Topic: Teasers for the next Generations At War..

[atheorhaven]

Don't think I need to say much about this one other than it's complete and sitting on Nanner's HD ready for inclusion in G@W.  Still doing up a credits file for it, because I was building on on other's previous  work.  But it's going to be nice to have ingame, and the same technique I learned on this one will be on several others in the mod.  Some of my bets work I think, and note several new things on the ship now like the lit airlock door on the saucer, the docking ports actually having the red ring now.  The ingame shot is old now, but I included it to show you what the main textures are going to look like on the ship itself.  (And now you know what has been holding up the release of my other projects). 

Connie fans, presenting a new Enterprise Refit, the NCC-1701





Coming soon in Generations At War 2.0, and SFC 2 format one month after release of G@W 2.0

[Sochin]

Oh wow that is stunning.

[Dizzy]

That for SFC3?

For SFC2, u might want to try colored lighting maps instead of greyscale, as they give much better types of illumination and color.

That 'looks' like what you have done with the illumination on the saucer, if indeed it is a .mod for sfc2...

[atheorhaven]

That for SFC3?

For SFC2, u might want to try colored lighting maps instead of greyscale, as they give much better types of illumination and color.

That 'looks' like what you have done with the illumination on the saucer, if indeed it is a .mod for sfc2...

Dude, it's *so* colored for illuminations.    It was just the angle the shot was at..

Check it out..

[Dizzy]

I am *so* glad you are using colored light maps. They truly add so much to a ships look.

Btw, is that a new mesh or just updated illuminate maps?

[OlBuzzard]

WOW  ... the detail is incredible !!  most excellent !!

[Klingon Fanatic]

With all due respect, I'd like to drool over something more than "yet another" amazing Connie...

Nice but what about the non-Federation races?

 

KF

[atheorhaven]

With all due respect, I'd like to drool over something more than "yet another" amazing Connie...

Nice but what about the non-Federation races?
 
KF

You know that I've done some already for this mod.. like the Shakurians and the Rommie CL I just did..plus one of the next ones to complete is that mystery race ship, which is non-Feddie.

But all that being said.. the way that this Connie looks now is how I've always *almost* wanted this one to look.  I thought of one more detail afterwards, and will add it into the SFC 2 details where I'll have higher res textures (the mod needs lower res simply because of all the range of machines needed to be covered).  On the mod version, it may not be visible.. and that'd be three corrections on it I'd have sent over to Nanner just on this one.. so I'll not worry about it for now.

[atheorhaven]

I am *so* glad you are using colored light maps. They truly add so much to a ships look.
Btw, is that a new mesh or just updated illuminate maps?

Old mesh, updated main textures and reworked illumination textures... and I tried a totally brand new process for me on them, the registry numbers are actually embedded in the illumination textures.

And the Invincible and Enterprise will both have the new idea I had a while back.. the obs deck will change from a day to night scene depending on the amount of light in there.






Will probably never be seen that often in game, but hey.. if it is, it'll look better I think. 

[Dizzy]

In my CAD textures alteration ship release I did, I have a lush warm spring garden with beuatiful blue pools of water and the Texas Bikini Team there... Hehe. Did this b4 I started with the Andro's colored illuminates.


Only models I have used colored light maps for have been Andurils and P81's series of Andromedans. Gonna change my light maps now on my fav ships and add some color there. Im lazy. Told Atra a while back and I think he was gonna use that light trick on his new Thol series... Dunno, havent been to his new site yet.

Im gonna go back and color illuminate all my fav ships now.


EDIT: Oops wrong pic. Dont have a pic of it... Oh well. Just a pic of the CAD alteration of the Fed CA then.

[Dizzy]

atheorhaven, just did something really cool! the only time i see my color illuminate maps is when that map turns into the shade. Well, I copied and pasted that illuminant unto the main texture and changed the transparency to about 10% and oh lalala it looks much more interesting now... hehe. Gonna go play with this some more...

Here's a pic of some andro fiddle work. The cool thing about these new textures and light maps is that the colors on the PA Panels shimmer and glow and change in color as the ship moves... kinda like crackling energy flowing like liquid water across the hull.. Very cool effect.





Course this was a while ago when i just started to play with the,. Looks like in your FCA there, you really did a nice polished job. wtg.

[FoaS_XC]

i want to know how you did that with the andros

[atheorhaven]

I know this one well.. way back when I worked on getting the Shadow Battlecrab over, I tried this for the first time and got creeped out watching the skin crawl as the ship moved.  Exactly what I'd wanted.  

