Unit requests thread

[j_mie6]

ah, drest, son of erp; the pictish leader in my mod

 

[PPQ_Purple]

I probably will not get an answer asking here but I have nowhere else to ask.
My question is about dawn of war (the PC game) models that have been converted to CIV. I know the blodthrirster has been converted and is used by FFH but what about any others? Also, has anyone tried to convert the eldar Avatar unit? If not, could anyone give it a try?

 

[Morholt]

I'm working on a Carta Marina scenario and I would like to use some of the fanciful units the Sami are depicted as using.

As shown in the attached picture there is:

-Ski archers
-Reindeer chariots/sleighs
-Reindeer cavalry - (On second search, this seems to have been done already.)

Anyone up for making some fantasy Sami units?

 

[Anaerin]

Hey SaibotLieh!

Still need to make a couple of minor texture changes to both these units, but this is what they look like so far. They look great in game and am sure they will even better when finished. Currently working on skinning a few other units, so will finish these off soon.

Have a couple of small adjustments to the Pict Raider if you have time. Think the shield (buckler) could be reduced just a little bit more, while the main sword could actually stand to be a bit longer and slightly thinner (I was wrong with my idea of looking better being shorter, it doesn't stick in the ground correctly when the swordsman animations kick in.

Also, I have an idea on a version without the kilt, but have a feeling that a bare legged (naked warrior) version is not possible as the kilt is part of the unit mesh - is that correct?

'Pict Swordsmaster' and 'Pict Caitt Raider'

 

[SaibotLieh]

Hey SaibotLieh!

Still need to make a couple of minor texture changes to both these units, but this is what they look like so far. They look great in game and am sure they will even better when finished. Currently working on skinning a few other units, so will finish these off soon.

Have a couple of small adjustments to the Pict Raider if you have time. Think the shield (buckler) could be reduced just a little bit more, while the main sword could actually stand to be a bit longer and slightly thinner (I was wrong with my idea of looking better being shorter, it doesn't stick in the ground correctly when the swordsman animations kick in.

Also, I have an idea on a version without the kilt, but have a feeling that a bare legged (naked warrior) version is not possible as the kilt is part of the unit mesh - is that correct?

'Pict Swordsmaster' and 'Pict Caitt Raider'

Very nice work, I'm glad I can help with it.

I've modified the swordman as you described, I hope it fits your idea.

Removing the kilt would need some Blender work, wouldn't be a big problem however. The real problem is putting something else in its place.

 

[Anaerin]

Very nice work, I'm glad I can help with it. :goodjob

I'm glad you could help too

Removing the kilt would need some Blender work, wouldn't be a big problem however. The real problem is putting something else in its place.

Yeah, I guess it may be a bit time consuming...

I have a couple of early units in mind that may look great and really fit with the civ, but may be a bit challenging.

The early Picts and Celts had a tradition of stripping naked and running into battle without armour or clothes, just woad paint and charcoal. The Picts were especially well known for this and it is claimed this is where the Roman name 'Picti' comes from (painted people). It was this tradition that supposedly psyched up the warrior, proving his or her braveness to face battle naked, whilst also probably confusing and psyching out the enemy. At first the enemy probably didn't know whether they were fighting humans or demons.

I would love to make a few early Pictish units like this, but as all units either have tunics, kilts or trousers, it may be a bit of work. So, I have been racking my brains to think of an easy way with not so much time spent in blender.

I notice that many early units in my mod seem to be based on the scout unit. They look pretty much the same. If this is true, it may make things a bit simpler as the celtic scout body only has a loin cloth, not a full kilt/ skirt, so it may be easier to alter.

Once altered, it may be possible to use this same body for a few units (excluding the Pict Swordsman as he has a full kilt and a different body. Not sure. What do you think? I guess it would also all depend on if this scout body would match the animations for a javelin thrower, axeman, and spearman.

The unit bases I am working with are:

Celtic scout: Sepamu92's celtic scout http://forums.civfanatics.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=4485

Javelineer: Ambrox62's briton javelineer in the folder at http://forums.civfanatics.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=12545

Spearman: Gagonite's welsh longbowman at http://forums.civfanatics.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=11871

When I look at all these, they all seem based on the same body... but I could be wrong.

Here are some images to give an idea of the unit I want to create and texture/ skin:

My questions are do you think that it is possible to achieve a naked model, in an easy way with minimal work based on the scout unit, and if so, do you think this new naked scout unit can be used to replace the bodies in the above named units? Hope that is not too much questioning!

