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Coming in 2012 – Union and Confederate Sprite Packs
Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:29 pm
by 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
Re: Coming in 2011 – Union and Confederate Sprite Packs
Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 8:38 pm
by 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
Re: Coming in 2011 – Union and Confederate Sprite Packs
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 12:13 am
by 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.
Re: Coming in 2011 – Union and Confederate Sprite Packs
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 12:29 am
by 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
Re: Coming in 2011 – Union and Confederate Sprite Packs
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 3:45 am
by 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.
Re: Coming in 2011 – Union and Confederate Sprite Packs
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:02 am
by 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?
Re: Coming in 2011 – Union and Confederate Sprite Packs
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:22 am
by 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!
Re: Coming in 2011 – Union and Confederate Sprite Packs
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:32 am
by 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
Re: Coming in 2011 – Union and Confederate Sprite Packs
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:19 am
by 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.
Re: Coming in 2011 – Union and Confederate Sprite Packs
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:47 am
by 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!