Illumination maps *really* have not been done justice with the SFC engine.. for some reason, and I used to be under this misassumption myself.. I'd heard that you could only use black/white in an illumination map.  *buzz*  wrong, oh so wrong...

And if you lightly impose an illumination map on the main texture, you'll also make your main texture stand out.  

Want to try something fun with your panels?  One of the things I like to do, and have mentioned this to others.. is use pictures of natural materials to meet your needs.  I'd go Google image browsing for public domain lightning shots to add in a crackle or two.    Or find a good shot of a mother of pearl texture to place behind the panel.  It'll really make the irridescent sheen you're looking for pop.  

[Dizzy]

Fury, use an alternate colored texture than the main texture. Both textures should be light enough to show up in the dark (shade) and also compliment one another. If the light map has a different texture or background than that of the main texture, you will see interesting things happen! Like with my Andros. thats the effect I wanted. Atheorhaven did basically the same thing with his shadow crab... the skin crawling effect. But if you match them, then you end up with cool realistic and polished light maps like you see there in his FCA pics above.

Experimentation with different textures and colors switching between the main and light maps will help you get an idea of what you can do. And like atheorhaven said, this 'technique' has largely been unused. Afaik, only myself, atheorhaven and Atrahasis have used it.

Hopefully it will catch on and we will see some really cool ideas and ships using colored light maps.

[Rogue]

One thing I use pretty frequently with color illumination is impulse engine glow. Especially for Federation vessels. For the primary map I used a nearly colorless scale of grays with perhaps a bit of an appropriate color (dull red or gold) for the details and used shades of red for the illumination in varying tones and vividness. The effect is just friggin' fabulous as the really do appear as if they are glowing cherry red from the heat. It's a really nice touch that enhances the illusion. Wicked Zombie's Midway carrier uses a nice set of illuminations for the fighter bays that is pretty hard to miss. This has got to be an effect that is under exploited by far. I don't tend to see much difference when the primary and the illumination is the same color so I convert those to gray scale to save on the video load. Do something additive, though, (eg. yellow & blue) or high contrast line pairs in the I maps and you can get some great effects. The lines pairs in the I maps can cause a very cool shimmering effect in the illuminated item.

[Age]

Don't think I need to say much about this one other than it's complete and sitting on Nanner's HD ready for inclusion in G@W.  Still doing up a credits file for it, because I was building on on other's previous  work.  But it's going to be nice to have ingame, and the same technique I learned on this one will be on several others in the mod.  Some of my bets work I think, and note several new things on the ship now like the lit airlock door on the saucer, the docking ports actually having the red ring now.  The ingame shot is old now, but I included it to show you what the main textures are going to look like on the ship itself.  (And now you know what has been holding up the release of my other projects). 

Connie fans, presenting a new Enterprise Refit, the NCC-1701





Coming soon in Generations At War 2.0, and SFC 2 format one month after release of G@W 2.0

The Connie in the USN. is the USS Constellation CV64 not the Constitution.I would assume that is the same in Star Trek as well as some traditions don't die.

[Wicked Zombie]

Yes, but people have been calling the Constitution class the "Connie" for a very long time as well, which in some way is also a tradition. Both names are similar, there's no reason they can't have the same nickname.

[Age]

Yes, but people have been calling the Constitution class the "Connie" for a very long time as well, which in some way is also a tradition. Both names are similar, there's no reason they can't have the same nickname.

The Constitution is nick named Old Ironside not Connie as it is still a Commissioned US Naval Ship.The only one is the Constellation not the Constitution just ask the US Navy.You tell them that the Constitution is Connie they will  at you.

[Reverend]

Yes, but people have been calling the Constitution class the "Connie" for a very long time as well, which in some way is also a tradition. Both names are similar, there's no reason they can't have the same nickname.

The Constitution is nick named Old Ironside not Connie as it is still a Commissioned US Naval Ship.The only one is the Constellation not the Constitution just ask the US Navy.You tell them that the Constitution is Connie they will  at you.

Thanks Age... but, the models forum is very tame place where most people are polite to another, as the modellers are doing non-modellers a great series of deeds...
please do not come in here and argue with any of our charitable and kindly modellers... debate belongs in "Hot and Spicy" or "Ten Forward"...
the only posts that belong here are "here is a new ship", "here is a retexture", "thank you!!", and "great work ___" .

[Centurus]

Yes, but people have been calling the Constitution class the "Connie" for a very long time as well, which in some way is also a tradition. Both names are similar, there's no reason they can't have the same nickname.

