Topic: Been playing around....

[Centurus]

I recently decided to take up spec map practicing again, and I think I might be on the right track.

Using the tips TUS provided on WZ's forums, I've been playing around not only with making spec maps to my liking, but also applying them and playing with the settings in 3DS Max.

When I got the settings I thought looked right, I ended up with a personally pleasant surprise, a metallic look to the hull.

Please forgive the size of the renders.  I just couldn't not make them that big.

Comments and suggestions welcome.

[Geks]

Ohhhhh BIG and SHINY 

Looks great, and that model is fantastic 

[Bernard Guignard]

wow that looks great fantastic job I'll be looking forward to dowloading the SFC OP version 

[Centurus]

Ohhhhh BIG and SHINY 

Looks great, and that model is fantastic 

That's Wicked Zombie's model, not mine.  I can only take credit for the renders and specular effects.

[Centurus]

wow that looks great fantastic job I'll be looking forward to dowloading the SFC OP version 

Again, this is WZ's ship.  He makes his ships ready for all SFC games.  http://drs.battleclinic.com

[Scottish Andy]

Wow, that doesn't look merely metallic, it looks burnished!

She looks fantastic...

[Centurus]

Thanks for all the compliments everyone.  I really appreciate them.

Any comments or tips on how to improve my results?  Any recommended settings in Photoshop when making the spec maps, or any recommended settings in MAX for the spec effects?

[Geks]

Nah, in my opinion you are reaching the limits specular mapping can achieve here with this model, lighting is a massive one, mabey a little bumpmapping.. but ur doing a great job in ur renders.

[Centurus]

Nah, in my opinion you are reaching the limits specular mapping can achieve here with this model, lighting is a massive one, mabey a little bumpmapping.. but ur doing a great job in ur renders.

Aside from TMP and TNG registries, renders, basic ones anyway, are a specialty.  As for bump mapping, never learned that.

[Geks]

A difficult one to apply if you never created the texures, results can be amazing though in the correct lighting rig, mabey one too google 

[Tus-XC]

most fed ships are smooth hull, w/ panel lines being pretty much the only thing that might need bump maping.....

[Starforce2]

That is some amazing attn to detail. And some really huge pix

[Centurus]

I can't take credit for the detail.  Again, WZ's model.  I'm still playing with different specular settings to fine tune the look.  As for the size of the images, I wanted to make sure anyone who responded could see the details on the ship and give advice on other settings and such.

[Dizzy]

I'm in love with that rear firing photon tube. That just looks like it was born there. Who did that? WZ?

[Centurus]

Yep.  I should start posting credits on the renders I post here.  :-p  It'll save me time.

The model in them there pretty renders is WZ's.

[Fedman NCC-3758]

That's one gorgeous ship ! 

[Starforce2]

have you consider trying to do it up as if it were in the same conditions as the enterprise A in the shipyard? These, fine as they are, don't show the ship as it would be in space in a scene from the movies. Justa thought. Oh and keep the renders frelling huge otherwise it's kinda pointless

[Centurus]

have you consider trying to do it up as if it were in the same conditions as the enterprise A in the shipyard? These, fine as they are, don't show the ship as it would be in space in a scene from the movies. Justa thought. Oh and keep the renders frelling huge otherwise it's kinda pointless

I never thought about doing those kinda renders, then again never really had any desire to, but it is something to think about.  I'll consider it.

[Adonis]

have you consider trying to do it up as if it were in the same conditions as the enterprise A in the shipyard? These, fine as they are, don't show the ship as it would be in space in a scene from the movies. Justa thought. Oh and keep the renders frelling huge otherwise it's kinda pointless

I never thought about doing those kinda renders, then again never really had any desire to, but it is something to think about.  I'll consider it.

Here's a little something u could do:

Kick a skylight into the scene, anywhere. Then just turn on shadows and leave it on 20 rays minimum, and whoalla, insta shadowing.

[Centurus]

have you consider trying to do it up as if it were in the same conditions as the enterprise A in the shipyard? These, fine as they are, don't show the ship as it would be in space in a scene from the movies. Justa thought. Oh and keep the renders frelling huge otherwise it's kinda pointless

I never thought about doing those kinda renders, then again never really had any desire to, but it is something to think about.  I'll consider it.

Here's a little something u could do:

Kick a skylight into the scene, anywhere. Then just turn on shadows and leave it on 20 rays minimum, and whoalla, insta shadowing.

I would need to be taught how to do that.  The lighting I used in the renders was courteousy of TUS.  He had sent me his lighting rig long time ago, and that's what I use for light in renders.

But I would be more than willing to learn how to do what you suggest.