Topic: Call for Standardization....

[Sfaret]

You know I was chatting online with one of my old stomping buddies when I comment was made. We proposed a ship list change similiar to the one being put up by the SG3 set. The idea was to expand the model list in the ship list and just fill in with exisitng models for now. However down the road a player could pick and choose custom models and thus have a more fun looking game for the player.

This idea was basically overlooked at the time, but maybe now is a good time to revive it. Basically the project would be to do what these guys are already doing, but putting it together with the stock ship list. Then further cmapaigns would use this new stock shiplist or create new ones using the same model breakdown.

While this would in no way be an official change to the game, it would serve as an official change in practice if all furute campaigns made sure to use the base standard.

Also it might be nice to see some of the modelers make packages for each race that fit this standard. For example, Feral's Gorn are an excellent set that can work in the standard of the new modelling system. Instead of downloading each one, make one big Gorn package download with the mods properly named for the new standard.

Any other thoughts on this?

S'faret

[jimmi7769]

I note this didn't get a lot of attention.

It should, I know for me I love to use different models than stock and really hate seeing a Fed Old light cruiser look just like a Fed Destroyer.  Or a Gorn Light Cruiser look just like a Gorn Heavy Battlecruiser.  It just isn't right.

Surely the SG3 model concept is a step in the right direction.

I'd really like to see something like this happen and would be willing to help out in any way possible.

 

[Cleaven]

Well, once OP+ becomes more or less the default shiplist some brave soul can convert it to OP++ with the necessary structure for supporting more models, as well as a script for creating new directories and copying default models into them.  

[EmeraldEdge]

I think FIresoul was lookin' for Tug models a while back, to do just that, wasn't he?  I've started to do some work on some tugs that use stock models as the base so they will fit in visually with the stock game models, but I'm extremely slow.  Too many other things, and new to modeling so...  Anyhow, it would be great to see.  

[Scipio_66]

Quote:
 The shield-shredder shrieked:
You know I was chatting online with one of my old stomping buddies when I comment was made. We proposed a ship list change similiar to the one being put up by the SG3 set. The idea was to expand the model list in the ship list and just fill in with exisitng models for now. However down the road a player could pick and choose custom models and thus have a more fun looking game for the player.

S'faret  

I can speak only for myself, but I think this is a fine idea!

Now that I've written a script for exanding the model list -- and no one has squawked about the increased HD usage -- I plan to use it in all my future servers.  Combine this with the SFB-corrected  shiplists I use and I will be one happy EAW gamer.

I'm with you guys on this one.  I spent several hours last night tweaking the SFB Gorn models from Ghost and the War Refit dock to get the proper number of hardpoints on a hull, and I love the results.  I'm not eager to ever again have my CL look like my BCH.  

-Herr Burt  

[jimmi7769]

Do you guys like those War Refit Gorns???  I've always preferred the Fleetdock 13 models as the War Refit ones always seemed kind of plain or even cartoonish.  Do they look different in play than they do on the webpage??

[KBF-Dogmatix]

Oh, I'd definitely love to see us arrive at a standardized shiplist that uses the same model pointer conventions across both the EAW and OP platforms.  OP+ and Jeff's version of it for EAW seem lile perfect candidates once they get things debugged to their satisfaction.  


I actually long for a time where we're not constantly swapping shiplists and mission packs.  That part of this process is becoming a little annoying to me.  I look forward to the day when the work is "done."  heheh...


 

[Kroma_BaSyl]

hmmmm.....you made up some new models.....can Kroma have a taste?  I need to learn to add images to my hull....I assume one can just edit the texture files in Photoshop.

[SSCF_Paladin]

Perhaps downloadable 'packages', done by era (ex. TOS TMP) could be constructed, with an agreed upon directory structure of some sort, so that players could download these packages to suit their tastes?

Personally, I lean heavily toward TMP, but I know my taste is not shared by all.  However, I would be first in line to download any such project... I'm not disappointed by taldrens' models, they're all I've ever played with outside of DoEs' coolness.  I really want to be able to see a difference between a Fed CL and DD, the CC+ and the CVLs.  Even a few different BCs would be welcome.

Just another two cents to add... watching this thread carefully with my fingers crossed.

Oh, I totally agree with the post above me... I look forward to the 'work being done' with the shiplists and missions.  With the newer one-click installer/uninstallers, and all the other work being done to make campaign settings easier for the player, I think we might still see the dawn of that age yet.



