Hard Light Productions Forums
Community Projects => The FreeSpace Upgrade Project => Topic started by: Nyctaeus on June 23, 2020, 05:46:17 pm
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So yeah. It's time again. New insane thing with sick polycount is going to happen. And this time I want something different, then I usually do.
I want monsters, nightmares and... Cables. Lots of cables. Deliberately thicc cables. So I picked one of my most beloved designs.
We have RGA's Rakshasa and Sathanas, so I should keep some consistency. And I do... But I also want a touch of Lovecraft :].
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You know what would make this model even scarier? It not being so glitched that it shoots through itself. :p :D
EDIT: I like how this model looks but I'm not sure about those 4 long thin claws/barbs coming out of those 2 nodules on the cables. They just seem like they're something for Shivan fighters emerging from the starboard fighterbay to crash into for no good reason. They're not part of any subsystem, are they?
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I'm trying to shoot out the beam turrets though the screen but nothings happening ahhh
looks good, I have to say I think I like the grouping of cables, though the ship as a hole seems a tiny bit more thin then it was. .
That could just be me tho.
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I want monsters, nightmares and... Cables. Lots of cables. Deliberately thicc cables. So I picked one of my most beloved designs.
We have RGA's Rakshasa and Sathanas, so I should keep some consistency. And I do... But I also want a touch of Lovecraft :].
I love this craft~
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...I also want a touch of Lovecraft :].
I love this craft~
I see what you did there. :p
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Already looks incredible! The main guns on its prow kinda look like Nod obelisks of light. Just my opinion
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Nice :)
The more organic look of the cables and the additionally antennae provide a nice counter point to the segemented armour plating, like the more obviously engineered looking parts encasing something - Are you planing to reinforce the contrast in the textures too?
BTW are we going to get some additional destroyable subobject for the Ravana, just like with the Leviathan? - It would help with getting the Ravana out of the "take out the LReds"-rutt that it sometimes comes in.
EDIT: I like how this model looks but I'm not sure about those 4 long thin claws/barbs coming out of those 2 nodules on the cables. They just seem like they're something for Shivan fighters emerging from the starboard fighterbay to crash into for no good reason. They're not part of any subsystem, are they?
The 3 $bay paths should take care of that, like in the original (for illustration, see attachment)
[attachment eaten by a Shivan]
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I love how all those cables seem to imply that there's some sort of reactor, deep within the ship's hull, powering up the front beam cannons. Who knows, maybe that's what :v: wanted in the first place?
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I would suggest accessorizing the entrance to (at least the port) fighterbay with inward curving claws to give it the appearance of the maw on one of those weird micro-worms.
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Maps are going to be similar to Oddgrim's Demon, but yeah, I'm going to use some semi-organic patterns to highlight some areas and deepen the organic vibe.
I can include some additional, untargettable subsystems. New model is composed from tons of non-manifold objects, so I can easily separate some cables or external plates from parent object and make destroyed variants for them.
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/me approves
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I love it. Especially the re-imagining of the "cable" as a tangled, root like stalk.
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The Ravana is one of my favorite models, can't wait to see this one continue to take shape.
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Beautiful, go even further through nightmarish forms, I love it, the cables swirling around each other, the forms suggesting organic exoskeletons / medieval overkill armor, the weird plugs where the outside cables join the rear body.
Great work! :yes:
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Freeeky, in a good way :yes:
Are the bottom cables going to connect to something like in the current model? I always liked how the lights flowing in opposite directions on the ravana hinted at energy, liquid, 'stuff' flowing in a circuit. :)
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Looks like there's a waiting socket ont the current model in progress.
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Yeah, they were present in a previous version. The way they coil under the ship to attach on the underside is great.
I’m curious where the pin joints on the rear talons goes too - they have armour from the rear and give the whip a kind of front/rear symmetry.
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Freeeky, in a good way :yes:
Are the bottom cables going to connect to something like in the current model? I always liked how the lights flowing in opposite directions on the ravana hinted at energy, liquid, 'stuff' flowing in a circuit. :)
They are now connected :]. And yeah, I'm gonna make animated texture for the braids, so they will pulse the same way as they do on Raven's Ravana.
