Hey all,
I'm making a mod which introduces a bunch of new Republic armors into the game: camo style.
So, you as the PC will get a bunch of different styles of Republic camo armors in the beginning of the game in your locker. Also, all Republic troopers in the game will be randomly assigned the new armors to give everyone a fresh look.
The reason I'm posting a WIP thread of this is really to get feedback. I'm taking my time on this one, so please let me know how I can improve on the skins or give other suggestions for the mod.
Now, everyones favorite part... screenshots! I have the male skins done so far:
Jungle Camo
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/4905/repjunglearmor.png) (
http://img710.imageshack.us/i/repjunglearmor.png/)
Desert
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/8608/repdesertcamo.png) (
http://img694.imageshack.us/i/repdesertcamo.png/)
Snow/Urban
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4118/repsnowarmor.png) (
http://img338.imageshack.us/i/repsnowarmor.png/)
Night Ops
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/9766/repnightarmor.png) (
http://img177.imageshack.us/i/repnightarmor.png/)
Dunno what to call this one. Just Republic colors (my favorite though!)
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9041/repcamo.png) (
http://img441.imageshack.us/i/repcamo.png/)
Thanks!
Edit: Switching back to my browsing computer I see the "Night Ops" skin might be too dark. My PC is really bright so I'll work on that. Trust me, there's a camo pattern there :D
They seem very flat in the camo areas. I think that you should still keep the highlights and shading of the original armour, just so that the areas still have some rounded volume to them. The shading also helps make it look like cloth (the highlights and shadows of cloth folds specifically), rather than smooth plastic.
Check out this tutorial for a further explanation:
http://www.lucasforums.com/showthread.php?t=191602)
Yeah, the camo areas are 100% flat. I didn't originally have it like that, but I actually thought it looked better than when they had a little texture. I'll definitely go back and add cloth folds and shading myself though now that you mention it. Thanks for the feedback RedRob! Always appreciated, especially from a skinning pro haha.
Edit: That tutorial is really helpful. I'll see how much I can apply to Gimp... should be most of it. I'm just going to re-do one and see how it matches up and then finish up the rest if its good.
Okay, after a lot of messing around, I *think* I got something that looks pretty solid.
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7973/repjunglearmor2.png) (
http://img218.imageshack.us/i/repjunglearmor2.png/)
I know I need to lighten up the part in the middle below the chest, but other than that:
Better, worse, or not noticably different?
Check the pants, but its coming along!
(Remember though- Sometimes less is more)
What exactly about the pants? Also, I do my modding on my pc and internet stuff on my mac. The screenshots look much better on my pc though. On my mac now, the newest one looks kind of neon. How does it look for you?
The pants look like they are lacking detail a bit, and my less is more comment is directed a bit at the neon factor.
Hmm, I guess that might be a problem for me. I'll try to darken it up a bit and see how that looks. Thanks for the input! Oh, and I see you got your badge :D
Edit: It wasn't too bright, the colors just got a little too saturated (which makes them bright I guess xD). This one looks kick-ass in-game. Hopefully the screen turns out okay...
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/3857/repjunglearmor3.png) (
http://img23.imageshack.us/i/repjunglearmor3.png/)
Another thing to watch out for when using patterns like this (that get mirrored), is that they don't form weird rorschach patterns. Right now he's got a big bright splotch on his cod piece that looks kinda like a big headed angel/vampire bat :lol:
I find that when I make screen shots, they tend to always be darker than playing in-game (the game settings adjust the monitor differently than my day-to-day settings). I usually have to re-adjust the screen shot jpg's brightness (just a touch) before posting them. Still, now I'm able to see that there are cloth folds and seams, which is a good thing. Keep at it :D
Thanks RedRob. It's funny you should mention the rorschach patters, was thinking the same thing earlier. So, after messing around a bit and with help and reccomendations from Canderis, I got something that I really like. I went "less is more" on the focal point, the colored camo. So, tell me what you think.
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/8660/repjunglearmor5.png) (
http://img265.imageshack.us/i/repjunglearmor5.png/)
(Lightened up the screen a bit)
Very good, I like it!
Can't wait to see the urban/snow one, that's my favorite type of camo.
I am not exactly an army fan, however, your Reskin looks quite good.
Wouldn't a better name for a Night Ops variant be Black Ops?
Btw, i like what i see in the newer screenies. Will there be a variant without the helmet?
The way i see it you need the following:
White/Grey: for snow worlds.
Blue/Grey: for water worlds.
Tan/Brown: for desert worlds.
