[WIP] Majestic's Miscellaneous A2 Modding and Modelling

[Majestic]

Considering this isn't part of either Yesteryears or Clash of Empires and isn't part of a release per say I thought a new thread was in order. I have decided to take a break from my release projects, a breather fer say. Like most modders in this community whom mod a game I too have a personal install, albeit have just started re-building it. It's what I call an Aad install, due to having mainly only models by Aad Moerman. However from time to time, I do include other models. Like the Cardassian stations from COE for example.

Recently Jetfreak did an outstanding job at re-vamping some models from Major Payne's BIVR. The models I am specifically talking about are the Federation research facilities. I love what Jetfreak has done to them, changing the textures from brown to the more normal grey colour and removing the logos which were off-putting.

Well I have improved upon Jetfreak's amazing work and did a revamp of his revamp. I have only done Jupiter station thus far but plan to do the others. I created a new texture including a smaller panel and blub texture (Fed_ResearchExtra.tga and Fed_ResearchHull.tga). I added new details in to give the station a more complete and busy feel to it.

Well enough of my chin wagging, I've bored you all to death long enough feel free to take a took at the screenshots if you're interested.

 

[Jetfreak]

Brilliant, there's only so much one can do with textures alone. It's nice to see some new windows on those "bridges". Reminds me of the Petronas Towers in a way.

 

[Majestic]

Thanks Jet, I was using it as an opportunity to improve my texturing and application of texture skill. I haven't given up on one day getting good enough to go back and complete the Dawnstar.

 

[USS_Excalibur]

Oohh... I can't wait to get my hands on that beauty... reminds me of the Fleet Ops research station. Definitely better than any Jupiter Class I have so far.

 

[Terra_Inc]

Me likes a lot! A vast improvement over the old model! As Jet stated, the additional windows everywhere really makes it look like a place where people live. Can't wait to see how the others turn out.

 

[USS_Excalibur]

Would you happen to have bump maps with that beauty?

 

[Dan1025]

Best Jupiter model & texture I've ever seen, well done!

This will definitely be going into my install, either as a map unit or a replacement research station. Can't wait to download

 

[Starfox1701]

Nice lighting.

 

[Majestic]

Thanks all, I guess I better release them when I am done huh? I'll have to talk to Major Payne and Jetfreak to see if it's okay. I have a on going permission going with Major Payne to release anything he has done, but I still contact him whenever I release something of his.

I have been thinking of releasing two versions of each, the one as you see it now, then one where the panels are research pods. I also plan to make a few more stations based off the design. Jetfreak if you got ideas for names to fit in with what you've named them I'd appreciate it. I'll give you the honour of naming them.

 

[Jetfreak]

Yeah, I'd suggest giving MAP a heads up. The SB34 team was lucky enough to be granted full permission to edit his work, hope it turns out okay.

I'd love to see a K-7 like configuration with them, or maybe even a similar layout to the reboot starbase. Naming conventions are another thing, I'll probably PM some names later, I'll be keeping with the "historical gods" theme of the current ones (Osiris, Isis, etc.) lol

 

[Majestic]

I'll see about doing a K-7 configuration for you while I am at it. I now have four stations complete, the three from the original and one of my own design, not too fancy but I'm sure you can never have too many stations.

 

[Majestic]

A little endeavour I did today for my personal mod. Took a few hours, it's the stock model, revamped by me and using textures by Aad Moerman which came with one of this replacement combat ship models. I also utilised the nacelles from the same model that the textures came with.

It's got a poly count of 888.

 

[Starfox1701]

Nice minner

 

[Jetfreak]

Dang, that's awesome man. You really know how to make the most out of a mesh. 888 polys is impressive and is very auspicious where I come from.

 

[Majestic]

Thanks Jet, it's actually the textures that make the ship. Something like the miner here can look as good even better than a model 2-3 times higher in poly's. It's all the textures, poly's come second.

 

[thunderfoot]

You really should release this. Please. Along with anything else you've done like this.

 

[Atlantis]

Thanks Jet, it's actually the textures that make the ship. Something like the miner here can look as good even better than a model 2-3 times higher in poly's. It's all the textures, poly's come second.

I couldn't agree more. So many people seem to think that more polys = better model. Yet it is possible to make the majority of even stock models look as good as anyone else's with a simple remap, retexture, and maybe a tweak of the mesh (without adding loads of polys). That freighter is pure proof of that. Looks great.

[I had to think up how to phrase all that to avoid having a post that just said "Agreed."]

[EDIT: And it was unnecessary, as I have something to add.]

With the research stations: They look amazing, firstly. Secondly, have you thought of maybe reducing the glows on the blue panels? Or maybe removing their own glow and giving them a "lit up" effect (like the underside of the mushroom starbase's cap)?

Just a thought. It depends what the panels actually are, I suppose.

 

[Dan1025]

Really nice work Majestic! As thunderfoot says I really hope to see this available for download. Another creation of yours that will be going into my install

 

[Majestic]

Thank you all, I now having something new to show, the Klingon's couldn't let the Romulans get away with a new shinny freighter, so they now have their own.

It uses again textures from Aad Moerman along with nacelles and the head sections and bridges, modified by me to fit the new model. So it's not an exact stock model this time around as I also modelled in some bays to the model.

It stands at 992 poly's, so still under 1k.

As far as releases, I didn't think they were good enough. I have been a little discouraged of late after the COE Cardassians which I put a lot more work into over these freighters. I'll have to see if I can get permissions if people really want these.

 

[Starfox1701]

Sweet lets see more

 

[Majestic]

Since you were so kind as to help me out in the other thread Starfox.

 

[Jetfreak]

Looking good, nice homage to the original.

 

[Starfox1701]

Very well done

 

[USS_Excalibur]

When can I expect the Romulan and Klingon Freighters to dock?

EDIT:

Also, I am curious, what do you have in mind for a revamp of the Klingon Trade station? I always thought it was too sterile.

 

[Majestic]

Any stock revamps I will be doing are to keep the original designs, as I am very nostalgic with those designs as many of them were in A1 and I was playing that game since almost the day it came out as I have with A2.

Most if the revamps are simple texture updates using Aad's awesome textures as my entire install is almost completely made up of his work as they look good and have a nice poly count for mass production and swam tactics.

 

[Majestic]

Two more classics, the Plasma Turret which hasn't changed since A1, and the trading station a new comer to A2. Both are now in-game and completed alongside the mining ships and mining station.

 

[Starfox1701]

Nicw Keep them coming

 

[EAS_Intrepid]

That's some quality work there, Maj!

 

[Dan1025]

Very cool work!

Keep it up

 

[thunderfoot]

All of these must be released ASAP!