Raven's Ravana o___O
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I check in on this thread every few hours and literally the P3D model has more progress every time.
You are the fastest modeler in the west!
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Vassago's Dirge is definitely going to get another play-though when this monster gets released.
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Something just occurred to me: remember how the cables on the latest MediaVPs of the Ravana had the red glow pulsate across the cables? Nyx, is your model going to do that?
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Something just occurred to me: remember how the cables on the latest MediaVPs of the Ravana had the red glow pulsate across the cables? Nyx, is your model going to do that?
Freeeky, in a good way :yes:
Are the bottom cables going to connect to something like in the current model? I always liked how the lights flowing in opposite directions on the ravana hinted at energy, liquid, 'stuff' flowing in a circuit. :)
They are now connected :]. And yeah, I'm gonna make animated texture for the braids, so they will pulse the same way as they do on Raven's Ravana.
Raven's Ravana o___O
Reading the thread is :yes:
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Animated textures on ships are going the way of the dodo without a cheaper way to do them unfortunately, but that one is too recognizable and iconic to lose.
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Is there any interest in reversing the fin under the hangarbay into a feature like the other 3 rear talons? In stock it's the only feature that bends that way, but could easily be a fourth talon of the rear 'claw'.
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Is there any interest in reversing the fin under the hangarbay into a feature like the other 3 rear talons? In stock it's the only feature that bends that way, but could easily be a fourth talon of the rear 'claw'.
It's violating asset development policy of the FSU. In retail, the claw faces backwards so it has to in my rework. Interpretation of certain sections, detailing etc. is all up to me, but I can't change the main lines and the design overally.
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Fair enough. I’m eager to see what you do with it regardless !
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(realises that the P3D preview updates over time)
You know, when I first saw the original HTL Ravana, I thought it couldn't be improved upon. This is on another level to that.
Your Ravana model is going to be truly awe-inspiring once it's complete.
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Anyone else come on these development threads every few days to see how the models are coming along? Its shaping up nicely (or 'horribly' but in a good way - I love how it is deliberately wonky it is, like it's growing randomly and about to burst out of its shell :nod:)
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Anyone else come on these development threads every few days to see how the models are coming along? Its shaping up nicely (or 'horribly' but in a good way - I love how it is deliberately wonky it is, like it's growing randomly and about to burst out of its shell :nod:)
I guess quite lot of people :]. Nyxvana gets 100-150 new daily views, slowly reaching 900. I'm trying to post updates everyday as I progress this project forward.
Unless 75% of this is just Nightmare spamclicking F5 because he got bored :P
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So in the pipeline is the Ravana, Orion and Demon? :3
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Just had a thought - will this new model fix the shooting through itself issue?
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So in the pipeline is the Ravana, Orion and Demon? :3
If you're asking for updated models coming in next revision of MVPs, there is much more then that. So far we have Pegasus, Orion, Elysium, Azrael and most recent addon - the Demon. Those are complete and in the middle of testing stage. We have couple more things like Kestrellius' weapon effects. We also completed general cleanup of our modpack, and lots of depreciated and unused maps got moved to MV_Compatibility.
4.3.0 is going to be released late july or early august, so there is a chance for more assets to appear in this release, including Asmodeus, Faustus or Ravana.
Just had a thought - will this new model fix the shooting through itself issue?
Not likely. Our tables does not contain "check hull" flag in tables to keep things consistent with retail.
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Just had a thought - will this new model fix the shooting through itself issue?
My understanding is that there's really not a way to fix that from a model/table standpoint that won't completely ruin the retail missions in which it happens. Mods, however, are free to add "Check Hull" as Nyc said.
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I just love coming back here to see this beauty being slowly (actually really fast) actualized into existence, always new details and nuances to admire.
Great stuff! :yes: :yes:
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The Nyxvana is shaping up nicely, but I still can't get over those clawed nodules on the cables. Maybe they'll look better once they're colored and skinned, but right now...ugh. :ick:
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The Nyxvana is shaping up nicely, but I still can't get over those clawed nodules on the cables. Maybe they'll look better once they're colored and skinned, but right now...ugh. :ick:
The truth is: I want some **** to be there, but so far I have no particular idea for shape of those things :P
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but so far I have no particular idea for shape of those things :P
How about some crapb carapace as inspiration? Would have them look less mechanical...