The Constitution is nick named Old Ironside not Connie as it is still a Commissioned US Naval Ship.The only one is the Constellation not the Constitution just ask the US Navy.You tell them that the Constitution is Connie they will  at you.

Thanks Age... but, the models forum is very tame place where most people are polite to another, as the modellers are doing non-modellers a great series of deeds...
please do not come in here and argue with any of our charitable and kindly modellers... debate belongs in "Hot and Spicy" or "Ten Forward"...
the only posts that belong here are "here is a new ship", "here is a retexture", "thank you!!", and "great work ___" .

HERE HERE REVEREND!!!  Now, as for these beautiful, beautiful ships?  When or if will they be available for download, and will they be for SFC3?  If some of you modellers are starting to recognize my name and my pleas for SFC3 ships, please understand that the easiest way for a simpleton such as me to enjoy your incredible work is to install it in SFC3.  Keep up the good work, all of you.  The ship gods have blessed you all.

[Magnum357]

That has got to be one of the best Connies I have ever seen in the SFC community.  The detail is outstanding.  One little gripe though.  the lights you have on each corner of the Saucers section are not suppose to be illumated windows.  I think those are suppose to be maneuvering thrusters for the ship.  Other then that, the model is outstanding.

[atheorhaven]

Yes, but people have been calling the Constitution class the "Connie" for a very long time as well, which in some way is also a tradition. Both names are similar, there's no reason they can't have the same nickname.

The Constitution is nick named Old Ironside not Connie as it is still a Commissioned US Naval Ship.The only one is the Constellation not the Constitution just ask the US Navy.You tell them that the Constitution is Connie they will  at you.

Thanks Age... but, the models forum is very tame place where most people are polite to another, as the modellers are doing non-modellers a great series of deeds...
please do not come in here and argue with any of our charitable and kindly modellers... debate belongs in "Hot and Spicy" or "Ten Forward"...
the only posts that belong here are "here is a new ship", "here is a retexture", "thank you!!", and "great work ___" .

HERE HERE REVEREND!!!  Now, as for these beautiful, beautiful ships?  When or if will they be available for download, and will they be for SFC3?  If some of you modellers are starting to recognize my name and my pleas for SFC3 ships, please understand that the easiest way for a simpleton such as me to enjoy your incredible work is to install it in SFC3.  Keep up the good work, all of you.  The ship gods have blessed you all.

I look at it this way, I'm not Navy so I'm not going to know if it's "Connie", "Old Ironsides", or "Terrible Flatbottom".    And I'm not going to type "Constitution" everytime.  People know this ship.. so when I call it a Connie, they know it stands for Constitution.  I could've called it "The Big E", or "The Bird the Great Bird Had Blessed", but calling it a "Connie" is more Me. 

Now that that's settled.. this is going to be for SFC 3 and is part (and was done) for Nannerslug's "Generations At War" mod for SFC 3.. the upcoming 2.0 version.  I'm currently reworking fifteen ships for it, this was the first of five TMP vessels to be done.  I've finished another in the meantime (the "Invincible"), just about finished two more, and am probably going to have to k/b one last one to replace an old mesh for the last of the TMP ships.  There's also TOS and TNG ships that I'm going to be doing some work on for Nanner so he can try and get 2.0 out in a September release.

And once the 2.0 version is completed and out for a bit, I'll be back-converting all the SFC 3 versions back to SFC 2 and SFC 1 so as to help build up the model libraries for both and to help make them available for possible future mods for those versions. 

Thanks for the reminder about the thruster packs.. I couldn't remember what color they glowed, and this was converting from a b/w image.  So I played it safe.  Means changing one map and resending it for inclusion to Nanner, but I'd like this to be good. 

(edit: corrected the thrusters)

[Age]

OK .This is the model forum but you are getting the name mixed up.I said the Constitution is Old Ironside the Connie is the Constellation whether you like or not.It is to bad Capt. Spade isn't here or here tell you the same.You can also to web search for it.When you say Connie to me it refers to Constellation

There is a difference as well.The Enterprise was a class in it self NCC 1701 was not a Constitution class but the Enterprise class.That is why there where only 7 of them and the number starts off 1701 and so forth.The rest of the Constitutions which there were a lot of had number like 1017 1007etc and there were several btw.Sorry to get OT here but this not in the H&s forum.

