KJCs Work

[CABAL]

Regarding the ODF not working, a couple times I've been able to just copy and paste the contents of one that should work but doesn't into a fresh one. I still don't know what causes it though. Maybe it has something to do with the way certain programs save files? We'd have to do a carp load of testing since this is a relatively rare issue.

Spoiler: A Carp Load

 

[Majestic]

Maybe it has something to do with the way certain programs save files?

I think it has something to do with an error during the save function and doesn't format it correctly when it does. It's not common as you say so it's probably down to the occasional hiccup. I have noticed Notepad++ has never done this to me. It's designed with formatting in mind unlike notepad and wordpad. I even occasionally use Notepad++ for web design and other such programming so it has multiple uses and comes at the right price.

 

[Jetfreak]

A bit late to the party, but regarding lightmaps I can certainly share my expertise.

I usually duplicate the windows into a new layer and blur them a bit (Gaussian Blur 0.8 should do nicely) so its not too strong edged. Lighting the nacelles is roughly similar but I make the blur stronger in this case but it really depends on the design. I suggest checking out the results in Storm 3d if you feel further tweaks are needed.

 

[kjc733]

The problem was that I copied and pasted some thoughts on hp arrangement out of Outlook into Notepad. Outlook it seems uses a different type of speech mark. If you look carefully at the code extract here:

// Photon Torpedoes
weapon3 = "fgalaxyphot"
weaponHardpoints3 = “hp22” “hp23” “hp25” “hp27”

you will see that the original text (the speech marks around fgalaxyphot) are different to those around each hp. Armada doesnt like the Outlook format. Which made it a real pig to find. The only reason I found it was because I had a problem a couple of years back with editing an xml file in notepad at work - notepad was saving the characters in a different format or something - which is why I now have Noptepad++ at work.
And for interest, the A2 plugin does detect this problem - shame I got it working after I'd found the problem

Jetfreak, thanks for the input. I'll no doubt be back with questions at some point, for now I'm back on the COnqueror.

 

[kjc733]

So anybody know how to modify the Galaxy class separator "weapon" so that I can separate my Gal Conqueror? I was trying to avoid using the patch project, but I can't see the odf referencing out to any ship types.

 

[kjc733]

But first, the stardrive and saucer are now in game as working entities.

 

[Rifraf]

So anybody know how to modify the Galaxy class separator "weapon" so that I can separate my Gal Conqueror? I was trying to avoid using the patch project, but I can't see the odf referencing out to any ship types.

If you have the time check out Aad Moerman's MVAM Prometheus over at FF. I used his in the UP2014 mod for the Borg fusions.

If you don't have time I can send the files after work today?

 

[kjc733]

Thanks Rifraf, but I already have Aad's Prometheus (actually I have pretty much all his work - it forms my entire Fed fleet and will form a good chunk of the other races when my custom build is complete).
Aads Prometheus, like pretty much all Promies, relies on the 1.2.5 patch, which I was trying to avoid using. However it seems that the Gal separator is hard coded so I can't use it without denying the classic Galaxy that ability. So the Gal Con will just have to use the 1.2.5 patch.

 

[Rifraf]

He does to great work. I also use his stuff however, it makes up about 90% of all my races. Anyway, forgive my ignorance, but is your mod for stock A2 or is it a mod in FO or a direct mod of FO?

Reason I ask is because my mod is a mod in FO and I used his code and it works perfectly so I was just curious why you needed the 1.2.5 patch. I guess that should be obvious that it's stock A2, but wasn't sure?

 

[Majestic]

Stock A2 is too restrictive, it was after all unfinished. The Gal Separator was hard coded like much of A2, especially when compared to A1.

You have three choices:

1. Replace the stock galaxy feature if you're modding stock A2
2. 1.2.5 Patch for stock A2
3. Go and port your install to FO which is easy and take advantage of all the advanced features there.

 

[CABAL]

Stock A2 is too restrictive, it was after all unfinished. The Gal Separator was hard coded like much of A2, especially when compared to A1.

You have three choices:

1. Replace the stock galaxy feature if you're modding stock A2
2. 1.2.5 Patch for stock A2
3. Go and port your install to FO which is easy and take advantage of all the advanced features there.

And improved performance. It's easy to miss because of the laggy FO cloak, the more detailed models, and simple hardware advancements, but the FO team made a lot of improvements to the engine performance for v3. I wouldn't be surprised if I was one of the only people to notice simply due to being one of the only people that was still using a circa 2003 computer at the time.

