ROCK! :yes:
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Houston, we have a problem!
I found a gap in the CG model...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/Houstonwehaveaproblem.jpg)
Anyone wanna fix that?
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easy...export to TS, select add face, click, export back.
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I also want to take this time to thanks each and everyone of you for stepping up to bat and give me some help on this journey! Honestly you guys ROCK! :yes:
We reward and encourage hard work with excellent results like yours. As you've already noticed your talents are quite in demand. :)
As for that gap... TrashMan, why don't you fix it the same time you add the insignia?
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OK I got my Red and Blue layers. When I went to convert it to Grey scale using the Grey scale feature in Paint Shop Pro, my Red turns the same color as the background. I was able to change the Red to Yellow and that worked of I use the Emboss. But how do you get that normal map in Mauve color with them reds and blues?
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Ah, that's a special Photoshop plugin. You can get the same effect using Crazybump. (http://www.crazybump.com/) When it asks, tell it to load the Heightmap and pick your grayscale drawing. I want to emphasize that you need to feed Crazybump just the grayscale line drawings, it shouldn't be embossed at all. When you're done save it as a DDS with DXT5n compression.
If you're having trouble converting the red and the blue to dark and light gray, just go to your layer's saturation and lightness controls to desaturate then lighten/darken the layer.
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OK, I got a Normal map file that I ran through that Crazybump thingy. It's currentrly a .jpeg file, I believe I need to save this as a DXT5 dds file. Once I do that, what do I do with it? Save it in the Maps folder as EzeC01_NRM?
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EzeC01_NRM?
ezec01-normal.dds :)
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I also want to take this time to thanks each and everyone of you for stepping up to bat and give me some help on this journey! Honestly you guys ROCK! :yes:
We reward and encourage hard work with excellent results like yours. As you've already noticed your talents are quite in demand. :)
As for that gap... TrashMan, why don't you fix it the same time you add the insignia?
No problem. As soon as he makes the files avialable.
HOWEVER, given that that gap is in a sensitive place, it's best to deal with that BEFORE exporting it to pof. It can be done later, but that face will require UV mapping once fixed.
So Jade, send the 3ds or .cob file over so I can fix that gap for you. Or you can fix it yourself.
Assuming you don't re-scale the Ezechiel, I can make insignias for it now (I don't need any file from you to do that).
Then I can supply you with the ezechiel_Insig.pof file, and all you have to do, once you finish making the fighter and export it .pof, is to open your new .pof with PCS1 and import the insignia from my .pof and save.
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Crap! I cant get the normal map to show up in the POF editor and even in Fred is wont show up. After I ran it through Crazybump and saved it as a .tga file, I opened it up in Paint Shop Pro and then saved it as a .dds file making sure I selected the DXT5, Generated MIP maps and Cubic filter. Then saved it as EzeC01-normal.dds and when I placed it into the Maps folder, I get nothing.
I'm about to stick my head into a metal box and scream LOUD! :hopping:
I pulled up other normal maps in my collection and mine is the only one that has MIP maps. But other than that, they are the same. I'm starting to think the Ezechiel.pof file is just not setup to take a normal and shine maps? I'm totally clueless here. HELP!
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Be worried only if it doesn't show up in-game (techroom).
Make sure that you have normal maps turned on too.
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Did you save it as a DXT5_NM format? When you open it up for viewing you should see it as a green or gray map, with more information in the alpha channel. It shouldn't look like the more common mostly blue normal maps do in other games.
Currently the only thing that can view these normal maps is FS itself. Open the game and in the mainhall press F3 to go into the ship lab. On the top left corner, expand on the 'ships' button and find your model. Select the LOD/detail level you want and it should appear like a giant tech room image that you can rotate and zoom in on. Also up the top you'll find render options where you can stop the rotation and turn various aspects of the maps on and off.
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Guys, thanks for the help, I saved it as a DXT5, not sure what you mean by a DXT5_NM? the Nvidia plugin I got only has the DXT5 selection as shown in that one screen shot of the panel earlier. I'll try the stand alone version and see if I can get it to work that way.
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Wait, how did you make the normal map? With Crazybump from a heighmap?
If so send THAT file over to me (preferably a .tga) and I'll convert it to DTX5_NM
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Wait, how did you make the normal map? With Crazybump from a heighmap?
If so send THAT file over to me (preferably a .tga) and I'll convert it to DTX5_NM
Yup, I did. OK Will send asap :)
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Weird...I just positioned and added insignia to the normal Ezechiel, saved the object and wanted to export with PCS1. Stock overflow.
I replace the ezechiel mesh with a BOX. So the object is a box with the insignia subobject (two planes, bot far away from the box). Again stack overflow. Too many polygons in the same average location.. Eh? EEEEEHHHHH?? The thing has 20 polygons total! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Oh wow! Spooky stuff and it's getting close to Halloween. ;)
Sent you the .tga file and will also send you another email to show my normal map I made so you can see where I'm at.
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Erm..slight mistake.
You sent me the heightmap.
You were supposed to send me the normal map (tga format) CrazyBump generates from the heightmap.
Then I'll convert that normalmap into a .dds DTX5_NM normal map.
At least that's the way I've been doing it and it works.
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(slaps skull) DUH me, hang on.
SENT!
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converted and sent back. Try it out.
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Got it and tried it out. I still do not see anything. If you see it on your system, then I'm thinking I do not have normal maps turned on. If so, then where do you turn it on at? I need to make sure it's on before I yell in that metal box! ;)
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Shows up by me.
In the Launcher, under Features - enable normal maps.
then in the F3 techroom, under render options - if you have trouble seeing it you can turn off the diffuse map. But it's there.
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Here's the insignia for the Ezechiel, ready for PCS1 importing.
You don't need that green faces with 01 anymore. You can just delete them.
[attachment deleted by Tolwyn]
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Humm, I checked the launcher and there is nothing to turn on Normal maps in the feature section. I believe my launcher is out of date!
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maybe your .exe too... do check.
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Here's the insignia for the Ezechiel, ready for PCS1 importing.
You don't need that green faces with 01 anymore. You can just delete them.
Thanks for that! Now I need to update my launcher.
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Launcher is 5.5c as in the current open Installer that's available. Is there an updated one?
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I have 5.5a and I have normal maps as an option.
That option should be at the bottom of the Graphics features list.
EDIT - there is a 5d version AFIK, but you don't need it for normal maps.
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You need 3.6.10 for normal maps.
Launcher version shouldn't matter.
