Art HALP request for Era Buildings mod

onmy6 said:

Gee that looks really good Dok you are really very good at this, I know the icons you made for me awhile ago are just superb

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Thanks! I appreciate it!


Also, Lees, I just remembered that a while ago I made an archery range icon. Not sure if you can use it for one of the military building icons, but if you can, here it is:

LeeS said:

One final request which would earn my deep gratitude would be if someone were able to make a 'cover' image for the mod like those JFD has for the mercenaries mod, and Pouakai/Janboruta have for the Enlightenment Era mod. And if this is a really huge huge task to do (and it may be given my complete incompetence at such things), feel free to just tell me to AssignStartingPlots.lua with this last desire.

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By that, do you want something as big as the cover image that the Enlightenment era mod is using, or would a smaller banner, like what I'm using for my Dragon Age page, work?

(eg: )

DoktorApplejuce said:

By that, do you want something as big as the cover image that the Enlightenment era mod is using, or would a smaller banner, like what I'm using for my Dragon Age page, work?

(eg: )

Click to expand...

A banner like that would be just fine. Just seems people are not 'caught' be a mod description anymore that is just a description

LeeS said:

A banner like that would be just fine. Just seems people are not 'caught' be a mod description anymore that is just a description

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Reading is dead. Long live Debord's Society of the Spectacle

LeeS said:

A banner like that would be just fine. Just seems people are not 'caught' be a mod description anymore that is just a description

Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd be willing to make something like that, given some sort of direction as to what you're looking for.

Also, I have the rest of the icons for the naval buildings. I'm not sure I 100% like how the cablemaker turned out, but I tried about 10 different times, and this was the one I liked best. If you don't like it, I can take another crack at it though.

Cablemaker


Sailmaker


Shipyard


Shipwright


Boilermaker


Naval Yard

Those will be fine as is.

I'll try to see if I can come up with some idea for direction on a banner that I can hopefully gimp together

Wow... those icons will be useful for my mod too. By happy coincidence, many of the buildings here are in my mod. Talk about convirgent evolution. Of course, the buildings are not being used in anyway similar to LeeS's... and there are only so many variant names for buildings involved in naval construction, but happy coincidence nevertheless .

I got inspired by The Doktor to have a go at this Icon making business so I had a go at making an apothecary icon, here it is if it's any use to you it maybe be abit crap so it's not a problem if it isn't

onmy6 said:

I got inspired by The Doktor to have a go at this Icon making business so I had a go at making an apothecary icon, here it is if it's any use to you it maybe be abit crap so it's not a problem if it isn't

View attachment 400949

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well, it's better than the icon I came up with for that, which looks more appropriate to the 'cold cellars' food building than the way I am using Apothecary:

DoktorApplejuce said:

Yeah, I'd be willing to make something like that, given some sort of direction as to what you're looking for.

Also, I have the rest of the icons for the naval buildings. I'm not sure I 100% like how the cablemaker turned out, but I tried about 10 different times, and this was the one I liked best. If you don't like it, I can take another crack at it though.

Cablemaker

Sailmaker

Shipyard

Shipwright

Boilermaker

Naval Yard

Click to expand...

"Dok", do you know what it is settings-wise I might be doing wrong that causes all the interesting bits that protrude out of the icon 'circle' to be sliced away?

I'm using GIMP in case that is the problem.

Otherwise no probs so far getting the images into an icon atlas and getting the game to accept the darn thing.

LeeS said:

"Dok", do you know what it is settings-wise I might be doing wrong that causes all the interesting bits that protrude out of the icon 'circle' to be sliced away?

I'm using GIMP in case that is the problem.

Otherwise no probs so far getting the images into an icon atlas and getting the game to accept the darn thing.

Click to expand...

Er, no, not sure what could be going wrong; Gimp is really straightforward for that sort of thing, so I can't think of anything that would cause that.

I'll walk you through the steps, just in case you spot what's going on.

First, open up the black and white icon template (I assume you have it, if not, I can link you to where you can get it)


Then, create a new layer (Transparent), keeping it the same size as the entire image (2048x2048)


Then you paste in the icons, keeping them in their own layers, and lining them up with the white circles on the template.


Once you have all of the icons in, you no longer need the template layer. If you want, you can delete it, but it isn't necessary.


Now, merge all the icon layers, and that first transparent layer you made, together:


Once they're merged into one layer, make sure that layer is the one selected, and export. (No compression needed)


As long as you're following those steps, it should be good to go.

onmy6 said:

I got inspired by The Doktor to have a go at this Icon making business so I had a go at making an apothecary icon, here it is if it's any use to you it maybe be abit crap so it's not a problem if it isn't

View attachment 400949

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Looks great!