There is actually a fourth method which can even be done in A1. I believe I first saw it on AFC. The idea is to make a mobile research station that builds the stardrive and saucer as though they were pods. They'll stick to the 'core' until it is destroyed. Separation worked by self destruction of the core. This also has the quirk of letting the stardrive and saucer pick targets independently and being able to destroy them independently. The downsides are that the different parts have separate shield bubble graphics with clipping, decommissioning doesn't work right, selecting and targeting are tricky, the two halves can't be put back together, and the AI has no idea what to do with it.

One other thing I just thought of that you could try, and I will say up front that this is insane, is to use the evolver to evolve the base Galaxy Conqueror to the stardrive which would be coded as a mining station with the saucer flagged as the accompanying freighter. From there, I think you can use the fusion cube weapon to re-combine them, but I'm not very familiar with that thing. The main problem here is that the AI, including your freighters, will try to use the stardrive as a mining station.

 

[Majestic]

There is actually a fourth method which can even be done in A1. I believe I first saw it on AFC. The idea is to make a mobile research station that builds the stardrive and saucer as though they were pods. They'll stick to the 'core' until it is destroyed. Separation worked by self destruction of the core. This also has the quirk of letting the stardrive and saucer pick targets independently and being able to destroy them independently. The downsides are that the different parts have separate shield bubble graphics with clipping, decommissioning doesn't work right, selecting and targeting are tricky, the two halves can't be put back together, and the AI has no idea what to do with it.

I remember this method, I recall back in the old A1 days someone released a Prometheus that used this method and at the time it was awesome to be able to separate the ship something unheard of back then. I remember downloading and installing the mod and using it often in combat. Ah the good old A1 days.

 

[Rifraf]

Those suggestions you posted Cabal sound fairly involved. I supposed cutting edge back in the day though.

Anywho, for anyone interested in getting stock A2 playable as a stand-alone mod in FO I have an instruction sheet of the necessary steps to do so. Just thought I'd throw it out there. Edits will take you all of probably 10 minutes.

 

[kjc733]

All my work is done is stock A2 - that way anyone can use it.
To be honest, I don't have a FlOps install at the moment. I was turned right off of it the last time I used it, simple me vs AI sortie, a bunch of bug ships came on screen and the whole thing crawled to a stop. The engine may have improved but it's worthless if it's wasted on excessively high poly models. It's an RTS after all, not a flight simulator. But to be fair, that was a few years back and I have new hardware now - but then again I don't just *play* much aside the odd B5 scenario (still my favourite mod).
But please lets not turn my thread into a debate on FlOps, there's enough of those floating around cyberspace.

 

[Majestic]

Were just offering some suggestions mate, can throwing them away with the other junk if you like no at all worried. Just wanted to give you some alternative choices.

 

[kjc733]

The Galaxy Conqueror has been uploaded, that's another one off the todo list

 

[kjc733]

And there was me thinking people would jump at a Galaxy warship

Anyway, back to the Intrepid II. I've been doing an alpha map for this one, and it's the first time I've done it (in maya I just rig things with lights and luminescent panels, makes things so much easier... well, sometimes). Obviously I've managed to do something wrong because the only thing that shows in game is the alphas.
Any hints?

On a completely separate note, anyone know where I can find some .obj or .mb files of people (preferably people wearing clothes which can be retextured into uniforms and not shorts, skirts or bikinis which is all I've found so far). I'd like to try and populate my bridge and engine room at some point

 

[CABAL]

Anyway, back to the Intrepid II. I've been doing an alpha map for this one, and it's the first time I've done it (in maya I just rig things with lights and luminescent panels, makes things so much easier... well, sometimes). Obviously I've managed to do something wrong because the only thing that shows in game is the alphas.
Any hints?

Could you have exported it as an Armada 1 SOD instead of an Armada 2 SOD?

 

[Majestic]

And there was me thinking people would jump at a Galaxy warship

It's a great job, I'm just stuck in the 23rd century right now. Plus I have found in the past year the Galaxy has really worn off as many artists it's all they do and I am sick of seeing the bucket of bolts which could be why I haven't jumped into the ship. But it's a really job concept mate, I've love to see you do some other Terran ships in the same way.

Anyway, back to the Intrepid II. I've been doing an alpha map for this one, and it's the first time I've done it (in maya I just rig things with lights and luminescent panels, makes things so much easier... well, sometimes). Obviously I've managed to do something wrong because the only thing that shows in game is the alphas.
Any hints?

Did you have the right material tags when you hardpointed it (!lambert, or !default, example !phong_name_!lambert)? Did you export it to A2 format?

Did you make sure the material name said Majestic? Nah just kidding on that one.

 

[kjc733]

Could you have exported it as an Armada 1 SOD instead of an Armada 2 SOD?