[Reverend]

OK .This is the model forum but you are getting the name mixed up.I said the Constitution is Old Ironside the Connie is the Constellation whether you like or not.It is to bad Capt. Spade isn't here or here tell you the same.You can also to web search for it.When you say Connie to me it refers to Constellation

There is a difference as well.The Enterprise was a class in it self NCC 1701 was not a Constitution class but the Enterprise class.That is why there where only 7 of them and the number starts off 1701 and so forth.The rest of the Constitutions which there were a lot of had number like 1017 1007etc and there were several btw.Sorry to get OT here but this not in the H&s forum.

I was trying to argue with you, quit being so polite about disagreeing please!

[atheorhaven]

OK .This is the model forum but you are getting the name mixed up.I said the Constitution is Old Ironside the Connie is the Constellation whether you like or not.It is to bad Capt. Spade isn't here or here tell you the same.You can also to web search for it.When you say Connie to me it refers to Constellation

There is a difference as well.The Enterprise was a class in it self NCC 1701 was not a Constitution class but the Enterprise class.That is why there where only 7 of them and the number starts off 1701 and so forth.The rest of the Constitutions which there were a lot of had number like 1017 1007etc and there were several btw.Sorry to get OT here but this not in the H&s forum.

I was trying to argue with you, quit being so polite about disagreeing please!

Actually, I'd rather that you didn't argue about it... again, it's not the H&S forum.. we're trying to release models here. 

[Reverend]

OK .This is the model forum but you are getting the name mixed up.I said the Constitution is Old Ironside the Connie is the Constellation whether you like or not.It is to bad Capt. Spade isn't here or here tell you the same.You can also to web search for it.When you say Connie to me it refers to Constellation

There is a difference as well.The Enterprise was a class in it self NCC 1701 was not a Constitution class but the Enterprise class.That is why there where only 7 of them and the number starts off 1701 and so forth.The rest of the Constitutions which there were a lot of had number like 1017 1007etc and there were several btw.Sorry to get OT here but this not in the H&s forum.

I was trying to argue with you, quit being so polite about disagreeing please!

Actually, I'd rather that you didn't argue about it... again, it's not the H&S forum.. we're trying to release models here. 

I know, I was being humorous. I asked Age not to be arguementive, to which he repied rather humbly and politely. Attempting to foster no ill feelings, I tried to make a joke about arguing... hoping to smooth things out. Sorry it was misunderstood.

[atheorhaven]

[quote author=Reverend link=topic=163345439.msg1122429787#msg1122429787
I know, I was being humorous. I asked Age not to be arguementive, to which he repied rather humbly and politely. Attempting to foster no ill feelings, I tried to make a joke about arguing... hoping to smooth things out. Sorry it was misunderstood.

np.. just wanted to have a teaser thread and generate some good comments.  And sometimes comments can be misunderstood, and things spiral from there.  I was simply trying to head that off right off the bat... and try to prevent the beginning of a thread war.  (Which we're almost due for again). 

And news.. this afternoon, I finished the corrections needed to finish off the "Big E" and the "Invincible" as I was thinking for the SFC 2 release.. and will be sending them off to Nanner so those changes will make it into the G@W 2.0 version.  And have almost completed two others.  Shots of those when those are complete. 

[atheorhaven]

Ooooo.. it's Miranda-licious...





Now featuring... people. 



Now coming as a standard feature in your basic Enterprise, Invincible, and Mirandas in G@W 2.0.  Uh-huh.. you know you want it bad. 

[OlBuzzard]

DUDE  !!!I'm drooling ..   bad !!!



Any chance you got my PM ??

[Reverend]

DUDE  !!!I'm drooling ..   bad !!!



Any chance you got my PM ??

These look excellent!

[atheorhaven]

*cough*
Akula
(clears throat)







Coming soon to a PC near you..

[Starforce2]

looks to be a bit  of an eye-sore on the side  of your pod. Mapping issue?   Anyways, how are your BC plans comming? I forgot who it was that originaly asked me about assisting on the project...nanner was it? You guys have a forum I know, but I didn't save it cuz I couldn't post but since I've cleaned the trojans out of the browser files and can post without crashing I can now assist directly if needbe.

[atheorhaven]

looks to be a bit  of an eye-sore on the side  of your pod. Mapping issue?   Anyways, how are your BC plans comming? I forgot who it was that originaly asked me about assisting on the project...nanner was it? You guys have a forum I know, but I didn't save it cuz I couldn't post but since I've cleaned the trojans out of the browser files and can post without crashing I can now assist directly if needbe.

