Battletech/MW mod collaboration?

[ripptide]

I've been kinda sorta trying to work on a Battletech/Mechwarrior mod as well, but seem to be completely incompetant when it comes to making the files for Civ 3 correctly from the 3DS meshes/models. Anyone interested in a collaboration? I'll happily do meshes and the required Max animations if some others are willing to do the Civ conversions. I have several of the FASA Btech Technical readouts so civ entries are no prob. And in general, I thought the civs would essentially mirror the Inner Sphere families/Clans and possibly some mercs. Ideas? Comments? Worth it? Let me know

 

[bhiita]

This sounds like a project suited for me, while I'm learning.

 

[zulu9812]

If it's just conversions to civ3 custom flc format, I'll help too. I can also provide some background info.

 

[Kal-el]

Sounds like a great idea.

 

[bhiita]

Zulu made me realize that you were not really specific on how exactly your going to hand over the meshes. at what point are you getting frustrated? the lighting and viewpoint for rendering? or the pallett conversion? or what?
And what format are the files going to be in?

 

[ripptide]

Any of the meshes can either be in .3ds or in .max format (I use 3ds max 5). Unfortunately I'm still a fairly new modler so they tend to be high poly count. As to how whoever wants them we can do it by ftp, as I'm sure they won't want huge files sitting on the forum (or I may me wrong ). And Yes, its lighting, but I was also running into a lot of probs with the flc conversions, adding in to the 32.pcx, and so on....just having probs on the whole ).I tried to follow a couple of the tut's, but as good as they were I think I just missed too many brain cells. So, since I have a lot of ref material and am willing to build the meshes, I'd kinda like to wimp out and pass the conversions over to one of you guys that seem to know what they're doing )

Just tried to tone down the nose art from the other picks (Schizo-Angel is undoubtedly right) and add civ colors.

 

[ripptide]

and rear

 

[ripptide]

Also would be happy to do the civpedia entries and pics, as well as help flesh out a tech tree.

 

[bhiita]

I'm new to it all maybe this thread will help SW4 Tank - help needed Piernik is letting me animate and render his model. He also is working with max 5 and has posted helpfull tips in this thread. He even posted a screenshot of a proper 'civIII' scene.

About the model format, as you'll find out in the link, I need it in .3ds format.
And if zulu will do the 2d work, I'll just pass on the renderings to him. Then we'll be through with them.
How do you want your files Zulu?

 

[ripptide]

A question for you Kal-el, since you've done such a beautifull job with DyP. One of the units I've thought about doing would be a field repair vehicle that would move up to a damaged mech to repair battle damage. I know one of the original techs has to do with self-healing, but can it be adapted for an "only if this unit is present" kind of rule? Or is that asking a bit much of the AI. Thanks.

 

[Kal-el]

Unfortunately that won't work. The best way to simulate that would be for the tech that gives this sort of thing to be called "field maintenance" or something like that, and then just assume that a field repair vehicle is present with all forces.

This page could be very useful. http://www.wizkidsgames.com/mwdarkage/comstar/interactivemap.asp
It is an interactive map of the innersphere that gives some nice details about the major planets.

 

[ripptide]

Oh well, thought it might be pushing it. And thanks for the URL. Yea there are tons of resource sites for just about anything in the BTech world out there, hit tons of them researching when I built a bunch of 1:35 scratch built mech models. At least I'm not alone in my addiction....

 

[Tilarium]

Hey, I've thought about doing a battletech mod for awhile now, but sense I can't figure out how to do units good I decided not to. Assuming you know about the battletech universe so hopefully this all makes sense to you.

For Civs I'd use the houses and the clans. As you know, mechs were specific to only a handfull of the clans and mechs so to stay try to this you'd need to make alot of differant units, thankfully though most mechs have similar designs so that'll cut time alot.

I also ask that you don't stick with just mechs, as they were not the only combat units used in the BT universe, there were also vechicals and lots of differant ground units. In the BT games me and my friends used I stuck with vechicals and ground troops alot and so can give alot of help here, just let me know.

Also, just another little thing, make it so the maps can be randomly generated rather then just making a single map and only letting that one be usable.

Kyle, ready to help if he can

 

[Kal-el]

I agree, I would like to see tanks and infantry as well as eventually getting power armored infantry for the Houses. Obviously the Clan would start with Elementals.

 

[ripptide]

Yes, the intent is to do right from Elementals and House Infantry, vehicles (both combat and support) right up to mechs. I have 4 or 5 of the Battletech Technical Readouts so thats no problem (speaking from the mesh making side at least, not sure how anyone pitching in is going to feel about it). If the current Civ had the same 2-plane capability as ToT (I think it was that one, they all blur together now) I'd want to do dropships and aerospace fighters as well ). And you're right on about the organization, was going to work with the others keeping it around the clan/IS house lines. And I think there will only be a few UU mechs (like the Kodiak for Clan Ghost Bear) but the majority would be available to all players. As far as maps, I hadn't really thought about anything but random, I think following the BTech storyline and trying to create all the individual world maps would make it an even larger project (and basically, I'm a lazy sod )

 

[ripptide]

Just a quick preview of an Elemental, not quite done. As you can see, I still don't seem to be geting the lighting right. If anyone happens to have, or know of where to get, a default .max light set up, I'd be very appreciative. I'd like to see how the omni's and everything are set.

 

[ripptide]

and a rear shot. Not really happy with the coloring, suggestions?

 

[Kal-el]

I would have more of them Civ Colored. It looks really nice.

 

[Random Observer]

im looking forward to this mod
MW Rocks!

 

[Tilarium]

Way I was thinking for mechs was have it so some are avaliable to just the clans (all the clans) and some avaliable only to the houses (all the houses) then have acouple units (Not just mechs, tanks and such too) unique to to one clan or house. Dropships are a definitant good idea. If you have the 2732 tech maniual I'd like to suggest that you make several infantry types where each would use a differant style weapons.

And speaking of infantry... MUnits, seriously. 3 infantry per unit seems to be a good norm for ranged units and ofcourse you know the Elementals come in stars of 5 . Mech and vehical units would be best left as single units though, I think anyway.

Kyle