Ronald wrote: ↑Mon Sep 28, 2020 5:18 pm
KOYK_GR wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2017 12:22 pm
I am in the processes of making new civ buildings, take a look and tell me you opinions.
They look great. Keep'm coming!
QUESTION: What kind of tools are you using to
- Create the 3D models ?
-- Do you create your buildings from scratch?
-- Do you use templates created by others
- Render them into sprites / animation sequences ?
- Import your sprites into your own OpenRA mod(s)?
Hi and thank you for your kind words!
All the buildings I have made so far is by hand, am not using any 3D programs for those, even the animated ones(aside from the rotating ones).
As for units, and rotated (parts) of buildings like the antenna for my apolyton mod, I use sketchup to create them as it is easier and then export them into .dae format and import them on 3dsmax, from there I use a template given to me, some years ago from the user nolt (you should ask him aswell, for tips).
After am done with the frames, I export them and import them into shp builder, using a specific custom palette I made that uses only the player colors and shades of gray (for the metalic color that vehicles use) and light blue color for the windows of the unit, I removed all the other colors from the palette. PRO-TIP: most of them are used for terrain any way, and can make the unit look ugly, so its better to use only the colors said above.
from there I check the sprites for any visual errors and correct them by hand, for example the osprey sprite I made for apolyton at first had no gray color on its "belly" so I had to paint it by hand later.
importing sprites (.shp)into openra is kinda easy you can place your sprite into the bits folder (usually mods have that targeted by default in the mod.yaml) and then play with the rules, it help to use rules from the base game.
Though be careful with the shp builder as it some times can break your sprite, in order to avoid that, just re-open the shp file and save again.
Do not use\change the options/SHP type just leave it as it is (tiberian sun/animation) other wise it will break your sprite for openra.
Do not leave the first frame empty (color 1), if you have to though, just add 1 pixel of the shadow color (color 4) from the palette. other wise it will not work in openra.
Aside from the template I got from nolt, all other tips you see here are mine, gathered over the years, after series of painful tests and trial and error attempts, and I am proud to say that ive never stole any assets from any other modder or even asked for them.
And to be honest those tips I am giving you are very hard to see the light of day, usually modders keep those tips for themselves, but because I know from experience how hard and spirit breaking is to figure all that stuff (since there is not any real hint on what went wrong or how to improve those sprites), I am willing to share those tips, as it will cut down the time needed for creating them for some one who is new to openra modding.
But please if you find my tips helpful, do what I did and help around, I generally avoid posting stuff because its kinda boring, but I try to help as much as I can, even if its boring.
Here is the list of programs I am using:
3D:
sketchup
https://www.sketchup.com/
3ds max
https://www.autodesk.com/products/3ds-m ... quantity=1
(you can download the free version and register as a student or something along those lines. Disclaimer: I am a student!!
)
2D:
RealWorld Paint
http://www.rw-designer.com/image-editor
(easy to use as a general all purpose paint tool)
windows paint
(yes, many people don't take it seriously but it gets the job done when needed)
Other:
SHP OS Builder
https://www.ppmsite.com/
(I use 3.38 beta)
OS Palette Editor 1.21 same link as above
(for creating new palettes or editing existing ones)
Thats it, I hope I did not forget any thing, also welcome to openra modding scene!
NOTE: For other people who might read this post, Golden Rule: never steal assets from other modders, make your own, or at least use the free ones online (not recommended, unless if you don't want your mod to be unique).
Maybe should make a guide at some point, for other modding stuff aswell.