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Yup, your right about that. I had the 3.6.9 and just updated the launcher, the new 3.6.10's as well. Should I remove the 3.6.9 exe files from the Freespace2 folder and leave the 3.6.10?
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You can, but you can also leave them.
They won't interfere with eachother, since you choose which exe to use in the launcher anyway.
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ok 10-4 :) Still working on getting the game launched.
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Got the 3.6.10 Beta working finally. Went into Freespace2 and still did not see the normal map rendering. Back to checking out my settings. Will post when I get the dam thing working.
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You also need the shader VP... and a video card that supports them
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I got a ATI X1800XL 256mb DDR3 PCI Express Crossfire card. Will look into the Shader.vp.
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ok got the shader.vp and yes my card supports Shader Model 3.0. I even updated the ATI drivers too. I'm going NUTS trying to find out why I cant see the normals for the Ezechiel. :doubt:
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If my old x1300 could you -have- to be able to
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ok got the shader.vp and yes my card supports Shader Model 3.0. I even updated the ATI drivers too. I'm going NUTS trying to find out why I cant see the normals for the Ezechiel. :doubt:
Make sure you have -normal enabled in the launcher. Also check if normals maps appear on other ships.
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Maybe the shading and lighting doesn't bring out the normal map (if it's not intensive enough). Try turning the diffuse map OFF under Render Options in the F3 tech room. The normal map is pretty visible then.
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Yeah I tried that and I still cant see it. Just a smooth POF model.
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First let's make sure normals are working, then we'll handle the Ezechiel.
Are they working on other ships?
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Funny thing is, I can see the other models with their normal maps. So it must be something else. The fact you can see it in yours and I can't makes me think so. I placed the normal map with the diffuse map in the same MAP folder so I dunno what's going on. :eek2:
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Well, firstly, it's maps, not MAP. Secondly, are you sure it is named correctly (it should be ezec01-normal.dds, though capitalization doesn't matter)?
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yup, it's named exactly as you said :) Right again it's MAPS! :) besides, it's the normal that Trashman made. I just plopped it down in my MAPS folder.
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Your media VPs and the shader VP (sdr1119.vp) should be in: \Freespace2\mediavps\
Then you set the FS launcher to use that folder as the mod directory: Mod tab -> Select Mod -> mediaVPs folder -> apply.
If that's all in place, the Ezechiel model (.pof) goes in \Freespace2\mediavps\data\models\
the DDS maps go in \Freespace2\mediavps\data\maps\
^ie, make sure that the maps and models folders are subfolders of 'data'. I screwed this up once and it took me ages to realise. ;)
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OK, I have a Data folder in freespace2\ that contains both the MAPS and models folders.
I also have a data folder in both with the exact same folders I copied into medisvps and MediaVP. The MediaVP folder was asked to be created in 3.6.10 update per the readme file. Now I got three separate Data folders with the same content in them. I got a feeling this is not supposed to be this way. Am I right? The Freespace2 launches fine, just when I click the game launcher for 3.6.10 I get this: unrecognized command line parameter -2d_poof, continue?
Other than that, it loads up fine and plays good too. I see the other normals for the models that do have them, just not for this one.
I'm just about ready to move onto making shine maps! :lol:
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You'd more than likely have exactly the same problems with shine maps not showing up as the normal maps.
I don't think you're following our instructions quite right though. :p
You should have just the one "mediavps" folder - not "medisvps" or "MediaVP" so get rid of them.
-> In that folder you should have the "MV_*********.vp files, along with the "sdr1119.vp" file.
-> Also in this folder you should have a "data" folder, and in that you should have your "maps" and "models" folders that contain your textures and the model respectively.
Also get rid of any textures and models you may have placed in \Freespace2\data\maps and \Freespace2\data\models, because these will override all your other ones.
Select the "mediavps" folder as your active mod in the FS launcher as I previously described, and that should be it.
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Well, wherever you put the original texture, the diffuse one, that is where you should put the normal map and the rest of the maps. If the diffuse texture is working, then there is no reason why a properly named normal map in the same location shouldn't be.
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I got it where there is only one folder for data now and the game starts with it. But still no normals for the Ezechiel! Now I lost voice scripting which is a no biggie to me. I'll fix that later.
I'm at loss to figure out what is wrong here with this just one fighter. It's missing a red glow light, a missing lower Right thruster glow light as well as the gap in the CG model. I'm getting paranoid about anything causing this not to work as to put salt in the wound, I can see all the other models that do have normals, shines and glows in the game working just fine. Because of that, I do not think it's my setup, but something with the model that is just not working right. Maybe one of you savvy types can take apart the model, check it and even fix the gap, Red light and missing thruster light.
If not, I'll move on and try another fighter that needs updating. But I also have my commitments to TotT first.
I can send the files in a zip for anyone who wants to sort out this themselves before I go nuts and become a Loony bunny! :P
Again, I cant stress how much I truly appreciate you guys helping me out and I'm very sure you will much more too in the future!
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Quick Question...Does it really matter where I keep my MAPS and Model folders at? Must it truly be in the mediavps folder? I had them files in the Freespace2\Data folder before I installed 3.6.10.
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Quick Question...Does it really matter where I keep my MAPS and Model folders at? Must it truly be in the mediavps folder? I had them files in the Freespace2\Data folder before I installed 3.6.10.
That should be fine.
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The model just says 'I use this texture!' and the game says 'Ok, I'll load that texture, now check for a glowmap, yes load that to, now check for a shinemap, yes load that too, now check for a normal map, yes load that too'. You can't screw something up in the model that will prevent normal maps from showing up because they're totally separate.
I am pretty certain you've just not got your folders set up correctly, meaning FS just isn't finding the map.
Well - the other alternative is that the normal map is in the wrong format. Can you zip it up and attach it to a post here?
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Sent you email since I cant post files up yet.
:D
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Well the normal map is in the correct format, so it'll just be a matter of your file locations.
This is what it should be:
\Freespace2\
|
|-data\ (leave alone)
|
|-mediavps\
| |
| |-data\
| | |
| | |-maps\
| | | |
| | | |-ezec01.dds
| | | |-ezec01-normal.dds
| | |
| | |-models\
| | |
| | |-ezechiel.pof (or whatever it's called)
| |
| |-MV_Core.vp
| |-MV_Assets.vp
| |-MV_AdvEffects.vp
| |-MV_Effects.vp
| |-MV_music.vp
| |-sdr1119.vp
|
|-<any other mods you've installed>
|-<a few other folders like Installer, mindspring, screenshots, and a few other files like your main FS2 VP files EXEs and other doodads>
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You didn't change the Ezechiel model OR the UV mapping, right? You just re-did the texture.
