Hard Light Productions Forums

Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => The Modding Workshop => Topic started by: Axem on December 06, 2008, 10:40:45 pm

Title: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Axem on December 06, 2008, 10:40:45 pm: Original Ship Design by Psycho

The Nike was always a pretty cool ship in my eyes. Unique design and shape, used cool looking nameplates, and ~~is made by orphans in 3rd world countries~~ is really cool looking (did I say that already?) I've wanted to use her in a campaign, but she's showing her age nowadays with all these high poly models floating about.

Thankfully we can rebuild her, we have the technology!
Original:
(http://www.freespacemods.net/e107_files/downloadimages/nike.jpg)
New:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/NarfPics/victory3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/NarfPics/victory4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/NarfPics/victory5.jpg)

Its a WIP, so feedback, chop chop.

Blowfish was complaining about the radar dish up top. Should it be changed? Its pretty much like the one on the old model. And the huge beam cannon in the middle might be made less "tall". It really seems to stick out.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Krelus on December 06, 2008, 10:43:12 pm: The bridge area will look AMAZING with well-utilized glowmaps.

I'm also thinking that the two forward beams would be awesome as really heavy slash beams (Contrary to popular belief, slash beams are not completely inferior. They still do damage and spend most of the time in contact with the target, and since they move, they wreak havoc on subsystems. The TerSlash is just a piece of rubbish.)
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Solatar on December 06, 2008, 10:45:53 pm: When I first discovered Freespace 2, this was one of my favorite models. I'm glad somebody is finally upgrading it; it deserves it.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Galemp on December 06, 2008, 11:42:22 pm: Kick ass! I, too, have always liked the Nike, and I'm really surprised and pleased to see this upgrade. I just love everything about it, but probably the inside surfaces of the front half the most.

For the beam cannon, maybe you can set it into the hull more; extrude the panel it sits on inwards, then push the turret in. The three turrets on each side of the front hull could also use a little more integration into the ship; I know you want it to look sleek, but they're kinda sticking out. Maybe they could do better as rounded rectangular prisms instead of cylinders.

As for the radar array on top, is the front inset like the back? If so then I think it's fine. For the effect I think I'd prefer something closer to the Faustus solar panels, with a hefty border frame and a fine dark techie mesh in the middle.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Droid803 on December 06, 2008, 11:46:26 pm: Very nice :yes:
Yeah, the central beam is a bit big.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Black Wolf on December 07, 2008, 12:00:50 am: I was looking at this ship t'other day, and it is indeed most worthy of an update. Will be cool to see those nameplates on a HTL ship :)
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Hellstryker on December 07, 2008, 12:12:03 am: What a beautiful ship.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: shiv on December 07, 2008, 01:41:25 am: That's a beauty :yes:
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Snail on December 07, 2008, 03:48:31 am: The thing I remember most about the Nike was those silly nameplates... There was a pin-up girl on one IIRC. :nervous:
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Stormkeeper on December 07, 2008, 08:19:57 am: This ship is amazing. She's a beauty, and a danger; you can tell that from looking at her.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Snail on December 07, 2008, 08:23:35 am: TBH the only problem I had with it were those silly nameplates.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: chief1983 on December 07, 2008, 03:34:34 pm: Nice Megathron (http://www.eve-online-fan.co.uk/images/eveships/navy%20megathron.jpg).
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Snail on December 07, 2008, 03:45:39 pm: Sexy front.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: karajorma on December 07, 2008, 03:59:06 pm: We've had the Nike in MG almost from day one. Very nice to see it getting an upgrade. :)
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Herra Tohtori on December 07, 2008, 04:07:57 pm: Nice boat.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: blowfish on December 07, 2008, 04:29:02 pm: Quote from: Snail on December 07, 2008, 03:48:31 am
The thing I remember most about the Nike was those silly nameplates... There was a pin-up girl on one IIRC. :nervous:

