I need some help from the community with getting the waterline correctly placed for these ships and boats.
Before rendering in gmax I make sure the vessels are just slightly above the upper Red waterline of these
vessels, but yet in the LE they are always sitting on there keels.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fecxtq90h5%2FBridgeport_Jun_1_151441313998.jpg&hash=e78f77f75fa4b1055b4bed5d08202899b70e6feb)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2F4pubgj7hl%2FBridgeport_Jun_1_151441313542.jpg&hash=f60c937b15e4152ec8cc9e9eebbdd1f90f22acf7)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2F53vng4rl5%2FBridgeport_Jun_1_151441313983.jpg&hash=7ad238857047499821094a18d79f866e6712d5d2)
Thanks, Chris
I'm so glad to see you still around! :)
As for the problem you are having, I'm going to guess that it may be a LOD issue... but I'm sure some of the resident BAT experts around here will be more helpful. Can't wait to see these ready for release.
If you need any help in the lotting department, I'm happy to pitch in.
First of all, the boats look great!!!
Secondly, I think is a LOD issue too, although I have no experience with marine bats, but I think you have at least three options:
- Remove everything under the water line. It's the easiest option.
- Make custom LODs that fit the vessels' forms better. If the LOD is bigger than the boat, everything under the it will be rendered as part of the LOD's texture, and will show up.
- Divide the models and render the parts separately. The LOD of the upper part can be a simple box, but the LOD of the lower part must fit the model (You can even render the complete model again with the lower LOD, the shadows will look better). Here (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=16509.0) you will find how to do multiple models props, by c.p..
I hope it helps, here you will find masters that will tell you what to do much better than me.
Now a (small) critic :): I find the textures too clean and plain for my taste, but the models are fantastic!!!
My goodness, those boats are beautiful!
Unfortunately I can't assist with the problem but I hope you can resolve it as I'd love to use these in game. Lovely work
Very nice work. &apls
Thanks Everyone for the kind words. I'm not the original creator of these models, but the original creators will be given full credit when the ships and boats are released. They mostly came form the Sketchup Warehouse and all of them needed quite a bit of remodeling to make them completely 3D. I also did the Texturing. Not all texture you see will be the final ones for these bats.
I don't have a clue about creating custom LODs for these bats and I've look on the usual sites, here and Sim- tropolis and others for tutorials, But couldn't really understand how to go about creating LODs in gmax. I'm more than willing to turn these bats over to a member of the community to finish creating custom LOD's for them.
You can make the custom LODs in Sketchup (if you work with it, as me), and then export them to gmax. You only have to noun them as LOD3, LOD4 and LOD5.
If the models are done in Sketchup I'll be pleased to take care of them if you like. :laugh:
Great to see you're still working on these boats! Hopefully you, or someone else, can fix the LODs. But if not, I definitely hope you will release them nonetheless! :thumbsup:
At one time I tried to make a boat and same thing happen to me. I think I know what I did wrong, but I haven't had time to retry to see if I am right. I don't know if you have same issue.
In which format your models are?
Best of luck in fixing the LOD problem and love the boats, cant wait to get my paws on them!
The ships are amazing.
Not sure about your waterline issue, but I seem to recall over on Simtrop, Droric was making an oil bouy and was having trouble with getting the water level right... Page 3 seems to deal with the issue, including some links to other tutorials, maybe have a look at these...
http://community.simtropolis.com/forums/topic/60066-drorics-bats/?page=3 (http://community.simtropolis.com/forums/topic/60066-drorics-bats/?page=3)
Hope that helps.
Great models :thumbsup:
I can´t help with the LOD problems, but I definately love your boats and ships. And like vortext said, I also would love to see them released, solved or not. These ships would look awesome at the historical harbour quai. &apls
I've been busy creating waterline versions of the ships and boats models from Sketchup.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fq4kgdjhrd%2FBridgeport_Jun_1_151449181560.jpg&hash=c6efdd8b15c01496bad9f4728cc1d93268091247)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fcoxfo399l%2FBridgeport_Jun_1_151449181641.jpg&hash=b71fb76338770eec232905bdf8875db9809e66e3)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2F47xxd64kp%2FBridgeport_Jun_1_151449181781.jpg&hash=3eccaef7514454e74521ce837d0c92c3e700a0f0)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fpvrh1cucp%2FBridgeport_Jun_1_151449181834.jpg&hash=baf30be01e700b9e7221bbac0e7d9fe4e6001ce0)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fheryqfpnt%2FBridgeport_Jun_1_151449181870.jpg&hash=b6b1865a3955a5db7af3fa019c68d45f2ddad0e4)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Ftuook6izt%2FBridgeport_Jun_1_151449181888.jpg&hash=1951e8169e1329db74aa3278029e7898614f2f30)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Ft6fu18ka1%2FBridgeport_Jun_1_151449181929.jpg&hash=66e5a981f5f994a337bcbe43970c8659c8e28401)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Frso75xl0p%2FBridgeport_Jun_1_151449181955.jpg&hash=88aa4037e906813985fa345ebc043323eab35767)
It's going to take me a wile to write readme and put the files into zips with the other projects I'm working on.
