Topic: U.S.S. Resurrection...again.....

[Centurus]

Decided to resume work, and mesh wise, roughly 98% done.  Thanks goes out to MeteoraFallen for helping with the impulse engine design, and Fallen_Warrior for helping me brainstorm the triangular impulse control crystal design.

[Chrystoff]

Lookin good as always! Would love to see you take a shot at a Reliant/Miranda.

[Centurus]

Lookin good as always! Would love to see you take a shot at a Reliant/Miranda.

Funny you should mention that, considering I've had a refit concept in mind for the past few years, but never could make it a reality cause half the parts didn't exist, and at the time I didn't have the skills to make them.  I believe now I do, and I will be making the attempt later on.

[Centurus]

Oh, P.S.

The poly count on this model is no where near SFC friendly.  I figure this ship will be mainly for eye candy purposes.  My eye candy.  :-D

[Dizzy]

Oh, P.S.

The poly count on this model is no where near SFC friendly.  I figure this ship will be mainly for eye candy purposes.  My eye candy.  :-D

Nice ship and thanks for telling us its high poly. I hate model makers who release super high poly models and dont warn us. Naive users DL them and then cause all sorts of PvP problems.

[Centurus]

Well I wasn't gonna let people think this was gonna be SFC friendly.  However, in the defense of some modelers these days, the old conventions that anything over 6k polys is too high is really outdated, and models ranging around the 9-10k area are perfectly fine for even systems 3 years old.

[Dizzy]

Not true. You arnt thinking about 3v3 with planets, sun, drones, mines, explosions, shuttles, fighters, PF's, seeking plasma and scatterpacks. Games that lag cause players to 'skip' where players 'think' they are and begin to 'jump' in range and arc around them. It creates a player that cant run missions on the frontline. And for what? So he can have pretty models?

Keep them under 6k please. No reason to go over that. The game engine cant scale beyond 16001200 resolution anyway, and at that resolution the ships are too tiny to see and without LOD's they KILL framerate.

[GotAFarmYet?]

The texture sizes and DPI are the primary killers, turn the file from BMP to PCX, or the BMP to the same settings as PCX, and you will see a vast improment. LODs if they use reduced textures for both size and resolution will help even more, if they are assigned the primary textures then they do not help much at all. This also is known the game doesn't show the true colours in a BMP it only renders in a 8-bit version, wasting computer cycles if it is over a 8-bit incoded file for textures.

Cent,
Can not say I am a fan of the impulse engine the two levels close together just don't look right to me. I would smooth out the rear section making it one plane and experiment with trapizods and a u shape to connec them to try to stay with a pattern that matches the triangle dome concept

[Centurus]

Na, I like the impulse engine design.  I went through several different looks and implementations, and I really like this design.  That's why I kept it.  However, with that said, once this ship is completed, and hopefully that'll be soon (I NEED A FREAKING MAPPER), I'll release the ship for rendering purposes in her current high poly form, and should someone want to do a poly chop to make her a bit more game friendly, they can also modify the impulse engine design as well, since I'm not opposed to seeing different concepts.  Just for me right now, I like the impulse engine design.

[Starfox1701]

Just how high is the poly count? The ship might be good for Legacy and BC as is.

[Centurus]

Not sure of the poly limit  for Legacy, but for BC, yeah this ship will work as is for BC.  I'm estimating that since I last checked the poly count, taking into consideration I've done quite a bit more, I'm estimating the ship is around the 20-22k poly range right now.

[Wicked Zombie]

And for what? So he can have pretty models?

Yup.

[Dizzy]

And for what? So he can have pretty models?

Yup.

I'm on ya'lls turf bitching. And who the hell am I to bitch at you guys on your forum? Right? I know you dont want to hear it o' model gods, but tis true that sfcop in game performance is impacted across multiplayer for higher poly models and users, being blinded by the beauty of your godlike ship making skillz stick them in their model folders, run a single player mission to see if they work and they usually do, then wonder why they lag and are causing 'skipping' in multiplayer.

So for the sake of my sanity and those that still play D2/3, please, for the love of the game, let players know if your models are poly friendly for an old game. That's all Im askin!

