[manwiththemachinegun]

Just checking out of idle curiosity if this Colossus model was still being worked on.

[mjn.mixael]

when it's done, we'll tell you. stop asking.

[Ulala]

when it's done, we'll tell you. stop asking.

To be fair, that quote was almost a year ago.

[manwiththemachinegun]

I get where mix is coming from, but I'm certainly not waiting another year to play through FS2's main campaign again. Mods have died in far less time than next to a year without updates.

[SypheDMar]

Well, judging from mjn.mixael's response, you can surely bet that it's still in the pipeline. And knowing how fast pipelines move, we can assume that it'll get there when it gets there.

[Dragon]

Still, an update would be nice. I can't believe texturing that beast would take an entire year (it already had basic textures last time I've seen it). "When it's done" is an acceptable answer if it's actually being done, and something tells me it isn't.

[Rodo]

So you're gonna texture it if it's not being worked on?

[Luis Dias]

Guessing by the number of projects his badges attest to, I'd say not.

[Dragon]

So you're gonna texture it if it's not being worked on?

Well, actually, I thought about that. It all depends on the status of the main texture. If the main map is done, then I could try doing the rest. I might not be the best texturer in the world, but IMHO, it's better to have medicore normals and shine maps than nothing at all. This would most likely take some time, but I don't think an entire year.

[mjn.mixael]

A couple things, guys.

FSU is not dependent on me alone. The number of badges I have is irrelevant. What is far more relevant is the number of assets we are finalizing. There are assets we are working on that aren't even on that list yet.

The main work that needs to be done on the Colossus is the normal map needs to be traced from the diffuse. We were not given source files so we need to go it alone and we really want a proper normal map, not one generated from the diffuse in some bulk fashion. Essentially we need someone to go in and trace the lines on a few different layers in GIMP/Photoshop so that we can then set depth levels and make a proper normal map.

[Luis Dias]

I could do that, MJN. But not today. I'm feeling extremely sick and apparently I'm not the only one in the family. Call me tomorrow or after, and I'll definitely check that out. For what is worth, I'm really used to make diffuse, normal, bump mapping for materials here in my office.

Also, the "number of badges" thing wasn't directed at you, it was directed at dragon. Wasn't even serious, so don't take offense.

[Dragon]

We were not given source files so we need to go it alone and we really want a proper normal map, not one generated from the diffuse in some bulk fashion.

In that case I can't help you. My method, while decent looking (ask the Inferno guys) is based exactly on what you don't want. Unfortunately I don't think I have the time to learn a new, completely different and much more complex method of normalmapping.

[pecenipicek]

since when is "drawing out lines for us" considered a vastly different normalmapping technique? the basic idea is that you have a decent heightmap that you toss through a decent normal map filter, unless mjn is doing some more magic i'm not aware of (which is quite possible)

[mjn.mixael]

Nope, that's exactly what we need. The problem is that for the Colossus map, this is a big job. A really big one. It's also going to be extremely mind-numbing. So naturally, many of us have put that off until we have nothing else to work on.

[BrotherBryon]

Big job is an understatement in this regard given the level of detail and shear size of the model in question. Not trying to deter anyone just stating the level of commitment it would take to do this thing right.

[Cobra]

Doesn't really matter how much work's involved, you'll still get the impatient jackoffs yelling 'WHY ISN'T THIS DONE YOU GUYS DON'T WORK HARD ENOUGH'

[Kobrar44]

We were not given source files,

So there won't be any 4k maps? And these 2k from page 30 are basically what you have to work with?

[Luis Dias]

Doesn't really matter how much work's involved, you'll still get the impatient jackoffs yelling 'WHY ISN'T THIS DONE YOU GUYS DON'T WORK HARD ENOUGH'

Actually I'm offering myself, if it's as numb a job as descripted. I know how to do it, and even if I take months doing it, well, at least someone has been doing something for the next month or two .

[Rodo]

Can't this be done by the entire community? maps could be shared publicly and everyone could work on them in order.
Luis has already volunteered to start on it, if he ever gets bored or doesn't want to continue then he can relay the maps to someone else for continuation.

I get that it might be a little bit of a havoc to control the development process, but in a community where everyone is already busy and cannot devote a tremendous amount of time/effort, rotation of work between multiple responsible contributors seems to be the way to go.

[Scourge of Ages]

Can't this be done by the entire community? maps could be shared publicly and everyone could work on them in order.
Luis has already volunteered to start on it, if he ever gets bored or doesn't want to continue then he can relay the maps to someone else for continuation.

I get that it might be a little bit of a havoc to control the development process, but in a community where everyone is already busy and cannot devote a tremendous amount of time/effort, rotation of work between multiple responsible contributors seems to be the way to go.

That sounds pretty good. If somebody can throw out a simple tutorial, I can tackle a small part of it too.