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Ebalia_tumefacta.jpg)
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Ugh, I HATE seafood. :ick:
Wait, did you mean "crab carapace" when you said "crap carapace?" :confused:
The Nyxvana is shaping up nicely, but I still can't get over those clawed nodules on the cables. Maybe they'll look better once they're colored and skinned, but right now...ugh. :ick:
The truth is: I want some **** to be there, but so far I have no particular idea for shape of those things :P
Don't overthink it. Sometimes less is more. :D
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Ugh, I ]HATE seafood. :ick:
Wait, did you mean "crab carapace" when you said "crap carapace?" :confused:
Trying to coax the engine to do stuff on an empty stomach makes world like samey :)
Also your opinion of aquatic lifeforms might improve if you no longer categorize them by "can I eat that?" - most species are adopted for the living in water are wonderful and the impression of weirdness just comes from the unfamiliar
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Oh, I have no problem with the weirdness of aquatic life forms; bioluminescence in the deep ocean is awesome!
My main problem with seafood is the smell. :ick:
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I would suggest accessorizing the entrance to (at least the port) fighterbay with inward curving claws to give it the appearance of the maw on one of those weird micro-worms.
I almost overlooked such precious comment <3
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[Checks the p3d.]
:jaw: This is looking like something out of H.R. Giger's nightmares. It looks like it is in pain!
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It looks like it is in pain!
I am :P. Not her. It's painful development process.
When she is done... Everything else will share this pain with me. The pain she inflicts. And I-, hueh hueh, -'am gonna just watch the universe burning under her beam fire.
Okay. That was dark o__O
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For the port side fighterbay, if you're gonna keep that 6-sided shape to it, I was thinking of inward-curving claws from each of the corners, then another set of teeth within it, as though the outward set are designed to latch onto its prey, while the inward set rip into the flesh.
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The rib cage hanging under the hull looks EXCELLENT.
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Loving the progress, but it's ass thrusters seem off :nervous: are they placeholders?
https://www.thingiverse.com/make:737149
Look like they would blend nicely with the design, or maybe it's lack of teeth that I'm holding on to. Again.... I LOVE THE MODEL.
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Oh, I have no problem with the weirdness of aquatic life forms; bioluminescence in the deep ocean is awesome!
My main problem with seafood is the smell. :ick:
Its worse when you learn why seafood smells the way it does.
Pop quiz, ever see a fish take a leak? Nope, thought not.
Us landlubbers need to pee to remove urea from the body (or uric acid in the case of reptiles). Urea is mostly ammonia and is very hydrophilic so combining it with excess waste water is a good idea.
Denizens of the deep do not need to combine it with waste water since they are literally swimming in the stuff. Therefore the urea just seeps out through their skin. So they basically have pi$$ flesh and waz skin. for those with impermeable skins - such as sharks, or those with carapaces - it seeps out through their gills. So, underwater pee-pee breath. I learnt that studying Zoology for three years, so my degree wasn't entirely wasted :lol:
and in case you are wondering - no, I don't eat seafood ;)
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Loving the progress, but it's ass thrusters seem off :nervous: are they placeholders?
https://www.thingiverse.com/make:737149
Look like they would blend nicely with the design, or maybe it's lack of teeth that I'm holding on to. Again.... I LOVE THE MODEL.
This part is barely touched. I modelled engine exhausts yesterday and arranged them in placeholder positions, but still whole engine area is barely started. I will work on this section today.
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With all this rapid fire progress, it's a good time to be a Freespace fan. :D
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The Nyxvana is shaping up nicely, but I still can't get over those clawed nodules on the cables. Maybe they'll look better once they're colored and skinned, but right now...ugh. :ick:
Perhaps instead of the two long 'claws' how about lots of shorter ones, perhaps in a radial/spiral/sawblade/cog type configuration?