Great to see you persevered with this project, that's a fantastic selection of boats you've got there, such things are sorely missing until now.
A few of the textures could do with a little weathering and perhaps toning down some of the colours. You've got the basics in place for some really top-notch content, just a little work on the textures could really make these shine. Have a look here (http://community.simtropolis.com/forums/topic/51698-photoshopgimp-textures-and-your-bat/) for some good tips on SC4 BAT textures. Right now everything is just solid colours, which don't fit the game palette too well at all. Really not trying to be negative, I just feel these models are so close to greatness that they deserve just a little attention to make them all they can be. Even though I couldn't find much use for such props, I'd be willing to help you out with textures.
Oh wow, great work indeed!! :o &apls
I agree the texturing would stand to benefit from a little rouging up, however, I realize that'd be more work for you still and would be happy with a release as is as well. Either way, +1 for keeping at it! :thumbsup:
I've been hitting a roadblock on suitable ship textures that are free to use and for the hull especially.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg843.imageshack.us%2Fimg843%2F3156%2F1ship.jpg&hash=3da92d03f6c549c07d74974aa4a8a738480990d4)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsc4devotion.com%2Fcsxlex%2Fimages%2Fbeximg%2FJRJ_Ships_JJSister.jpg&hash=f0862e7a43e377f420c8efbbd74a5411326bd6d5)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bripizza.net%2Fsc4%2Fddg%2Fimg%2Fddg173.jpg&hash=cfa3b450a8622ddd6e3a7edd4d9431ee810d45a3)
As you can see this is a problem for others has well.
If anyone in the community would like to create textures for these ships I would welcome it.
I don't BAT, but from reading through many BAT threads I think textures tend to be the trickiest part of the whole BAT process. I love how these boats look, and I'm glad you were able to get the water line to look right. mgb204 is a wizard with SC4 textures, so if you are looking to get some help with that aspect, I'd take him up on his offer :thumbsup:
Quote from: Simcoug on December 08, 2015, 08:25:34 AM
I don't BAT, but from reading through many BAT threads I think textures tend to be the trickiest part of the whole BAT process. I love how these boats look, and I'm glad you were able to get the water line to look right. mgb204 is a wizard with SC4 textures, so if you are looking to get some help with that aspect, I'd take him up on his offer :thumbsup:
I don't know about wizard, I muddle my way through with technical knowledge, I'm no artist. Anyhow, I've sent you a PM C.Scott.
There's a great collection of ships here. I'm especially looking forward to the riverboat/steamboat and the sailing ships. :thumbsup:
Looks like great collection of ships.
One point, I would make. Try to some variation to the textures, so the green is not just one solid block of green, but changes just a bit.
It will make them looks a bit more like RL.
How I will go about this would be to take the textures into Photoshop.
Start by adding a layer.
Filter -> Render -> Clouds
Set the blending mode*) to Multiply. (Darken darker area, leave lighter area)
Turn the brightness down some, until a good result is achived.
Maybe turn the opacity down
Maybe adding another layer of the same kind, but with the blending mode set to divide and the brightness turn up.
Here is an example I just did while writing this post:
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FPDzFq2o.jpg&hash=ae2cab80cf120d660f98ace7df8f69e4f6c273c4)
*) In Gimp I think its called Layer Mode.
mgb204: Thanks for the PM. I use GMAX_BAT with HD scripts and I have a Texture Folder Broken-down sub-folders. I'll PM you with more details later perhaps a month or so.
