Hard Light Productions Forums
Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => The Modding Workshop => Topic started by: Jadehawk on January 03, 2009, 10:05:13 am
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And I'm at it again! Since I nearly completed the Khepri, I dug out this one I started even before that one and completed it off. I can say this was more difficult to do due to the way it was UV mapped. Does not help that the model was also rough in some spots, but I think I made something worth while.
This is the GVF Shu, a Vasudan Fleet Interceptor and Escort Fighter. I added a large central engine as I didn't like the three small ones all by themselves. The three smaller engines linked to your computer and flight controls are responsible for the incredible maneuverability the GVF Shu has. It has average armor, but compensated with the best shielding ever made for a GTVA fighter.
Like the GVF Khepri, this fighter uses a new power reactor designed for a heavy bomber, made more compact with a slight increase in power. This is the reason both the GVF Khepri and the GVF Shu have their capabilities. The Shu now has 6 guns in 2 banks with 4 missile tubes in 2 banks. However, the loadout for the missiles is light to average. For example, it can only carry 12 Harpoons per missile bank. The end result is a compact fighter (Only 11 meters long) that has excellent maneuverability, excellent shielding, high cruise speed and high afterburner speed. The down side is it's cost due to the advance compact power reactor technology and higher than average maintenance. As a result, only a few chosen squadrons in strategic locations are cleared for use.
A little story about these fighters and their weaponry.
In my 21st Battle Group campaign I'm gonna develop, They use the newly released UD-10 Kayser II gun as the weapon of choice to take on the advance Shivan fighter technology they have encountered. This gun was the end result of using current discoveries in Shivan advances and new GTVA overlapping beam riding technology to triple the weapon's output. Speaking of the gun technology, the Terrans and Vasudans combined all their weapon companies research divisions under a single research Institute. While this saved money, it also increased the base knowledge and expertise and this is why the UD-10 Kayser II was able to exist.
With all that aside, here is the GVF Shu:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GVFShu1.jpg)
Comments and suggestions are welcomed! However, I'm not gonna change much due to the difficulty with the UV map explained above. :D
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Hmm... It looks real good, but the 'wings' don't really seem to have much texture. I always saw the wings as sort of scales (like the Horus) rather than just grooves or stripes.
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I agree! Still a WIP I should mention. This is the first screen shot in the game environment and will make some changes soon.
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Sexy job :yes:
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Ow ow ow, hot ****!!!
/me dunks hands in liquid nitrogen *
Ahhhhh.......
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Now that is a hot cockpit! Well done!
Though I'm inclined to agree with Snail on the wings--I'd like to see them closer to the original Shu or the Horus. Again, you really need to up the contrast and increase variety in the browns (tan, gold, maroon, chocolate) on these skins to add interest.
For compatibility, could you show us a layout with 3+2 primary banks and 3 secondary banks?
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Wow that looks pretty good. Some old Vasudans getting some new texture lovin'.
If you want to rescue a ship that really needs a new texture there's the: http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/GVF_Heptu (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/GVF_Heptu). Though not sure how good the model is, but the texture certainly could be better. Though the texture's a lot better than anything I've done (ie nothing).
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Thanks all :)
Here is a shot that shows the loadout placements.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GVFShu2.jpg)
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Great work as usual, Jadehawk. :) :yes:
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Not sure I like the blue glowy sections, but otherwise, awesome work :yes: ;)
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i really like it!
your doing an awesome job :D
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That looks really good! :D
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It looks good, but it's going to be a pain in the ass to hit anything with those outer guns. You should swap the outer guns and the missile tubes around.
Go fly the Horus and you will see what I mean. The Ursa is another good example, you can only ever hit a fighter with one set of guns, not both.
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It looks good, but it's going to be a pain in the ass to hit anything with those outer guns. You should swap the outer guns and the missile tubes around.
Go fly the Horus and you will see what I mean. The Ursa is another good example, you can only ever hit a fighter with one set of guns, not both.
I went back and made a second version with 4 guns where the missiles were plus two of them in their original place next to the new guns. Missiles are now in the outer places where the guns used to be. But now only three missile tubs all in one bank. Still holds 24 Harpoons however.
Honestly, after playing this several times, to me, I see no difference in which is better and honestly again, I hit better with the first version! Dunno why, but maybe that's because I get better area coverage than the second version. I prefer the first one as I get two different missile banks. But that's just my opinion! :) I want all your opinions and will release whatever the moral majority wants.
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This version appears to be a remodel in addition to a retexture, and it largely destroys the birdlike aesthetic that connected the Shu to existing Vasudan fighters such as the Serapis. It no longer "fits" in a lineup of FS craft, which is a serious and endemic problem with many mods unfortunately. The cockpit area is stupidly, ridiculously large and appears to be a cut-and-paste of the Ulysses. I know what the existing Shu looks like well, I work with it a lot in SA; this largely ruins it for small and debateable gains.
