*WIP* Crimson Wood....Pics Inside!!!

[05H3T5KY]

Hey everyone...I've around these forums for a while now, and I have decided that the map I have been working on all summer as my contribution to the mapping community is finally at a stage worth being shown. This is my first real map (only other was an un-released test map to get the basics down), so be kind on your criticism. I've worked the last 2.5 months around sports and school work on this, and so far the work is shaping up nicely. It may not be done for a few weeks yet since I still have a decent bit of texture work and tweaks to get through, but without further delay, I present to you pictures of the (early) beta stage of Crimson Wood!!!


An overview of the map as a whole. Since this screen was taken, the cliff tops have been varied and made more organic and the water edges have been smoothed out.


Shot of Red Base with MC firing on the edge of platform for scale. Yes, I stole that base model from Infinity, but I modified it to hold a garage and an armory in the bottom and a sniper loft in the middle of one upright; you can kinda see the entrance to the armory in this pic (no, it's not that hangar/tunnel in the background of the picture that still needs textures...it's right under the MC ).


Energy Sword 3RD and 1ST person...let me know what you think. I personally am not a fan of the "fatty" swords, so I did a lot of custom work on the model (took orignal from HPC for a work-base) to streamline it, make it sleek and thin, and make it look mean. (oOo...shiny chrome handle too...) And yes, that plasma texture on the sword scrolls in like 3 overlapping directions to give the full effect. NOTE: I was NOT going for an exact replica of the HALO sword; I was going for my own interpretation BASED on it that I personally thought looked cooler and more sleek. (Had to clarify that b/c it started a minor fuss when I posted this on GBX)


A side-by-side comparison of my sword model to the original HALO sword model.


The MC ready to cut some unsuspecting noob in half with the ES.



After this map is complete, I am almost definately going to release my energy sword's tags so everyone can have a *nice, streamlined, well-textured* ES to put in their maps. But if someone could help me in this thread, it would be greatly appreciated: http://gbxforums.gearboxsoftware.com/sh ... t=1#297070 I am trying to figure out how to make the MC run faster only while the ES is equipped so it's more useful on this larger-scale map of mine, but so far no one has turned up any useful info in that thread. Thanx in advance to anyone that helps.


So there it is...a preview of my first and probably last large-scale map for a while...I am considering making some smaller indoor type fragfest maps after this, but with school coming up again, I may not have time after this map. Hope you like the way this one is looking so far. CnC is welcome and appreciated.

NOTE: I AM NOT YET READY TO HAND OUT COPIES FOR BETA TESTS!!! So don't bother asking until I make another thread specifically about beta testing this map.

PS: The MC does drugz!!!

[John Spartan]

the map is and awesome map...very well textured and made..but i dont now anout the energy sword...its abit to long and the handel is to small...i think u should have just made it the way it is in reg hallo or halo 2

[{GR}Ender]

I think this map is wonderful. I love that base in the first picture, the wierd almost spiky thingy. I think this map will be a lot of fun, and just as a tip from me, as I see HaloCE just losing all of its popularity, I think you should get this map out A.S.A.P and I mean now, because the other day I went on CE and there was only like 20 people on... its not my computer ither. (I go on alot, and the population is dwindling)

[FReAK]

i cant wait for this map and plethora. those will be the most pwnzor maps for a while. i hate you for being able to map so well.

[HMC Helljumper]

I think mapping is the fun part... but i cant figure out how to make the ground texture with alpha maps for the life of me. even after watching kirks tut on it. still way confusing.

[FReAK]

ur lucky u can work HEK when i dled it i couldnt even get the installation thing to work!!!!!

[HMC Helljumper]

sux for u... maybe it was a bad dl site
try agian. its worth it.

[master_wolf]

taht is ub3r sw33t man! cna i btea tset!? lol jk

but seriously, i look forward to playing this on HaloCE (i got it installed finally w00t)
and i really love your modified version of the plasma sword, it looks alot better than the original model imvho

[SilverStone641]

hey, noob here, how did you do ponds and things?

Also, how important is it to attach a base to a level?


just some stupid stuff.


THAT SWORD IS AMAZING!

what did you do as skin for the blade?


nice work bro.

[05H3T5KY]

First, Thanx for your kind words guys. I was not expecting such a warm response to my first map. It seems I'm getting mixed responses on my sword....a bunch think it's better, and some think it's not as good. But w/e...I'm probably gonna leave it as-is model-wise....As I am typing this, I am working on getting some shiny glowiness added to the sword as well. Keep the comments and criticism comin'.

SilverStone641-->You have to make dips in the terrain where you want them to be, then create a new plane in 3DS MAX, map the water ripples texture on it, and add the fog plane and render-only symbols to the end of the material name. As for the base.....if done right, the base can actually be a completely separate object from the main terrain mesh. For details on how to do that, check out the HEK tutorial that comes with the HEK. Thank you for your kind works on the sword. As for the shader, it's a custom .shader_transparent_chicago_extended with 2 or 3 scrolling layers of my custom plasma ripple texture. Sorry I didn't go into much detail this post, but I'm in a bit of a hurry; gonna go test the latest glow adjustment. Later.

[SilverStone641]

i hate to say this, but i guess being a noob.....what do you mean with all that?

i mean, isn't it as easy as creating a plane and naming it water! ? i mean, what do you mean by ripple effects and fog? I'm trying to do a map similar to yours, which i hope ppl will like, being my first map.


Also, does anyone know the easiest way to do ground arches? Like rock bridges etc.

thanks

[05H3T5KY]

All I meant by "water ripple texture" is indeed the water bitmap. Sorry I confused you. You are correct, the name would be "water!", but if you wanted to have fog below it so the water wasn't crystal-clear (for a look like my water), you'd have to name it "water$!" then apply fog in Sapien. However, you don't use that name on the plane itself. You use that name for the material in 3DS MAX that you apply to that plane and then UVW map.

[Griff]

looks great man! center bases look good

one thing Id say looks slightly strange is the water..

I know it would be different but have you tried having water without a fog plane and just texture the ground beneath the water slightly blue.. sounds dodgy but I got a great effect with it and the ocean part of my map.. just think they should be more transparent.. only a suggestion of course.

Nice esword model! True it should be fun cutting down noobs with fuel guns

[master_wolf]

that would work for water that you cant get to, once you go into the water it will be like walking on land only with blue ground

[FReAK]

wha....

[FReAK]

WHEN WILL THIS BE DONE????

[05H3T5KY]

It should hopefully be in beta within a week then out within the 2ND week or sooner, depending on how smoothly the last thouches and beta tests go. Be patient. And see that key called "Caps Lock"? Yea, hit that tiny key.

[BigM16]

Wow nice job dude. I like the look of your ES, very original. I can't wait to play this. Keep up the good work .

[Lanche]

I like the midway bases, look like orc thingies.

[frogger5687]

looks awsome