I had the same problem with the fuzzy bits round the edges of the icon too LeeS, then I downloaded some template icons that DJSHenninger has made freely available on his page.
no more fuzzies, here the link: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=557563
made a world of difference

also thanks Dok I very much appreciate that

Here's another one for apothecary if it's of any use

onmy6 said:

I had the same problem with the fuzzy bits round the edges of the icon too LeeS, then I downloaded some template icons that DJSHenninger has made freely available on his page.
no more fuzzies, here the link: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=557563
made a world of difference

also thanks Dok I very much appreciate that

Here's another one for apothecary if it's of any use
View attachment 400959

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I was referring to the intentional portions like the bow of the destroyer that protrudes out of the 'circle'.

I am getting fuzzy edges on some of the icons I made using whoward's unit-maker utility, but to use the backgrounds on DSJ's thread is also, uh, layers and uh

DoktorApplejuce said:

Er, no, not sure what could be going wrong; Gimp is really straightforward for that sort of thing, so I can't think of anything that would cause that.

I'll walk you through the steps, just in case you spot what's going on.

First, open up the black and white icon template (I assume you have it, if not, I can link you to where you can get it)

Spoiler :

Then, create a new layer (Transparent), keeping it the same size as the entire image (2048x2048)

Spoiler :

Then you paste in the icons, keeping them in their own layers, and lining them up with the white circles on the template.

Spoiler :

Once you have all of the icons in, you no longer need the template layer. If you want, you can delete it, but it isn't necessary.

Spoiler :

Now, merge all the icon layers, and that first transparent layer you made, together:

Spoiler :

Once they're merged into one layer, make sure that layer is the one selected, and export. (No compression needed)

Spoiler :

As long as you're following those steps, it should be good to go.

Click to expand...

What could be going wrong is that LeeS is trying to manipulate images.

Let's start off with the template. The one I have is the one SamBC made which has all the icon circle 'whitespace' against a grey checkerboxed background. So if I really need the template you are showing there, that'd be one mistake for starters.

Then, after the template.....uh.....yeah. That would be a case of me doing everything wrong because I used whoward's instructions on his thread [TUTORIAL] DDS Texture (Image File) Creation and Usage for Beginners which works really well for those of us art-cripples who just use a drag-and-drop method because *art fail frustrations*

LeeS said:

Let's start off with the template. The one I have is the one SamBC made which has all the icon circle 'whitespace' against a grey checkerboxed background. So if I really need the template you are showing there, that'd be one mistake for starters.

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No, the template is just there so that you have everything lined up. As long as you're using gimp, the template you're using makes no difference.

LeeS said:

Then, after the template.....uh.....yeah. That would be a case of me doing everything wrong because I used whoward's instructions on his thread [TUTORIAL] DDS Texture (Image File) Creation and Usage for Beginners which works really well for those of us art-cripples who just use a drag-and-drop method because *art fail frustrations*

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Oh, wow, that is way more complicated than it needs to be (what possible reason would there be to first export to PNG, only to bring it back into gimp again? That step is entirely redundant). And the icon sizes listed there are wrong. The largest one should have a circle of 172x172 pixels, not 174... yeah, just follow the steps I gave you above. If it still doesn't work, I can make the DDS files on my computer, then send you them in a zipped file, if need be.

DoktorApplejuce said:

No, the template is just there so that you have everything lined up. As long as you're using gimp, the template you're using makes no difference.



Oh, wow, that is way more complicated than it needs to be (what possible reason would there be to first export to PNG, only to bring it back into gimp again? That step is entirely redundant). And the icon sizes listed there are wrong. The largest one should have a circle of 172x172 pixels, not 174... yeah, just follow the steps I gave you above. If it still doesn't work, I can make the DDS files on my computer, then send you them in a zipped file, if need be.

Click to expand...

I'm working on it, following your instructions. Seems to be working so far. Be back to you later today if I need more Halp! turning the images into usable icons. But I think your instructions have cured the enigmatic mysteries of sickwrongDDS I always seem to get.

We haz success!

All of the icons are showing correctly as drawn with the bits outside the basic icon 'circle' preserved.