Naw, it's a blocked in texture issue that isn't complete yet.. that'll be a docking port on the side of the pod when it's complete.  I think it was Nanner who'd approached you for helping out.. we can get all the ships together and ready to fly in a SFC world.. but it's getting it converted over to BC that's the issue.  I can change everything with the ship that I know about to make it BC compatible.. but everytime I try and bring a ship I converted over into the game, the game will just crash to desktop..  I'd like to fix that one of these days.

Nanner's forums can be found at www.starfleetcommand3.net and I know that he'd lprobably be happy to see you over there.  'Cause we could use the help getting some of the ships started going into BC..

[Starforce2]

looks to be a bit  of an eye-sore on the side  of your pod. Mapping issue?   Anyways, how are your BC plans comming? I forgot who it was that originaly asked me about assisting on the project...nanner was it? You guys have a forum I know, but I didn't save it cuz I couldn't post but since I've cleaned the trojans out of the browser files and can post without crashing I can now assist directly if needbe.

Naw, it's a blocked in texture issue that isn't complete yet.. that'll be a docking port on the side of the pod when it's complete.  I think it was Nanner who'd approached you for helping out.. we can get all the ships together and ready to fly in a SFC world.. but it's getting it converted over to BC that's the issue.  I can change everything with the ship that I know about to make it BC compatible.. but everytime I try and bring a ship I converted over into the game, the game will just crash to desktop..  I'd like to fix that one of these days.

Nanner's forums can be found at www.starfleetcommand3.net and I know that he'd lprobably be happy to see you over there.  'Cause we could use the help getting some of the ships started going into BC..

I don't know why you are having a  problem, perhaps your nif exporter is not correct? It absolutly  requires max 3.1, and I have heard the exporter from the 1.0 version of sdk is the one to use, something different in 1.1? apparently, I dunno. But I can easily solve your conversion problem. I just need to know how big you  want what, and dorsal views of a ship with a known vessel like a connie or galaxy ect I can easily guess. A ship with 6-8 textures, no duplicate materials issues and under 1000m I can port in 5 minutes sometimes less. LArger objects take longer to scale because they don't fit on the window. That could also be your crash bug.  Too large or small. You might not be scaling properly.

[atheorhaven]

I don't know why you are having a  problem, perhaps your nif exporter is not correct? It absolutly  requires max 3.1, and I have heard the exporter from the 1.0 version of sdk is the one to use, something different in 1.1? apparently, I dunno. But I can easily solve your conversion problem. I just need to know how big you  want what, and dorsal views of a ship with a known vessel like a connie or galaxy ect I can easily guess. A ship with 6-8 textures, no duplicate materials issues and under 1000m I can port in 5 minutes sometimes less. LArger objects take longer to scale because they don't fit on the window. That could also be your crash bug.  Too large or small. You might not be scaling properly.

Any place where one can find the 1.0 SDK?  Found the 1.1 one.. but should try to try and get the 1.0 one first. 

[Starforce2]

sdk 1.0 was never removed from BCfiles. If you can't get it I will try and host it and get it you you some how. Some people have probs with the TOS not letting them dl it..

Anyways, another question, perhaps it has something to do with the way you are adding the ships to the game and not the ports. How exctly are you adding the ships?

BTW, if you and some of your team could do a  group msn with me about this I could maybe help better. Sending me the scripts might be good too.

[atheorhaven]

Okay, completed the Akula and got the Constellation done as well..

Now it's just finishing one ship and I think all the ships are done for G@W..




I'll try and get these over to Nannerslug tonight.. and the big job of writing up all the credits for the ones I did (where I got all the pieces from for kitbashes, which textures were what) can begin..

[USS Mariner]

I've actually known about colored lightmaps for quite a while. I never told anyone because, well, no one asked me. Al you need to do is convert the bmp's to 24bit and your good to go. Bad thing is they take up more space.

Anyway, I'm curious, have you used colored lightmaps on your TOS ships yet? I REALLY want a Chicago and Kearsarge with LS engines and textures....Colored ID lights and "pearlecent" hull plates will certainly be a welcome addition. 

[atheorhaven]

I've actually known about colored lightmaps for quite a while. I never told anyone because, well, no one asked me. Al you need to do is convert the bmp's to 24bit and your good to go. Bad thing is they take up more space.
Anyway, I'm curious, have you used colored lightmaps on your TOS ships yet? I REALLY want a Chicago and Kearsarge with LS engines and textures....Colored ID lights and "pearlecent" hull plates will certainly be a welcome addition. 