If so, I can fix the gap in 5 minutes.
If not, and you did make UV mapping changes, you need to send the the model so I can fix the gap.
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You didn't change the Ezechiel model OR the UV mapping, right? You just re-did the texture.
If so, I can fix the gap in 5 minutes.
If not, and you did make UV mapping changes, you need to send the the model so I can fix the gap.
All I did was make the texture. No changes what so ever to the model as I don't know how too...yet! :) Maybe you can fix the Read Right lower thruster as well? It's missing the glow ball or light when you view it in the game.
Currently I'm doing a fresh download installation of the game on my system to see if that helps any.
I did EXACTLY as VG explained above and for some possessive paranoid reason, it's not working on my older install. Hence the new install but I still have the older one to make comparisons with.
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Maybe you got a bad copy? Already looked like an SOC type ship to me. :)
Looks fine thruster wise from my angle.
[attachment deleted by Tolwyn]
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I've checked the one from the download in FSMods.
It is indeed missing a thruster glow. (actually, it's there, but its radius is set to 0 so its invisible).
Very easy fix.
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I've checked the one from the download in FSMods.
It is indeed missing a thruster glow. (actually, it's there, but its radius is set to 0 so its invisible).
Very easy fix.
Wow! thanks for confirming that! :yes:
I was thinking I was going nuts as I know mine did not have it as it came from the downloads at FSMods web site. Now that someone else confirmed that, I wonder if there is anything else wrong with it that could prevent me from displaying on my system the normals and shine files?
Anyone of you who has the Exechiel file with the complete maps and .pofs that did NOT come from FSMods I would like a copy just to see if there may or may not show up different than what I already got.
I downloaded yesterday a new copy of the game in a different directory and tried that. Game works good accept I cannot play any missions I made evne though I got the mission files in the correct folder. ( F:FreeSpace2\data\missions ) I even tried placing them into: f:FreeSpace\mediavps\data\missions and still no go.
My older setup is: f:games\FreeSpace\ and I hope it does not cause any problems. yes I do have seperate Icons for launching each different setup.
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I downloaded yesterday a new copy of the game in a different directory and tried that. Game works good accept I cannot play any missions I made evne though I got the mission files in the correct folder. ( F:FreeSpace2\data\missions ) I even tried placing them into: f:FreeSpace\mediavps\data\missions and still no go.
:wtf: That's just wierd...
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Are you launching the executable found in f:/Freespace? If you have another one somewhere ELSE and you're running THAT, then of course it won't be finding the new files...
And it needs to be repeated: there is NOTHING that can be done to the model to mess up the normal maps. The model specifies only ONE texture; the game associates the normal, shine, and glow maps with that texture all by itself.
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I can see the normal map clearly..but honestly, it needs work.
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My copy is the original from the old OTT download (the whole mod).
Did you want me to zip the Ezechiel files up? (I made the crude glow shine maps you see in the pic)
I just replaced a Herc II pof entry in the extracted table with Ezechiel.pof for TESTING only...
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Are you launching the executable found in f:/Freespace? If you have another one somewhere ELSE and you're running THAT, then of course it won't be finding the new files...
And it needs to be repeated: there is NOTHING that can be done to the model to mess up the normal maps. The model specifies only ONE texture; the game associates the normal, shine, and glow maps with that texture all by itself.
I believe you 100% :) I'm just bumb founded why I can see the other normals such as the Falcon. I can see it just fine as well as the others. But the Ezechiel is the only one that's causing me trouble. Also, the fact others have seen my normal (which I know needs work) just frustrates me even more. I'm not giving up, just gonna try some voodoo magic....err well try removing all the ezechiel files and reinstall them.
As for the missions...your gonna love this! I was looking at the CAMPAGINS selection...NOT THE SINGLE MISSIONS in the tech room! I'm such a Klutz at the moment! :hopping:
My copy is the original from the old OTT download (the whole mod).
Did you want me to zip the Ezechiel files up? (I made the crude glow shine maps you see in the pic)
I just replaced a Herc II pof entry in the extracted table with Ezechiel.pof for TESTING only...
Sure thing dude! Much appreciated! :yes:
Send to [email protected]
I can see the normal map clearly..but honestly, it needs work.
Thanks for the reminder. :) Once I get to see it I'm, gonna work on this in earnest. :)
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Woohoo!!! I got it fixed!! I finally get to see the normals. :)
My problem was the .exe I had was the standard 3/6/10 build. I just got the nightly build and it has what I was missing all along. I did NOT have the feature to turn on the normals until I get the nightly download for the nightly builds.
Thank my lucky stars I can now get moving to refine the normal for this!
Thanks fellas for putting up with all this and helping me out. :) I promise when I get done, this Ezechiel will be worth it.
Woohoo! :P
Edti: dam that normal is inside out! :eek: oops.
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I'm just bumb founded why I can see the other normals such as the Falcon. I can see it just fine as well as the others. But the Ezechiel is the only one that's causing me trouble.
:wtf:
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That may or may not have had the possibility of possibly being a hallucination?
Sometimes, shine maps can give the illusion of normal mapping.
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Update:
Good things is, got a new normal and looks better now. :) bad things is, I cant play any missions now. I can see the models in the F3 tech room just fine. But when I go to play a mission in the mission folder, it loads up fine. Click on Ship selection works fine. Select Weapons selection and/or select to start the mission and my game crashes. Does not matter what trunk build I use that has the normal switch feature. Yes I understand this is a Beta and will be buggy. I even went back to my video card setting panel and checked to make sure things were ok.
I'm gonna post this in the other forum for some help.
stay tuned! :p
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Try running the debug build and seeing if it complains about the ship?
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Could be the mission. Make a new test mission.
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Could be the mission. Make a new test mission.
I'm at work on my lunch break. When I read Trashman's reply here and when I ran the debug this morning before work, the debug was giving me all kinds of weapon errors. Then is dawned on me it was my weapons selection for the missions! Correct?
I made them missions when I had the older FreeSpace setup and just copied them into the new setup. I now believe I need to go into FRED2 and reset the weapon selections then is should work OK. We'll see when I get home. :)
Thanks again fellas :)
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I'm happy to show you an update that I think you all will be happy to see. :)
I think I got the normals for both the GTF and SOC versions correct now. Note, no shine or glow maps yet. Just the latest build of the 3.6.10 which I again re-downloaded the game and I think this time its a much better installation. Still problems, but one thing at a time now.