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:bump:
Modelling stage is more or less done. 270k mostly optimized tris, but additional reduction is always an option. P3D is ofc. updated :]
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It looks great, especially the contrast between the relatively uniform upper side and the chaos of tentacles and cables below. It’s going to look great as a counterpoint to the more compact Demon.
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It looks horrible, which is the point! I love it :D :yes:
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(https://i.imgur.com/Hpg5Vs3.png)
It's WiP :P. It's actually very far from being done... But you can see general direction. It will have much more lights.
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So lovely~
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That looks wicked. Even as an early texture it separates all the detail really clearly.
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I'm still not sold on those double-clawed nodules on the port-side cables, but with these WiP textures, even I have to admit that this new Ravana is looking a lot better than it was. And those nodules aside, this Nyxvana was already pretty awesome. :D
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"You're one ugly motherfcuker" (in a good way :cool:)
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My GPU looks upon the Nyxvana's visage and trembles.
"Pollys... so many pollys..." :shaking: :nervous: :p
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*heavy breathing* :jaw:
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I wonder what the two front beam cannons could be turned into, once they get the right attention. Right now they're nothing but spikes with a different color, but I still wonder if they could be turned into a true subobject with moving parts, while still preserving their spikey nature.
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Just another suggestion, I've noticed a few times when hi-poly redux models are made, the designer includes additional turret submodels that are left out of the tables and no submodel data is included. That in mind, it has occurred to me that having the upper pair of front claws have turrets available might be useful for campaign designers. I also seem to remember the Vassago had a central beam cannon as well.
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I like the new Ravana the way it is. :yes:
I wonder what the two front beam cannons could be turned into, once they get the right attention.
Might be wrong, but I think the spiky beam cannons are supposed to be prism type things- note all the small cables running down the arms, like they focus the energy put into them from all the cables.
If you do decide to change them, How about making the spikes partly transparent? with a laser thing inside?
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I don't know if you want to keeping hearing how good it is, but... it's real good!
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I don't know if you want to keeping hearing how good it is, but... it's real good!
I do :]. I feed on positve feedback to have more power to work :D
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It's megasmashingfantastigood.
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Doubleplusgood for the GTI Thought Police.
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Congratulations, Nyx, you've compelled me to re-access my Imgur account and make a meme (https://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=95995.msg1900195#msg1900195).
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I don't know if you want to keeping hearing how good it is, but... it's real good!
I do :]. I feed on positve feedback to have more power to work :D
More love to you then! It's gorgeous! :yes:
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OOOOOOOOOOOH MY!
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My GPU looks upon the Nyxvana's visage and trembles.
"Pollys... so many pollys..." :shaking: :nervous: :p
Meh polys are cheap, don't worry about it.
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My GPU looks upon the Nyxvana's visage and trembles.
"Pollys... so many pollys..." :shaking: :nervous: :p
Meh polys are cheap, don't worry about it.
Ok, than hand 0.10 € for every of the Ravanas polys to Nyx pls. :D
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That's not cheap :D
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Just another suggestion, I've noticed a few times when hi-poly redux models are made, the designer includes additional turret submodels that are left out of the tables and no submodel data is included. That in mind, it has occurred to me that having the upper pair of front claws have turrets available might be useful for campaign designers. I also seem to remember the Vassago had a central beam cannon as well.
It is planned. Upper pair of claws will be destroyable subobjects in standard version, but a simple table edit can turn them into additional turrets. If you do decide to change them, How about making the spikes partly transparent? with a laser thing inside?
I was thinking about it, but FSO does support partially-transparent materials. It would require separate material to make it happen, but she already uses lots of multiple, individual materials. I'll just keep claw turrets simple. We can't have everything, unfortunately.
Fresh WiP. She is closer to completion then beginning :]
(https://i.imgur.com/lIS8Ntf.png)
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"I Don't fancy yours much. She aint exactly pretty :p
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Errm i need a new change of underwear! That is a work of art. Can only imagine what you could do with the Lucifer to bring it up to this level of detail, don't get me wrong but ships like the lucy and Orion are brilliant but with detailing like this they would even more brilliant!
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Errm i need a new change of underwear! That is a work of art. Can only imagine what you could do with the Lucifer to bring it up to this level of detail, don't get me wrong but ships like the lucy and Orion are brilliant but with detailing like this they would even more brilliant!