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Current Status re Artwork Icons:

Mudworks: (Ancient and Classical Eras)

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City Kiln: (Medieval Era)

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Brickworks: (Renaissance Era)

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Timber Yard: (Enlightenment Era when using Enlightenment Era Mod)

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Cement Factory: (Industrial Era to game-end)


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Ropemaker: (Ancient Era)

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Cablemaker: (Classical Era)

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Sailmaker: (Medieval Era)

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Shipwright: (Renaissance Era when using Enlightenment Era Mod)

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Shipyard: (used for Renaissance Era when not using Enlightenment Era Mod, used for Enlightenment Era when using Enlightenment Era Mod)

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Boilermaker: (Industrial Era)

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Naval Yard: (Modern Era to game-end)


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Seminary: (Medieval Era)
(courtesy Calcul8or)
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Mandir: (Renaissance Era)

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Chapel: (Enlightenment Era when using Enlightenment Era Mod)
(courtesy Calcul8or)
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Synagogue: (Industrial Era)

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Church: (Modern Era)
(courtesy DoktorApplejuice)
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Stupa: (Atomic Era to game-end)
(courtesy DoktorApplejuice)
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Storage Huts: (Ancient Era)

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Cold Cellars: (Classical Era)

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FarmersMarket: (Medieval Era)

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StockYard: (Renaissance Era)

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Plantation: (Enlightenment Era when using Enlightenment Era Mod)

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Cannery: (Industrial Era)
(courtesy onmy6)
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Refrigeration Facility: (Modern Era)

(may simply change this name to Supermarket -- not sure yet)
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Hydroponics Plant: (Atomic Era)

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Food Replicators: (Information Era)
I couldn't seem to find anything that did not seem to bang up against unfair use of someone or other's copyright, so here:

Current Status re Artwork Icons (cont.):

Ball Court: (Ancient Era)

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Odeon: (Classical Era)
(courtesy Calcul8or)
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Fairgrounds: (Medieval Era)

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Haberdashery: (Renaissance Era)

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Playhouse: (Enlightenment Era when using Enlightenment Era Mod)
(courtesy DoktorApplejuice)
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Millinery: (Industrial Era)

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Horsetrack: (Modern Era)

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TV Station: (Atomic Era)
(courtesy Calcul8or)
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VR Projector: (Information Era)
(courtesy Calcul8or)

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Warrior School: (Ancient and Classical Eras)

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Tactical School: (Medieval and Renaissance Eras: also Enlightenment Era when using Enlightenment Era Mod)
(courtesy Calcul8or)
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War College: (Industrial Era to game-end)

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Equestrian School: (Classical Era to Industrial Era)

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Armored Warfare School: (Modern Era to game-end)

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Assembly Plant: (Modern Era)
(courtesy DoktorApplejuice)
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Automated Factory: (Atomic Era)

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Intelligent Manufactory: (Information Era)
(courtesy Calcul8or)

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Alchemist's Hut: (Ancient Era)

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Apothecary: (Classical Era)
(courtesy onmy6)
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Archive: (Medieval Era)

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Lecture Hall: (Renaissance Era)
(courtesy Calcul8or)
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College: (Enlightenment Era when using Enlightenment Era Mod)
(courtesy Calcul8or)
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City Academy: (Industrial Era)
(courtesy Calcul8or)
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Tech Institute: (Modern Era)
(courtesy Calcul8or)
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Research Facility: (Atomic Era)
(courtesy Calcul8or)
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Virtual University: (Information Era)
(courtesy Calcul8or)
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Next step(s) would be re-arrangment of the presentation, and then cut-paste of the imagery to the mod's discussion/explanation thread once satisfied with the arrangement.

DoktorApplejuce said:

By that, do you want something as big as the cover image that the Enlightenment era mod is using, or would a smaller banner, like what I'm using for my Dragon Age page, work?

Click to expand...

For a splash, I'm thinking something like the Naval Buildings you made arranged showing the progression, like:

Except with the icons overlapping a little between each one, with the Naval Yard icon at the end and 'on top' as it were in the overlap area. And however much 'blendery' coloring-in is not too much trouble. This to give the notion of the progression of the buildings as you advance and become more modern within the game.
Then just text similar to what you have on both sides of this image:On the side with the mod 'name' I would just want 'Era Buildings', and then on the right like you did noting Sid Meier's Civ5 Brave New world blah de blah. 'Era Buildings' would be essentially placed where in your image you have the words "Mod Project" and in about the same size. As would the text on the lower-right: same text and size signifiying Sid Meieir's Civ5 etc.

Let me know if that's too, uh, greedy on my part, and we can simplify down from there.


PS: I've been going back and forth with myself on the naval icon 'progressions', and I think this will be the final progression I will end up using.

I really like the icon with the two age-of-sail vessels in port, and so will probably make that the default icon for the Renaissance Era, and only re-assign stuff if a player is also using the enlightenment era mod. Hence the arrangement of the icons in the spoiler.

Looking really good!