Marble Pillar

valdark · Post by **valdark** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 4:06 am

I am currently in the process of skinning the Pillar of Autumn level.

Human objects will be marble, bronze and gold.

Covenant and their equipment will be natural ore and gemstone.

Here's what I have so far.

[RR]RedRene · Post by **[RR]RedRene** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 4:16 am

Looks pretty good actually so far, and I look forward to seeing the rest of it. All it needs is 'MOAR' shiny.

On the side note, you should do this to some of the other Levels as well, like The Library, because a Marbley type theme would fit very well with that level.

valdark · Post by **valdark** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 4:33 am

thank you sir.

I do plan on skinning the entire game.

I also have some things in the works to really fine tune this level before I move on.

I'm just having difficulties with injecting my models.

If I can solve that problem the doors will all be replaced by velvet curtains and I'll throw in some roman columns for the full effect.

I should have the control panels skinned by this evening I'll post when I'm done.

hiheyhello · Post by **hiheyhello** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 5:41 am

Are you just copy and pasting textures from google if so dont.

Its a interesting idea really just not executed well, really its alot of work to skin the entire game, if you do end up going through with this try to make the textures tileable.

my advice would be start small and then get bigger.

valdark · Post by **valdark** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:25 am

There is more to it than that. I'm also altering the multi and texture maps to fit the images.

The metal textures are several layers of different tones of copper to get a less tiled look during the cinematics.

I have done quite a few adjustments thus far and the grunt skins are a combination of images and level/contrast adjustments with some extra tablet work to fine tune.

Its a big project but I'm having fun with it and that's really what counts isn't it?

The control displays I'm working on will all be self made with no external images. I'll be posting those in a few hours

timmy42 · Post by **timmy42** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:30 am

OK so I see you wanna skin... but this can be much better...

first, the same texture on different surfaces, like walls and floors, usually does not look good...

secondly, marble looks best in very dull, neutral colors, not when you color them all blue, purple, yellow, and green...

thirdly, they are not very seamless..

try to make the texture seamless and remove its color... then apply it only to a certain part of the level, maybe columns or something, not flooring or walls... use other textures for those parts...

valdark · Post by **valdark** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 6:59 am

Thanks for the advice.

The problem I encountered with this is that the ceiling automatically takes the same bitmap as the floor.

It is my understanding that I'd have to alter the bsp in order to change that.

I did take some of the floor texture and apply it to sections of the panels and burn panels because it seemed to go with my theme.

If you have any suggestions as to what might go well with the marble theme on the walls I'd be happy to work on it.

Yeah I do need to do some extra work to make things seamless. I've nearly gotten it on the copper tones but still need to tweak that a bit.

The marble will be a bit harder but it is supposed to be tile after all so I'm not wanting to eliminate that.

I am actually thinking of darkening my edges on the floor and perhaps even adding a slight bevel with some chip to make it look more like tile.

I tried it out with a white marble first but it didn't really do it for me. I wanted a bit of variation from the dull grey we're used to seeing.

I've actually dulled the green down a bit from my first test I'll see if I can dull it any more without it looking washed out.

timmy42 · Post by **timmy42** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:28 am

but if you want it to look like tile you should put lines on the outside to make it look more like tile

http://www.homeadditionplus.com/images/Tile_floor.JPG

if you make it like that, it would be better, but if you won't then making it seamless is the best way to go...

but really, only one specific bitmap should have the marble... it looks better in columns and supports, not really flooring or walls...

this was my attempt at a marble texture... it is not very seamless, but if it were, it would look very nice... take no notice of the floor >.>

valdark · Post by **valdark** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:56 am

I do like the greek patern on the columns in that one.

valdark · Post by **valdark** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:25 am

Here's a closeup of the bulletin board. The image on the left is of my own creation.

And here is a quick assault rifle skin (still needs alot of work)

hiheyhello · Post by **hiheyhello** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 8:38 am

what are you using to make these textures PS gimp?

valdark · Post by **valdark** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:07 am

I'm working in PS but Gimp will do just fine.

The poster on the left is mine the one on the right I can't take credit for I got it as a myspace message and had to use it.

I'm using DXTBmp to convert the .dds into .bmp because my PS plugin can't seem to save in the proper format.

I'm still learning the ropes and have a long way to go to get where I want to be but the exercise is good for the artist in me.

bcnipod · Post by **bcnipod** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:45 am

Repeating texture is repeating.

valdark · Post by **valdark** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:58 am

K... I'm not sure that's helpful.

bcnipod · Post by **bcnipod** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:05 am

valdark wrote:K... I'm not sure that's helpful.

make a repeating texture that has edges that are not visible in the pattern at least.

valdark · Post by **valdark** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:09 am

Aye, understood.

In other words I just need to tie in my ends. The grid option should help with this. I'll see what I can do.

Appreciate the advice sir.

valdark · Post by **valdark** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:59 am

I assume this is what you are referring to.

I'm not sure I like it as much.

And a shot of the command screen.

The tech panels aren't coming along as smoothly I am having issues getting the lights where I want them.

DeadHamster · Post by **DeadHamster** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:02 pm

the marble texture needs work. You dont want to mirror it, you want to tile it.

Look it up on google for more info.

AbeFroman · Post by **AbeFroman** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:10 pm

so you have trouble getting seamless textures?

if you have photoshop...
http://www.planetphotoshop.com/using-ma ... nds-2.html

guysullavin · Post by **guysullavin** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 12:26 pm

or he can:
1. get the texture, and cut about 20 pixels off the top
2. drag the cut piece to the bottom of the of file, then drag the larger piece up to align with the sides
3. then edit the large piece to have the pattern line up seamlessly with the cut off strip
4. then drag the strip back to the top and conjoin the pieces.
5. do the same for the sides and you should have a seamless pattern

of course i cant provide proof this works being away from my computer, but its my idea how to do this