Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 2:09 am Post subject:
Converting Renegade Buildings to TS
Subject description: Again...
I want to convert some renegade buildings to TS, the problem is that I can't render in Gmax (all I get is the building in green scale, no textures, and everything else black).
The other problem is that I can't get W3D Viewer to render in isometric perspective, so everytime I try that, experienced modders tell me "wrong perspective" (for some reason I can't really tell when the building it's on a wrong perspective).
What can I do?
1. The first solution would be looking for help from someone who knows how to render correctly in Gmax. - Help! SOS!! LOL -
2. The second solution would be looking for a not perfect perspective W3D Viewer render, comparing with the model on Gmax to get as close as possible.
I want to share a new attempt on the 2nd solution, the Power Plant (of course I need to know if perspective is acceptable):
(For some reason the Nod logo is missing in Gmax)
Holy molely that is a difference. hey where did the nod symbol on the right picture?. _________________ Link to a document to see what mods i have and/or working on or working with
Click QUICK_EDIT
isometric view can be easy verified, if you take a orthogonal plane parallel to the ground, which then has a border creating the following pixel staircase:
1 pixel up/down, 2 pixel to the side.
Looking at the rectangular roof on the right of the building, it looks like you match the isometric angle.
Now you should fix the lighting, so it gets shadowed and illuminated areas following the light source which is in the southwest.
For the conversion, you should create a new palette. Copy the unittem.pal and change the color 0 black into purple. Then use this palette for the conversion, so you don't get holes in the dark areas of your model (like you do now on the dark ring at the bottom of the model).
Maybe also enhance a bit the model and make the tower more round. In Renegade when viewing it from the ground it isn't that much noticeable but from top you can clearly see the tower has only 8 sides. _________________ SHP Artist of Twisted Insurrection: Nod buildings
Hard to explain ,but here is the sweetest wiki to tell you.
Wiki link _________________ Link to a document to see what mods i have and/or working on or working with
Click QUICK_EDIT
Thank you again LKO. I haven't tested the way you told me yet, because I'm using the same old render that I posted (But of course I will do it with other buildings).
I want to share a "finished" power plant. If I get positive opinions I'll release the shp, but I'll make the damage frame and the buildup first and perhaps some water and some shadows too.
BTW, I'm not doing this just for me, I think it's useful enough for any TS modder that wants to resemble some buildings from the past.
Perhaps... but doesn't it matter that the TD buildings are in a top-down perspective? I mean, copying them to TS would result in passing the boundaries... I think it won't work.
New conversion! This is the GDI Barracks. The same as the other one, I need your approval to make the buildup, damaged frame and perhaps adding a flag.
This also works with Tiberian Sun SHPs... since those are just smaller IIRC.
Buildings lack lighting but I assume your working on that? Your also fixing the black outlines too I assume. _________________ ~ Excelsior ~ QUICK_EDIT
The black outlines are easily fixed.
But the lighting... I can't work with the lighting, since I'm using just W3D Viewer and then pure 2d editing, but perhaps I can do something in certain parts.
From what i know is Gmax not suited for rendering as it misses the whole rendering aspect. It's just for creating 3dmodels.
There are IIRC some renderer plugins available for Gmax, but the best would be to use 3dsmax instead. _________________ SHP Artist of Twisted Insurrection: Nod buildings
The problem with 3ds max is this one:
And I don't have that kind of fortune.
Although my building conversions aren't THAT bad right?
BTW today I did a degradation with GIMP for the ceiling of the barracks and now looks a lot better. I'll post it when I finish.
And... I know the buildings aren't the best possible quality, but I'm testing, trying, having fun in the process and making something useful.
*cough* There are other ways to get it... But yeah it might be crossing the line.
Or be an Art Student... we get 25% discounts and stuff on Art Products. Sure its still expensive but at least its cheaper. _________________ ~ Excelsior ~ QUICK_EDIT
Joined: 22 Nov 2010 Location: Iszkaszentgyorgy, Hungary
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 8:07 am Post subject:
I might can come with a better solution, which is completely legal.... it wouldn't work with animations tho... and it probably will be more messy, but I think it'll provide better overall quality.
3D Image software
Commonly used for creating renders and buildings. Again, not required, but very handy to have.
Blender - A free, open source, easy to use 3D modeling program.
3DS MAX - An incredible 3D program. It comes at a price though. For a free trial, follow the link on the main page.
See also: 3DS to VXL above.
GMAX - A cut down, but free version of 3DS MAX. That site also has tutorials here and there, so make sure you check them out too.
Anim8or is a free 3D modeling program which is a favorite out of the free programs.
Cinema4D isn't a very popular 3D Modeling program, but it is extremely powerful and very user-friendly (Which Me and Droke personally use).
Caligari Truespace is another 3D modeling and rendering program which is for quite a while already for free available.
I've allowed myself to add truespace to the list. I haven't tested it myself but the previews show it as a quite mighty 3d modeling and rendering program. (Well before it was for free available, it was costing a few hundred dollar too) _________________ SHP Artist of Twisted Insurrection: Nod buildings
You should find/use a real renderer. In the end it will be much faster and a lot more accurate than using photoshop and putting some kind of artificial shadow layer on top of it.
LKO: Thank you, I appreciate a lot your help, but right now I don't have 3dsmax, but I'll install it again and see again if cracking works.
I have been acquiring skills and learned how to use better 2D image programs, so if I don't finish all buildings it'll still be a good experience (until I get 3DSMax).
Also Known As: banshee_revora (Steam) Joined: 15 Aug 2002 Location: Brazil
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 1:04 am Post subject:
Ixonoclast wrote:
Just pirate it.
The copyright cops are only going after your ass when you're making money with your models.
You know those companies with huge expensive programs want a small userbase?
They want a big userbase, of many professional artists, that know their program... that learned their program BEFORE they bought it.
Hell no.
PPM does not support this kind of attitude. If you had an application and survived from it, you wouldn't like to see it pirated and finally, I want PPM to be accessible at Google at any time of the history.
So, do not expand this kind of discussion here. The existing free 3D modelling programs are good and some of them are useful for the purpose of this topic. QUICK_EDIT
My point is that the people that make 3DMax don't expect hobbyists to lay down 3000 euro. Professional designers, game studios and film studios are their target audience. QUICK_EDIT
I had a look though the Ren mixs but I couldn't tell what is what. If you tell me the names of the w3d & dds files for the buildings I'll convert/render them for you. _________________
I'm currently applying different lighting to the renderer, gonna be a few hrs before its done but should prove to have worthy results. heres a lighting sample but far from done. I'll keep you posted.
render.png
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The enemy shall be injected with toxic poison - Venom QUICK_EDIT
@Mig Eater Thanks, I wanna see what you can do! Better I won't tell you the file names but I'll send the files instead, as they're around 6 MB in total (very light). BTW what format do you prefer for the textures? DDS or TGA?
I'd seriously advise looking for the single player versions of these buildings - some look different and have much more detail and polys, which will make a world of difference. A few of them were on planetc&c... The others might be in the levels. _________________ Victory! QUICK_EDIT
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Converting Renegade Buildings to TS
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