Replace it with the Vasudan pin-up :D

Spoiler:
Please don't, actually :shaking:
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Rodo on December 07, 2008, 04:41:31 pm: Good looking girl... where did it came from (or where can i see it in action?)
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Colonol Dekker on December 07, 2008, 05:44:27 pm: Quote from: Axem on December 06, 2008, 10:40:45 pm
Original Ship Design by Psycho

You bloomin genius Axem, i always loved the Nike.. Are you going to include the custom logo panel on the prow/fronty bit too?
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Hellstryker on December 07, 2008, 05:47:04 pm: You know, I think it actually differs too much from the original. Perhaps it would be better as a "Nike Mk II"?
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Droid803 on December 07, 2008, 05:50:02 pm: Heh? it does?
Where?
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: --Steve-O-- on December 07, 2008, 07:05:40 pm: That is indeed a sexy ship! THUMB OF APPROVAL :yes:
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Stormkeeper on December 07, 2008, 07:26:33 pm: I am watching this thread with interest.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: peterv on December 08, 2008, 01:42:50 am: beautiful :yes: :yes:
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: redsniper on December 08, 2008, 01:47:26 pm: This is not a tennis shoe...

but instead an amazing spaceship! Good work!
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Goober5000 on December 08, 2008, 09:08:46 pm: Quote from: karajorma on December 07, 2008, 03:59:06 pm
We've had the Nike in MG almost from day one. Very nice to see it getting an upgrade. :)
Will this be an incentive to finish MG? :D
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Axem on December 08, 2008, 10:18:56 pm: Or an excuse to draw it out more? ;)

Anyway a bit more work done. I mostly worked on the part from the main beam cannon and back. Nothing big really, everything's a bit more rounded (which takes an obscene amount of time to get it looking right.) There's a few smoothing issues that mar it a bit, but hey, its a WIP. I can get away with anything!

(That Zepplin-type ballast on top? It's a WIP!)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/NarfPics/victory6.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/NarfPics/victory7.jpg)
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Stormkeeper on December 09, 2008, 01:47:21 am: I'm normally very patient as far as new ships and campaigns are concerned, but I just can't wait for the Nike to be re-released.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Vertigo 7 on December 09, 2008, 01:52:50 am: I'm guessing the ships crest is a big "swoosh" and the ships motto is "Just do it!"
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: ssmit132 on December 10, 2008, 11:33:50 pm: That is beautiful, Axem.

*wonders how it'll look when it's textured*
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Droid803 on December 10, 2008, 11:58:39 pm: It'll probably end up looking epic :P
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: ssmit132 on December 11, 2008, 12:16:33 am: An off-topic question (and anyone who models can answer it): Do people making symmetrical ships usually model one half and then mirror it, or do it all at once? Just wondering.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: chief1983 on December 11, 2008, 01:34:13 am: If you don't mirror a symmetrical ship you're a masochist (or a sadist, depending on who has to unwrap it).
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: peterv on December 11, 2008, 01:36:58 am: Also, in 3dsmax, the triangulation is not symmetrical iff you don't mirror. :)
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Kosh on December 11, 2008, 04:39:51 am: I'm surprised the Nike isn't in the mod wiki.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: ssmit132 on December 11, 2008, 04:43:44 am: Quote from: chief1983 on December 11, 2008, 01:34:13 am
If you don't mirror a symmetrical ship you're a masochist (or a sadist, depending on who has to unwrap it).