Please note the SOC version I lightened up in Paint Shop Pro so you can see this in the screen shot. In the actual game, it's visible and quite nice to look at. Just it's not good for taking screen shots of.
Without further adieu:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel31.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/SOCEzechiel12.jpg)
Whaddia think? :D
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:yes:
Me likes ;7
Though I still don't think it looks good with the top half of the guns being light and the bottom half being dark...
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I can change that ;7 and I think I will soon.
I have one nagging problem with the Ezechiel .pof models I tracked down the ghost revenants campaign and extracted both the Ezechiel.pof and the ezechielx.pof and both have problems that I cannot fix as I do not know how too.
On the Ezechiel, this one has all the glows for the thrusters, but does not have blinking red, green and blue lights. The ezechielx.pof has all the lights, but is missing the lower right rear thruster glow.
Can someone fix these two so I can finally have a good sound .pof files to work from?
The person who does I'll give them a copy of both textures and the normals when I get the working pof files. :D
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Is that a skull? It doesn't fit well with the name Ezechiel... ;)
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Hehehee... Just consider it as a revelation from umm...well "Holy Hell" :D
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I really like how this is going so far. :) :yes: It's one of my favourite custom made ships. Nice work Jadehawk.
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Very nice!
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Thank you fellas :)
Update: I created the shine and Glow maps. I'm not too hot about the Shine map being applied to this as it makes it look like it got Slimed by the Ghost from The Ghost Busters! :lol: I have included both with and without the Shine map here.
I also created the first version of the SOC Ezechiel and there will be two versions. One Black and one Teal. Black one is shown here as I made it a Desktop image.
I hope someone can fix the GTF Ezechiel and SOC Ezechiel .pof models so I can complete these as well. :yes:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/SOCEzechiel15.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel32.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel33.jpg)
I also hope that someone can fix the models as explained previously so I can complete this project too. :P
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You can use the alpha channel of the shiemap to reduce the amount of environmental reflections that show up :)
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uh OK I believe you... just I never have done anything about changing Alpha channels? Is there a tutorial step-by-step on how to? I"m just clueless here. :eek2:
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Do you use Photoshop?
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I for once don't use enviromental maps at all. Too much eye candy is not good for you.
Have you applied the insignias I made? No.
Fixing the .pof? You mean that missing face. Hold on, I'll look into it tomorrow.
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I use Paint shop Pro 9 and X2
As for the Insignias, no I have not yet. I will soon as I wanted to get these parts done first. :)
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I for once don't use enviromental maps at all. Too much eye candy is not good for you.
:wtf: You don't use shinemaps at all. My guess is that you saw the amount of excessive environmental mapping that occured in its early days, but now that you can use an alpha channel, you should really start using them. In a lot of shinemaps, the alpha channel is almost black, except for in very shiny areas. And shinemapping really does add something to ships :)
I use Paint shop Pro 9 and X2
Not sure how the alpha would be manipulated then...
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I'll experiment some as I got some ideas. Thanks for the help :)
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Well I was able to figure out what to do about controlling the shine. Here is the SOC Black version with the shine layer added.
Also, the GTF Ezechiel with the new shine map too. :) Up next is the Teal version and I bet Galemp is waiting for that one! ;7
Comments?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel36.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/SOCEzechiel18.jpg)
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Honestly, I preferred the SOC version matte.
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Could probably use a lot less environmental mapping. In most cases, the alpha channel of a shinemap should be almost black, except in really shiny places like glass and chrome.
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All very good and Interesting points fellas. :) Since this is the first time me playing with the shine, glows etc. it's a learning experience and well worth the input from each and all. :yes:
I'm still messing with the Alpha channel for the shine in Paint Shop Pro and we'll see what I come up with. :)
Here's the Teal version anyway.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/SOCEzechielGreen3.jpg)
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I think the panel lines on the shine/normals need to be made much darker. Right now there's not much 'depth' to it.
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Maybe this is better?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel37.jpg)
Being in the Aviation industry for over 20 years and know how real skins and panel lines are, I prefer the other one I had. But that's just my opinion and if you guys want this one or something in-between just say so.
Another thing I went ahead and figured out how to fix all the problems with the .pof models! All fixed and I even made the thruster glows bigger as I felt they were too small as is. :)
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I'd say that looks better. Some exaggeration helps in a sci-fi setting.
Also, I've been meaning to ask for a while... when posting images, can you crop them, or use the [ lvlshot ] tags instead of the [ img ] tags? It resizes them to fit the browser window. Even at a really high resolution I can't see the entirety of your renders.
They turn out like this, and automatically link to the high-res image.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel37.jpg)
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sure thing and will do, as I was not aware of such tags. :) I"m still learning all this stuff :) Thanks for the info Galemp! :yes:
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Looks way better. Not sure about that blue glowy strip on the wings tough. You already got enough glowy parts on the thing.
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Just took a closer look at the mesh.
It's a mess. Not one, but several missing faces. All very tiny on hard to spot places and that's just after a cursory glance. :blah:
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I still favor a lighter touch on the panel lines, but I also know there will always be a difference in opinion!
Well being more experienced than I at this stuff, I'll take your word for it about the missing meshes ;) I take that's on the CG model and not the texture? Anything that deals with modifying the CG model is currently out of my league at the moment. I was just dam lucky I figured out how to fix the .pof models for these and might say I was pretty happy I did! :lol:
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Well, they are small,, but one can notice them on your renders too.
Take a good look at at the "canyon" in front of the guns. You might notice a very thing dark line going from one end towards the front. It's on both sides, on both the upper and the lower guns. And there's more. It's not something one can notice easily, so no wonder no one noticed.
However, I'm pretty anal about models....
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Being anal about stuff like that is a good virtue in my eyes. Since there is nothing I can do about it, I'm not gonna worry about them. :) If someone wants to fix the problems, then I'd be grateful. But I do appreciate your bring up the issue as I really like to know about all problems associated with this Space Sim and you have done good to point out things on my journey with this Ezechiel. :yes:
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Sorry, I ran into a internal drive error...
Here's the normal Ezec with my slight texture tweaking.
Don't complain, I have no skills remember. :P
Damn limit, had to redo the message- uploading link
http://www.4shared.com/file/67569379/c46c0edf/Ezechiel.html
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Sorry, I ran into a internal drive error...
Here's the normal Ezec with my slight texture tweaking.
