Modeling Request - i do it!

[Zarel]

Yes i can, but there are two objects: the wheel and the coverage. I have to join the meshes to one object. Is it OK like that, or do you need two objects because of animating of the wheel?

One object is fine, for now. If we ever animate the wheel, we would only be animating the textures, anyway.

Well then, if someone wants me to model something for him or covert to pie like Zarel, i give it only to the person.
Other things i model and post the files here, are for free for all.

In that case, could I suggest CC0 (public domain) licensing? I believe in public domain for all works you aren't explicitly trying to protect - it prevents licensing issues later on.

[whippersnapper]

Your story sounds good man, good ideas, i like it!

Best regards,

Astorian

Thanks. I have it partly implemented as a series of Cam Missions but I wanna finish my current "War School" project before I go back to doing 2120 stuff...

Regards, whipper
.

[astorian]

One object is fine, for now. If we ever animate the wheel, we would only be animating the textures, anyway.

Hello Zarel, i created the exported the pie files, but there is a problem with the texture you send me (wz-wheel.png).
I had to resize its size to 256x256 with 72ppi, but it didn't help. I can use the new pie files with the WZ original textures, but not with the one you send me (wz-wheel.png).
There is a difference in color scheme between your texture and WZ textures. I am not able to change it in GIMP no mater what i do.

Any idea how can i adjust your texture so its accepted?
Best Regards,
Astorian

[Zarel]

There is a difference in color scheme between your texture and WZ textures. I am not able to change it in GIMP no mater what i do.

Any idea how can i adjust your texture so its accepted?

Umm... you're the artist here; I'm just a programmer. Can't you do some color scheme fixing to make it work? What about it doesn't work - are you getting an error message or something?

[astorian]

Umm... you're the artist here; I'm just a programmer. Can't you do some color scheme fixing to make it work? What about it doesn't work - are you getting an error message or something?

Hello,
Here is the debug output:

astorian@redmod:~$ warzone2100 debug
error : [rebuildSearchPath] Failed to remove path /usr/data/ again, because of No such entry in search path
error : [rebuildSearchPath] Failed to remove path /usr/share/warzone2100/ again, because of No such entry in search path
error : [iV_GetTexture] *** texture wz-wheel.png not loaded! ***
error : [iV_GetTexture] This error probably means you did not specify this texture to be preloaded in the appropriate wrf files before referencing it in some pie file
error : [iV_GetTexture] Remember that patches override several standard wrf files as well
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] Available texture pages in memory (28 out of 128 max):
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 00 : intfac0.png
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 01 : intfac1.png
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 02 : intfac2.png
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 03 : intfac3.png
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 04 : intfac4.png
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 05 : intfac5.png
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 06 : page-6
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 07 : texpages/tertilesc1hw
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 08 : page-7
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 09 : page-8
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 10 : page-9
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 11 : page-10
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 12 : page-11
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 13 : page-12
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 14 : page-13
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 15 : page-14
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 16 : page-15
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 17 : page-16
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 18 : page-17
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 19 : page-18
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 20 : page-19
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 21 : page-20
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 22 : page-21
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 23 : page-22
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 24 : page-23
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 25 : page-24
error : [pie_PrintLoadedTextures] 26 : page-25
error : [iV_ProcessIMD] iV_ProcessIMD prllwhl1.pie could not load tex page wz-wheel.png
error : [dataIMDBufferLoad] IMD load failed - prllwhl1.pie
Saved dump file to '/tmp/warzone2100.gdmp-CxHGSW'
If you create a bugreport regardings this crash, please include this file.
Aborted

looks like i have to define the new texture file in some wrf file.
Do you know what file should i edit?

Astorian

EDIT: Newer mind i found it! its the vidmem.wrf files in wrf folder.
Ok its working but the textures need to be reversed on normals (looks inside out in game)
I am working on it.

[astorian]

Ok, got it working finaly:

the textures are now correct shown and wrf files are modified to preload the new texture.
Where do you want me send the files Zarel?

Best regards,
Astorian

[Avestron]

Really cool 3d work.

I'm really only posting regarding the question of 'one research facility - versus - multiple research facilities.

What if we were to take both these ideas and develop specialist wings of research facilities?

That is to say, what if you start out with the standard research facility, upgrade to a modular research facility and then proceed to upgrade wings to allow certain fields of research.

For example, and advanced kinetics module could open the path to advanced cannon technologies (taking effect around the hyper velocity cannon point) while an aviation module could open the path to better VTOL technologies.

In this way modules, and colour coding of added modules, would provide both the complexity without taking away from the gameplay.

[astorian]

Really cool 3d work.

I'm really only posting regarding the question of 'one research facility - versus - multiple research facilities.

What if we were to take both these ideas and develop specialist wings of research facilities?

That is to say, what if you start out with the standard research facility, upgrade to a modular research facility and then proceed to upgrade wings to allow certain fields of research.

For example, and advanced kinetics module could open the path to advanced cannon technologies (taking effect around the hyper velocity cannon point) while an aviation module could open the path to better VTOL technologies.

In this way modules, and colour coding of added modules, would provide both the complexity without taking away from the gameplay.

Thank you
Thats a great idea Avestron. (It reminds me a little bit of C&C generals.) I would like to have it that way too. Since you decide what units you want to produce, why upgrade all the stuff when you need just one wing of the tech tree.
I have an idea for mod too, but it would need at least one person beside me that can draw with pencil.

Best regards,
Astorian

[Avestron]

Thank you
Thats a great idea Avestron. (It reminds me a little bit of C&C generals.) I would like to have it that way too. Since you decide what units you want to produce, why upgrade all the stuff when you need just one wing of the tech tree.
I have an idea for mod too, but it would need at least one person beside me that can draw with pencil.