:lol: Heh, I was just wondering. Not that I'll be making ships anytime soon; I've still got to finish a missile I was doing. I need to UV map and texture it.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Axem on December 14, 2008, 01:21:15 pm: Slowly getting to finishing the model. What do you think of the plate armor on the front pods? (Ignoring the bad smoothing of course) What I'm trying to go for is a transition from a Vasudan front to a Terran rear.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/NarfPics/victory8.jpg)
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Black Wolf on December 14, 2008, 01:26:08 pm: It looks good, but how will it affect the awesome giant nameplates? A big smooth space would be a good reason to have them on there IMO.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Axem on December 14, 2008, 01:29:04 pm: Ah shoot you're right. Those nameplates are bigger than I remember. Ok, I guess those plates can't be there like that.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: ssmit132 on December 14, 2008, 10:19:08 pm: If those giant nameplates are kept, will there be a version without them? In case we don't use it as 'GVCv Nike' or something.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Axem on December 14, 2008, 10:24:07 pm: Well what I'm planning to have it work the same way as any other nameplate being used. There will be a layer of faces over top of an area and by default it'll be a transparent texture. Anyone can make their own nameplate and use texture replacement in FRED to add it in.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: shiv on December 14, 2008, 11:58:08 pm: Woah :yes: so sexy :) :)
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Goober5000 on December 15, 2008, 01:28:27 am: Quote from: Axem on December 14, 2008, 10:24:07 pm
There will be a layer of faces over top of an area
I read that so wrong. >.< I need to go to bed.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Bob-san on December 15, 2008, 01:35:02 am: :yes: Sexy. I really like it. We need pinups of sexy Earth chicks. :lol: No Vasudan "babes".
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: ssmit132 on December 15, 2008, 01:41:16 am: Quote from: Axem on December 14, 2008, 10:24:07 pm
Well what I'm planning to have it work the same way as any other nameplate being used. There will be a layer of faces over top of an area and by default it'll be a transparent texture. Anyone can make their own nameplate and use texture replacement in FRED to add it in.

Okay, that's perfect. Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Snail on December 15, 2008, 12:05:53 pm: Quote from: Bob-san on December 15, 2008, 01:35:02 am
:yes: Sexy. I really like it. We need pinups of sexy Earth chicks. :lol: No Vasudan "babes".
I swear there was one like that on the original Nike.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: shiv on December 15, 2008, 03:29:21 pm: Quote from: Snail on December 15, 2008, 12:05:53 pm
Quote from: Bob-san on December 15, 2008, 01:35:02 am
:yes: Sexy. I really like it. We need pinups of sexy Earth chicks. :lol: No Vasudan "babes".
I swear there was one like that on the original Nike.
Yeah, there was... but ugly :P
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Krelus on December 15, 2008, 04:22:31 pm: Quote from: shiv_pl on December 15, 2008, 03:29:21 pm
Quote from: Snail on December 15, 2008, 12:05:53 pm
Quote from: Bob-san on December 15, 2008, 01:35:02 am
:yes: Sexy. I really like it. We need pinups of sexy Earth chicks. :lol: No Vasudan "babes".
I swear there was one like that on the original Nike.
Yeah, there was... but ugly :P

I sense a mod project I must embark on...
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Polpolion on December 15, 2008, 04:53:03 pm: Quote from: Goober5000 on December 15, 2008, 01:28:27 am
Quote from: Axem on December 14, 2008, 10:24:07 pm
There will be a layer of faces over top of an area
I read that so wrong. >.< I need to go to bed.

:lol:
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Axem on December 20, 2008, 02:04:41 pm: Ok, I'm pretty much done with the model.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/NarfPics/HTL_Nike01.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/NarfPics/HTL_Nike02.jpg)

And the model file in wings, obj and 3ds file formats so anyone can mess around with it (and maybe UV map + texture? ;7)
http://www.axemspace.com/files/models/misc/HTLNike-Model.rar

Of course if no one else does, I may do it... one day. But don't count on that being anytime soon...
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Jadehawk on December 20, 2008, 05:41:00 pm: If I can get a UV map of it and a POF file, I'll give it a spin texture wise and I promise NOT to use any of the Shivan textures I created that plenty seems to not like with my Ravana re-texture! :lol:

Honestly I would love to texture this one. :yes:
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Galemp on December 21, 2008, 10:26:50 am: Well, we trust you, Jadehawk. Looking forward to it.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Jadehawk on December 26, 2008, 11:29:39 pm: Bump before it slides off into page 2 ;7
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Stormkeeper on December 27, 2008, 08:12:43 am: So the model just needs a UV Map and a texture?
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: blowfish on December 27, 2008, 11:16:11 am: Quote from: Stormkeeper on December 27, 2008, 08:12:43 am
So the model just needs a UV Map and a texture?

