Hard Light Productions Forums

Modding, Mission Design, and Coding => The Modding Workshop => Topic started by: MarkN on September 25, 2011, 03:24:49 pm

Title: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: MarkN on September 25, 2011, 03:24:49 pm
I've been working on this for some time (The first version, which looked rather more like an amorphous blob, is about three years old). Basically it is a light assault fighter in the same class as the Herc 2.
(http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/1711/soter1.jpg)
(http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/5664/soter2.jpg)
(http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/7430/soter3.jpg)
(http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/203/soter4.jpg)

While I think that the majority of the side sections are finished, it still needs engines, and I am not happy with the centre hull and cockpit. The cockpit being enclosed entirely by the centre hull makes the centre hull to thick. The only alternative that I can think of is the use a bubble cockpit like on the Horus, with the centre gun beside it.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: Dragon on September 25, 2011, 03:27:00 pm
Nice, looks related to Seraphis.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: Woolie Wool on September 25, 2011, 03:27:56 pm
Why not use the bubble canopy, but put the gun beneath the cockpit?
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: Nyctaeus on September 25, 2011, 03:57:20 pm
Similar to shivan Taurvi, but nicely done :).
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: Black Wolf on September 25, 2011, 06:01:08 pm
Wow! One of the few really cool Vasudan designs - I like it! The cockpit isn't so bad - I can see what you're saying about the thickness, but for me, it's not a deal breaker as far as the design goes - the cockpit is nicely Thoth-ish atm, which isn't a bad thing, IMO.

Definitely keep going on this thing - I really want to see this beast textured up and ingame. :nod:
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: Reprobator on September 25, 2011, 06:06:56 pm
Yeah it's a quite cool ship, it has the sea "shell" feeling!
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: BengalTiger on September 25, 2011, 06:11:34 pm
Why not use the bubble canopy, but put the gun beneath the cockpit?
I'll agree with that about mounting the gun beneath the cockpit. The canopy could be a single piece window like what the GVF Thoth has instead of a bubble though.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: NeonShivan on September 25, 2011, 07:05:28 pm
(http://www.moviepostersusa.com/images/product_images/popup_images/G587050.jpg)
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: NeoKnight on September 26, 2011, 02:29:30 pm
Love the design...it feels legitimately Vasudan.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: NeonShivan on September 26, 2011, 02:38:45 pm
Cant wait to see it in action also. Plus It would make great use in Evolution :)
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: Trivial Psychic on September 26, 2011, 10:07:12 pm
While I am impressed by the details and feel that it is indeed a distinctly Vasudan design, I feel that it needs some additions aesthetically.  It seems to me that the main over-curving arc that sweeps aft, should be balanced by either a shorter pair of arcs on the ventral, sweeping aft as well, or by side-mounted arcs, perhaps with a slight anhedral.  Just my opinion.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: MarkN on October 02, 2011, 04:33:20 pm
Redone cockpit
(http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/9233/soter5.jpg)

Engine:
(http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/558/soter6.jpg)
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: Cyborg17 on October 02, 2011, 05:38:48 pm
I like the engine a lot.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: Nyctaeus on October 02, 2011, 06:02:41 pm
Awesome :)
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: NeonShivan on October 03, 2011, 02:28:57 pm
(http://www.moviepostersusa.com/images/product_images/popup_images/G587050.jpg)

Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: MarkN on October 03, 2011, 02:36:46 pm
The problem is that I am not sure that the cockpit fits in with the rest of the fighters lines. I have also tried a simpler modification, with the original size and position, but a canopy/window based on that of the Thoth:
(http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/1143/soter7.jpg)
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: yuezhi on October 03, 2011, 03:18:44 pm
light assault :confused: and your comparing it to the herc2? unless you think the herc is something else.

It looks nice btw. with proper skins, it could also pass as an ancient fighter.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: NeonShivan on October 03, 2011, 03:27:16 pm
The problem is that I am not sure that the cockpit fits in with the rest of the fighters lines. I have also tried a simpler modification, with the original size and position, but a canopy/window based on that of the Thoth:
(http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/1143/soter7.jpg)

Honestly this looks just as fine as it is.

Quote
It looks nice btw. with proper skins, it could also pass as an ancient fighter.