 

[SaibotLieh]

My questions are do you think that it is possible to achieve a naked model, in an easy way with minimal work based on the scout unit, and if so, do you think this new naked scout unit can be used to replace the bodies in the above named units? Hope that is not too much questioning!

If all these units really are based on the scout model creating these modified units shouldn't be too hard.

1) The scout mesh has to be modified accordingly. As long as you don't ask me to sculpture the genitals and are happy with a flat pubic area I can and will do that.

2) I think the meshes will have to be swapped in Blender to get a correct connection to the skeleton. Not much of a problem normally. If they are not based on the scout, this might be a bit more complicated, but doable.

3) The new body will have to be nifswapped to the old unit. This is also not that much of work.

So, if this is okay with you I can test replacing the body of one of the units to see if it turns out like you want. Just tell me which unit I should start with.

 

[The_J]

As long as you don't ask me to sculpture the genitals and are happy with a flat pubic area

I think in contrast to Spore, Civ4 has way to less penis units.

 

[Anaerin]

If all these units really are based on the scout model creating these modified units shouldn't be too hard.

1) The scout mesh has to be modified accordingly. As long as you don't ask me to sculpture the genitals and are happy with a flat pubic area I can and will do that.

2) I think the meshes will have to be swapped in Blender to get a correct connection to the skeleton. Not much of a problem normally. If they are not based on the scout, this might be a bit more complicated, but doable.

3) The new body will have to be nifswapped to the old unit. This is also not that much of work.

So, if this is okay with you I can test replacing the body of one of the units to see if it turns out like you want. Just tell me which unit I should start with.

That's brilliant!! And don't worry, I will not ask you to sculpt any genitals Although, if possible, a rounded area for the crotch and buttocks area would be cool, like the knee joint.

Haha don't worry, the textures will not be too graphic

If you are using the celtic scout body, maybe easiest to test it out on the axemen unit first then. I didn't put that link. Here it is: http://forums.civfanatics.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=13636 It is the one called max_brito in the package.

Can't wait to see if this works. I have some great ideas to try out for a uniquely early Pictish look

 

[SaibotLieh]

I think in contrast to Spore, Civ4 has way to less penis units.

And there go my worries that this naked warrior thing might be against some forum rules.

That's brilliant!! And don't worry, I will not ask you to sculpt any genitals Although, if possible, a rounded area for the crotch and buttocks area would be cool, like the knee joint.

Haha don't worry, the textures will not be too graphic

If you are using the celtic scout body, maybe easiest to test it out on the axemen unit first then. I didn't put that link. Here it is: http://forums.civfanatics.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=13636 It is the one called max_brito in the package.

Can't wait to see if this works. I have some great ideas to try out for a uniquely early Pictish look

Okay, I've swapped the bodies with no major problems. Take a look at the unit and tell me if you like it this way.

I've also added a jpg of the UV map to help you with the texturing. At the moment, the texture area of the new parts is not connected to the rest of the body. If this gives you too much problems, I could try to change it accordingly.

 

[Anaerin]

And there go my worries that this naked warrior thing might be against some forum rules.

I hadn't even thought of that

Okay, I've swapped the bodies with no major problems. Take a look at the unit and tell me if you like it this way.

I've also added a jpg of the UV map to help you with the texturing. At the moment, the texture area of the new parts is not connected to the rest of the body. If this gives you too much problems, I could try to change it accordingly.

In terms of meshing the unit onto the axeman... it looks great and seems to work fine. Haven't tested it completely in game, just a couple of combat and fidget animations without any problems. So great job! Very pleased

The UV map was very helpful, thanks!

This is gonna be great as I also wanted to do a few Brythonic units wearing leather and fur trousers, or checkered troos with bare chest, this will also allow me to do that too!!

I think the body may need a couple of adjustments just now though.

1. The crotch and buttocks area of the model seem slightly too high and would look better nudged down a bit... if possible? maybe rounded off slightly?

I enclosed an illustration to show what I mean. - Also enclosed illustration of the naked unit to show the areas on buttocks and crotch that are too sqaure and high...

The unit will not look as naked as this when it is finished as it will be covered in body paint. At this moment I am just trying to get the body parts looking anatomically correct Future pictures will be of the unit a little more camoflaged.

2. While the UV map helped, I think you were right, it's a little tricky matching things up. Will be even trickier when I put the Pictish tattoos and woad paint on as the symbols will be tricky to match up.

I have an idea of how it could be mapped, but do not know how that could be done in nifskope. It would mean moving a couple of the body parts around in the .png/.dds. I also enclosed in a zip in case you want to see if that will work. It's only a rough estimate of course. I would need to rely on your UV map to actually create the skin in this way.