Don't complain, I have no skills remember. :P
Damn limit, had to redo the message- uploading link
http://www.4shared.com/file/67569379/c46c0edf/Ezechiel.html
Thanks Getter Robo G! I downloaded it and for some reason, this example had a green glass cockpit? How do you fix that? I see you added the area for the Squadron Logo and that's great! Just need to figure out the glass bopo-boo and should be all set minus what Trashman found. :)
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Like I said, I did nothing. It was the ORIGINAL mode Venom.Nico made before people started messing with it and re uploading other versions. I did a minor contrast tweak to make it darker, that's it.
When I repackaged it from the mod folder I mixed the wrong glass file.
these are the two you need.
http://www.4shared.com/file/67605665/910889e8/glass.html
http://www.4shared.com/file/67605694/6197a5b1/glass-shine.html
7zip wouldn't make a package with tga's and the file system here would not accept the format either so I had to upload them separately. Delete that old Ezecglass file and open the pof in model view, change texture to glass and hit save. then you're good again...
I just retest it and it works like in the pics I posted earlier.
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I tried that and for some reason it's still a green canopy for me. I must have done something I guess.
Anyway. here is the latest look with the new normal added.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel43.jpg
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The model needs to be reconverted anyway, is suffers from horrible smoothing errors, especially evident in the pics with shine/env mapping.
The new maps kick ass though :yes:
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Thanks for letting me know. But doing all that is currently out of my league. Your welcome to go for it however! :D
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Everyone,
I'm nearly completed with this project and just need someone who has the time to take a look at the CG model and fix the gap on the side and the other gaps on the weapons pods (thanks Trashman for pointing that out)
Also, to add in Trashmans Squadron plates to the side (I have his .pof model too for this).
Once I get the new .pof model back from you, I'll make final adjustments to the Texture, shine, normal and glow maps and upload them ASAP. I will include several different schemes like the ones you have seen in this thread, plus more you have not seen.
If anyone wishes to tackle this, post here and I'll upload the files.
Thanks to all who helped me on this journey from start to finish! :D
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I'll take a look at fixing the model. No guarantees tough...
PCS2 has been acting wonky with the Ezechiel model before, when I made the insignia. Kept spouting errors like crazy. The mesh is messed up. I'll see what can be done about it :P
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I think I fix0red it. It had more missing faces than I initially though, but it's done.
New insignias added, old insignias removed.
Try it out
[attachment deleted by Tolwyn]
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ok, checkin it out now, thanks Trashman! :yes:
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Wow, you did great fixing the model errors (that I remember and can see)! And I truly Thank you for that!
However, in the POF editor, I see the tercoc01 is showing black and the glass entry is missing in the list. Thanks for getting rid of the Numwhite01, but was your Squadron insignia entry suppose to be included?
Also, I tried to add them into the POF editor, but they don't do anything as in not associated with the glass, the cockpit, etc. I went back to the original I have and when you click on the texture glass or any of the other ones, the associated part shows in wire frame. How do I fix that?
My apologies if I sound like I'm being a pest about this Trashman.
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Trying out the window thingy I hope this works and thanks for the info about this too Galemp. :)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel48.jpg)
As you can see, another scheme for a campaign I have been wanting to do for sometime now. Since I'm busy with TotT, this campaign will sit on the back burner for awhile. ;)
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Nice, but the spectacular maps still need alpha reduction...
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Thanks for that!,
I know it's too shiny at the moment. I'm playing with the shine map making adjustments with different filters and so to see what works, what effect happens with the combinations of filters I use. So far nothing great to write about. :)
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Trying out the window thingy I hope this works and thanks for the info about this too Galemp. :)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GTFEzechiel48.jpg)
As you can see, another scheme for a campaign I have been wanting to do for sometime now. Since I'm busy with TotT, this campaign will sit on the back burner for awhile. ;)
You've done it. Pefection. :jaw:
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Uhh...not the glass-like shinyness of the metal no.
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What a difference the glowmaps make!
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Honestly, I liked it better white/teal...that's just me though.
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The white and teal is still there. I'm just making many different versions as I do believe just like today's Naval squadrons, they are not all the same. It will give the user options to choose what they wish to fly with. :)
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Uhh...not the glass-like shinyness of the metal no.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't that an extremely easy fix?
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Wow, you did great fixing the model errors (that I remember and can see)! And I truly Thank you for that!
However, in the POF editor, I see the tercoc01 is showing black and the glass entry is missing in the list. Thanks for getting rid of the Numwhite01, but was your Squadron insignia entry suppose to be included?
Also, I tried to add them into the POF editor, but they don't do anything as in not associated with the glass, the cockpit, etc. I went back to the original I have and when you click on the texture glass or any of the other ones, the associated part shows in wire frame. How do I fix that?
My apologies if I sound like I'm being a pest about this Trashman.
tercoc01 showing black? Ahouldnt's happen.
Galss entry should also be in there. I can check and re-convert, it's no problem.
As far as number01, I removed it. My squadron insignia is insluded yes. It's on the same place the old one was, only it bigger and can be better seen....and actually works.
In case you didn't know, squad logo is addded to the insignia in FRED, and doesn't normally show up.
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tercoc01 showing black? Ahouldnt's happen.
Galss entry should also be in there. I can check and re-convert, it's no problem.
As far as number01, I removed it. My squadron insignia is insluded yes. It's on the same place the old one was, only it bigger and can be better seen....and actually works.
In case you didn't know, squad logo is addded to the insignia in FRED, and doesn't normally show up.
[/quote]
Here is a screen shot of the file I downloaded from the link you provided:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/Ezechielproblem.jpg)
Thanks for letting me know about the squadron logo and how it's loaded in. :)
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Damn, you're right. It's a simple fix .... Hold on a bit.
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take your time Trashman :) It's the weekend ;)
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tercoc01 showing black? Ahouldnt's happen.
Galss entry should also be in there. I can check and re-convert, it's no problem.
As far as number01, I removed it. My squadron insignia is insluded yes. It's on the same place the old one was, only it bigger and can be better seen....and actually works.
In case you didn't know, squad logo is addded to the insignia in FRED, and doesn't normally show up.
Here is a screen shot of the file I downloaded from the link you provided:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/Ezechielproblem.jpg)
Thanks for letting me know about the squadron logo and how it's loaded in. :)
[/quote]
You sure have a bad habit of breaking things (refering to the b0rqu3d quote as well as the p0rb3lm)
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He didn't break anything.
1) the model was b0rked to begin with
2) I made a mistake when I was fixing it
Here's the re-converted .pof
Problems with the missing glass texture and cockpit are fixed.