Fairly sure, but I'll do another export tomorrow to double check.

Did you have the right material tags when you hardpointed it (!lambert, or !default, example !phong_name_!lambert)? Did you export it to A2 format?

Cut and paste directly out of ms3d its: !lambert_tex2_!alpha and !lambert_tex1_!alpha
Which is the same setting used on the Gal Con.

Plus I have found in the past year the Galaxy has really worn off as many artists it's all they do and I am sick of seeing the bucket of bolts which could be why I haven't jumped into the ship.

AI know exactly how you feel (except I was never a huge fan in the first place - so I "fixed" the design). Just don't tell ISS E...

But it's a really job concept mate, I've love to see you do some other Terran ships in the same way.

I might be convinced... any suggestions for possible candidates? The Akira (a favourite for Terran fans it seems) and Sovereign are already aggressive enough. But the Galaxy definitely wasn't a warship.

And of course I still have the Vesta to finish first... and a whole bunch of submarines... and some LCARs for my bridge... and the Stargate stations...

 

[Majestic]

Cut and paste directly out of ms3d its: !lambert_tex2_!alpha and !lambert_tex1_!alpha
Which is the same setting used on the Gal Con.

Well that looks fine. Are the Targa's saved as 32bit with the alpha's?

AI know exactly how you feel (except I was never a huge fan in the first place - so I "fixed" the design). Just don't tell ISS E...

Oh I won't mention a word to @ISS_Enterprise_D whoops I tagged him my bad!

In all honestly I feel the Galaxy was too much of a luxury liner rather than a Starfleet ship. Even the Ambassador felt more like a ship you'd see in a military organisation. Still it was the first ship in the first Trek series I watched. Then I went to DS9, TMP, TOS and then Voyager. But Voyager is certainly my favourite 24th century series ship.

I think it's why I like the TMP era so much, Starfleet feels like a military rather than a bunch of peace loving hippies. Even the Voyager crew weren't so native as they progressed through their journey realising that Starfleet rules and regs weren't cut out in the lawless Delta Quadrant.

I might be convinced... any suggestions for possible candidates? The Akira (a favourite for Terran fans it seems) and Sovereign are already aggressive enough. But the Galaxy definitely wasn't a warship.

And of course I still have the Vesta to finish first... and a whole bunch of submarines... and some LCARs for my bridge... and the Stargate stations...

Indeed the Defiant, Akira and Sovereign just need the paint job.

I wouldn't mind seeing a Terran combat version of the Intrepid, Ambassador, Cheyenne etc. The 2340-2350 era designs. New Orleans is aggressive enough I reckon.

No mad rush if you do decide to take any of them up as I'd rather see the Vesta finished first as it's shaping up quite nicely.

 

[CABAL]

I wouldn't mind seeing a Terran combat version of the Intrepid, Ambassador, Cheyenne etc. The 2340-2350 era designs. New Orleans is aggressive enough I reckon.

Terran Intrepids and Ambassadors would certainly be interesting. I wouldn't mind the Norway or Steamrunner either. They don't get much love.

 

[kjc733]

Figured it out, incorrect materials setting in ms3d.
No more stealth Intrepids

 

[kjc733]

Merry Christmas everyone (ok, a little late), I've just uploaded a brand new shiny Intrepid so keep your eyes peeled.

 

[kjc733]

So I'm back to harking on about my sister again. For Christmas she made (all done in photoshop!!) a nice picture for me (see below). She also did a Normandy for her bf and a Firefly for his brother.

Spoiler: Fighter

Anyway, there are details on her tumblr site, but she has arranged to sell these prints as iphone covers, mugs etc. Just though people may be interested.
http://reelsorcery.tumblr.com/

 

[Rifraf]

The Serenity one is really cool. She did a very nice job. Alas, I don't have an Iphone, but still nice work.

 

[CABAL]

She does some very good work. Kudos to your sister!

 

[kjc733]

The Serenity one is really cool. She did a very nice job. Alas, I don't have an Iphone, but still nice work.

Neither do I, I am tempted to buy a mug though.

She does some very good work. Kudos to your sister!

I just can't get over that these are 2d paintings, not mesh renders!

 

[Majestic]

Those are fantastic work I love the Normandy one, being a ME fan. The B5 one is also another favourite of mine. Great work your sister had done. Quite a talent there.

 

[Chiletrek]

Hello:
Those are really cool ships. That variant of the Intrepid is very interesting, was it based on some of the prototypes? (as I only recall one of those designs, the one with the AWACs-like module).

Also, I love that fighter based on the Whitestar .