KJCs Work

[CABAL]

Just noticed the secondary impulse engines on the saucer. Subtle and nice.

 

[kjc733]

Thank you, but I stole that design influence from DJs Athena (image attached for those who are unfamiliar with her).
However, I absolutely despise having to include them. For those who haven't read the Full Circle novels my apologies for the spoiler, but Voyager is given a new capability as part of her refit - Saucer separation. Now my feelings on this are that for a ship that size it is ridiculous. But, the ability to separate requires the ability for the saucer to operate under its own motive power. The Alternatives were to fuse it to saucer like the Prometheus, or to mount it internally within the separation plane. Given the amount of space this would consume in either case, I went with some low profile pods under the saucer.

 

[CABAL]

Yeah, saucer separation on an Intrepid seems silly. And it's not like it has a large civilian population on board like the Galaxy.

 

[Majestic]

Ok, quick question. What's the best way to draw a curved phaser array? In the past I've always cheated by either modelling them (when I didn't care about the poly count) or use straight arrays.

Ordinarily I wouldnt be at the phaser stage yet, but the saucer just looks weird without one (like it looked weird without the sensor)

The way I do it, and this is in photoshop mind you. I am sure other programs could do it, but I don't know them so it could be a little different.

I make a vector circle and then make a second one a few pixels smaller, I then flatten each shape and then select (select pixels) the smaller one and then select the layer of the larger one and hit delete. It can be oval or circle the main thing is that both shapes are equal in shape. You can then tidy up the phaser bank by deleting sections you don't want and putting a small circle at the end of the array to tidy it up and then merge it all together and bang you have a nice phaser array.

I hope you can follow that, rather sick atm unfortunately. Nasty cold or virus I have.

I must admit I am loving your re-design on the Intrepid. I can totally see this is how the Voyager in Kristin Beyers' books would look. It also had saucer separation too, any plans to incorporate that? I noticed a second set of impulse engines under the rear of the saucer and had to ask.

 

[kjc733]

Thank you for explaining.

If you take a look at my last pics, you'll see there's a line bisecting the saucer between the bridge and the aft sensor pallet and between the forward and aft shield grids. That line nuts around the aft end of the saucer impulse engines. From there, I'm not quite sure how to finish the cut, but the extended neck all the way to the torpedo tubes is part of the secondary hull.

Whilst I was going to build her in two halves I found it hard enough to do the smooth saucer integration in one piece. I may go back and revisit making two separate sections, but not just yet.

 

[kjc733]

What a difference a Phaser makes.

And I nearly had a heart attack as Maya has decided to reject the Intrepid II jpeg textures!!! For now I'm getting around the problem using tga as a substitute but still... I'm guessing its something to do with the texture memory size being smaller than the last iteration, so I may have accidentally changed a setting somewhere. Still downright irritating.

 

[ISS_Enterprise_D]

Just took a look here, and I'm quite liking the redesign of the Intrepid ya got going on!

 

[kjc733]

Thank you.
Good news, bad news situation.
Good news - I fixed the problem with the jpegs, so I don't have to use tgas.
Bad news - somewhere along the line my lateral phasers have disappeared so I have to do them again.
Wibble.

 

[kjc733]

One of those updates where effort has been expended but not a huge amount to show for it as it's all detail. Transporter emitters, some more phaser arrays and the upper saucer windows.

 

[Majestic]

Shaping up nicely mate.

On a related note, I think the new Voyager book was due to come out a day or two ago. I need to get it.

 

[kjc733]

I think the new Voyager book was due to come out a day or two ago.

Just don't tell me if there's any more structural changes described - I don't think I could take it!

On a different note, I've been sat on this since Monday and have only just gotten around to starting the hardpointing - though at the best part of 7k polies it probably won't be for regular game use.

Anyway, the Galaxy Conqueror as textured by Jetfreak using the SNS textures. The images themselves are also by Jetfreak - I'm not that good with the camera

 

[kjc733]

And last update before the weekend - family are visiting...
A slightly darker hull, windows on the secondary hull, additional work on the deflector, the new shuttlebay doors (which should fit the Flyer )and initial placement for some RCS thrusters.

Oh, and its now in ms3d, hence the different perspective on the 3D view.

 

[kjc733]

Spot the deliberate mistake

Now if I could just figure out why she won't fire!!

 

[kjc733]

Well fixing the textures was easy, but I can't figure out why she won't shoot! Especially as the saucer separation works! Which makes "Galaxy of Terror" a bit tongue in cheek really, but it was too good a line to pass up.