Simcoug: thanks for your feedback.
vester: I don't use Photoshop (cost), but might try Gimp and thanks for the info. .
c.p.: Thanks
Here are a few more Ships and boats.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fjnpftho6h%2FPort_Jefferson_Oct_17_041450564118.jpg&hash=18d46d81764d668c18661f201bb644d9454738af)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Flgscht9d5%2FPort_Jefferson_Oct_17_041450564357.jpg&hash=b1d7049310c347ed3e925dcc9ac664b3b475b12d)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2F5726ewyp5%2FPort_Jefferson_Oct_17_041450565231.jpg&hash=06c16c83735c604ad89a51fe7bfa47a2aad861f0)
.... and one thing more, the colors is a bit to saturated.
Try to get some RL pictures of ships ect. and sample the colors. See what the saturation. They are never as high as you might expect.
I've been working on more Sketchup finds centering around the 1900s.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fd4jbi919l%2FPort_Jefferson_Mar_1_04.jpg&hash=f036b640834e263a7f4ca33bec68f57ad4c3afff)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fvdq3ck695%2FPort_Jefferson_Mar_1_041454830676.jpg&hash=d373170a70320face32e79582dd2b4b7ff84359a)
A vintage Texaco gas station.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2F56kb2uyll%2FPort_Jefferson_Jan_4_001454323758.jpg&hash=b0c75f51a5b228e314d3e1346c038d8807a1ee18)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fe9ddnmnqh%2FPort_Jefferson_Mar_1_041454489761.jpg&hash=27cd1dbb4a0bc355c85e154383deb6e2350476bc)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fybigsioix%2FPort_Jefferson_Jan_4_001454323907.jpg&hash=e840f937a6d3842770c22df6dc238d9f2502c5ad)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fttkre5xux%2FPort_Jefferson_Mar_1_041454489622.jpg&hash=307ff302dc13ab9d54cb8f604e009f48dbcc0ef2)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fqu99dayzt%2FPort_Jefferson_Jan_4_001454323872.jpg&hash=f9bbe70172b59506d3a18e0d7694c825b6520653)
Some commercial buildings with vintage cars and trucks.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2F7rpvqdnzd%2FPort_Jefferson_Jan_15_041454488684.jpg&hash=6ab0c87f0a25e3a95b6d12af80072f52c40244f9)
A blacksmith shop.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fyi0r9cn1l%2FPort_Jefferson_Mar_1_041454490062.jpg&hash=e98d9b5065dcf951ff7f7585d7832b7f6249f7f3)
A saw mill.
Not all of bats and lots are the final ones.
Chris
I think I'm going to copy some of your models for my automatas... :D But I have to say that most of them look a bit out of scale. The distance between axles of Ford Model T is normally 2,57m, and I can see on the images that your cars are much bigger. :thumbsup:
Nice to see you found some more old models :thumbsup:
I think the textures stand out a bit too much - here is a useful post by Jasoncw detailing how he get's his textures (http://community.simtropolis.com/forums/topic/64716-my-first-bat/?do=findComment&comment=1548289) to blend well with the game palate.
You may also want to add a slight gradient and/or 'noise' to the textures to avoid the 'flat' look.
I'm very excited by these though!
romualdillo: I would be wiling to give you any model file you like including the gmax model. Remember I'm not the the original creators of these models so credit should be given to them. What I did do was remodeled them to make them fully 3d for gmax and textured them. All most all of the models came form the Sketchup Warehouse site. As far the scale go's it's based on krashspeed Historic Harbor set (figures, merchant wagons and boats). I'm trying to round out the set with buildings, transport and other props suitable for the 1900's. I would love to be able to use your street light and street mod for my region.You might think about releasing them.
Simcoug: I read the post and found it quite useful. I'll do some research on editing textures and if CP would be willing to share his texture palette I would love to use it and it certainly would make the look more unified in SC4.
If you would make a prop family and MMP's for my transport props when I complete a few more I would be grateful. I plan on more steam tractors, train engines, rolling stock, fire trucks, plows, buildings and watercraft.
Well here is some some more pics on things I've been working on.