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The arrangement reminds me of the Scourge from StarCraft.
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This version appears to be a remodel in addition to a retexture, and it largely destroys the birdlike aesthetic that connected the Shu to existing Vasudan fighters such as the Serapis. It no longer "fits" in a lineup of FS craft, which is a serious and endemic problem with many mods unfortunately.
Since when are we supposed to follow the same thing over and over and over? Is it cannon and a law that we are supposed too? Sounds like a recipe for creative disaster to me. Things change for a reason in real life and I cannot see why we can't change things in this game either. So get used to it and as for the model it's self, I had ZERO, ZIP, NADA to do with it as it was available in a model dump. If you don't like it, by all means please provide or make a better new one and I would love to try texturing that one.
The cockpit area is stupidly, ridiculously large and appears to be a cut-and-paste of the Ulysses. I know what the existing Shu looks like well, I work with it a lot in SA; this largely ruins it for small and debateable gains.
Again I ask you oh really? Have you actually gone and checked them both? I certainly did and do not believe these two were one and the same at all. The only thing I see the same is the overall basic shape and even that, there is much difference between them both in shape and size.
I'm gonna give you advice here, before you try to rip and trash someone's thread, it's considered a good idea to back up your claims with substantial proof to support your point. If you would have done that, I would most likely have taken you more seriously. Also, try to be more constructive when you criticize someone's post. It would be more acceptable and more helpful to the individual and surely be taken more seriously by others.
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Update time :)
Revised the details here and there. Looks better in my opinion. :)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GVFShu3.jpg)
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I'm gonna give you advice here, before you try to rip and trash someone's thread, it's considered a good idea to back up your claims with substantial proof to support your point. If you would have done that, I would most likely have taken you more seriously. Also, try to be more constructive when you criticize someone's post. It would be more acceptable and more helpful to the individual and surely be taken more seriously by others.
Ooooooh *Burn*
Someone get him some ice
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I checked the original model.
The cockpit is the same. This one is just shiny, the old one not shiny.
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I really like the techy detail on the top of the cockpit. It's hard to do convincingly, good job.
Could you do something similar on the wingtip guns, to show how they're integrated into the rest of the wing?
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Sounds doable to me :) Thanks for the suggestion!
Also, I need everyone's opinion on the gun-missile arrangement. Should I keep the arrangement as in the first one or should I make the guns closer as in the second one? Major consensus will determine what I release! :D
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I think most people would agree with me in that it would be a pain to hit anything.
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I'm not sure about this arrangement, considering the small size of the Shu. I'd be happy how it is. If it was the size of the Seraphim, however, I would definitely want the gunpoint further in.
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I prefered the blue. made it look a bit like the horus.
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That's a really fine job :yes: The only thing I'd complain about are glowmaps, that should be "more glowy". More Vas-support like or Osiris like.
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ok fellas :)
Here is the final version!
More details (guns) more glow (blue again engines and guns) more shadowing (panels and details) and finally, I was able to adjust the convergence for the guns and the convergence is set at 500 meters...or is that 400? :p Missile convergence I left alone. I played this in several missions and it works just fine to me.
Anyway, I feel it's a compromise and a good one at that in my opinion.
I hope this makes ya'll happy ;)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GVFShu4.jpg)
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I think to really capture the look you're trying to get the model would need to be HTLed, but considering it's not, nice job on your part. :yes:
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NOw that's a veauty. And finally good glows! :D
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Agreed, glows are much better now. But what's with the wingtip guns? Is that a specular highlight, or did you (for some reason) put glowy bits on them? I meant that I wanted to see the guns textured with the same gray/black/gold techy detail on top of the cockpit, not glowy like the area behind the cockpit.
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I did add in details for the guns. Just the glow for the guns at this angle you cannot see them.
In hindsight, I could have made the whole thing like that (the guns) but the way the mapping is done, I'd have to mess with it some more to get the whole thing. I'll give it a try and see if it's any better. ;)
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Taking a break from testing the TotT Demo I went back to this quickly before I get deep into another secret project.
The guns are hard to make look good with the detailing I have due to the way mapping the guns are broken down. I got it to this point and think it's a good try. I'm also comfortable with the gun convergence I set as I cannot tell any difference between central mounted guns or the current setup which I prefer and will release. I like the cool factor having 6 guns in a triangle formation converging on your target. :)
Now that I was able to look back on this ship, it would be totally awesome if anyone of you modelers went and updated this with new gun mounts, missile ports, making the ship a little bit longer in the fuselage and a central engine details with the outer three smaller ones as well. some greebling here and there would be nice too. Hell, go ahead and tweak the shape some too. ;)
If I get no more suggestions and-or complaints, I'll go ahead and package this up and upload to FSM. You wont get the UD-10 Kayser II however, I'll set the ship table for the UD-8 Kayser.
