Hard Light Productions Forums

Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => The Modding Workshop => Topic started by: el gore on May 26, 2002, 10:52:49 am

Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: el gore on May 26, 2002, 10:52:49 am
(http://mitglied.lycos.de/elgore/pictures/screen00.JPG) (http://mitglied.lycos.de/elgore/pictures/screen01.JPG) (http://mitglied.lycos.de/elgore/pictures/screen02.JPG) (http://mitglied.lycos.de/elgore/pictures/screen03.JPG)
Title: Re: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Reaper on May 26, 2002, 10:55:20 am
It's OK :) it only looks too flat...
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Corsair on May 26, 2002, 10:59:29 am
I don't think that looks flat at all it looks pretty sweet. :nod::yes:
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Reaper on May 26, 2002, 11:03:55 am
Maybe if he puts some fire debris and pieces around start of the flames... that would make it lot more not flat...

But explosion on start RULEZ BIG TIME!!
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: el gore on May 26, 2002, 11:10:19 am
I rendered it at an angle to make it look 3d, or what do you mean by flat?
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Reaper on May 26, 2002, 11:12:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by el gore
I rendered it at an angle to make it look 3d, or what do you mean by flat?


Exacly that what u made it looking 3d... it feels flat for me :)... try some debris flying before and after shockwave... it might help :)
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Stunaep on May 26, 2002, 11:56:33 am
lookin' good!!!

Only... Morgenstern??? :wtf:
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Nico on May 26, 2002, 03:35:35 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Stunaep
lookin' good!!!

Only... Morgenstern??? :wtf:


a custom weapon, obviously ( morgenstern is a chained flail in case you wonder )
The shockwave is neat :)
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Nuclear1 on May 26, 2002, 06:57:34 pm
Thats real good. If you reallywant a nice blast, look at the Siege Cannon and results :D
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: IceFire on May 26, 2002, 07:48:22 pm
WOW!  Sweet!
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: CP5670 on May 26, 2002, 08:00:30 pm
This looks really nice to me. How fast is the animation? ;)
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: IceFire on May 26, 2002, 08:50:44 pm
nm
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Anaz on May 26, 2002, 09:40:16 pm
sweet!!!

oh, btw, for some reason, when I looked at the second picture, I thought of pancakes...
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: CP5670 on May 26, 2002, 10:56:13 pm
Quote

oh, btw, for some reason, when I looked at the second picture, I thought of pancakes...


:wtf: :D
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: el gore on May 27, 2002, 12:39:16 am
Currently the ani has 90 frames, but since it is the shockwave animation, its speed depends on the shockwave radius and speed set in the tables.

No, Morgenstern is no custom weapon, that is german for Morning Star, that kinetic energy weapon. I have the german version :sigh:
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Grunt on May 27, 2002, 12:45:23 am
Well done. :cool:

Looks like the "seismic bomb" from SW Episode II.
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Nico on May 27, 2002, 12:56:21 am
Quote
Originally posted by el gore
No, Morgenstern is no custom weapon, that is german for Morning Star, that kinetic energy weapon. I have the german version :sigh:


ooooh... there's no french version of FS2, but FS1 french version kept the original names for the weapons, this fooled me :p
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: TrashMan on May 27, 2002, 02:27:52 am
COOL:cool: :yes:
Impressive....Most Impressive...(Why don't they have a Darth Vader smiley?)
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: IceFire on May 27, 2002, 09:18:12 am
So el gore...do you do more of these animations?  What software are you using?
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: el gore on May 27, 2002, 10:05:35 am
I use 3ds max 4. Maybe I'll do some more animations if I find the time.

If someone wants the ani, you can get it here (http://mitglied.lycos.de/elgore/pub/shockwave.zip).
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: ZylonBane on May 27, 2002, 10:08:13 am
It looks pretty, but for gameplay it's useless, because it doesn't depict what the FS2 engine is simulating (a spherical shockwave). This shockwave looks like something the player can fly "over" without getting hit.
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: el gore on May 27, 2002, 10:26:31 am
Well it might not visualize exactly what's happening, but until now i haven't discovered a way to make a "flat but yet spherical shockwave" not look like a bright giant blob that gets even bigger.
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Nuclear1 on May 27, 2002, 10:28:55 pm
Quote
Originally posted by el gore
Well it might not visualize exactly what's happening, but until now i haven't discovered a way to make a "flat but yet spherical shockwave" not look like a bright giant blob that gets even bigger.


ahem.......