Orion has pretty much the same level of detailing, both in texture and mesh. I painted it to look close to classic when you're away, but you wil see myriad of details if you get closer :]. New MediaVPs are coming, so soon you will see for yourself :P
Lucifer is pretty old. One of very early HTLs, dating back to 2005. It's still holding up nicely considering it's age, but it's about time for upgrade. As I know Oddgrim, you have nothing to worry about regarding quality of upcoming Nucifer :]
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Poor Moloch, the perpetual bridesmaid lol
This MVP update is going to really boost the visual impact of the game by giving the key ships such amazing presence. What great work in such a short time!
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Poor Argo, never even had an update. :(
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Poor Argo, never even had an update. :(
Axem is working on it :]
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That is one ugly, sexy, and scary monster :yes:
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(https://i.imgur.com/BsEdRYb.png)
Applying finishing touches before conversion stage.
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Wow, just wow. :pimp:
Are you going to make any further changes to the front beams?
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Probably some pattern on tips of the claws, akin to SReds. I've noticed some normalmap bugs there, so I need to re-bake whole thing anyway,
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You can do eeeeit!
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I crave to dump some Cyclops into it :D
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Look forward to seeing what those pipes look like when they pulsate! Either way that thing is EPIC!
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Those cable nodules are looking better and better. Can't wait to see the finished product.
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(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/223516619052285952/737869441664286760/RavanaAnimPreview.gif)
Courtesy of Mjn :]
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Awesome!
It’s too bad we can’t change the anim when the beam cannons are winding up, but it looks tops.
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11/10 will lick cables.
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I love it~
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jesus christ it's getting scarier by the minute
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Holy ****! it totally looks like it has come straight from hell! and thats a good thing. I totally love the Demonic look you are putting into the shivan ships. As i said Nyctaeus i would love and even pay to see your take on the lucifer!
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jesus christ it's getting scarier by the minute
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/223516619052285952/738078679480926255/Spooky.gif)
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I smell a shivan boarding party.....
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Somebody forgot the engine glows. :D
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No one forgot anything. Go away.
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I am become Death
the destroyer of worlds
(https://i.imgur.com/EY6F372.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/BNQdkfs.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/uBaAsmV.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/dYhA9c7.png)
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Thanks for raising Hell. It's as awe-inspiring as I hoped it would be. :yes:
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It's official: I now have no problem with the cable nodules since they've been textured and colored.
jesus christ it's getting scarier by the minute
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/223516619052285952/738078679480926255/Spooky.gif)
"Is it my imagination or does it look a lot meaner this time?" -Commander William T. Riker, Star Trek: The Next Generation, "The Survivors"
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No one forgot anything. Go away.
hey you also forgot a nebula!
/s :D
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One badass demonic look ship straight from the fires of hell - check
time to rip and tear!
https://tenor.com/bgno0.gif
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Nyxvana is finished, uploaded to FSU SVN and undergoing final testing stage. I was not sure if I can finish her before release of next MediaVPs, but at this point I can confirm that she will be part of next revision.
Huh... 3 brand-new HTL destoyers. Can't remember if anything like that ever happened for a single MVPs revision.
See you after release of MVPs 4.3.0 :]
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I have no idea how you're able to do it, but it's appreciated all the same.
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It’s not just 3 destroyers; it’s the last three, including two that really languished for a long time. It’s a remarkable pace!
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As someone who sporadically updates their mvps, and I mean 4 years at a time at the soonest, (because life gets in the way and stuff) what are the recommended specs for FSO/FSU now?
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At a guess, I would say that the recommended requirements for FSU are now something like this:
* CPU: Intel Core i5 2500k or better
* RAM: 8 GB or more
* GPU: Needs OpenGL 4 support and 4 to 6 GB of VRAM
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Is there any particular reason for this flurry of activity? I know modding work never really stops, but still it's nice to see.
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Is there any particular reason for this flurry of activity? I know modding work never really stops, but still it's nice to see.
Almost no activity at all about a year ago. Only Axem tossing single ship once per couple months... So I joined the endeavour.