[attachment deleted by Tolwyn]
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Thanks a million Trashman, that worked!! Now I'll complete the project and upload the files soon and post here when it's good and ready.
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You're re-texture looks great.
The only thing I can think off that could use improvement is the normal map.
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Thanks Trashman, Since I do not possess ESP, in your opinion, what would you suggest I do to the normal map? Deepen the lines? Lighten them up? I prefer the normal line lighter as stated previously. These you see now are deeper as a result.
Thanks for your help and your input too! :)
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The trick to a good normal map is to first make a good heightmap.
If you use CrazyBump, then playing with the setting can make a very big difference in how the normal map turns out.
some lines could be a bit deeper, and the "holes" and thicker lines on the wings are barely noticable.
Don't worry too much about that. Just upload your modification. Someone can easily tweak the normal map later.
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True and I see what you mean. Granted, the normal I used is just shows the black and white for height and recess. I should mess with different light and dark greys to get the differences in the height and recess I was really looking for. Thanks for reminding me that. :)
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Here is the first zip file that contains everything you need for the GTF Ezechiel. This version is the standard white and teal striped.
I fixed the location of the guns and missiles to line up with the texture and also made the thruster glow sphere larger and lined up as well.
Please report back here any problems with the files. Note, I still cannot get my FreeSpace2 working with the normals, shines and glows in the mission environment yet but in the Tech view (F3) I can. This is file 1 of 3 I'll release. :) others will be 2 SOC versions (Black and Teal) and maybe I'll release a Burgundy colored version for the GTF variant.
Note also the table info for the GTF and SOC versions will not be the same.
File linky here:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/m3hahobmkkz/GTF_Ezechiel.zip
Erm..here is the updated ship table info. Seems I missed the afterburner info somehow.
$Name: GTF Ezechiel
$Short name: TFight
$Species: Terran
+Type: XSTR("Fleet Defense and Multi-Role Assault Fighter", 2939)
+Maneuverability: XSTR("Good", 2940)
+Armor: XSTR("Heavy", 2941)
+Manufacturer: XSTR("Triton Dynamics", 2942)
+Description: XSTR( " ", 2943)
$end_multi_text
+Tech Description:
XSTR("After the fiasco with the block 2 Erinyes the engineers at Triton Dynamics went hard to work in an effort to reclaim their lost prestige. They went back to the successful block 1 Erinyes configuration and used that as a basis. After many months and lots of refinement, the result was the Ezechiel. A more compact design than the Erinyes it still manages to fit the same amount of firepower, sacrificing only slightly its armor configuration. On the plus side, the Ezechiel had a higher cruise speed. But the most impressive capability was the long sustained afterburn the reactor for the engines was capable of. Perfect for it’s new role as both a Fleet Defense and Multi-Role Assault Fighter. The newly christened GTF Ezechiel’s power reactor is slightly less powerful than the SOC version for reliability reasons and it’s also easier to maintain. Speaking of the SOC Ezechiel, it has already been in use under the SOC command under the original contract proposal they initiated. The new fighter restored the company's good name and the GTVA is now issuing the Ezechiel in increasing numbers after 2 years use under the SOC branch.", 2944)
$end_multi_text
+Length: 19 m
+Gun Mounts: 8
+Missile Banks: 2
$POF file: Ezechiel1.pof
$Detail distance: (0, 25, 50, 100)
$ND: 144 234 237
$ND: 60 231 239
$ND: 78 151 156
$ND: 30 179 189
$Show damage: YES
$Density: 1
$Damp: 0.2
$Rotdamp: 0.375
$Max Velocity: 0.0, 0.0, 70.0
$Rotation time: 3.5, 3.6, 3.5
$Rear Velocity: 0.0
$Forward accel: 2.2
$Forward decel: 1.3
$Slide accel: 0.0
$Slide decel: 0.0
$Expl inner rad: 25.0
$Expl outer rad: 75.0
$Expl damage: 25.0
$Expl blast: 1000.0
$Expl Propagates: NO
$Shockwave Speed: 0.0
$Allowed PBanks: ( "Subach HL-7" "Akheton SDG" "Morning Star" "Prometheus S" "Prometheus R" "UD-8 Kayser" "Lamprey" "Circe" "Maxim" )
$Allowed Dogfight PBanks: ( "MorningStar D" "UD-D Kayser" "Circe" "Lamprey" "Maxim D" )
$Default PBanks: ( "Subach HL-7" "Prometheus R" )
$Allowed SBanks: ( "Rockeye" "Tempest" "Harpoon" "Trebuchet" "Infyrno" "Tornado" "EMP Adv." "TAG-A" "TAG-B" "Hellfire" "Thunder" )
$Allowed Dogfight SBanks: ( "Harpoon" "Tornado" )
$Default SBanks: ( "Harpoon" "Harpoon" )
$SBank Capacity: ( 60, 60 )
$Shields: 650
$Shield Color: 100 100 255
$Power Output: 3.0
$Max Oclk Speed: 85.0
$Max Weapon Eng: 150.0
$Hitpoints: 300
$Flags: ( "player_ship" "default_player_ship" "fighter")
$AI Class: Captain
$Afterburner: YES
+Aburn Max Vel: 0.0, 0.0, 175.0
+Aburn For accel: 0.75
+Aburn Fuel: 420.0
+Aburn Burn Rate: 55.0
+Aburn Rec Rate: 29.0
$Countermeasures: 25
$Scan time: 2000
$EngineSnd: 126
$Closeup_pos: 0.0, 0.0, -20
$Closeup_zoom: 0.5
$Shield_icon: shieldINFFighter02
$Ship_icon: iconfighter2t-04
$Ship_anim: ssfighter2t-04
$Ship_overhead: loadfighter2t-04
$Score: 12
$Trail:
+Offset: 6.2 -1.27 1.35
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Trail:
+Offset: -6.2 -1.27 1.35
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Trail:
+Offset: 4.0 2.37 -5.05
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Trail:
+Offset: -4.0 2.37 -5.05
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Trail:
+Offset: 3.9 -1.6 -1.4
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Trail:
+Offset: -3.9 -1.6 -1.4
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Trail:
+Offset: 0.0 -2.52 -2.68
+Start Width: 0.25
+End Width: 0.05
+Start Alpha: 1.0
+End Alpha: 0.0
+Max Life: 1.0
+Spew Time: 120
+Bitmap: Contrail01
$Subsystem: sensors, 10,0.0
$Subsystem: communications, 10,0.0
$Subsystem: weapons, 10,0.0
$Subsystem: navigation, 10,0.0
$Subsystem: engines, 35,0.0
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the only problem with it that i've found so far is the lack of lods and some minor seams with the normals.
anyone know where to upload a bit large video? (no, youtube is not the answer...)
