August 2010 CC Challenge!

[Legacy_Calvinthesneak]

               *makes sad face*  Work is kicking me hard at the moment, 12 hour days away from computer.  I'll try to get some modelling time before the end of the month!
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_B_Harrison]

               Finally got around to doing a bit more texture work today; here's the final work-in-progress render before I upload the finished thing (unless someone suggests improvements):





Just the chainmail texture and a simple PWK to finish before I export to mdl.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Estelindis]

               Ben: if that's a cloth of some kind hanging over the shield, it kinda looks like it's untextured.  If that's how it's meant to look, fair enough, but I think there are some decent cloth textures already in NWN that could be assigned to it (if you didn't want to make another texture for the placeable).



Otherwise, it looks awesome.  Really like the shape of the shield, and maces are always badass.  (A mace in the face is worth two in the hand!)
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Frith5]

               Este, I think Ben's going to texture that as chain mail before he's done. Looking great, Ben!

My kneeler is modeled, but I'm having (as usual) a tough time getting a decent texture. I want the cushion (where you kneel) to be white material with embroidery of a knight tangling with a wyrm (okay, so it's George and the Dragon, actually). I'm really not a good texture artist, and my red/green color blindness only makes things worse. So, nobody be surprised if my kneeler comes out looking psychedelic or something. '>

JFK
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_B_Harrison]

               Thanks guys. Yes, Frith5 is correct.

All right, mine's finished.





DOWNLOAD (.7z, 1.1MB)

The archive contains:
• .mdl file
• .pwk file
• 4 .dds textures
• 3 .txi files
• .tga versions of textures
• 2da entry
• screenshot

There are a couple of issues that I didn't consider worth fixing, or couldn't fix. The chainmail's transparency doesn't display correctly in the toolset, but does in game; I've been rather wasteful with texture space, and; the environment mapping/reflectiveness on the metal parts is quite subtle and might not be noticeable under some lighting (it looked about right for used/battle-worn gear to me though).

Jezira and the NWN community officially have my permission to do whatever they want with this content.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par B_Harrison, 06 août 2010 - 11:20 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Jez_fr]

               Super cool Ben =)

If you don't mind I'd have 2 comments:

- The mail looks super thin as it is, even if its magical, a few centimeters thickness would look better I think

- The mace seems to be in a position very unlikely to hold. Most of the weight of the mace being at the head, where it hurts. I'd suggest (humbly) to either put it in a straight position, the weight going down the shaft it could stay that way, or to position the head downside, or both (probably best).

I hope I'm not too much a nitpicker '>
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_B_Harrison]

               Thanks Jez!

Jez_fr wrote...

- The mail looks super thin as it is, even if its magical, a few centimeters thickness would look better I think
- The mace seems to be in a position very unlikely to hold. Most of the weight of the mace being at the head, where it hurts. I'd suggest (humbly) to either put it in a straight position, the weight going down the shaft it could stay that way, or to position the head downside, or both (probably best).

- I didn't really think just using a plane for the geometry would be that noticeable; giving it depth would add to the polycount and make the transparency a bit awkward to work with, so I shied away from making it any more detailed. I could probably get a better result by just upping the polycount a bit and modeling in the chainmail's detail, which would also save a texture resource and allow me to use environment mapping on the chainmail. But if it looks all right in game I'd rather leave it be.

- Actually that's partly caused by the odd angle of my screenshot (I used cutscene invisibility and the chase camera to get close, but the wall stopped me getting a lower/better angle); the mace head is supposed to be weighting the center of the shield against whatever object they're leaning against. But given the top-down nature of NWN it might look awkward more often than not, so it's a very valid criticism. I don't mind fixing this one, though to be really fussy I'd have to retexture the mace as well (I painted the shading based on it standing upright).

I don't mind suggestions or criticism at all; I'm still a relative beginner at this stuff and I learned the most from a modder who didn't let me just accept my (perceived) limitations.

Now let's see some more works-in-progress from everyone!
               
               

               

                     Modifié par B_Harrison, 07 août 2010 - 12:30 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Estelindis]

               Ben, that looks fantastic!  I really like the little rip in the chainmail.  Clearly it has been used a lot.  ;-)
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Frith5]

               Okay, here's my attempt thus far. I'm planning on making a few 'accessories' to put on this prayer kneeler, such as a holy symbol that's hanging off one edge, and an open prayer book or hymnal with a ribbon page marker.





*sweats a little in the company of far better modelers than himself*  '>

Regards,
JFK
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Jez_fr]

               I love it JFK. I really like the "chiseled" edge, and the yellow wood. very cool =)
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Estelindis]

               JFK, that is one piece of furniture that every cleric needs.  It looks fantastic.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Builder_Anthony]

               I think the white stands out to much...
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Frith5]

               Thanks for the kind words.

Maybe the white cushion needs some stuff to break up that clean white look. I was thinking about trying to simulate rolls and folds where the material is drawn together 'under' the cushion, but really this texturing stuff is my weakest area. I'll probably leave fiddling with the cushion 'til I have everything else done, then I'll try to make it a bit more interesting. The rest of the piece does look kind of old (I hope), while the cushion looks like it was just installed this morning, so I agree it could use something more. Thanks for the comment!

Regards,
JFK
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Jenna WSI]

               I would suggest changing the cushion to red or brown, and giving it softer edges and adding shallow dips and rises on the top... the way pillows lay after being worn in.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Jez_fr]

               Aah didn't thought it was finished XD
I agree about the white cushion. It could use some "rounding", maybe a simple cylinder would be better than a "brick" look. A bit like this http://www.electroni...und_bolster.gif

Also I would alter a little the front brownish panel to a more yellowish color like the side panels, a bit like this

If you don't know how, it's just a matter of altering the color balance in your image editor, and adding more yellow, less red (tell what image editor you use if you need a more accurate guidance).
Anyways it's all just a matter of taste. (And sorry if I may sound like a teacher, I'm not, just trying to be constructive =) )