Grey/Black: for Urban combat. The armor in your last post is pretty close, the white plate on the torsoe makes a pretty big target though.
Darth Payne, thanks for all your reccomendations.
Wouldn't a better name for a Night Ops variant be Black Ops?
Done.
Btw, i like what i see in the newer screenies. Will there be a variant without the helmet?
The variant that the PC will recieve will have no helmet. The Republic Soldiers will still have their helmets, but with a matching skin as shown in the screens.
The way i see it you need the following:
White/Grey: for snow worlds.
Blue/Grey: for water worlds.
Tan/Brown: for desert worlds.
Grey/Black: for Urban combat. The armor in your last post is pretty close, the white plate on the torsoe makes a pretty big target though.
Instead of the one I have above as an Urban/Snow combo type thing, I made two individual skins to suit two different locations:
Urban
http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/5707/repurbancamo.png) (
http://img541.imageshack.us/i/repurbancamo.png/)
Snow
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1548/repsnowarmor3.png) (
http://img217.imageshack.us/i/repsnowarmor3.png/)
Like these or the above better? They look great in-game too. I could ditch these two and just use the first Snow/urban one but I want to hear what people think.
They both look very good.
I do like the top one best though as the torsoe plate is not such a obvious target there.
Would there be a way to add a slightly daker grey color on that plate? such as the one used on the legs?
One thing you could do is add the various skins as 'optionals' when this mod gets released.
That way everyone gets what they want.
Ok, I've decided that I'm just going to include all 3 of the variants in the mod. The reason behind this is easy, the snow/urban combo can be helpful in snowy worlds that also have urban terrain, like Rhen Var. The regions of use will be in the items description, if that makes any difference. Also that way everyone can use what armors they like.
One more:
Desert
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/449/repdesertarmor2.png) (
http://img402.imageshack.us/i/repdesertarmor2.png/)
Please keep feedback coming! It's really helpful.
Which tool are you using for the actual texture making? If you're using Photoshop, I might advise on a technique in creating a very fractal, natural-looking camouflage.
I'm using Gimp, but I didn't make the textures myself. Just found 'em.
Edit: Don't let that dissuade you. Please tell :)
I'm using Gimp, but I didn't make the textures myself. Just found 'em.
Edit: Don't let that dissuade you. Please tell :)
Usage of Photoshop's Cloud filter (black and white foreground/background color) followed by the threshold option and several other selection modifiers allows for the creation of shapes that are easily considered good camo 'blotches'. And since the Cloud filter is indefinitely fractal, many different types of shapes can be conjured up!
For smaller 'blotches' though, usage of the Cloud filter followed by the Sponge filter with all parameters set to "Max" can turn a sky-cloud mass into an instant camo, only with less contrast than the former option. You can experiment the combination of both techniques to create very eye-appealing camo patterns.
Using the Offset filter in the process can make the textures perfectly seamless. If you ever stumble upon someone who uses Photoshop, do give it a shot!
Example of the 'big' camo (
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B1F5_DAHbWwBZDk5OGRiMTYtNzVkZi00Zjc1LTgwM) GUtMmFkMjU4Yzc4NWY5&sort=name&layout=list&num=50)
Example of the 'small' camo (
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B1F5_DAHbWwBNDM1M2ZiZjMtZWZmNi00ZTc2LWEzO) TYtZDQzM2M4ZjVmN2Ix&sort=name&layout=list&num=50)
Thanks SimonK. I'm bound to get photoshop one of these days xp. I'll keep the tip in mind.
Finished the Black Ops armor... took a different approach here since it's supposed to be dark (obviously) and more camo pattern=lighter. I like how it turned out anyhow.
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7931/repblackarmor.png) (
http://img10.imageshack.us/i/repblackarmor.png/)
Great! Love what you did there.
Hey all,
I'm making a mod which introduces a bunch of new Republic armors into the game: camo style.
So, you as the PC will get a bunch of different styles of Republic camo armors in the beginning of the game in your locker. Also, all Republic troopers in the game will be randomly assigned the new armors to give everyone a fresh look.
The reason I'm posting a WIP thread of this is really to get feedback. I'm taking my time on this one, so please let me know how I can improve on the skins or give other suggestions for the mod.
Thanks!
Looks great. I'd certainly wanna try this, but I'm not so fan about the random assignment of the armors. IMO I'd like to keep the standard Republic red-yellow armor and see these new ones on only a few soldiers, that way they will appear like some sort of special squad or kind of.
