Coming in 2012 – Union and Confederate Sprite Packs

[Zeke]

I did this for Take command 2nd Manassas (TC2M) and now I would also like to repeat the process (God help me! :blink: ) and start re-skinning the current in game sprites in SOW. One thing I found was the vast amount of variations you can get from a few sprites – However unlike TC2M I will be doing lo-res and high res sprites - which will take longer. To do these I will be using a combination of GIMP, Paintnet and Paintshop –It’s not going to be just round the corner either I’m afraid due to my calendar at the moment – but I’ll keep updating.

Last week you were told that 2nd Texas, Crikey and Davinci are starting to look at creating Maps for the SOW engine – this is great news and anyone who is not familiar with their work is going to be blown away by what they can do – However I suspect that most of you die-hards will be familiar with their work on the old game – for people who are not familiar pop over to the TC2M Modder’s corner and have a look.

Further down the line I’m also skilling up of 3D sprite generation but it’s not straight forward and it will be a good while before I’m good enough to contribute with this.

My Thoughts about SOW

Pro’s

• Far improved engine
• Better AI
• Better graphics
• Improved gameplay (no more annoying formation blocking when in firing line)
• Higher Sprite sprite ratio

Con’s

Are there any? Well…

• Cavalry – something missing still (but I have a few idea’s!)
• Suicidal supply Wagons (I’m with Davinci on this – there must be a way round this)
• Lack of variation of maps and sprites (To be honest this is a new-ish game but that’ll change!)

What the hell, these are minor gripes and this is still the best Civil war game on the PC games market by a country mile…fantastic work guys!

B) SOW ROCKS B)

regards

Zeke

[born2see]

Thanks Zeke. Looking forward to it.

You're right about the Map team. They're still getting up to speed on our tools but the preliminary stuff they've produced is remarkable.

B

[Crikey]

However unlike TC2M I will be doing lo-res and high res sprites - which will take longer.

Zeke you are a glutton for punishment.

Remember to do the hi-res first, then just re-size the sprite files in a standard graphics prog to provide low res. Lots quicker than repainting both.

Pleased we'll see your efforts over here.

[Davinci]

Zeke - How is everything going!

Hey, I truly hope that you are not going to do all of these by hand - again !

Did something happen in a previous life that just makes you want to punish yourself?

Great to see you on this side of the tracks!

davinci

[tim]

Zeke if you need any help getting upto speed on 3d sprite generation let me know. I'm curious about exactly what you will do the sprites - it will be a hell of a lot of work to do each sheet by hand. Much better to learn the 3d sprite production I think.

Also bear in mind we hit a limit on the sprites - I actually made more sprites than were in the game but we had to cut back due to memory limits. We have since released these as an add-on for those that can run them.

[Zeke]

Hey Guys

Nope I figured how to convert to Lo-Res from Hi-Res - after some trial and error Crikey!

Yep initially by hand for the re-skin's Davinci but I have figured out how to automate and quicken some processes.....what can I say I find it therapeutic!! :woohoo:

How are things going? How are you finding the new SOW tools for map creation?

[Zeke]

Zeke if you need any help getting upto speed on 3d sprite generation let me know. I'm curious about exactly what you will do the sprites - it will be a hell of a lot of work to do each sheet by hand. Much better to learn the 3d sprite production I think.

Also bear in mind we hit a limit on the sprites - I actually made more sprites than were in the game but we had to cut back due to memory limits. We have since released these as an add-on for those that can run them.

Ah a real pro in our mist - Tim Sir!

Yes the memory limit is something I am very concious of as SOW and previous games were designed for everyone to play wheather you have a low end or a high end machine - I'm fortunate to have a higher end rig that I built myself (my Girlfriend has nicknamed it "HAL"!)

My thanks for your offer of help its appreciated - I look at sprite creation as a personal unwinding tool - I just enjoy creating and seeing it on the screen in a great game like SOW or TC2M. 3d sprite generation is tough - so I admire guys like yourself - You can't blagg it, skip bits and hope to pick it up as you go along. So I'm doing it properly starting from the beginning and seeing where I get.

By the way where is the add on, Did I miss this? If there is one I'm buying!

[Davinci]

By the way where is the add on, Did I miss this? If there is one I'm buying!

If memory serves me correctly, the added uniforms were only available through the CD \ DVD Version of the game.

I don't recall seeing anyone post any pictures of the new uniforms, at least not lately!

davinci

[2nd Texas Infantry]

Glad you are making the transition to SOW. I look forward to your work for SOW. With all us old TC2M modders on this site now, only great things can happen to a better game. Anything I can do for you, I am at your disposal.

[Zeke]

By the way where is the add on, Did I miss this? If there is one I'm buying!

If memory serves me correctly, the added uniforms were only available through the CD \ DVD Version of the game.

I don't recall seeing anyone post any pictures of the new uniforms, at least not lately!

davinci

Ahhh Thinking back Crikey mentioned these - I've have the box version as well as the download - trouble is I've not used it!- so I've loaded it up and hmm!

A good selection - so my energy will be spent on the cavalry and some new officer sprites - might look at some artillery varients also

Hey 2nd TX not spoken to you for a couple of days how many terrain sprites have you done since then...lol!!! - I love the Cactus you sent to Crikey!