And so not to hijack this thread, this model's lack of a concave recessed surface on the bottom of the saucer makes it 'feel' too heavy, or seem too massive for the rest of the model, imo. Also, I dislike the triangles on the top of the impulse unit. Really hate it actually. The impulse exhausts are cool... The rest of the model really rocks. I like it overall, just those two issues for me.

[Centurus]

In my defense, I couldn't go with a concave recess in the bottom of the saucer, due to the fact that I wanted phaser arrays on the ship instead of phaser turrets.  I tried to design the saucer to be a little practical in that respect, thinking that there would be some internal space needed to house those phaser controls.  I know, a Connie without a concave recess does look really odd.  I feel the same way.

The triangles, I like.  I felt a Connie without something like an impulse control crystal dome would be naked, but I didn't want to just make a dome, so I remembered what WZ did on his Sorcerer, he made a unique shape and had them recessed.  So when F_W helped me brainstorm, I liked the results.

[Kreeargh]

Screw poly , the ship is damn sweet  !! If one needs game frendly they can make it on their own ,read tutes , go to school and or do homework . As they say do it yourself if you dont like the results.

[Dizzy]

In my defense, I couldn't go with a concave recess in the bottom of the saucer, due to the fact that I wanted phaser arrays on the ship instead of phaser turrets.  I tried to design the saucer to be a little practical in that respect, thinking that there would be some internal space needed to house those phaser controls.  I know, a Connie without a concave recess does look really odd.  I feel the same way.

Ok, fair nuff, but heres how I see it. What uve done is to make the saucer and even the neck pylon thicker stronger tougher lookin. Thats cool. But the warp pylons and the aft hull dont match. They are of the more spindly looking connie class. I'd recommend making the Hull wider... And mb making the warp pylons look stouter. Thats be more in line with what youve done to the rest of the ship, imo.

The triangles, I like.  I felt a Connie without something like an impulse control crystal dome would be naked, but I didn't want to just make a dome, so I remembered what WZ did on his Sorcerer, he made a unique shape and had them recessed.  So when F_W helped me brainstorm, I liked the results.

Well, I understand the need to do it differently, but I just dont yet see how that design aesthetically compliments the ship just yet. I'll refrain from making anymore disputatious comments on it till its got a coat of paint.

[Centurus]

I didn't want to change too much of the design of the class.  I've seen various TNG-era Connie concepts, and I felt that something that's a bit more mild was better than any drastic changes.  However, that's not to say that the changes I made aren't drastic in and of themselves.

I gotta post the images that MeteoraFallen had been playing with that shows the potential of the ship.  In fact, I'll do that in a bit.

[Centurus]

Ok, here are ortho images that MeteoraFallen was playing around with, cause he was curious to see what the ship might look like once the ship is finished, mapped, and textured.  Keep in mind, THESE ARE CONCEPT IMAGES.  Not renders of the ship with textures.  Also, because they're concept images, they don't have any aztec patterns, right now anyway.

[Fedman NCC-3758]

Fed likes.

   

[Centurus]

Ok, mesh wise, this model is done.  Nothing left to make on the model, at least nothing that can't easily be compensated with using textures.  I changed the mesh color to a light gray.  I was getting a little sick of the blue personally and wanted a change.

Now, the search for a mapper commences.

[FoaS_XC]

Damn, cent, You've gotten good at modelling :-)

[Centurus]

Damn, cent, You've gotten good at modelling :-)

Don't say that just yet.  When I make a half way decent Sovereign, then you can say that.  Hey, wanna help mapping this lady????? 

[FoaS_XC]

I'm hip deep in the MMO project. I haven't even installed max since my last format three weeks ago :-/

[Centurus]

I'm hip deep in the MMO project. I haven't even installed max since my last format three weeks ago :-/

 

[GotAFarmYet?]

Damn, cent, You've gotten good at modelling :-)

Don't say that just yet.  When I make a half way decent Sovereign, then you can say that.  Hey, wanna help mapping this lady?????

Cent isn't it against froum rules to post pictures of naked ladies?