***SPOILERS*** maybe a special "camo" Republic Squad was deployed lately at Manaan? :cool: ***END SPOILERS***
hope that helps :)
Looks great. I'd certainly wanna try this, but I'm not so fan about the random assignment of the armors. IMO I'd like to keep the standard Republic red-yellow armor and see these new ones on only a few soldiers, that way they will appear like some sort of special squad or kind of.
***SPOILERS*** maybe a special "camo" Republic Squad was deployed lately at Manaan? :cool: ***END SPOILERS***
hope that helps :)
Thanks a lot! I was actually thinking of that too, how random armors could look weird. I like **Re-spoiler** The Manaan idea a lot... hmmm... **Un-re-spoiler**
Or also maybe I'll just replace the people in the officer clothing or something? That would definitely help cutting down the .utc editing too :D
Thanks a lot! I was actually thinking of that too, how random armors could look weird. I like **Re-spoiler** The Manaan idea a lot... hmmm... **Un-re-spoiler**
Or also maybe I'll just replace the people in the officer clothing or something? That would definitely help cutting down the .utc editing too :D
You are welcome :)
****SPOILERS****
unfortunately there aren't many places in Kotor with republic soldiers right? besides Manaan I mean, or Endar Spire-Taris? If you know how, you could also "add" another Special Ops team somewhere else, maybe in a failed infiltration mission against Czerka at Kashyyyk? (corpses) or an on-going recon mission at Dantooine? That would allow you to include different versions of your camo suits.
****END SPOILERS****
keep up the good work! :thmbup1:
Blue/Grey: for water worlds.
How's this look? It'll be the last of my skins; seven total. If anyone has further recommendations on how I should incorporate the armors into the game please let me know!
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/986/repwaterarmor.jpg) (
http://img519.imageshack.us/i/repwaterarmor.jpg/)
EDIT: Oh, and would there be a high demand for female skins too? Or should I just do it anyway?
How's this look? It'll be the last of my skins; seven total. If anyone has further recommendations on how I should incorporate the armors into the game please let me know!
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/986/repwaterarmor.jpg) (
http://img519.imageshack.us/i/repwaterarmor.jpg/)
EDIT: Oh, and would there be a high demand for female skins too? Or should I just do it anyway?
Excellent. Also the urban would fit for that world too. Even the jungle is not so bad but a little improper there.
The desert or the snow ones would fit for Tatooine right? problem is how to insert them there with a logical story :raise: ...
and of course the Jungle will fit to Dantooine or Kashyyyk, maybe the Republic is subtletly monitoring Jedi Council's activities in this farmers' planet?? :)
about females, I don't recall female soldiers or is just my bad memory?? :D
good luck :thmbup1:
EDIT: Oh, and would there be a high demand for female skins too? Or should I just do it anyway?
I always think that a mod is much more professional when both male and female skins are included for armours. When people only do it half way, it looks too amateurish, and incomplete to me.
BTW, the brown leather pistol holster stands out way too much against the black, blue and grey. Perhaps it should match the boots.
about females, I don't recall female soldiers or is just my bad memory?? :D
good luck :thmbup1:
I think you're right about that... I don't remember any either, but I was referring to female PC's who wanna use the armor.
I always think that a mod is much more professional when both male and female skins are included for armours. When people only do it half way, it looks too amateurish, and incomplete to me.
BTW, the brown leather pistol holster stands out way too much against the black, blue and grey. Perhaps it should match the boots.
Done and done. Thanks again for the reccomendations :thmbup1:
Awesome! Very well done!
Wonder why the Republic/rebels always blend in more, and the sith...don't get it?
Sith trooper - shiny white-pearl-silver
Stormtrooper - VERY shiny white
Maybe if they camo'd the way you do it, Endor might have turned out differently...: :)
Awesome! Very well done!
Wonder why the Republic/rebels always blend in more, and the sith...don't get it?
Sith trooper - shiny white-pearl-silver
Stormtrooper - VERY shiny white
Maybe if they camo'd the way you do it, Endor might have turned out differently...: :)
The only subversion in this case is on Hoth, were they both blended in, for the most part(aside from Vader). It even happens in real life too. Revolutionary War, Britain - Red and white clothing, and fight in a line. Just screams, "shoot me".
And for the most part, there aren't many female Republic soldiers in the game, if at all. Same for the Sith, though their female soldiers are out of uniform - which means BioWare didn't see the need to have two Sith Soldier models.
Dax Drexl, your skins are truly a masterpiece, I bow down to you. :)
It even happens in real life too. Revolutionary War, Britain - Red and white clothing, and fight in a line. Just screams, "shoot me".