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aaand, a little repack of the stuff that JadeHawk posted, made it as a mod folder, made it o work with mediaVP's, added a mission to try the ship.
get it while its hot.
http://tap.irialeona.com/pece/GTF_Ezechiel.7z
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the only problem with it that i've found so far is the lack of lods and some minor seams with the normals.
anyone know where to upload a bit large video? (no, youtube is not the answer...)
Thanks for checking this out! Can you elaborate in detail about the problem areas with the normals? I'd like to know so I can see about that. :)
Also, for some reason, I cannot look sideways and rearward with my HAT switch. Anyone know what causes this?
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anyone know where to upload a bit large video? (no, youtube is not the answer...)
Try Veoh?
The quality there is pretty good compared to YouTube.
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the only problem with it that i've found so far is the lack of lods and some minor seams with the normals.
anyone know where to upload a bit large video? (no, youtube is not the answer...)
Thanks for checking this out! Can you elaborate in detail about the problem areas with the normals? I'd like to know so I can see about that. :)
Also, for some reason, I cannot look sideways and rearward with my HAT switch. Anyone know what causes this?
i'll make a few screenies later today to show you whats exactly the problem
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Lack of Lods? Nah, they're all there. It's just that the texture reference is Ezech01a, b and c... and the b and c are probably not included.
It's a simple tweak to either your maps folder (copy texture and add b to the end) or the .pof (re-name texture)
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Lack of Lods? Nah, they're all there. It's just that the texture reference is Ezech01a, b and c... and the b and c are probably not included.
It's a simple tweak to either your maps folder (copy texture and add b to the end) or the .pof (re-name texture)
That first solution means double the memory load of that map, which is the worst thing you could possibly do to fix it. Jadehawk do the second solution - just open the POF in PCS2, find the textures editor in the left hand column, find the entry there looking for 'Ezech01b' and rename the b and c on the end to a.
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its something worse off, i've opened it now and PCS started spewing invalid values and ops while the models only browsable thing is the detail 0.
i think a re-convert is in order TBH. if noone else is willing, i'll take it up gladly.
NVM. the only problem with the replacing the textures is that none are referenced in the pof XD
apart from ezec1, glass and tercoc01 :p
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Hey fellas,
As some of you know, I did edit the lasting for the textures in the POF file. I was not aware chainge that would effect things as such. I will fix this later when I get home from OT at work. (On break) .
Again, I cant thank you all so much for your help!
New File will be uploaded once I fix this and things are working correctly.
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I tried fixing the POF....NO GO. I think what pecenipicek said about a re-convert might have to be done. No matter what I do, nothing works. I had to add in EZEC02 through 4 as it was in the original and still did not work.
I just played my mission with the original ezechiel.pof that was not modified and it plays just fine, I can select the left, right , up and rear views with my HAT switch no problems.
So Trashman or pecenipicek, if you want to use the textures I have and work with the Ezechiel1.pof uncluded to re-convert and get the views working like the original then please do so. :) It's all a learning experience for me and I'm learning a great deal!
P.S. I tried opening this in MODELVIEW32 High and it loads up. But I have NO idea what I'm doing! I'll read up on some tutorial someday, but would rather have one of you fellas tackle this one.
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]That first solution means double the memory load of that map, which is the worst thing you could possibly do to fix it. Jadehawk do the second solution - just open the POF in PCS2, find the textures editor in the left hand column, find the entry there looking for 'Ezech01b' and rename the b and c on the end to a.
The trouble with this particular model is that the lower LODs are mapped differently LOD0. So all the LODs would have to be rebuilt if we wanted them to use the same texture as LOD0.
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gimmie a few days...
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Thanks for the info blowfish. :)
pecenipicek, thanks for stepping up for this. :) You might want to work with Trashman so his squadron insignia mod still works.
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If Trashman could be so kind to post up his process of including the insignias, i'd be gratefull
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I can take a look into it too.
AS for the insignias - you don't have to burden yourself. You can just import from Jadehawks .pof (they're included there) after converting ;)
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i dont trust import that much but kk :p
(i'll probably just extract with all in, set the lods correctly and punt back into pof...)
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Modelview only shows 8bit .pcx's that might be your problem.
When I had tinkered with stuff I hit the following buttons upper right of interface.
EDIT pof... thsi opens the model data to editing, then the textures button. That's how I screwed up the glass texture first go aroudn and packed that up for you. Then later sent you the CORRECT glass texture.
When you hit the texture button it gives you a list to edit names and then applies the new changes.
If you see no texture or something odd in it's place you know you messed up somehow.
Chances are you are using the new texture name that you did not convert to pcx first to test visually.
A lot of times now if a model uses .DDS texts I don't event test visually annymore UNLESS I am adding specifics tweaks to parts of the texture. In that case I convert the base text to PCX and start my experiments (like the time I tried to make logo floodlights on Steve's cool fighter).
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PCS2 should show all textures.
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Saving from ModelView will lose all your glowpoints. Use PCS for all your editing.
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So everything that should be needed done has to be done in PCS? Or PCS2? As much as you guys have helped me and even stepped up to the bat to tackle things I currently cannot handle (and MUCH appreciated BTW! ) I want to learn all this stuff so I can contribute more.
On a different note, I'll be home this week up to Friday...Docs orders. :sigh: So I'll do whatever I can with this Ezechiel stuff, but I also got the TotT project stuff as well.
JH
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*facepalm*
the LOD thing cant be fixed via PCS or modelview.
Jade, try to read up on the FSWiki, there's a lot of good info there about various things.
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10-4 will do and thanks for the suggestion. :yes:
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Allright...hold on guys...I'll re-convert with your texture. That should fix everything.
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Nope..won't work.
Apparently the lower lods don't use the same texture and they' re differently UV mapped.
You can't use the same texture at all. You either have to make another, far more simpler texture (I can do it in 5 minutes) to use on lower LODs OR remap the lower lods. There's no other way.
I can fix this.
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trash... i already applied to do this :p
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But I already did it..
Here's the modified .pof ... Insignia finally work. They didn't in the earlier version cause I made a typo on the subobject name :p
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=2c937bcb38ef65c1d2db6fb9a8902bda
Included in the Ezec2.dds (512x512) texture that is used for lower lod's.