Best regards,
Astorian

Thank you ^_^

Keep in mind that there is a max limit of 5 research facilities and therefore there is a danger that having each research facility only extandible in one degree would result in a significant shortage in the versatility that has made WZ stand neck and shoulders above most of the rest.

So there are two strategies that could work:

- dealing with wings in terms of corners - (upgrading of corners of a facility) this would allow modification of a research facility by corner and that therefore a facility can have up to 4 specializations

This option would be more suitable for an exclusivity concept where only the research facility with an optical research section can access tech beyond flashlight, or a cybernetics lab, etc etc. where only the research facility with the appropriate extensions can make certain kinds of research.

This would allow for a maximum of 20 specializations (5 x 4)

- dealing with wings in terms of 2 'flanks' (upgrading of half a facility each)- this would be a simplified version of the above, allowing for up to 10 specializations, and this could either be exclusive or have benefits spread across the 5 research facilities.

- - - - - - -

I think I'll take a pot shot at naming specialization fields:

- advanced kinetics (advanced kinetic weapon and defense technologies)

- advanced chemistry (advanced flamer, incendiary technologies, thermal resistance)

- advanced ballistics (rocket, missile, artillary technologies)

- advanced cybernetics (cyborg and mech development)

- advanced optics (laser technologies)

- advanced infotech (sensory, research development, link tech)

- advanced avionics (VTOL technologies)

- advanced engineering (structure, crete, vehicle body, fortification technologies)

- advanced energetics (advanced engine and turbine upgrades)

I have no doubt that I've left niches out, of course - tried to limit myself to the simpler 10 techs. ^_~

I also have little doubt that some tech, like SAMs, will need more than one specialized structure up, but would only be researchable from the center with advanced ballistics.

I'm afraid that I'm not much of an artist myself but may step forward if you lack more competent assistance.

[astorian]

Hello Avestron,
I am positively surprised about your post. Its detailed and sophisticated.
One research building that don't change the shape, but other extensions that connect to it is cool.
Even that the extensions have to be from one tech wing is cool (for modeling)
I don't know if its possible to differentiate the 5 res. labs you are able to build since i am not a coder.
Cool idea.

Astorian

[Avestron]

Hello Astorian,

Thanks again for the positive feedback. ^_^ I have a good habit of obsessing myself with the details - I am a conceptual system builder and very much enjoy tweaking.

I did consider the possibility of extending the wings beyond the footprint of a research facility but felt that it would cause congestion (the alternative is placing the extension in a fashion which superimposes upon the research facility structure (rather than leveling the building as normal).

A further (third) route would be the creation of an advanced technologies research facility - which can then be extended with various add-ons for the actual specialist technologies. This would spare the need for modification of the research facilities themselves - though would risk becoming an 'extra' building similar to the command relay center (still not sure what its for 'shrugs').

I am not a coder either - but would be interested in learning some basics in the C++ language (unfortunately only have a little BASIC and Pascal under my belt). hint hint. ^_~

[Zarel]

Ok, got it working finaly:
the textures are now correct shown and wrf files are modified to preload the new texture.

Hmm. Do you like how they look? Do you think they'd be a good replacement for the current wheels?

If so, feel free to teamcolor them and upload the files as an attachment.

Keep in mind that there is a max limit of 5 research facilities and therefore there is a danger that having each research facility only extandible in one degree would result in a significant shortage in the versatility that has made WZ stand neck and shoulders above most of the rest.

While you have a very detailed proposal; your problem is that it's a bit too complex.

I mean, I write like pages of stuff on balance change proposals, too, but it's not pages of "the new mechanics should be like this", but more like a few sentences of "the new mechanics should be like this" followed by pages of "this is why this idea improves balance, will not cause regression, does not facilitate exploitation, and should be adopted".

The idea of add-on modules is interesting, but would indeed restrict versatility too much. I think a good solution is to have the dedicated research extensions be separate buildings in their entirety, and only "unlock" research topics.

This would limit how many different research extensions we have, since there's only so much room in your base. But less complexity is a good thing, anyway. I remember dedicated research structures were planned to be 2x1 or 1x1. A good list would be Weapons Lab, Materials Lab, Engineering Lab, for weapons, armor, and everything else.

[Per]

I used WZ lab textures to texture the powerlab

That is very neat. I would love to at least replace the current model of the same building with yours, because the existing model is unusably small scale for some reason.

Just a few minor issues:
* The building is a bit too large (or too small, if it is meant to be a larger building type). As you can see in your picture it protrudes outside the baseplate of the research building.
* We need a license to distribute it under. It is just one of those small, annoying things that we have to do to get distributed through various channels such as Linux distros. If you really don't care about such things, you can just give us permission to use it as public domain (the C0 thing that Zarel talked about).

[XANAX]

I agree the scale of buildings and unit need to be changed for better game play

[Zarel]

Just a few minor issues:
* The building is a bit too large (or too small, if it is meant to be a larger building type). As you can see in your picture it protrudes outside the baseplate of the research building.
* We need a license to distribute it under. It is just one of those small, annoying things that we have to do to get distributed through various channels such as Linux distros. If you really don't care about such things, you can just give us permission to use it as public domain (the C0 thing that Zarel talked about).

It's the same thing. Public domain means we can license it however we want, so we'd just license it as CC0. CC0 basically means "This is public domain, except in jurisdictions that disallow public domain, in which case you can have a license to do whatever you want with it, no restrictions."