View Full Version : Unit Preview: Futuristic Bomber


A Viking Yeti
Jan 04, 2004, 06:47 PM
This'll be my second full unit, and I've learned a lot since last time. This is a futuristic/experimental bomber, it's rather large though. I have the default done, and am working on the run. Keep in mind the jpg lost some quality, so the civ-specific colors looks a little rough.

And the preview:

Gogf
Jan 04, 2004, 07:02 PM
Where do you get these 3d models? I looks good, IMO.

A Viking Yeti
Jan 04, 2004, 08:24 PM
I make them, :D. I use anim8or, you can get it at www.anim8or.com. It's not that hard, once you get the hang of it.

Gogf
Jan 05, 2004, 05:35 AM
Thanks AVY. I may actually use a 3d program now. Anim8or is awesome! Could you post an animated preview of your bomber?

Bob McDob
Jan 05, 2004, 05:40 AM
Simple but nice. Could use a bit better textures.

Gogf
Jan 05, 2004, 05:42 AM
@AVY: I have an anim8or question: what do I export the object as? I can't open any of the files. How do I use my wonderful object?

A Viking Yeti
Jan 05, 2004, 07:31 PM
TO Gogf: Since your PM inbox is full: in object mode, go to File->Render Preview and from there you can save as either 24 bit bmp or jpg. If you save as 24 bit, remember to import your custom palette for the unit, WITHOUT CONVERTING THE UNIT TO 256 FIRST. I converted first with my missile and lost a lot of color and most shading, :rolleyes:. In scene mode, Render->To File... You can render as avi or bmp, I'm asuming 24 bit bmp though I've never actually tried it. Looking forward to some of your units in the future. Also, I'm almost finished with the first animated previews, the run, but it'll take me a bit.

TO Bob McDob: Suprisingly, it uses no textures. I don't know how to add them in anim8or yet, :D, they're all plain colors for the faces of the polygon. I'm planning on using textures for the unit after this one.

Dom Pedro II
Jan 05, 2004, 07:37 PM
I've never used anim8tor, but I know that it is one of many free modeling programs out there, and it's possible to produce some really nice stuff if you have the patience.


Currently, I've been trying to learn 3DS Max since you can, obviously, do a lot more with that... but for Civ stuff, this works just fine I think.

Gogf
Jan 05, 2004, 07:58 PM
Thanks A Viking Yeti!

A Viking Yeti
Jan 05, 2004, 07:59 PM
I was working on the run animation, and I pasted it into the storyboard, saved it, and tried to open it. What do I get? ILLEGAL ERROR!!! :mad::rant::aargh: I have no idea what causes it, and it only happens when I try to see the FLICster preview. The storyboard is in 256, right number of frames, right size, etc... Please help, I'm completely stumped on this one. I thought I was doing good, too :(:cry:.

Gogf
Jan 05, 2004, 08:13 PM
Try asking Drift... Sorry, I wish I could help :(.

This may sound newbieish, but maybe you can help. On this image I made in anim8or:

http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads6/Rock.jpg

How do I make it blue? I'm not really sure how to use pallets, sorry for that. I know photoshop uses them when I edit units, because I can only use certain colors, but other than that I have no idea. I know it's like UNITNAME.pal, but I get that "I don't know the program for this" icon, and I can't open a pallet to for example edit it. How do I do I make it civcolor blue? Please help. Thank you so much in advance...

A Viking Yeti
Jan 05, 2004, 08:33 PM
TO Gogf: Do you mean you want to make the model blue, cause I just apply the selected material to the model in anim8or. I don't have photoshop, but you can go to a certain menu where you can edit palettes. Also, PEdit is in the unitls section, you can use that to edit palettes. When you do edit the palette, don't touch the top 4 rows, or the bottom 2. They are for civ-specific and shadows/smoke colors. Hope this helps.

TO Anyone who'll help: I messed with the palette a bit, and now it doesn't shut down right away; instead it scrambles my image, and shuts down if I change direction. This is very odd, as I have never had this problem before. Please help.

Xen
Jan 05, 2004, 08:42 PM
I like this model- any chance we can see a squadron of three very small ships to act as bomber from a carrier, similer to the set up of the fighter or whatever exactleyt they are on this page?

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=73867&pagenumber=3

A Viking Yeti
Jan 05, 2004, 08:56 PM
Yeah, sure. That's, of course, if I can get it to work. WAH!!!

Gogf
Jan 05, 2004, 08:59 PM
Where can I get PEdit? Could you give me a link, or give me a step by step thing on how to make that blue. I don't reallyl get any of the commands. If you get me to understand this A Viking Yeti, you will get exclusive preview to all of my units. Just how to make this ball and still think blue. How do I make it blue? I will be eternally greatful, and give you these previews.

Krayzeenbk
Jan 05, 2004, 09:36 PM
EDIT: nvm

A Viking Yeti
Jan 05, 2004, 10:34 PM
http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44392, that's Pedit. To change the colors, go to Options->Materials, and a side bar'll open up. In that, you can double click and design any color. Make your color, select it by clicking once; then go to the and click the 3 dots to view it in wire frame mode. Once there, click the arrow next to the material sidebar, and select the faces that you want to apply your highlighted color to. Then click apply above your materials list, and deselect the faces. Click on the arrow cursor, across from the 3 dots. And ta da!!! Make sure to change your model to a mesh by selecting your model, Buil->Convert to Mesh. About the previews, sure that would be cool. Good luck with the model.

EDIT: Sorry forgot the palettes part. Open PEdit and you rendered file. Go through, and add all the colors of your unit below the first 4 rows the Essential Colors.pal file. All except for the civ-specific blue. Open your rendered preview and import the palette to your image.

Krayzeenbk
Jan 05, 2004, 10:35 PM
Be sure to use the EssentialColors.pal that comes in the PEdit download (IIRC).

Neomega
Jan 06, 2004, 12:22 AM
Originally posted by A Viking Yeti
I was working on the run animation, and I pasted it into the storyboard, saved it, and tried to open it. What do I get? ILLEGAL ERROR!!! :mad::rant::aargh: I have no idea what causes it, and it only happens when I try to see the FLICster preview. The storyboard is in 256, right number of frames, right size, etc... Please help, I'm completely stumped on this one. I thought I was doing good, too :(:cry:.

1)IS it a pcx file?
2) did you save it in FLICster?

Gogf
Jan 06, 2004, 04:45 AM
@A Viking Yeti: THANKS!!!!

A Viking Yeti
Jan 06, 2004, 05:35 PM
TO Gogf: No problem. Glad to be helping someone else for a change, :lol:.

TO Neomega: Yes and yes. Why is it I'm the only one to get this problem, anyway. Maybe it's related to my system.

BTW: I'm helping Gogf, Neomega Krayzeenbk and just about everyone else is trying to help me; so, inadvertantly, everyone else is helping Gogf, too. Maybe the errors are just getting to me, :D.