[Centurus]

Damn, cent, You've gotten good at modelling :-)

Don't say that just yet.  When I make a half way decent Sovereign, then you can say that.  Hey, wanna help mapping this lady?????

Cent isn't it against froum rules to post pictures of naked ladies?

Ummm...I think in my case they'll let me post nude pictures of anything except myself.

[Magnum357]

Excellent model.  Trust me, I've seen FAR worse.   

[Centurus]

Excellent model.  Trust me, I've seen FAR worse.   

 

[Meteorafallen]

You should show them the MSD... Or better yet I will XD

[atheorhaven]

That's a damn sweet MSD.  That's one area I'd *like* to learn to do..  but don't even know where to start.. 

[markyd]

Unify the mesh mate, and I will map it for you.

(im not gonna map an un unified model)

[Centurus]

Then it's not gonna get mapped then.  I am not gonna unify the mesh.

[markyd]

Im not going to sing your praises with the Violins, but you have come a long way, unifiied meshes are a pain, technical and are an art. YOU need that skill so learn it!!   Once you do, mapping to your mesh will be perfect and error free 

Dont give up now.. 

[FoaS_XC]

Unifying meshes also make it a pain to kitbash with. I know it's strengths, but I can understand why a lot of people don't like doing it.

[Kreeargh]

Unifying meshes also make it a pain to kitbash with. I know it's strengths, but I can understand why a lot of people don't like doing it.

Would this be welding/merging of mesh parts to make a single hollow in center model?  If so even pros dont do it on ALOT of game meshes. Look at stock legasy and Bc models not ALL of them are perfect holllow centerd . Proof is in the pudding/mesh 

[Centurus]

I started out as a kitbasher.  Even though to some degree I can't think like one anymore, I know what it was like for me coming on parts I couldn't use cause of holes due to unified components.  There are a few holes in this ship, but only where necessary.  If somenone were to use this ship for kitbashing, I'd like for them to be able to have quite a few viable components.

[Aramus]

Unifying meshes also make it a pain to kitbash with. I know it's strengths, but I can understand why a lot of people don't like doing it.

Would this be welding/merging of mesh parts to make a single hollow in center model? If so even pros dont do it on ALOT of game meshes. Look at stock legasy and Bc models not ALL of them are perfect holllow centerd . Proof is in the pudding/mesh 

Good model Centurus.

Kreeargh, the reason professionals do not do it is because of 2 reasons;

   1. Time limitations on the project

   2. Because the mesh does not need it and has animation involved or acceptable facial collisions.

Personally I prefer unified as it shows a huge talent, but I can see the advantage in them not being that way in certain circumstances. 

[markyd]

So what happened with this one?

[Centurus]

No mapper mainly.  Plus, I haven't had much time on the main computer due to school.  This theatre class I'm taking is really taking a lot of my time, and I'm also struggling to not fall behind in my real estate class.

[Centurus]

HOLY THREAD REVIVALS!!!!

Well, it's been almost a year since I last made a post, but now there's something worth posting about.

With the help of WileyCoyote, the ship is now mapped, and with the help of Bones, she's almost completely textured.  I've been holding off on posting updates till the textures were more or less completed.

Here she is, U.S.S. Resurrection, NCC - 1796, with textures 99% completed.

P.S.

Images courtesy of Bones himself.

[FoaS_XC]

Holy crap that looks good!

[Fedman NCC-3758]

The textures are excellent.

[atheorhaven]

Looking good so far, illimination textures are underway as well?

[Centurus]

Yep.  There are a couple things still left to fix on the textures themselves, but Bones is already working on the lightmaps.

[Starfox1701]

Oh I so want this model How many mesh groups she have right now?

[Centurus]

Mesh groups?  You mean independent objects?  Not sure.  I think somewhere around 12-15.  It's not a unified mesh.  The ship though is 26k polys.  She's my baby, so I didn't want to do any poly chopping.

[Starfox1701]

Not bad. How many textures?

[Centurus]

Don't know yet.  I'll ask Bones.

[GotAFarmYet?]

She seems to be coming along nicily Cent.
The mapper did a really good job as i don't see any distortion in the textures, as bones is doing allot of detail work that would be hard to hide.