Others followed :]
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Everyone being stuck inside for a few months certainly didn't hurt matters.
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I return here every few months to see what's up. And whenever there's new leaps forward I do what I can to plug FS2 Open on the other game boards I visit. Can confirm FS2 is still well loved, and played if that motivates everyone.
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At a guess, I would say that the recommended requirements for FSU are now something like this:
* CPU: Intel Core i5 2500k or better
* RAM: 8 GB or more
* GPU: Needs OpenGL 4 support and 4 to 6 GB of VRAM
My 8 year old laptop is straying to creak a bit.
https://www.anandtech.com/show/6311/alienware-m17x-r4-notebook-review-ivy-bridge-and-the-geforce-gtx-680m
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Almost no activity at all about a year ago. Only Axem tossing single ship once per couple months... So I joined the endeavour.
Others followed :]
Well can I just say a huge thank you?
I've had a HUGE hiatus from FreeSpace but always kept a soft spot for it and thought I'd 'look in' recently after a conversation with someone on another forum about efforts to upgrade X-Wing Alliance - it got me thinking.
The game was looking great a few years back, the Upgrade Project / Media VPs all looking great. I've spent the last couple of days getting my head around Knossos (super handy as I've all but forgotten how to manually update VPs) and am totally blown away by the quality and extent of the games modding community as it stands now.
You guys have talents I'll never know and I love that you're keeping things rolling even now. It's brilliant :D
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My god, it's the founder!
:jaw:
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*brofist.Gif*
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Hi <3
(https://imgur.com/8vHiCJ9.jpg)
Edit: Posted and felt bad. *A* founder - not *the* founder. I sure as hell had help and there's sure as hell been folks keeping all this going from both a technical and admin POV!
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I heard that in Brummie.
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You are... Were Kalfireth, right? Welcome to NyctiShipyards, sir :]. We're honored to host you onboard. Feel free to have a walk around. Just watch out for drunk, slav engineers. They like to sleep everywhere.
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Fineus = Kalfireth = Thunder
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Huh, and I thought I was gone a long time (17 years), but apparently this "Fineas" person has been gone so long, I don't even remember him from when I was last here in HLP waaaaay back in 2003.
So who is this "Fineas" person again? One of the Founders (https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Founder) of HLP? Is he from the Gamma Quadrant or something? :D
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He made this.
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Huh, and I thought I was gone a long time (17 years), but apparently this "Fineas" person has been gone so long, I don't even remember him from when I was last here in HLP waaaaay back in 2003.
So who is this "Fineas" person again? One of the Founders (https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Founder) of HLP? Is he from the Gamma Quadrant or something? :D
He changed his name twice what in most cases is a good way to make people forget who you are, unless you are - like he is - a prominent personality.
Fineus = Kalfireth = Thunder
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Colonol Dekker - I'm not *actually* Brummie ;)
Nyctaeus - That's right, though it's been a long time since Kalfireth (and indeed Thunder, Nightmare, good memory!) Happy to mingle with drunks though, I may well join them!
And I didn't totally make this - certainly had a hand but all this *waves hands about* is by more skilled people than I! Hope you're all doing well (and if Setekh, Shrike, Sandwich et al should happen upon this - hello to you old bastards also!)
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FS2 is my all-time favorite scifi sim, so here's to many more years!
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Colonol Dekker - I'm not *actually* Brummie ;)
Nyctaeus - That's right, though it's been a long time since Kalfireth (and indeed Thunder, Nightmare, good memory!) Happy to mingle with drunks though, I may well join them!
Nah it's a bit different, when I started reading HLP in 2008 I searched though the entire history of the forum, so I know quite a lot of the history (and yes, it took me only 10 years to finally get an account here :warp: )
And I didn't totally make this - certainly had a hand but all this *waves hands about* is by more skilled people than I! Hope you're all doing well (and if Setekh, Shrike, Sandwich et al should happen upon this - hello to you old bastards also!)
Sandwich is still around sometimes, Shrike logged in recently but he didn't post, Setekh hasn't been around since I registered here but I was told he has a pretty sucessful YT channel (but nothing FS/gaming related).