Topic: Who here plays Space Empires 4?

[Kana]

Space Empires IV, and is looking forward to Space Empires V...

Well anyway, I was planning on making two mods for SEV when it is released.   First an SFB style mod, and second an Honor Harrington mod.   Since SEV will require so called low poly ship models, I dont think many of the really nice SFC models I have will be convertable to Direct X and work well in the game.    Also I have no models for HH.

So hopefully when the game is release sometime between now and the end of the year, I can ask for some interested modellers to possibly donate some models for these mods if they are interested.   You dont have to be interested in SEIV or SEV to want to donate, but I'm sure it would help.

Here are the threads and specs concerning the models for SEV:

The specifics:
SE.net Article http://www.spaceempires.net/home/article-239--0-0.html
Malfador Style Page  http://www.malfador.com/se5empstyle.html

The item you should be most concerned with is the poly count. Try and keep this under 500 for ships and under 1000 for bases if you can.

The game uses .bmp textures (default size is 256x256, but you can bigger or smaller ones). You'll need to map these to your model in non-technical speak. 

The mini images are used in various screens and lists or in the main system display.

[intermech]

You can certainly use any of my models. Most consider them low poly, however, they normally hang around 1000 polygons; a quantitative bust for your purposes.

You may want to look into using some converted stock Armada/Armada II models or Original SFC models, those are probably more in your poly range.

[Dizzy]

I am stoked to see some modelers do up a trek mod for SEV. That would be stellar! Im a huge fan of SEIV. SEV should be out this next month or so...

How do .mods convert to SEV mods?

EDIT: Oh, and Kana, might want to edit the thread titile to include the SEV name...

[Kana]

You may want to look into using some converted stock Armada/Armada II models or Original SFC models, those are probably more in your poly range.

Thanks, Yeah I guess I should look into those...I'm sure there are some Armada TOS models out there somewhere.   I guess I could breakdonw on the SFC 1 models, but I dont know how many SFB race models were made for SFC, I know there a ton for EAW/OP, I have most, if not all of them.

How do .mods convert to SEV mods?

Well there are a few ways...SEV is going to use DX7, so they need to be .X file format.   There is a file converter for SFC3, that converts .mods to DX file format.   Also I found a program than will import all kinds of files and export to many other files called... Ultimate Unwrap 3d http://www.unwrap3d.com/downloads.aspx 

It will import export .mod, .sod, .x, and stuff like lightwave, and Milkshape...

I dont think it will be a problem if you have a regular up to date game machine, but polys will I guess be a problem...

[Magnum357]

I play SE4 a lot too.  Great game and am looking forward to SE5 when it comes out.  Unfortunetly, my models only use 256 X 256 Textures, but are usually a little higher then 1000 polies (average 1500) so I don't know if my models would help out in your mode.

[Kana]

I guess the big question is if I really want to go for the whole SFB flavor, where by rules, there usually isn't more than 13 ships or so to a fleet/combat per side.   Also, I dont know if can restrict that in SEV in any way.   I was just going to try and make it expensive/time consuming to make ships, which will make them less prevelant.  Less ships means less polys in general.

As for the HH mod...there will be small divisions to big fleets.   Yet I dont know of anyone really making 3d models for the HH universe, so there is an opportunity there for someone with interest and time.   They are relatively easy, and there are tons of pics/diagrams for reference.

[Dizzy]

Well there are a few ways...SEV is going to use DX7, so they need to be .X file format.   There is a file converter for SFC3, that converts .mods to DX file format.   Also I found a program than will import all kinds of files and export to many other files called... Ultimate Unwrap 3d http://www.unwrap3d.com/downloads.aspx 

It will import export .mod, .sod, .x, and stuff like lightwave, and Milkshape...

I dont think it will be a problem if you have a regular up to date game machine, but polys will I guess be a problem...

That's awesome! All I need now is to get a poly reducer program for these models of mine. I think that it may be possible to run them thru a few times and drop enough to make them suitable for sev. What free programs will reduce polys on a model?

[Dizzy]

I'd only ask if I were to host them as an SEV mod. This is for personal use. I have models of my own that are too high poly I want to use in SEV. What to do what to do...

[Star Dragon]

Isn't there a HH mod for SE4?


I'm on hiatus ATM, but have been working on a FS2 and Robotech (using Atrocitie's Zents, and me adding Invid and RDF/REF, Robotech masters forces) mods for SE4 and learning how it works till SE5 comes out.

FS2 screenie
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/Star-Dragon/OrionMKIII.jpg

Robotech
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/Star-Dragon/TrooperTest.jpg

Both very early WIPS...

[Kana]

Isn't there a HH mod for SE4?

There is a Manticore Shipset.   That is the only known mod that I'm aware of for SE4.