Absolutely I've used colored lightmaps on the TOS ships I added to the Generations At War mod.. and the Chicago and Kearsage kitbashes I did (that use Schtupp parts) have color illuminations on them. 

And they're the next complete ones that I'll be releasing for SFC 2.. I just haven't had time to do so as of yet with all the other things going on.. :/

But at one point or another, I hope to have everything in the G@W mod backconverted to SFC 2, and from there, SFC 1.  That should substantially expand the model library for all levels of SFC. 

[GotAFarmYet?]

This is more of a sum up.

Yes you can use coloured light maps, I have known this for some time as well, and have used them on occasion. Coloured light maps do not port well to other games though, and if you use them it will give conversion ppl grief. Also the main disadvantage to them is size they are the same size as the detail maps if not done in gray scale. example:

a 512 x 512 coloured map is 768 k
a 512 x 512 grayscale map is 256 k (or less)

also,

a 512 x 512 coloured map with a 256 x 256 light map cause the windows and other glow areas to have a glow around them because of the mismatched sizes.

[atheorhaven]

This is more of a sum up.
Yes you can use coloured light maps, I have known this for some time as well, and have used them on occasion. Coloured light maps do not port well to other games though, and if you use them it will give conversion ppl grief. Also the main disadvantage to them is size they are the same size as the detail maps if not done in gray scale. example:
a 512 x 512 coloured map is 768 k
a 512 x 512 grayscale map is 256 k (or less)
also,
a 512 x 512 coloured map with a 256 x 256 light map cause the windows and other glow areas to have a glow around them because of the mismatched sizes.

Just going to ask because I may be missing something.. but doesn't having a glow around the windows and other lit areas kind of look better anyways?  And converting into/out of SFC isn't really the point in this case.. the thread was originally about some of the new ships going into Generations At War, or some of the rework being done on ships already in it.  And to be totally frank.. if someone is having a problem converting over the ships in G@W to other platforms right now... good.   

Let them stew on it until the SFC 2 versions are released.. then Nannerslug will have exclusivity on them ingame until then.  I have no problems with that at all.. it means that SFC'ers keep the ships for ourselves longer before they're ripped to other platforms.

Sorry if I come off as snarky or whathaveyou.. but honestly, if people are having troubles converting over SFC colored illuminations to other games.. well..wah.  Let them deal with it, as I'll have to deal with it helping to convert over SFC ships to BC when G@W does that conversion.  In the meatime, we can take advantage of the engine in SFC to have ships appear like in no other game.  Because we can have colored illumination maps.  Neener neener.  >

(and if you check the G@W download after you download it, you'll see what Nanner does to fix the larger file size anyways.. it's really not an issue.)

[Starforce2]

converting colored lightmaps is not any big deal. it automaticly  goes grey when you paste to alpha channel in a tga.

As for the different size lightmaps...that is annoying, you should see how bad a suacer spotlight looks when someone sticks a 256 on a 1024 texture and I end up needing to upsizze the lightmap..lol. Usualy thy'll do ok going one size up just not 2.

[Rat Boy]

Enough arguing.  More screenshots!   

[Starforce2]

LOL

[atheorhaven]

converting colored lightmaps is not any big deal. it automatically  goes grey when you paste to alpha channel in a TGA.

Exactly what I've seen.. so I didn't see that as an issue at all really.. the only place where it may be may be where the color doesn't translate well doing a greyscale and you get little to no illumination.  I've seen that with some blues playing around with trying to convert over ships from SFC to other platforms myself..

As for the different size lightmaps...that is annoying, you should see how bad a saucer spotlight looks when someone sticks a 256 on a 1024 texture and I end up needing to upsizze the lightmap..lol. Usualy thy'll do ok going one size up just not 2.

There are ways to do it.. but it's usually a lot more work than just starting off with the right sized lightmap in the first place.  But personally, I'm a fan of a window or nacelle having a glow so sometimes I may add different sized lightmaps to get that, or else manually add a glow.. even though I know in space, you have hard light and no glows at all because it's a vacuum.  But it does look better to our eyes because we're used to looking at things through atmosphere.. so a glow is expected around lit things.  Just like space isn't completely full of nebulas, but when we see a space show these days, we always see nebulas in the background.  Why?  Because black space (which is pretty well what you'd see looking at a bright object like a white ship in space) is dull for TV viewers, so you get pretty nebulas for the same reason why you get cheerleaders in football.  Just makes things look more visually interesting.  ;)