Anyone have any ideas on where I've screwed up? (the game usually known as "spot the typo")

#include "battle2.odf"

//**********************************************************************
// A2PP X 02/04/12
rangeScan = 800.0
damagedScan = 266.0
avoidanceClass = 3
physicsFile = "A2PPbatt2phys.odf"


//Name of Ship class in Ship Display window & in edit mode & tooltip
unitName = "Galaxy Conqueror Class"

//tooltips
tooltip = "Galaxy Conqueror Class"
verboseTooltip = "The Galaxy Conqueror class was developed as Starfleet’s primary assault vessel, but is equally capable of carrier, exploration, diplomatic and combat roles. The Galaxy Conqueror is a sight to be feared by enemies of the Terran Empire."

//Race which can build ship & starting race of ship
race = "federation"

//Amount of time required to build ship
buildTime = 30.0

//Number of officers required to build this ship
officerCost = 10

//Number of crew required to build ship & Starting crew
crewCost = 500

// don't use the horrible old % crew loss on damage
saneCrewLossMethod = 1

//Dilithium Cost to build
dilithiumCost = 350

//Metal Cost to build
metalCost = 50

//Max Shield Strength & Begining Shield Strength <500
maxHealth = 720

// Hitpoints

shieldGeneratorHitPoints = 160
enginesHitPoints = 140
weaponsHitPoints = 160
lifeSupportHitPoints = 130
sensorsHitPoints = 130

//Rate at which shield recharges (points per second... we think)
shieldRate = 8.0

//Maximum Value of Special Energy
maxSpecialEnergy = 0

//Rate at which special energy recharges (points per second... we think)
specialEnergyRate = 0

//**********************************************************************

//**********************************************************************
//SHIP NAMES

//Possible Craft Names
possibleCraftNames = "ISS Galaxy Conqueror NCC-70637" "ISS Odyssey NCC-71832" "ISS Yamato NCC-71807" "ISS Julius Caesar NCC-70640""ISS Challenger NCC-71099" "ISS Enterprise NCC-1701-D"  "ISS Venture NCC-71854"  "ISS Pharaoh NCC-73382" "ISS Pride Leader NCC-74101" "ISS Courageous NCC-74113" "ISS Firestone NCC-74158" "ISS Destiny NCC-71745"

//**********************************************************************
//ART PARAMETERS & WEAPON NAMES

// Saucer Phaser
weapon1 = "fgphas"
weaponHardpoints1 = “hp01” “hp02” “hp03” “hp04” “hp05” “hp06” “hp07”

// Secondary Hull phaser
weapon2 = "fbridgephas"
weaponHardpoints2 = “hp09” “hp10” “hp11” “hp12” “hp13” “hp14” “hp15” “hp16” “hp17” “hp18” “hp19” “hp20” “hp21”
   
// Photon Torpedoes
weapon3 = "fgalaxyphot"
weaponHardpoints3 = “hp22” “hp23” “hp25” “hp27”

// Saucer Separator
weapon4 = "ggalseparator"

//Assault Weapon
//weapon4 = ""
//weaponHardpoints4 =

//Tricolbolt from Saucer

//Bouncing torpedo from stardrive


// Hardpoints to hit for various systems and other locations.

enginesTargetHardpoints = “hp31” “hp32” “hp33” “hp34” “hp36” “hp37” “hp38” “hp39” “hp40” “hp41” “hp42” “hp43” “hp44” “hp45”
lifeSupportTargetHardpoints = “hp54” “hp57” “hp58” “hp59” “hp60” “hp61” “hp62” “hp63” “hp64” “hp65” “hp66” “hp67” “hp68” “hp69” “hp70” “hp71” “hp72” “hp73” “hp74” “hp75”
weaponsTargetHardpoints = “hp01” “hp02” “hp03” “hp04” “hp05” “hp06” “hp07” “hp09” “hp10” “hp11” “hp12” “hp13” “hp14” “hp15” “hp16” “hp17” “hp18” “hp19” “hp20” “hp21” “hp22” “hp23” “hp25” “hp26” “hp27”
shieldGeneratorTargetHardpoints = “hp46” “hp47” “hp48” “hp49” “hp35” “hp50” “hp51” “hp52” “hp53”
sensorsTargetHardpoints = “hp46” “hp47” “hp48” “hp49” “hp35” “hp50” “hp51” “hp52” “hp53”
hullTargetHardpoints = “hp01” “hp02” “hp03” “hp04” “hp05” “hp06” “hp07” “hp09” “hp10” “hp11” “hp12” “hp13” “hp14” “hp15” “hp16” “hp17” “hp18” “hp19” “hp22” “hp23” “hp25” “hp26” “hp27” “hp28” “hp29” “hp30” “hp35” “hp46” “hp47” “hp48” “hp49” “hp50” “hp51” “hp52” “hp53” “hp54” “hp57” “hp58” “hp59” “hp60” “hp61” “hp62” “hp63” “hp64” “hp65” “hp66” “hp67” “hp68” “hp69” “hp70” “hp71” “hp72” “hp73” “hp74” “hp75”
criticalTargetHardpoints = “hp28” “hp29” “hp30” “hp54” “hp55” “hp57”