I also put in a Ezec3.dds texture in there that's half the size (256x256) in case you want to use it for the lower lods instead of the bigger ones.
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sooo, we have a mipmapped main texture, and 2 manual made mipmaps for which the UV has to be fixed
aaargh.
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ERm...
The lower lods aren't using the same texture. They don't have the same mapping.
The lower LOD texture looks like a image of the Ezechiel form top and bottom side-by-side, so it's impossible to use the main texture without totally re-working the UV mapping on the lower lods.
Don't act like it's a tragedy. It's not like the old Ezechiel didn't use 3 maps...2 maps, of which the second is 256x256 - that's not a resource drain.
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i was planning on making completely new lods from the original mesh and uv-ing em to the original texture to be honest...
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IMHO, it's not really worth it, but if you want, do it.
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Wierd, I downloaded the new POF and changed the name of the ezec1 to ezec01 and the bottom ezec01 to ezec3 and the textures loaded up in the POF editor. Made sure I added the two you had in the zip file to the maps folder too.
Played my mission and everything started out AOK until I touched my controls and/or the afterburners then I get this black screen with just the HUD stuff showing. No action was shown even though I could hear something going on. Tried my hat switches and same thing. Tried it several times and again, same thing. Ship looks good in the F3 environment however. :)
Tried the unmodified ezechielF and shuts down the game with an error: Can't open pof file EzechielF.pof which I think is because the textures didn't match the pof list. I did not see this as a problem as I did modify the texture list names to match the textures as I said above.
Just an FYI :)
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Are you should the ship.tbl calls for Ezechiel.F and not EzechielNEW.pof ?
EDIT: It's almost as if this model is curesed...take a look at the header in PCS2.. looks at the detail/LOD list.
I forgot to remove the excess lods there..lol.. it has 14 of them..with lots of repeats :P
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:lol:
It's human to err. Trust me, I have done my share. :yes:
P.S. I just renamed the POF file to match the one I have in the ships tbl once I copied the pof file into the model folder.
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Hi guys, any updates on the Ezechiel.pof? Just asking fellas, no hurry here. :yes:
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Jade, no offfense, but why not start a ship from scratch? I'm sure you would learn more by going through all the processes from 3dmeshing part to uv mapping to teh final steps of model porting?
There's nothing wrong with taking on established stuff for revamps though.
Incidentally I saw you pick on the Banshee earlier...
Give me Banshee Love!!! ALDO!!! :lol:
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/Star-Dragon/Bansheef.jpg)
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Jade, no offfense, but why not start a ship from scratch? I'm sure you would learn more by going through all the processes from 3dmeshing part to uv mapping to teh final steps of model porting?
For the same reason I haven't taken up coding. Jadehawk is very, very good at what he does, and the more of it he does do, so much the better. :)
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Very true, it was just a friendly suggestion. :D
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Thanks for the complements fellas :) Texturing I find rewarding and relaxing compared to my day time job!
I DO have plans to do some 3D modeling. I have in the past, but it was very elementary stuff and never completed anything. Right now, I'm busy doing texturing for Teeth of the Tiger (see new update in this forum) and I do hope to complete the Ezechiel project someday soon. I'm well aware the fellas who stepped up to fix the modeling are quite busy and I'm sure they will be done when they get the time too. So guys, no hurry if your reading this! :)
I do have some ideas for a Terran Fighter or two and also a Battlecruiser and a Battlecarrier as well. Yes I know there are some Carriers out there, but my idea is quite different and I do not know if it can be pulled off. Mine requires a FULL length fighter bay on each side of the ship somewhat like you see on the Battlestar Galatica. This fighter bay will have launch tubes and a recovery area.
It would be nice if we could have a launch sequence with a MaG rail launch system in the game for the Fighters and also a recovery sequence where you approach the landing area pretty much like you do today, just when you get over the runway, your grabbed by a MaG lift system that captures you using a tractor beam and bring you to a halt. Then moves you to an assigned parking spot.
What about the open bay areas to space? Simple, a shield system keeps the atmosphere and pressure inside while letting solid objects through. I'm sure plenty have thought of this before, but I wish we could code this into the game.
:yes:
I would not mind texturing the Banshee, but as I you know from the beginning of this thread, others say it nearly impossible due to how difficult it is to UV map it? I do not know anything about what is exactly wrong as I'm not into that stuff yet. If a good clean UV map cam be made with no problems with it, I just may give it a try.
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Jade, no offfense, but why not start a ship from scratch? I'm sure you would learn more by going through all the processes from 3dmeshing part to uv mapping to teh final steps of model porting?
For the same reason I haven't taken up coding. Jadehawk is very, very good at what he does, and the more of it he does do, so much the better. :)
And the same reason I haven't taken up texturing. :p
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Hahahaa! you guys crack me up!
Here is something I also do. It's a profile I did totally from scratch. I have several of these I completed and sometimes they can take a month to do. The original size of this particular example is 5050X2280, 145 layers and 65.3mb on my hard drive. Loading and saving can be...well quite an adventure sometimes!
This is low resolution example and here it is:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/Ki-61-IIKaiEarly1Chutai17thSentaiNo.jpg)
Here is what you cannot see that I have done such as adding all the rivets, fasteners, etc.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/Ki-61-IIKaiEarlyWingdetail.jpg)
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HAWT DAMN!
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HAWT DAMN!
I say exactly the same thing when I see a beautiful Redhead walking by. ;7
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ddly enough, a hawt redhead is my best friend.... and it's a she
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I like females too! Straight guy here...just HAD to say that for clarification! :P
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Bump :)
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bump for...?
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nothing from me unfortunately -.- dont have the time do my stuff anymore...
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Shut up mr. red-text man.
MAYJA :bump:
Can you reupload the teal SOC skin? I can't find it.
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The only skin I released was the White with Teal strips. If your talking about the all Teal one, then yeah I could release that too. Come to think of it, I could release all the different schemes in one zip.
I'll see about this Saturday as I'm busy for the rest of the day.
Stay tuned.
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ok. Can't wait to play with this.
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OK file is uploaded th Freespacemods. So go knock yourselves out ;)
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Sweet, thanks.
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Can you post the download link?
I don't see anything new on FSMods.
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:wtf:
http://www.freespacemods.net/download.php?view.539 (http://www.freespacemods.net/download.php?view.539)
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Thanks ,it seems I missed it because it wasn't marked with that blue arrow for some reason.
(it seems I got lazy after registration)