What art does FF need?

[WarKirby]

I am apealing that someone do the entire dds and xml work for an entire race... what is not clear with that?

If this is what you're asking for, the answer is no. i can do a unit here and there, but not a whole race. I've been working on the austrin for a while, and so far I've only completed 2 entirely new units, plus a few pegasus riders. I'm pretty much working on an entire race as-is

The calabim don't need an entire race of work though. They already have unique models for Losha, bloodpet, moroi, vampire, brujah, and vampire lord. and seZereth already has plans for their recon line.

 

[WarKirby]

I meant to do some more buttons today, but I've gotten horribly sidetracked fixing this champion. The animation I had in mind is not working at all, the primary problem being that this model has no neck under that hair. So when he turns his head, there's a huge gap where his neck should be. I've spent the past two hours trying to build a neck. Seems I have a lot to learn about uvmapping yet.

But I'm determined to get it right, because the last thing we need is yet another generic swordsman. I'm trying to do something original

Once it works, he'll be like an armoured ninja.

 

[Valkrionn]

Sounds interesting, hoping you get it working.

Just got around to checking the pegasus riders out..... all of them need the horse skin file path changed, and the warrior needs all art paths changed.

 

[WarKirby]

Ok, I've got it working. Not sure if I'm entirely happy with the animations. Anyone care to take a look?


Attached to this post is an updated version of the module I posted before, now containing the champion too. just install like any module .He's just an artstyle, not a UU. so start a new game as austrin and worldbuilder in a champion to see him.

I chose this animation set mainly for the combat anims. but I'm not certain about the idle/walk ones. Need feedback.

 

[Valkrionn]

I think it looks great. The walk animation is a bit odd with the way it crouches forward, but the attack animation is amazing enough to be worth it. Going in FFPlus now.

Edit: Actually, I'll wait until you put it in the database so I know you're done with it.

 

[Jabie]

I haven't read much of this thread, so I'm just responding to the initial question (What art does FF need?) There's a really good scorpion model in the Fury Road Mod that the creator needed a hand animating. I'm pretty sure Giant Scorpions scuttling through the deserts if Erebus will suit FF well. You can find it about half way through the first page of this thread: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=318987

 

[WarKirby]

I haven't read much of this thread, so I'm just responding to the initial question (What art does FF need?) There's a really good scorpion model in the Fury Road Mod that the creator needed a hand animating. I'm pretty sure Giant Scorpions scuttling through the deserts if Erebus will suit FF well. You can find it about half way through the first page of this thread: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=318987

unfortunately, animations(For civ) are presently outwith my current skillset. Something I might learn in time, but now is not that time, I'm afraid. At the moment, my work consists primarily of modelling, rigging, and texture work. I reuse existing armatures and animation sets.

The main context of the original question, is more about pointing out placeholder art that could do with civ-specific unique units/buildings.

 

[Vehem]

Very nice work on the Swordsman, Pegasi and Champion Considering at the start of the thread you said you were "getting the hang of Blender" - this really is some amazing progress

====

For the Champions weapons, if they're going mostly highland-themed it might be better to keep following that theme rather than dropping in the Japanese combination. Possibly a Basket sword with a Targe? It's not a two weapon-style, but then again neither are the Windswords (who actually do use a Daikatana).

Actually if anyone should use an eclectic selection of weapons it would be the Austrin (they travel far enough to find them) - I think I'm just averse to the Katana-Wakizashi combination that seems to crop up everywhere in popular Japanese "history". Daisho (the combination of the two) was a mark of a samurai's status, but they were only occasionally used in combination to attack, by specific schools. The Wakazashi was primarily a reserve weapon or main-gauche to deflect attacks when fighting multiple opponents. Popular impressions of samurai have them twirling both blades and striking two opponents down at once - most samurai combat-styles were far less "flashy".

 

[WarKirby]

yay. I was wondering where you had been. ^_^

Considering at the start of the thread you said you were "getting the hang of Blender" - this really is some amazing progress

Actually, what I said was "getting the hang of blender, in relation to civ", as in learning about the intricacies of .nifs, and such. I do this for a living, and I've been using blender for about 2 years.

Don't use the pegasi yet. As valkrionn pointed out, I seem to have made a mistake with a texture path. I'll fix them all today, and upload new versions of the .nifs


About the Champion:
I was thinking along the lines of the katanas, for a few reasons:

Firstly, there's the fact that windswords do use a daikatana. So I felt that progressing towards eastern weapons would be a good idea.

Secondly, the animation set it's using uses wide, flowy movements, and I figured it would look best with a curved blade

The second blade is never actually used in the attack animation, it pretty much is just for deflecting. You might notice it's held the opposite way on the model. With the way he's holding it, it could just as easily be the main sword's sheath and it wouldn't look wrong.

Although the inspiration here isn't strictly oriental. Just... different. Something that a sword + shield combination certainly isn't. I guess I was just getting a little tired of every swordsman/champion being equipped and animating more or less the same. The desire for difference is the same thing that made me want to make a greatsword-wielding swordsman. Is there any other unit in the game at all that wields a two handed sword? (with both hands, I mean. Paladins don't count)

As far as I'm aware, there's very few units in the game which dual wield anything. The spiderkin is the closest one I can think of, and that uses...... (drumroll).... swordsman animations ! Other than that, I can only think of berserkers.