(Ack, when will the Prime Minister of Canada call me and beg me to be his speech writer - I'm so full of s*** sometimes, I'd be perfect for the job  )
 

[Karnak]

Quote:
Oh, I'd definitely love to see us arrive at a standardized shiplist that uses the same model pointer conventions across both the EAW and OP platforms.  OP+ and Jeff's version of it for EAW seem lile perfect candidates once they get things debugged to their satisfaction.  
 

I can agree to using the same model pointers.  Dizzy had done a great job in cloning out voluminous amounts of variants for each ship class.  So, there are lotsa opportunites to personalize your own model variant.  As for using the same ship specs between servers, I dunno yet.  I think each campaign will want its own unique flavor.

As for more installing,  I hope it's quicker and more painless now.  The uninstaller exe planted in your SFC2 directory will remove all the files downloaded to your game systems but will leave the models installed with their variant directories intact.   So, no more hunting for the correct directory to delete and allows more flexible for future install development growth. I don't have worry about writing copious instructions about what files and directories to delete when the campaign is done.

Of course, the installer won't over-write any existing model folders so your existing model collection is safe, hehe.

[Scipio_66]

Quote:
hmmmm.....you made up some new models.....can Kroma have a taste?  I need to learn to add images to my hull....I assume one can just edit the texture files in Photoshop.  

Sure, I'll try to get these onto the GDA site.  Mostly what I did was mix and match Ghost models and War Refit textures.  I like the War Refit textures (they look like my sig), but there are more hardpoint options in the Ghost models (as well as some loaded PFT models).  I also want to nip and tuck a few of the Ghost hulls once I get my registration code for Milkshape.  Kroma should know all about Nips and Tucks.

And yes, you can edit your texture files with photoshop.  I added the GDA logo from the left side of my sig to the wings of my gorn ships, in place of the Gorn Triangle.  Maybe I'll start adding kill markers too as the game progresses.    

-S'Cipio  

[KBF-Dogmatix]

Quote:

Quote:
Oh, I'd definitely love to see us arrive at a standardized shiplist that uses the same model pointer conventions across both the EAW and OP platforms.  OP+ and Jeff's version of it for EAW seem lile perfect candidates once they get things debugged to their satisfaction.  
 

I can agree to using the same model pointers.  Dizzy had done a great job in cloning out voluminous amounts of variants for each ship class.  So, there are lotsa opportunites to personalize your own model variant.  As for using the same ship specs between servers, I dunno yet.  I think each campaign will want its own unique flavor.

As for more installing,  I hope it's quicker and more painless now.  The uninstaller exe planted in your SFC2 directory will remove all the files downloaded to your game systems but will leave the models installed with their variant directories intact.   So, no more hunting for the correct directory to delete and allows more flexible for future install development growth. I don't have worry about writing copious instructions about what files and directories to delete when the campaign is done.

Of course, the installer won't over-write any existing model folders so your existing model collection is safe, hehe.  

Yes..I have to say, I love the direction you guys are taking the installer packs.  This is definitely preferable to the old way.  I can cotninue to live with this sort of thing as long as these continue to be available.  Now, if we can just get it down to ONE pack per server...heheh.  AOTK was a nightmare in that respect.


I do feel sorry for those 56Kers out there, though....the direction the D2 game is taking is really beginning to marginalize them a bit.

[Kroma_BaSyl]

Quote:


Sure, I'll try to get these onto the GDA site.  Mostly what I did was mix and match Ghost models and War Refit textures.  I like the War Refit textures (they look like my sig), but there are more hardpoint options in the Ghost models (as well as some loaded PFT models).  I also want to nip and tuck a few of the Ghost hulls once I get my registration code for Milkshape.  Kroma should know all about Nips and Tucks.

And yes, you can edit your texture files with photoshop.  I added the GDA logo from the left side of my sig to the wings of my gorn ships, in place of the Gorn Triangle.  Maybe I'll start adding kill markers too as the game progresses.    

-S'Cipio  

Cool, I always liked the Ghost hull options and even use the one with PF's attached but prefer the War Refit textures.

How do you figure out what is what in those flat texture files? Is there a model viewer available?

[Scipio_66]

Quote:

How do you figure out what is what in those flat texture files? Is there a model viewer available?  

Yeah, I'll post a link to that too.

-S'Cipio

[Sethan]

Quote:
You know I was chatting online with one of my old stomping buddies when I comment was made. We proposed a ship list change similiar to the one being put up by the SG3 set. The idea was to expand the model list in the ship list and just fill in with exisitng models for now. However down the road a player could pick and choose custom models and thus have a more fun looking game for the player.

I suggested this almost a year ago.  There was some interest, but I couldn't do the work on it myself as I was busy losing my job at the time.

I hope it goes further this time.

[Sfaret]

Scipio,

I cant wait to see what you have put together.

S'faret