Yeah...
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Hellstryker on December 27, 2008, 12:05:29 pm: Quote from: Stormkeeper on December 27, 2008, 08:12:43 am
So the model just needs a UV Map and a texture?

Easier said than done.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: asyikarea51 on December 27, 2008, 01:27:42 pm: Here's hoping the turret positions for the fancy big guns aren't aimed in odd directions... lol XD
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: General Battuta on December 27, 2008, 02:18:24 pm: I'm so glad we have Jadehawk around. It seems like textures are amongst the hardest things to get.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Jadehawk on December 27, 2008, 06:08:29 pm: Quote from: General Battuta on December 27, 2008, 02:18:24 pm
I'm so glad we have Jadehawk around. It seems like textures are amongst the hardest things to get.

Thanks for the complements! :yes: I just love making something look nice and sometimes not so nice is you see my Ravana thread :lol:
It's an extension of something I somewhat I do for a living the past 20 plus odd years. But this time, it's for a hobby I love to do so I get a good bang out of this stuff. I just hope someday I too can make some 3D modeling because I do got plenty of ideas for ship designs.

One of my goals is to make a Destroyer that has fighter-bomber bays you can really use for taking off and landing and even a transport bay for small cargo and larger support ships to land in. When you start a mission, you will come out the "launch" area of the fighter-bomber bay that's somewhat like Battlestar Galactica has. When I mean launch, I really do mean you get launched like you do on a US Carrier and hope to gather some fellas willing to create such an effect for fighter and bomber ship launching.

As for landing, you will pilot your craft into the receiving end of the fighter-bomber bay, land and even park it in a stall before your mission is over. So anyway, I'll quit blabbing off. :cool:
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Raven2001 on February 16, 2009, 06:06:59 pm: Necroing this somewhat, but just noticed this lovely thing :D

IMO you should leave those front plates as they are, and then in texture itself have the painting there, as it was on the original. Tridimensionally speaking it should look interesting having that huge painting "broken" :)
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Axem on February 16, 2009, 06:21:50 pm: An even zanier idea would be to have the plates actually open/close up due to some trigger.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Raven2001 on February 17, 2009, 05:54:43 am: Just to make sure we're on the same page, I was talking about those plates:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/NarfPics/victory8.jpg)

This version of the ship looked much more interesting than the more recent one. The front being so plain when the rest of the ship is uber-greebled just doesn't cut it IMO

And yeah, them opening\close would be jolly, but you'd need a functional purpose for that :P
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Snail on February 17, 2009, 05:56:09 am: Quote from: Raven2001 on February 17, 2009, 05:54:43 am
And yeah, them opening\close would be jolly, but you'd need a functional purpose for that :P
Dust covers. To stop gathering dust. Because many people are allergic to dust mites.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Retsof on February 17, 2009, 07:24:55 pm: Quote from: Snail on February 17, 2009, 05:56:09 am
Quote from: Raven2001 on February 17, 2009, 05:54:43 am
And yeah, them opening\close would be jolly, but you'd need a functional purpose for that :P
Dust covers. To stop gathering dust. Because many people are allergic to dust mites.
Radiator fins trigered by the gun fireing.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: chief1983 on February 17, 2009, 09:37:04 pm: Quote from: Retsof on February 17, 2009, 07:24:55 pm
Quote from: Snail on February 17, 2009, 05:56:09 am
Quote from: Raven2001 on February 17, 2009, 05:54:43 am
And yeah, them opening\close would be jolly, but you'd need a functional purpose for that :P
Dust covers. To stop gathering dust. Because many people are allergic to dust mites.
Radiator fins trigered by the gun fireing.

That made me flash back to FF7's town with the coastal defense battery.
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Hellstryker on February 17, 2009, 10:44:37 pm: While it's a cool idea, it just wouldn't look right with beams...
Title: Re: WIP - HTL Nike
Post by: Commander Zane on February 20, 2009, 11:13:11 am: For some reason this makes me think of a next generation Aeolus, glad to see more progress on it, turning out nicely.