Here is two storefronts.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fuewx1ab6x%2FPort_Jefferson_Mar_1_041454489981.jpg&hash=a64507502f0052d7b038c96712dff3a7cfe9723b)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2F4i38oo7jd%2FPort_Jefferson_Jan_4_001454323931.jpg&hash=4146b614524dd5e92469e4e1c502cd3f11ff5ccc)
Here are some pics of the different transports I've been working on in the center of the first pic is one of krashspeed wagons inside the Red rectangle to give you some sense of scale. Not all sizes and textures are final in some of the models.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fb3fyofne1%2FPort_Jefferson_Sep_19_0914.jpg&hash=ef611e2078fff8cc531ef7b0eec39cfda2b2557a)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2F3oqmw21ih%2FPort_Jefferson_Sep_19_091455136665.jpg&hash=8797379e3a23a1599fd842f4f0ec8a2611488d32)
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fc4g7dk4dl%2FPort_Jefferson_Sep_19_091455136556.jpg&hash=b284df0e81b6eb758f4fef3f04a0414ce16c1a18)
I've been doing some relotting of CP 19c buildings to give them more of the 1900's appearance.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2F4gtav95pl%2FPort_Jefferson_Sep_19_091455136983.jpg&hash=fc109ffca8f64376330c522e7c3e3822cb24e48a)
here is another relot of a fire house by JBSimio showing yet another fire engine.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs26.postimg.org%2Fkds2ryy3t%2FPort_Jefferson_Sep_19_091455137216.jpg&hash=ce682105e11e0ad49eff5627b5d49874cca8ab8b)
Thanks for the offer!! But I think it's enough with the last pictures you posted. Automatas are modelled in a different way to reduce poly-count as much as possible. How is it going with the boats? I could help you with the textures if you're interested.
Wow, that's an impressive collection of car models you've got going. :o
Are you using gmax or 3dsmax?
Also, the relotting looks good :thumbsup:
Oh yeah, I totally missed that last update. The vehicles look good, and I'll be happy to help in any way I can.
You even found a hot air balloon :thumbsup:!
yeah ditto missing the car update! Fantastic! &apls
Wondering though if there any horse drawn transportation models available as well? It'd be really great to have more of those, too.
Keep up the good work! :thumbsup:
Sketchup 3d Warehouse does offer interesting options. Was it that the lisence is free for non commercial use?
However, I think your car models are too big. Compare Krashspeed's wagon to a dark wagon (a hearse?) slightly above it. I think these two wagons should be about same size. A hearse could be slightly bigger, but after all Krashspeed's wagon is two horse heavy duty cargo wagon, so it is rather large wagon type too.
Probably do not make a good automata as polygon count is high, but I would like to see some of those historic ships as working automatas. :)
Again, I would still say the colors of your models are waaay to saturated.
Try to compare the colors to the ones in the game. They just stand out (and not in the right way)
Open your textures in Gimp or Photoshop and desaturate to about 60-70 %.
That will add the dot over the i.
romualdillo: I would like that thank you. Would it be possible for you to create a sketchup materials chart with noise to eliminate the flatness of sketchup materials and in a jpeg format for me to work with in gmax?
c.p.: Thanks c.p. I"m going to be re-modelling many more Sketchup Warehouse finds. and I have re-lotted
more of your industrial lots for the 1900's.
I'm just using gmax, but really most if not all of the re-modelling is done in Sketchup.
Simcoug: Thanks,
vortext: Thanks. Yes I'm on the hunt for more Horse drawn wagons and if you notice there is a hearse and barrel wagon and a 1882 Ramsey "Squirrel Tail" pumper. Not included in the pics is a peddler wagon which I made into a ice delivery wagon. I also have a Shand Mason steam powered fire engine waiting to be textured and scaled.
bombardiere: Yes I agree and I did write a caveat that these models are not all final and the hearse does needs to be scaled down. Well the sheer volume of models and the lisence was free is main factors, but I don't like reinventing the wheel when there are so many sketchup models that would be perfect for the 1900's.
vortext: I've Just downloaded gimp and will be working on learning a new skill set.
These are some fantastic models Chris &apls
However, I concur with vester in that the saturation of the textures is too high. You can easily reduce it using GIMP (in the menu Colors -> Hue-Saturation).
To weather the boat textures, you can add a cloud layer. Add a new layer, then go to filters -> render -> clouds -> plasma. Set the turbulence to 4 or something. Then go to Colors -> Desaturate to make it black & white. Then in the Layer menu (Ctrl + L) set the layer mode to Darken Only and play around with the Opacity to make the effect subtle enough.
Cheers
Willy
Exciting projects here :thumbsup: I love the variety of different creations and all the historic stuff. I'd echo some of the concerns about scale and saturation/texture palette but those are certainly obstacles that can be overcome :)