No point having camouflage during that era when the myriad of muzzle smoke and the way of warfare made wearing it pointless. Besides, the american militia used simpler, nature-looking textile clothing during the independence war... I dunno how effective camouflage is on a blaster-wielding army but a single well-placed ambush with guys clothed like this is certain to do quite a bit of damage :)
Thanks Nick! I don't have any female skins done because I've been working on other stuff, but I think I'll just figure out the .uti's and release a beta of the male skins.
The problem is that a republic armor item can't be made (as far as anyone seems to know) without replacing another model, so I am just going to go ahead and do that.
Now, I just need to hear people's opinions on what I should replace. I was thinking either the combat suit or heavy combat suit which are what I use the least. However, I want to know if there are any unused models in K1 like the armored flight suits (or something like that) in TSL. Thanks.
Replacing the weakest armor/outfit in the game sounds like a good idea.
Replace the Revan robe models (the lame ones you get on the Star Forge) and have those disguise you as Revan.
Perhaps several options is a better choice.
I mention that because i kinda like those robes.
While I kinda like the robe replacement, I honestly don't know how I would fill the gap with the Revan robes gone, if you know what I mean. I'm still pretty sure I'm just going to go and replace the combat suit. After Taris, they're pretty much worthless anyway and I'm sure there are a lot of people (myself not included) that skip Taris anyway.
My only worry about this would be random NPC's that might be equipped with combat suits will be wearing Republic armor but I really have no idea. I guess I could edit the .utc's. Also I suppose that random vendors will have some of the items for sale. Even though that makes no sense, I like the idea that they will be automatically implemented into the game.
Finally something new (or I haven't seen if already existing), Camos for the common Republic soldiers! But maybe you could do your screens on some place that isn't that dark, for example my favourite place for brighter screenies is the "bridge" in the Black Rakatas' "Base".
The problem is that a republic armor item can't be made (as far as anyone seems to know) without replacing another model, so I am just going to go ahead and do that.
Now, I just need to hear people's opinions on what I should replace. I was thinking either the combat suit or heavy combat suit which are what I use the least. However, I want to know if there are any unused models in K1 like the armored flight suits (or something like that) in TSL. Thanks.
yeah, that's the reason why when I made my own Republic uniforms, I made the skins to fit the combat suit model. That way, I didn't have to replace anything, I only added them as extras. Perhaps you could do something similar? Like making NPCs wear the ones you've already completed, and making new textures to fit a wearable armour model?
While that would make the most sense, I'm not skilled enough to do something like that yet :p. I think for now I will just replace the combat suit. I might have a v2 where I implement it in a better way or something.
I am not a fan of the helmet, but the armor is cool. Great job,
I will totally download this when it is ready.
Yeah don't worry about that, the armor that is equippable won't have a helmet, but the soldiers on like the Endar Spire and Manaan that might have some of the armors will have them. Just showing it all with one shot :D
Thank you!
Edit: RedRob, checked out your combat suits... those are seriously cool. Maybe I can do that someday :(
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7931/repblackarmor.png) (
http://img10.imageshack.us/i/repblackarmor.png/)
This is my favourite one so far. Excellent work Dak Drexl. Can't wait for a release:D
:thmbup1:
EDIT: One question though, are these going to be worn just by the Republic officers, or can the PC use them too?
Well, the premise of the mod was to add them as wearable armors. Like I said earlier though, I'm most likely going to have to replace the combat suit model in order to make it work. Canderis has some ideas about how to avoid that though, so we (meaning him :p) are working on that.
Republic officers right now just wear an updated version of the original republic armors that I don't have a picture of. I think I'm going to have SOME of them wear the camo ones, like Urban on Endar Spire/ Manaan and Water on Manaan.
The BETA is just about done, and due to my lack of skill/game limits there will be a few problems:
-Random people, such as some hidden beks (I found them in a quick run-through in the beginning of the game) will be wearing republic armor. Too bad...
-There will be no combat suits except for females (I have not done females yet). They will not be able to use republic armors.
-Weird people may be selling republic armors. This is because they were selling combat suits at first.
-Republic Soldiers will not be equipped with the new camo armors, just an updated version of the original armors. This is because of the lack of .2da entries... the same soldier is just used over and over again so they would all be wearing the same one. Why not just go original? I know it's possible to fix this (like in the awesome clone armor mod) so if anyone knows how it would be so helpful!
I know it's possible to fix this (like in the awesome clone armor mod) so if anyone knows how it would be so helpful!
Open up the rims for Manaan, find the soldiers you want to change, and change their appearance.