But anyways, it's up to you. If you really want a sword and shield on them, I can do it.

On a related note, I did actually have an idea for a champion UU. Main characteristics:

1. Starts with Light promotion, and is blocked from casting re-equip (so 2 movement naturally, really)
2. +40% bonus vs recon and Archery units. (partially offset by the -20% from Light though)
3. 2 first strikes
4. 25% retreat chance

Didn't come up with a name, though.



In general, what do you think of the Highlander? Planning to use the UU idea, or just the art?

 

[WarKirby]

Mane Warrior and Donal Lugh downloads fixed

 

[WarKirby]

Pegasus Riders fixed

Warrior
Highlander
Recurve Archer

 

[far_wanderer]

As far as I'm aware, there's very few units in the game which dual wield anything. The spiderkin is the closest one I can think of, and that uses...... (drumroll).... swordsman animations ! Other than that, I can only think of berserkers.

Korinna the Black Lady, and I think several other units, have that cool twin-dagger spinning attack animation. That's the only one that occurs to me right now, though.

 

[Valkrionn]

Korinna in all forms actually, and the Dervish for the Malakim, where I stole the animation from Korinna........ not sure of any others myself.

 

[Valkrionn]

I decided, why stop at just art. I may as well flesh them out a bit with a proper UU.

so I'm making a Highlander UU for the austrin now (replaces axeman)

5/4 :str:
Free Guerilla promotion
+25% vs animals
-15% City attack (they're outdoorsmen, not suited to urban combat)
No Building req (they train in the hills)
Can upgrade to Champion, Recurve Archer, or Tracker

5/4 might seem strong, but Archos are stronger. I'm making a little module for this, so if vehem doesn't like the idea, I can just maintain it seperately in my own little module, and just submit the art.



Highlander Pedia

Spoiler :

Strategy
--------------
With their extra attack strength, bonuses in hills, and against animals, Highlanders are a well rounded unit perfect for exploring the world and battling against the elements. However, they lack in city attack capability compared to similar units, and so large numbers may be needed if you wish to use them for conquest.

Background
---------------------
Trained not in cramped barracks, but out on the hillsides of erebus, Highlanders are the core of an Austrin offensive army. They live their lives camping out in glens and forests, hunting for food, honing their survival skills, fighting wild beasts, and sparring for training. This lifestyle gives them a natural affinity for rough terrain, and a good experience of fending off wild animals.

They carry a large Claymore on their back, a powerful and flexible greatsword that is carried like a polearm, but swung like a sword. The base of the blade is blunted and wrapped in dark cloth, giving an extra place to grip when holding it at the ready, and both hands are moved down to the hilt when swinging, allowing it to gather massive momentum from its huge arc of motion. Such a weapon favours combat in open spaces, though. And unlike their city-dwelling cousins, they are not well used to fighting on cramped battlements and castle hallways, much preferring combat in the field.

Pix attached

Included this module in FFPlus.

 

[WarKirby]

I'm playing a game as the elohim now, and I deliberately put the austrin in. They're rampaging around killing things. Seems they're rather fond of their new unit. They vassalised the Bannor already

 

[WarKirby]

Alright, well... I couldn't find any pictures online, so I made a sketch of what I was imaging them to look like. Sorry for the bad quality, I'm not great at drawing people and I don't have a scanner so I had to take pictures of the sketches.

The Empyrean guy is supposed to be tall and slender, wearing a white tunic and slacks(shaded greyish in the picture) with golden vest/collar over it. The Council of Esus one is wearing a hooded cloak and a veil over his/her nose and mouth.

As far as the .dds art, I don't have any examples but I need one for each hero plus a few additional ones. I was thinking about the following for Empyrean:
1) A scholar-type person dressed in robes with a golden/silver/white "sunburst" background
2) A metal shield with a golden aura around it, against a dark background.
3) A medic cross, light gray in color with a golden background.
4) The inside of a grand council building, sort of a hallway built from white marble/gold embellishments.

Not really sure about .dds art for CoE, still thinking about that.

Got some buttons for ya.

Buttons 2-4 attached to this post. the dds are in the zip.

having problems with Number 1, assuming the image is intended to match the empyrean hero you described.

 

[Onionsoilder]

Got some buttons for ya.

Buttons 2-4 attached to this post. the dds are in the zip.

having problems with Number 1, assuming the image is intended to match the empyrean hero you described.

Those look great. What program(s) do you use for this stuff?

Also, the first button doesn't have to match the hero; It was just supposed to be a generic scholar. The spell was going to be similar to Inspiration(but more powerful), granting a research bonus in the city it's built in. but

 

[Valkrionn]

Soooo.... Any new buttons?

 

[WarKirby]

Craftsmanship buttons. Just one image, numbered I-IV

 

[Valkrionn]

Woo, thank you!