I agree completely
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: Klaustrophobia on October 05, 2011, 02:26:13 am
i like the redone cockpit better, but it looks like you lost a gun mount.  the originial is also fine, just the redone seems even better to me.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: MarkN on October 05, 2011, 10:58:11 am
Yeah, in the changes to the cockpit I lost the central gun mount. People were saying put it below the cockpit earlier in the thread, but there is nowhere to put it below the cockpit as the lower part of the centre hull curves upwards sharply about level with the back of the pilots feet. The problem is that the centre gun is very important for hitting anything small as the side guns are a very long way apart.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: Klaustrophobia on October 05, 2011, 12:35:46 pm
if you really want to keep the modified cockpit, maybe you could have the gun stick straight out from the center of the hull instead of underslinging it.  or squeeze the side guns in a little.  if not, it still looks great. 
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: -Sara- on October 07, 2011, 09:15:13 am
From a design perspective the guns break the flow of the design. Making them integrated into the design itself would do it far more justice, it's a shame many people make big guns stick out of the hull. Other than that I like it a lot!
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: MarkN on October 09, 2011, 07:27:44 am
Sara: I would normally agree with you. For the Soter though, the profile of the side hulls are determined by the fact that there are two huge guns sticking out of each.

I have now got a centre hull gun for which I have tried to account for the fact that there isn't enough space by having it stick out at the front rear and bottom.
(http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/6613/soter8.jpg)
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: mmm99 on October 11, 2011, 05:32:50 am
Narrrly design dude  ;7

Although you would never notice in game and the ship would still be realy cool, a buble cockpit on top of the hull would alow the pilot better situational awareness in a dog fight where the in built cockpit would give him no field of vision around him.

You may realise this all ready or don't particuly care because it will realy make no differense in game but just wanted to mention this.

 Keep up the good work :yes:
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: BengalTiger on October 14, 2011, 03:49:00 pm
I'd say sensors in the FS universe are advanced enough for the pilot to know what's going on even without having a bubble cockpit.

The small windshield gives the Soter a more armored look.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: MarkN on October 20, 2011, 04:28:41 am
Now UV mapped. with some sections marked to identify the type of texture to be used.
(http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/8660/soter9.jpg)

I have no idea how to make the texture though..
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: Cyborg17 on October 20, 2011, 12:15:51 pm
Exciting!  You should post the UV mapped version.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: BengalTiger on October 23, 2011, 11:00:48 am
Now when you finish, make a light fighter with one tail.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: MarkN on October 23, 2011, 12:01:28 pm
I hadn't thought of that, but I may do that. however I have the beginnings of a heavy fighter I want to complete first.

Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: mjn.mixael on October 23, 2011, 03:20:47 pm
We need more people around here who can texture. Learning to texture is a good thing! Drop into IRC and I'll help you get started with creating the texture.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: NeonShivan on October 24, 2011, 08:14:54 am
The fighter is looking good, cant wait to see the final piece of it

I hadn't thought of that, but I may do that. however I have the beginnings of a heavy fighter I want to complete first.



Didnt you origionaly say it was a light assault fighter or something and not a heavy fighter?

Now when you finish, make a light fighter with one tail.

Yes he should.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: Rampage on October 24, 2011, 08:31:31 am
I looked at your mesh; excellent job overall.  Several suggestions:
1. Always check your mirroring; your mirror was slightly off and into the ship.
2. You can reduce your poly count by reducing redundant polys.

R
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: MarkN on October 24, 2011, 11:14:53 am
mjn.mixael:
I'd love any help you can give me. Rampage has offered to texture this one, but I could use this as a learning experience. However, I would want to start with how to make the best UV map for texturing, as there are a few things I am unsure of there. I would first have to find out how to use IRC though.

BTA:
This is definitely at the light end of assault fighters, but I also have a heavier fighter (currently designated Auletes), that I have had kicking around on my hard drive for some time.

Rampage:
How do identify the redundant polys?
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: mjn.mixael on October 24, 2011, 01:13:04 pm
At the top of the Forums there is an 'HLP' tab. Mouseover that and go to IRC links, then to Mibbit. There you will see a list of channels. Most people are on #hard-light but that channel is mostly off-topic generic banter. You can find me in #Freespace.

It'll open up a new tab in your browser, then simply type my handle. If I'm around, I'll respond.
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: Rampage on October 24, 2011, 02:14:25 pm
A redundant polygon is one that does not contribute or contributes very little to the overall shape of the mesh.  For example, if your mesh is a cubic box and one of the sides is made up of two polygons, then one of those polygons is redundant unless it alters the shape of the box.  A lot of new 3D artists make this mistake so to up their mesh's polycount (I made this very mistake when I first started out).

R
Title: Re: [WIP] GVF Soter
Post by: The Dagger on August 26, 2013, 01:08:49 am
I'm bumping this thread to announce that the Inferno team has release the GVB Setep based on this design, according to our agreement with MarkN.
Release thread link: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85391.new#new (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=85391.new#new)