Here is an in game shot, it actually works quite nicely, if I say so myself.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/32600/balloonnpre2.jpg

Some how my storyboard got corrupted and folded the one balloon over itself in the corner, so that balloon had to go.

Here is what I am going to use 4 balloon and I have slowed down the frame delay.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/32600/4balloonsFireworksDefault170framedelay.gif

Original post

The Fireworks Animation is quite a long animation, most of it is blank so there can be time between the fireworks.

I was thinking that something like balloons circling the city continuously for a happy city, as an alternative. The animation would be the same length, but would always be seen.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/32600/ballon_preview.png

Great idea!!

Can't wait to see it finished, I think I'll use it in the regular game. :D

definately...awesome idea...

as a suggestion, perhaps it would be possible to have a "release of baloons" like they do at Major sporting events, like the olympics....

here is a video for an example
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3190861975161564894

Here is the first 9 frames out of the 73 frames I have to do.

Actually I think I might start over as I don't like them that much. I am going to make the movement smoother by only making single pixel moves. Right now there is about 3 pixels, not smooth.

And I don't want it to look like a merry-go-round, so I'll just make them move mostly horizontally acrross the sky.

Well that's me own feedback, I'll take any one elses if they have any.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/32600/FireworksDefault.gif

It's looking good as it is, I think.
Definatly smooth the animation out though.

Here is my second try.

Ignore that balloon crunching in the corner, that's a flc2gif problem. It works fine in game.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/32600/FireworksDefault2.gif

Nice, but better: they must move only up and down, not left-right! it's more realistic!

maybe one or two of them could drift to the side just a bit?...they look great!!!

Maybe I could mix the fireworks with the balloons. The only reason I am fooling around with this file is beacuse I don't want to wait to see if there are fireworks on any city. I want something to always be there when they're happy.

Maybe I should just make a neon sign "We're Happy".

http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/32600/Fireworks2.gif

I guess I could just shorten the fireworks animation and get rid of most of that dead space, sometimes the simplest thing evade you.:hammer2:

intersting concept Pounder :goodjob:

i remember at one time not too long ago varwnos had fiddled w/ the 'fireworks' anims but as smoke from a factory stack (imagine little puffs in-game) that matched up to his city gfx. i found that idea to be really, really neat and a good way of displaying 'industrial happiness'. however, i never saw whether he comleted and/or posted them...

They looks so cute above the city. :)

The Flak in the animation looks rather strange. But it probably looks different with a nonpink background.

They're nice... I'd prefer balloons w/o firework. Imagine the carnage if some rockets went the wrong way...

I'd actually prefer balloons without fireworks too. :)

intersting concept Pounder :goodjob:

i remember at one time not too long ago varwnos had fiddled w/ the 'fireworks' anims but as smoke from a factory stack (imagine little puffs in-game) that matched up to his city gfx. i found that idea to be really, really neat and a good way of displaying 'industrial happiness'. however, i never saw whether he comleted and/or posted them...

I faced problems with flickster and gave up..

However if Pounder makes a smoke animation i can easily adjust the city to it ;)

Oooo! Nice concept! Add in some flak animations too :evil:

They're nice... I'd prefer balloons w/o firework. Imagine the carnage if some rockets went the wrong way...
Well certainly if the balloons are filled with hydrogen. :mischief: I've been wondering how to represent happiness in ancient cities, in the times before fireworks were around. I might be able to work something out from these.

Thanks Pounder. :)

Some how my storyboard got corrupted and folded the one balloon over itself in the corner, so that balloon had to go.

Here is what I am going to use 4 balloon and I have slowed down the frame delay.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/32600/4balloonsFireworksDefault170framedelay.gif

Pounder, can you make a smoke animation for this set?

It should come out of the chimneys and then dissapear at some higher point (i will keep the chimneys at the same pixels in all cities). It is not hard to do, i had actually done it in the past but then gave up :)

http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/36763/marguisdeshad.PNG

Also, if you are in the mood, you could make a small light appear at one or two of the windows, and then go out again :D

ps: what is important is the distance between the chimneys, and the windows as well. Otherwise i can place the city higher or lower on the tile, so as to adjust to the animation, although i could first complete the set and post it and then you could work on this if you accept.

Pounder, can you make a smoke animation for this set?

It should come out of the chimneys and then dissapear at some higher point (i will keep the chimneys at the same pixels in all cities). It is not hard to do, i had actually done it in the past but then gave up :)

http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/36763/marguisdeshad.PNG

Also, if you are in the mood, you could make a small light appear at one or two of the windows, and then go out again :D

ps: what is important is the distance between the chimneys, and the windows as well. Otherwise i can place the city higher or lower on the tile, so as to adjust to the animation, although i could first complete the set and post it and then you could work on this if you accept.

I think that may be beyond my capablities.

There would be a hard time to align everything to the exact pixel in your town.

Maybe an idea would be to make a building that is part of the animation and then then building could have lights go on and off as part of the animation, maybe a camp fire or some torches.

Here is an in game shot, it actually works quite nicely, if I say so myself.

http://forums.civfanatics.com/uploads/32600/balloonnpre2.jpg

I think that may be beyond my capablities.

There would be a hard time to align everything to the exact pixel in your town.

Maybe an idea would be to make a building that is part of the animation and then then building could have lights go on and off as part of the animation, maybe a camp fire or some torches.


It is not that difficult, but your idea is very good as well :)
A campfire with smoke would be perfect imo