 

[The_J]

And there go my worries that this naked warrior thing might be against some forum rules.

I hadn't even thought of that

Honestly, i had not thought seriously of that too .
I think i have to ask now.

 

[Anaerin]

Honestly, i had not thought seriously of that too .
I think i have to ask now.

OK, that is probably a good idea. I don't think anyone wants to break any forum rules.

Please mention that this unit IS a historically accurate unit and is created in all seriousness. The finished Pictish unit is not meant to offend, will not be explicit, or even look as naked (although other celtic tribes often did the same but without blue paint). Instead, it will be a little bit more camouflaged with blue woad paint. The ancient celts and picts only did this to show they were brave and had no fear of death. The tradition stopped in time as they became more familiar to their enemies.

I would be happy to accept final authorisation or decision from moderators on the three units (axeman, spearman, swordsman) before posting them in my Pictish civ mod. All other units are clothed and remain as historically correct as possible during the centuries. Here are some other artwork to give a better idea of the finished early units.

Thanks.

 

[The_J]

Okay, i rechecked it now with another mod: We had the question about modded stuff with genitalia already last year, and we did not allow it at that time. The circumstances have not changed since then, so there's no real reason to allow it now. We don't do that because we're prude or bigotted, but rather because we need somewhere a clear line, what we can allow at a side which also gets visited by "children" (13 - 18). Personally i don#t have any problems with that, but in this case i support the rules.

Looking at what you're telling in the post, i'd say make the blue paint first, then we'll take a look at it again.

 

[Anaerin]

Okay, i rechecked it now with another mod: We had the question about modded stuff with genitalia already last year, and we did not allow it at that time. The circumstances have not changed since then, so there's no real reason to allow it now. We don't do that because we're prude or bigotted, but rather because we need somewhere a clear line, what we can allow at a side which also gets visited by "children" (13 - 18). Personally i don#t have any problems with that, but in this case i support the rules.

Looking at what you're telling in the post, i'd say make the blue paint first, then we'll take a look at it again.

AH, Ok...

I understand the need to keep the site clean for children and agree 110% with that. There should be no sexually obscene material on the site. There should also be as you say, a clear line on what you can allow and not allow. The same is for schools, museums, newspapers and TV. We certainly need to protect the innocence of children!!

I will just state a point that these units are in no way sexually obscene. There was certainly NO sexual intent behind them. Even to the ancestral Celts who performed this battle ritual, there was nothing sexual about it. The idea being that 'we are not afraid of death, look, we do not fear you, we need no armour!'

Something that denotes sexually obscene would be genitalia that is erect, or humans posing in a vulgar, lewd or sexually suggestive manner. The normal human body in its natural non-sexual state is not obscene.

There are statues of naked men, women and even children in cities throughout the world. Any child can see them in London, Paris, Rome, throughout Europe and many cities in the world. Many well-known artists around the world and throughout history have painted or sculpted the human form, for example the famous statue of David by Michelangelo. Museums and educational centres around the world hold such normal naked forms within their exhibitions. Even in schools, children will see the non-sexual naked form in science, history and art classes. This is only true because all of the above are statues and paintings depicting the normal human form in a normal non-sexual manner, and that is the ‘clear line’ of schools, public media, museums and even public places such as gardens, parks and cities where the naked form is seen in statues.

However, while I would disagree that these units are sexual or even obscene, I will of course also adhere to the site rules. This was for only a few units anyway, and was done so with the historically accurate intention behind the units, nothing lewd or vulgar.

If Saibotlieh can, and still wishes to continue to working on them, then I will gladly finish the blue woad versions as you mentioned and will let the final decision fall where it may.

Where do I stand on posting images then?

If I need an adjustment of a unit, in order to show what I mean, I would usually post an image. I do not wish to do so, if that is indeed going to break a rule or upset anyone.

Cheers.

 

[SaibotLieh]

SaibotLieh, can I too make a request? I wonder if you could but the Turban and the body of the Islamic Missionary on the body of the Oromo Warrior, using Oromo Warrior weapons and animations. I can do the texture

No problem, I've attached the modified warrior to this post.

Okay, i rechecked it now with another mod: We had the question about modded stuff with genitalia already last year, and we did not allow it at that time. The circumstances have not changed since then, so there's no real reason to allow it now. We don't do that because we're prude or bigotted, but rather because we need somewhere a clear line, what we can allow at a side which also gets visited by "children" (13 - 18). Personally i don#t have any problems with that, but in this case i support the rules.