Savvy?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GVFShu5.jpg)
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OK, since none posted, I assume all are happy with the current version :D I will upload on FSM everything you need for this which will include a simple mission so you can appreciate the flying qualities of this interceptor.
However, this wont happen until this weekend as I'm smack dab in the middle of testing the TotT Demo and have other commitments as well.
So until then, this is your last chance to say something before this weekend! :D
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No complaints here :yes:.
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So until then, this is your last chance to say something before this weekend! :D
Err, yeah.
The grooves still look more like stripes than scales.
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Maybe this is better? New normal, and highlighting. Cant do more until this weekend.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Onyxwing2004USA/GVFShu8.jpg)
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Maybe try using concaved lines that meet each other in the centerline of the wing, as it is with the normals it looks extremely ribbed.
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(http://pjfoliver.googlepages.com/temp_normals.png)
I would like to see the normals made like the top, instead of like the bottom. That would really set off the 'scales' and complement the diffuse texture too.
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Thanks for the suggestions all. :)
As for the normal, it is in fact made as you suggested. but I think it didn't come out correctly in my adjustments and will go back and check it out to make sure.
I think that dark area behind the so called wing flaps are.....just too dark and nothing like the Horus and others and it may also be throwing the normal off to. So might change that some by lightening it up.
I cant mess with this for awhile as I'm busy with the TotT Demo and once this gets released, I'll have some time maybe plus other commitments are in the works as well.
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Wow. That looks a hell of a lot better than the 1st texture I put on that model.
I originally had it as a Vassudan/Terran Joint project with more Terran textures.
It was originally a small fast lightly armoured fighter that could be made cheaply and handled by less experienced pilots.
This is why the 3 gun hardpoints are spread out, it improves hit probability at the cost of concentration of fire.
Also one of the missile banks (on the top wings) held a large number of heat seeking missiles with a little less impact than a hornet.
Cool to see my old model is still getting some use
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Maybe this is better?
Defineately the best one :D Release of those maps is all the time delayed. When do you plan to make them public?
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Maybe this is better?
Defineately the best one :D Release of those maps is all the time delayed. When do you plan to make them public?
Wow. That looks a hell of a lot better than the 1st texture I put on that model.
I originally had it as a Vassudan/Terran Joint project with more Terran textures.
It was originally a small fast lightly armoured fighter that could be made cheaply and handled by less experienced pilots.
This is why the 3 gun hardpoints are spread out, it improves hit probability at the cost of concentration of fire.
Also one of the missile banks (on the top wings) held a large number of heat seeking missiles with a little less impact than a hornet.
Cool to see my old model is still getting some use
First, thanks for the kind words. :) I'm smack in the middle of the TotT Demo stuff and wont get back to this until after it's released. I'm also working some other projects that I seriously need to get going on. But my TotT commitments will come first and then the other stuff.
As for the Shu I modified, I changed the gun convergence to 400-500 meters to help the guns hitting power. The Shu now carries 6 guns and I increased the missile loadout as well. I really like flying this after some hard testing the TotT stuff and coupled with the Kayser II and a new missile I have created to help deal with Advance Shivans makes it fun. :)
When will I release the .pof model and textures? As soon as the TotT Demo is released and I get to figure out the wing issue with the textures and normal. That might be just several hours worth of work, so it's doable. I could also release the other Vasaudan fighter I did as it's ready to go too.
:yes:
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I'm smack in the middle of the TotT Demo stuff and wont get back to this until after it's released. I'm also working some other projects that I seriously need to get going on. But my TotT commitments will come first and then the other stuff.
Huh, that's nice to hear... :)
Especially when I'm having my end-of-semester-disaster (as in 2-3 big tests per day sometimes), and I'm really low on time.
Oh and since I was busy during the week, a new planet background has been added (thanks JH), and a few small goodies. Thanks Team.
P.S. Sorry for stealing the thread, we may now go back to the topic.
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LOL no need to apologize! :D
Making that planet was fun and much needed for our stuff. I plan on making more as needed now that I got the basics down. I'm even working on another one totally from scratch versus the one we have.
As for the GVF Shu, I'll try and see if I can get it released Sunday. NO guarantees, but I'm gonna try to fix some minor issues first before release. If I cannot, then I'll post here again and spill the beans.
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I could also release the other Vasaudan fighter I did as it's ready to go too.
:yes:
Yes please! I like what you did with the Khepri.
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This has been updated and now released at FreeSpaceMods.
;)
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Kewl