[Centurus]

Wiley made a TMP Connie a while ago, and his mapping was exceptional, and I asked him to map the Resurrection in the same manner.  And you're right, the mapping is great.  Bones has commented that the mapping makes detailing the textures very easy.

Oh, and there are 6 textures total, 5 textures at 2048x2048 and 1 8x8 texture for the phasers.

[FoaS_XC]

I'd love to see how Wiley unwraps stuff.

[Centurus]

I'd love to see how Wiley unwraps stuff.

I can always ask Bones if he can send me the proto textures to show how the ship is unwrapped.  Hopefully he still has them.

[atheorhaven]

Also covetting those. 

[GotAFarmYet?]

I'd love to see how Wiley unwraps stuff.

me too, would also like to see the texture build files.
we all have different ways and approaches, wondering if he has a easier way than me

[Centurus]

I'd love to see how Wiley unwraps stuff.

me too, would also like to see the texture build files.
we all have different ways and approaches, wondering if he has a easier way than me

Well you could always see when Bones is available and the two of you can kinda talk over your different techniques.  :-) 

[Centurus]

With a couple minor issues concerning lightmaps and some texture tweaking, she's done.  Registries and renders by yours truly.  Her poly count is 26k, so not exactly viable for SFC game use.  However, I will release the ship in a MAX 9 format here on the forums soon enough.

[Starfox1701]

She is gorgus

[atheorhaven]

Totally, well done man..

All you need to do now is map these textures to one of WZ's meshes for SFC game play and you're good to go.  >=)

(teasing, I know that you're not wanting to redo all that). 

[Centurus]

Totally, well done man..

All you need to do now is map these textures to one of WZ's meshes for SFC game play and you're good to go.  >=)

(teasing, I know that you're not wanting to redo all that). 

Also considering I can't map still.  :-p  However, you do make a good point, this ship should be in SFC.  I was actually thinking about that while I was making her, but decided to myself this was my lady, and I wanted her to look smooth.  I accomplished that easy enough!!  :-)  I suppose if someone were to do some poly reduction on the ship to get her SFC ready, I would be ok with that, so long as I inspected the ship before it was released.

[Centurus]

I know, HOLY sh*tE!!  THREAD REVIVAL!!!  Anyway, this ship's been kept on the back burner in terms of progress and release due to some issues.  I'm happy to say that the release is coming soon, and I want to see who on these boards, preferably someone far more experienced than I am and someone that I respect, would be willing to take the model and do some poly reduction on her to get her SFC ready.  I know the majority of polys are in the warp engines and saucer.

Anyway, if anyone's interested, let me know.  But keep in mind, still haven't figured out why my models have smoothing errors when porting, so whoever takes on the task will probably also have to deal with it. 

[Starforce2]

could I mod this for BC as-is? If you can even get this in mod formatt at 26k? It looks sweet the way it is 

[[UFP]Exeter]

I like it the way it is.  I would like a high poly model to do some tests with.  I am trying to determine the realistic poly count for gaming, but more modern hardware etc.  I have read 7k but I think it can go higher, depending on the number of players.

[Centurus]

@Starforce, the BC release will be at the full 26k poly count.  I've got Dawg heading up a team right now getting her specs and such sorted out.  Just waiting on them.

@Exeter, I'll be releasing a MAX version of the ship at the same time the ship is released for BC.  Hopefully that'll happen before Christmas. 

[Starfox1701]

If I can do a lower poly version for A2 can I use her textures?

[Centurus]

If I can do a lower poly version for A2 can I use her textures?

If you know someone trustworthy that can do poly chopping, you can use the whole thing, just make sure to have a version with around 11-12k polys for SFC use.  I can do the work myself, but I know I'd be lazy about it, cause I wouldn't want to destroy the detail I put into it.  That doesn't mean I won't try it myself though.  I can see if I can do it.

[Starfox1701]

I'd be willing to take a stab at it

[Centurus]

The ship's finally been released over at BCFiles.com.  If anyone wants a MAX 9 version for rendering, let me know.  Oh, and this is an ingame shot from BC made by Tally.