Capella Supernova is A-1 Supar!
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: CP5670 on May 27, 2002, 11:36:26 pm
You would need some sort of transparency for that though, which I'm not too sure how well FS2 supports for these kind of effects.
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Nico on May 28, 2002, 03:25:20 am
Quote
Originally posted by ZylonBane
It looks pretty, but for gameplay it's useless, because it doesn't depict what the FS2 engine is simulating (a spherical shockwave). This shockwave looks like something the player can fly "over" without getting hit.


you know you don't necessary always actually see the shockwave.
Anyway, the FS2 shockwave doesn't do that either, to me it's just a vertical circle, not a sphere...
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Raven2001 on May 28, 2002, 05:44:41 am
My GOD!!!! That looks GREAT!!! :)
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Fineus on May 28, 2002, 06:22:06 am
It does indeed look amazing - but perhaps if you placed it at an angle? Here - with my m4d ph0t0sh0p skllz I'll show you what I mean :)

(http://www.3dap.com/hlp/staff/thunder/freespace_exeg.jpg)

I just rotated the animation by 45 degrees clockwise but you get the idea, I think it makes it look more "real"...
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Black Sheep on May 28, 2002, 07:37:40 am
...it doesn't look bad...
...still I like Volition's more as it looks more like a 3D-shockwave...which is a real shockwave then, your shockwave is FLAT!
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Fineus on May 28, 2002, 07:44:58 am
Gives me an idea - how about if your blurred the whole thing slightly.. jagged inside/outside edges. The buildup/fall in color in areas might give it a more 3D effect?
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: delta_7890 on May 28, 2002, 08:47:46 am
What we really need is that shockwave from Slave 1's seismic charges from Episode II (sound effect included).  :D
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: el gore on May 28, 2002, 08:59:45 am
Quote
Originally posted by Thunder
It does indeed look amazing - but perhaps if you placed it at an angle? Here - with my m4d ph0t0sh0p skllz I'll show you what I mean :)

(http://www.3dap.com/hlp/staff/thunder/freespace_exeg.jpg)

I just rotated the animation by 45 degrees clockwise but you get the idea, I think it makes it look more "real"...


You don't have to rotate it, the game does that by itself, just try it yourself, I already put it up for download (unlike the headline says) It was in the last reply on the first page of this thread.

DOWNLOAD THE SHOCKWAVE (http://mitglied.lycos.de/elgore/pub/shockwave.zip)
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Reaper on May 28, 2002, 09:11:44 am
Quote
Originally posted by Black Sheep
...it doesn't look bad...
...still I like Volition's more as it looks more like a 3D-shockwave...which is a real shockwave then, your shockwave is FLAT!


At least someone who thinks like i do... And it's the right way...
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: IceFire on May 28, 2002, 09:19:22 am
Quote
What we really need is that shockwave from Slave 1's seismic charges from Episode II (sound effect included).

That was an interesting sound effect because there was silence before it (unless the movie theater was having some kind of trouble).  I was expecting a power up effect but no....silence...and them.....VBOOOOOOOM!
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: StratComm on May 28, 2002, 09:23:28 am
Don't know how hard it would be-I haven't played with animations, but could you make another version with the render from above?

The trouble in a space game is that flat shockwaves, while popular, are completely unrealistic.  There should be nothing to force the wave to confine itself to a plane.  The "flat" circle that FS2 uses is actually more 3d, because you get the sensation that the wave is approaching you as it fills the screen.  You only see the edges because that is where the density of the wave, from your perspective, is the greatest.  And since you see the circle from any direction, you get more of a sense of an expanding sphere.  Imaging focusing on a ship while a warhead with that explosion detonates, and rotating your view as it explodes.  That flat planar explosion would look stupid.  Still a great effect though.
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: CP5670 on May 28, 2002, 10:34:12 am
Actually, if we want total realism, the shockwave should be only partially visible at any given time, and the visibility should be constantly changing, as the lack of a medium in space makes it so that the shockwave would only have an effect when it crosses through material (mostly gases) from the destroyed ship. ;) That would look sort of strange, though. :p :D

Personally, I really like this shockwave though. :nod:
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: el gore on May 28, 2002, 10:50:07 am
Quote
... could you make another version with the render from above?


I could but I won't, because it looks very ugly, like slices of a peach or something
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: CP5670 on May 28, 2002, 10:58:43 am
Quote

I could but I won't, because it looks very ugly, like slices of a peach or something


That really sounds familiar... :D :lol: :D (from the PI forum)
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: IceFire on May 28, 2002, 11:36:09 am
Overall I think FS2's method of making it look like an exploding ring is probably best in terms of keeping things consistant in-game.
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Nico on May 28, 2002, 11:58:50 am
the best way is the wing co prophecy one if you ask me.
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: beatspete on May 28, 2002, 12:49:03 pm
I actually quite like the explosion, the little ball of light in the center is quite good.  
It would be good for big ship explosions, like capships going down, but no for things like torpedoes.

And if you view an expanding sphere from the side, it looks like a circle getting bigger, so i think the circular explosions are alright.

If flat (or flattish) explosions were to be used, i think they would look quite good in place of spherical ones when a ship like the collosus explodes.  Since it splits in 2, the shockwave could travel out along the axis it has exploded, so it would look like the shockwave cuts the sip in half.

pete


EDIT (a few hours later): I LOVE THIS EXPLOSION.  Its much prettier than the normal one, and i like how its at an angle. If you get a ship which makes more than one shockwave when it dies its much more beleivable, since all the shokwaves go out at different angles.
I have a pic but dont have a site to host it from.
Try it yourself, set a sathanas or collosus to self destruct in FRED, and watch the fireworks!

