Tour of Duty Battle screens WIP

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Re: Tour of Duty Battle screens WIP

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Forceflow
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Post by Forceflow » Mon Apr 20, 2020 11:44 am

Blender is completely free, you kinda need to go through some hoops to import the models however. There's a thread about it in the private forum you can follow. It's a bit of a pain but not really complicated. As for blender itself... it does take some getting used to for sure, but After a while you learn to use it
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Vince T
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Post by Vince T » Mon Apr 20, 2020 12:06 pm

Alright, leme chime in for the engine glow, A really quick and easy way is to simply add the glow in a painting program of your choice. I'll use Force's PNG as an example.

Just import them into your program, whip up a background and then create a new layer on which you paint the engine glow with a smooth blue brush
EngineGlow1.jpg
Then just switch the order and voillà you've got yourself glowing engines :)
EngineGlow2.jpg
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Ace Antilles
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Post by Ace Antilles » Mon Apr 20, 2020 12:38 pm

Oh you make it sound so easy using the word "paint" ;)
Going to need that PNG glow layer :p

Ok question for everyone.
Is it best to try to recreate the battle scenes in the game reasonably close.

Or should other elements be added or go wild with different ideas? Nine of which I have.
Obviously it has to represent the battle or mission anyway.
Also keep the simulator room background or go for a full on black space background?
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Vince T
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Post by Vince T » Mon Apr 20, 2020 12:53 pm

*sigh* fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine! :D
Glowz.png
Aren't you using Paint Shop Pro? Sure it should be able to handle layers.

I'd definitely keep the simulator background. As for the composition, I like what LA did in the first place, they took the most noticable aspects from the mission/battle, meaning landmark backdrops and prominent ships and very losely recreated the scenes. Lighting and distance between the ships were chosen for visibility and clarity over realism. The user has to get an idea of what's going on by a first glance.
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Ace Antilles
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Post by Ace Antilles » Mon Apr 20, 2020 10:22 pm

Image

So this isn't finished as such. It does show though that this kinda thing is obviously the way to go over my cheap attempts :blush12:
Also shows what a bunch of talented people like Trevor, Force and GT are.
I have downloaded Blender to look into playing with when the time allows.

I think it may still come out a little dark in game. This can be adjusted a little.
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darklord
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Post by darklord » Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:10 am

GIMP will always be a great free alternative to those of us too poor for PhotoShop, and lately it has made some great improvements. I suggest taking a look at that for 2d work.

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keiranhalcyon7
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Post by keiranhalcyon7 » Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:04 am

PaintShopPro != Photoshop.

Yes, PSP supports layers. The version I have is from 2000 and has a much more intuitive UI than modern GIMP.

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Post by Ace Antilles » Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:15 am

keiranhalcyon7 wrote:
Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:04 am
PaintShopPro != Photoshop.

Yes, PSP supports layers. The version I have is from 2000 and has a much more intuitive UI than modern GIMP.
I am using Paint Shop Pro 2028. Wouldn't be able to do any of this without layers.
Would help if the file I've created would stop crashing occasionally!
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Post by darklord » Thu Apr 23, 2020 2:54 am

keiranhalcyon7 wrote:
Tue Apr 21, 2020 1:04 am
...much more intuitive UI than modern GIMP.
I really wouldn't call Gimp unintuitive. Ive used it for years and has always served me pretty well in a pinch. If you are familiar at all with Photoshop, you will find that it takes many of its queues especially lately. Granted it's not PS but you can't beat the price.

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Post by eddyfurax » Thu Apr 23, 2020 7:12 pm

Forceflow wrote:
Mon Apr 20, 2020 9:12 am
Quick and dirty render in Blender:

battle_screens_b01m01.png

I did use the exterior models for rendering to also get the cockpits, I simply added a light in each to make them more visible. Same for that landing pad of the station. Otherwise I just placed a sun so that the whole scene is pleasantly lighted. Image is high resolution.
Just really don't know how to get any type of engine glow working in Blender :( I am simply too stupid for that...
Very nice work ! You progress very well in your project ; )

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Post by haui » Wed Apr 29, 2020 7:33 am

blender is for free and you can get tons of tutorials in the net
It's better to burn out than to fade away .

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Ace Antilles
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Post by Ace Antilles » Wed Apr 29, 2020 12:19 pm

haui wrote:
Wed Apr 29, 2020 7:33 am
blender is for free and you can get tons of tutorials in the net
Yeah I've got blender now. I've also imported an opt into it.
What I haven't been able to work out so far is how to light them well or render them.
I haven't spent much time on it though and am exploring an in game option too.
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