//**********************************************************************


//**********************************************************************
//CREW STATUS MULTIPLIERS
//The multiplier for the delay between shots for weapons while in yellow status
weaponYellow = 1.0f

//The multiplier for the delay between shots for weapons while in red status
weaponRed = 2.0f
//**********************************************************************

//**********************************************************************
//MESSAGE & SOUND PARAMETERS

eventSelect = "Cruiser1Select"
eventAcknowledge = "Cruiser1Acknowledge"
eventAttack = "Cruiser1Attack"
eventStop = "Cruiser1Stop"
eventMove = "Cruiser1Move"
eventRepair = "Cruiser1Repair"

//**********************************************************************

//change the scale

// 94% of a sovereign
ScaleSOD = 2.78

hotkeyLabel = "HOTKEY_F2"

// take out the special weapon autonomy
show_sw_autonomy = 0

 

[CABAL]

There doesn't seem to be anything wrong the the ship's ODF, though I do wonder why hp08 and hp24 are not used. The ship doesn't have special energy so have you checked that the weapon ordnances aren't taking energy to fire? Also, have you tried making the ship reference stock weapons to see if they fire?

 

[kjc733]

Thanks Cabal.
hp08 is the stardrive section forward phaser array and hp24 is the saucer aft torpedo launcher. Both are obscured whilst the ship is in one piece and therefore not referenced in the combined odf.
The odf is based on the standard Galaxy class, I've just changed the hardpoint references (more or less). The weapons are also default Galaxy, which is why I'm scratching my head on this one.

 

[CABAL]

Hmmm, there is no space between "ISS Julius Caesar NCC-70640" and "ISS Challenger NCC-71099" in the possibleCraftNames. Maybe that's messing up the engine?

 

[Majestic]

Sometimes you need to go back and make an odf again, sometimes for some unknown reason they just won't work correctly and there can be nothing wrong with the content of the odf itself. It could be a simple format error when the odf is saved. What program are you using to edit the ODF files? Notepad++ is a pretty good and free program that had never given me any issues.

 

[kjc733]

Just using plain ol' regular Notepad, never had issues with odfs before other than typos.. I do have ++ at work and it is a good system, I just loathe putting software on my pc if its unnecessary.
Having changed the odf to add in the space Cabal noticed, and to delete a couple of double spaces, I've now gone from everything working except the weapon systems to a CTD on scenario start. The message I get is:
Out of Memory: Increase swap file size.
It's not the game as it works when I play different races, which also rules out the Windows update last night. So its just something wrong with the odf
(and we need a head banging smilie)

 

[Majestic]

Usually the "Out of Memory: Increase swap file size" error has to deal with a missing " but I haven't gotten that error in like 5 or so years. I really haven't done much odf modding in that time to be honest.

 

[kjc733]

Yeah... I guess it's going to be a redo. Either that or delete all the hardpoint references and start again (only 75 hps ).

I've installed Notepad ++, annoyingly the glorious technicolour I remember from work doesn't seem to be there. Anyone know how to turn the colours on?

Well as I couldn't find the will to redo the odf, I've been continuing with the Flight II Intrepid (I'm thinking Endurance class, it's a nice sciency name). I think she's nearly there. Finish off the RCS thrusters, a bit of detail on the docking spine, the docking ports themselves, and that'll be it.

 

[Majestic]

I can see you've put a lot of detail into those textures.

As for notepad++ you need a downloadable extension for the colours in odf/tt etc. I haven't gotten one but I do know a beta or something was released somewhere. Considering those file types aren't common they weren't included in the base program to have all the pretty colours.

I would check on A2F, it might be there. If not it might be buried somewhere here on MSFC in the forums.

 

[CABAL]

I have the Notepad++ ODF plugin that Terra made. I can send it to you if you like.

 

[kjc733]

That'd be great if you could. I couldn't find it over on A2F.

As its actually sunny this morning (in defiance of all forecasts) I may not get the detail finished today. Of course the next thing afterwards is the alphas - I've never actually done this before. Any tips?

 

[Majestic]

Of course the next thing afterwards is the alphas - I've never actually done this before. Any tips?

Ask Jetfreak!

In all seriousness taking your time is essential despite it being rather tedious. What program are you using?

 

[Hellkite]

Yes ask young master Jetfreak!

 

[kjc733]

Well Jetfreak did offer to help...
I'm using Photoshop CS3 for the textures.
I did manage to get the last bits of detail done, so unless anyone can spot anything obviously missing I'm going to declare this phase of the process complete.

 

[Majestic]

Apart from the underside of the pylons where the phaser strip is which looks a tad bare compared to the rest it looks really well done mate.

 

[kjc733]

Mwhahahaha
That is all.

 

[Majestic]

Did you discover the issue or just do another ODF?