One problem i did find though, was that when my sathanas exploded, the shokwave expanded much too slow, ie. 2 parts of the sathanas debris had seperated and blown up, and the shockwaves were still 6 little white balls in the middle.
Dunno whats to blame for that.
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Skippy on May 28, 2002, 02:37:30 pm
Just discovered it...Amazing ! :yes: :yes: :yes: :jaw:
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Grey Wolf on May 28, 2002, 04:21:16 pm
Damn I have a bastard copy of FS2....
FS1 explosions....
The Port VP....
And now this shockwave....
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: an0n on May 28, 2002, 04:24:14 pm
Why the hell would anyone be stupid enough to fly a pegasus into an asteroid field? One light nudge and BOOOM! Close-up of the explosion.
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Kabal on May 28, 2002, 04:47:09 pm
Quote
Originally posted by IceFire

That was an interesting sound effect because there was silence before it (unless the movie theater was having some kind of trouble).  I was expecting a power up effect but no....silence...and them.....VBOOOOOOOM!


Hehehe that was awesome. Half the audience jumped. Little kiddies were gasping and some were crying:confused: .

Great shockwave. Looks like those from Starlancer or Star Trek.
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Black Sheep on May 28, 2002, 05:21:57 pm
Jesus, what scene exactly was it in SW2?! *can't believe, that I don't remember...shame on me!*
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Kabal on May 28, 2002, 05:24:01 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Black Sheep
Jesus, what scene exactly was it in SW2?! *can't believe, that I don't remember...shame on me!*


Asteroid Belt, after water planet with stormtrooper lookalikes
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Black Sheep on May 28, 2002, 06:11:47 pm
I think I have to see it again....and if necessary...get the sound ;7
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Grunt on May 29, 2002, 12:21:53 am
Quote
Originally posted by StratComm

The trouble in a space game is that flat shockwaves, while popular, are completely unrealistic.  


Shockwaves in space are - in general - unrealistic. :nod:
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Shiva Archon on May 29, 2002, 12:32:05 am
The original shockwave looks like a sphere because it always expands in a circle, no matter what point of view you view the explosion from.  This animation changes depending on your point of view, which makes it look flat (like a pancake).

Ironically, making it a flat circle that expands makes it look more 3D than the perspective thing you've got going here.  It's definitely cooler than a blue circle though, great job on it!

EDIT:  Ugh, forgot to read the second page and realize that this was already said about a dozen times.  My bad!
Title: What do I think of this shockwave?
Post by: Black Wolf on May 29, 2002, 02:07:29 am
Looks very nice. Sure, it may not be realistic, but most of FS2 is unrealistic. Very nice work.
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Neon on May 29, 2002, 12:54:24 pm
It's very nice indeed , but it does has a flat feeling :rolleyes:
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Kabal on May 29, 2002, 01:54:13 pm
better than :V: shockwaves
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: demon442 on May 29, 2002, 10:54:39 pm
Awesome Shockwave...

I BOW TO THEE, OH GREAT EL GORE!!!
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: el gore on May 30, 2002, 05:49:11 am
Since people are complaining my shockwave is flat I'll try to do a spherical, but I guarantee for nothing.
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: delta_7890 on May 30, 2002, 09:00:39 am
Quote
Originally posted by el gore
Since people are complaining my shockwave is flat I'll try to do a spherical, but I guarantee for nothing.


oohoohooo...can't wait to see this!
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Reaper on May 30, 2002, 12:03:45 pm
Quote
Originally posted by X-Files Addict
better than :V: shockwaves


Hmmm, not really:doh:
:v: will stay the best... only 1 explosion i saw is better... I forgot who made it... But it ruled!!
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Kabal on May 30, 2002, 02:04:32 pm
:headz: :yes2: :mad2: :yes:
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: FreespaceMaster on May 30, 2002, 07:45:03 pm
Good job!!! It likes freespace 2 but better
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Kabal on May 30, 2002, 07:59:34 pm
...?
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Anaz on May 30, 2002, 09:18:40 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Infested_Larva


Hmmm, not really:doh:
:v: will stay the best... only 1 explosion i saw is better... I forgot who made it... But it ruled!!


venom made a sweet looking one for ott, but I like this one better....
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: aldo_14 on May 31, 2002, 02:34:02 pm
Quote
Originally posted by el gore
I use 3ds max 4. Maybe I'll do some more animations if I find the time.

If someone wants the ani, you can get it here (http://mitglied.lycos.de/elgore/pub/shockwave.zip).


did you use the tutorial at 3dCafe.com ?  i've been meaning to try that myself :)
Title: what do you think of this shockwave?
Post by: Galemp on May 31, 2002, 10:36:07 pm
Say, maybe you could fade the back edge of the shockwave out a bit to make it look like that edge is receeding while the leading edge is approaching.