Looking at what you're telling in the post, i'd say make the blue paint first, then we'll take a look at it again.

Ah, bummer, but I thought as much and I can understand the reason for a clear line. I hope the blue version will be accepted.

In terms of meshing the unit onto the axeman... it looks great and seems to work fine. Haven't tested it completely in game, just a couple of combat and fidget animations without any problems. So great job! Very pleased

The UV map was very helpful, thanks!

This is gonna be great as I also wanted to do a few Brythonic units wearing leather and fur trousers, or checkered troos with bare chest, this will also allow me to do that too!!

I think the body may need a couple of adjustments just now though.

1. The crotch and buttocks area of the model seem slightly too high and would look better nudged down a bit... if possible? maybe rounded off slightly?

I enclosed an illustration to show what I mean. - Also enclosed illustration of the naked unit to show the areas on buttocks and crotch that are too sqaure and high...

The unit will not look as naked as this when it is finished as it will be covered in body paint. At this moment I am just trying to get the body parts looking anatomically correct Future pictures will be of the unit a little more camoflaged.

2. While the UV map helped, I think you were right, it's a little tricky matching things up. Will be even trickier when I put the Pictish tattoos and woad paint on as the symbols will be tricky to match up.

I have an idea of how it could be mapped, but do not know how that could be done in nifskope. It would mean moving a couple of the body parts around in the .png/.dds. I also enclosed in a zip in case you want to see if that will work. It's only a rough estimate of course. I would need to rely on your UV map to actually create the skin in this way.

Okay, I've rounded the parts a bit and moved them a bit further down. I also modified the UV map in order to connect them with the rest of the upper body.

Even if the naked version will not be allowed I think you should have a good model for your units wearing trousers with this, so the work won't be futile.

 

[The_J]

I will just state a point that these units are in no way sexually obscene.

I know . But i guess we would also not allow nudism pictures here.

Where do I stand on posting images then?

No problem for me. Post them, and remove them one or two days later. If you forget it, then i'll do it (if i don't forget it ).

Edit: And someone's crossposting .

 

[AbsintheRed]

Okay, i rechecked it now with another mod: We had the question about modded stuff with genitalia already last year, and we did not allow it at that time. The circumstances have not changed since then, so there's no real reason to allow it now. We don't do that because we're prude or bigotted, but rather because we need somewhere a clear line, what we can allow at a side which also gets visited by "children" (13 - 18). Personally i don#t have any problems with that, but in this case i support the rules.

Looking at what you're telling in the post, i'd say make the blue paint first, then we'll take a look at it again.

I don't really get this
Why would having genitalia on a unit would be against the forum rules, while posting those pictures here (in the post before yours) is not against them?
Actually ingame noone would really care about it, as it's just a small detail and it's hard to see or notice - while it would still make the units much more historic.

Also, I remember a mod in the front page a few months ago, maybe that's the mod you are talking about (IIRC it was a total conversion of Alpha Centaury)
Anyway, the mod only covered the genitalia in the pics which were on the front page, but the mod itself still had nudity in it.

 

[j_mie6]

absin has a point there, pictures could be blurred on the displays but in game visible, nothing wrong with that.

In any case at the age of 12 one has already learnt about the genitalia in PSHE (at least in england) so the 13 - 18 age group should be, in theory, perfectly safe.

Source: Me, 3 years ago

 

[Anaerin]

Okay, I've rounded the parts a bit and moved them a bit further down. I also modified the UV map in order to connect them with the rest of the upper body.

Ah you are a star, the new UV map and texture layout is a big help!! I think those areas still need to be lowered a little bit more. Graphically, even with trousers or underwear on, those areas look a bit high I think it is the mesh underneath the torso and legs that needs to come down a bit so that the body geometry is correct. But it is looking a lot better in game. I won't post any pics just yet.

This particular axemen needs a sqaure Buckler shield as per the illutration above, of the blue woad Pict running into battle naked apart from the Pictish Axe and Sqaure Buckler. Any ideas where we might find such a sqaure shield? I have searched and searched but cannot find anything we can borrow from another unit. Closest I can see is the rectangular shield of the Sumerian Vulture, but it has bobbles on it that would need to come off.

To everyone else, Interesting points!!

It certainly is an interesting topic for debate and I am enjoying hearing others views on the matter. Would like to hear more!

Sexual obscenity Vs Historic realism. Personally I support historic realism, which is the purpose of many of the mods on this site, but do NOT support sexual obscenity, or nudity for the sake of nudity.