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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Distant Worlds 1 Series >> Design and Modding >> Source Gathering

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Source Gathering - 12/6/2011 12:40:02 AM

Nedrear

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Some might have the same problems or needs and apart of ships, we still have no decent "source" of characters in our community.

Therefore I am inclined to ask all readers and modders this:

"Do you know any good sources for character portraits, looking real."

I know some might use Mass Effect or other game engines, but my mod especially for the humans uses real pictures from movies or reality.
I use Starship Troopers for some background graphics and generic pictures in fleet and troop placement and will likely use the bugs too as one enemy nation with unique characteristics. Still besides from backgrounds for colony governors, leaders or generals I am looking for good uniform - no not the cloth - pictures.

It is easy for politicians - best take rather unknown politicians - or one or two excentric pictures for individualistic roles, but I could use more pictures in other fields.
Where are potraits of military pictures for generals or fleet captains in high resolution? Since Juned got 12 subregions the uniform is allowed to differ!
Does anyone know a side of Sci Fi agents? I am reluctant to use stereo type 20th century sunglass walkers and other than that I would use "civilian" pictures.

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/6/2011 3:42:26 AM

tjhkkr

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For me, it has been nothing short of hunting...

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/6/2011 4:33:42 AM

Kalthaniell

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It's nothing but hard if you want to find pictures. Even if you do, you are bound to do some photoshopping ;) Try going for ->sci-fi movie/series<- + characters/cast like for example 'stargate characters' or 'tron legacy cast'. It worked well enough for me so far. Here's an example of what you can find:
http://stargate-sg1-solutions.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/SGUS1-PR-0024.jpg

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/6/2011 4:42:37 AM

Nedrear

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I'll look into it, but your picture for example is too dark... that is not "clear". The shopping though is easy. I zoom to 400% erase a border and with that I clean the rest in a big rubber fest. After that I export it to transparency and clean the last white line.

Takes about 20 minutes per picture to get everything done - including compiling of the background.

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/6/2011 7:23:56 PM

Kalthaniell

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Nedrear

I'll look into it, but your picture for example is too dark... that is not "clear". The shopping though is easy. I zoom to 400% erase a border and with that I clean the rest in a big rubber fest. After that I export it to transparency and clean the last white line.

Takes about 20 minutes per picture to get everything done - including compiling of the background.

Yup, a lot of work on each picture, but in the end it's worth it. You might wanna play a bit with lightning and contrast instead of cutting the character out. It's much faster, and some pics have a good background already. Then again, it all depends on how picky you are....

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/6/2011 7:46:35 PM

Nedrear

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I give them different backgrounds which feature their ingame traits or careers. For example I got a militry leader who got a star base as his main position, therefore in the background.

Of course I play with "shadow and contrast" but not to die down the standard background, but to fit it into the new one.

I got at least two pictures I keep as such for my scientists. One is from iron man and the other shows a human woman working with a AI robot. These will not be modeled only reshadowed.

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/6/2011 9:23:17 PM

Nedrear

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A small extraction of my pictures. I know they are not professionell, but they suffice for gaming characters.

A little competition:

These pictures tell you something about the characters and their approach. The background as well as their clothing offer clear marks on their traits and skills. Who can guess one?

Attachment (1)

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/7/2011 7:17:29 AM

Kalthaniell

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From left to right:
Fleet admiral, Troop commander, colony governor and scientist?
They all seem happy and confident but I'm not sure which traits would that imply

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/7/2011 2:47:51 PM

Nedrear

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No the first picture shows a star base, no fleet. The rest is correct in their professions.

I further deny the "all look happy" trait. The scientist is concentrated while working together with the AI and the troop general is also focused. I am sure the colony governor is happy in himself, but I always found his eyes a little... strange. Just beware of his gaze combined with the smile.

To conclude one picture:

The colony governor is shown in military clad - nation not named - and has his weird "gaze". Furthermore his colony is rather level and got widespread military. It could be different; see embedded picture.

His traits are (the upper governor):

Peace through strength
Xenophobic
Demoralizing

Combined with the Skills

Military ship construction + 68%
Colony happiness - 8%

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Nedrear -- 12/7/2011 2:49:53 PM >

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/8/2011 4:09:42 PM

the1sean

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NPH!

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/8/2011 4:21:14 PM

Nedrear

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I doubt NPH is a common internet acronym... so what does it mean?

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/8/2011 10:51:28 PM

Igard

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Neil Patrick Harris!�

Nice job with these Nedrear.

On the subject of the troop general :-� Mmmmmm Mmmm Mmmm

P.S.

MMMMMmmmmmm

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/8/2011 11:08:58 PM

Nedrear

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If you see one character you like without the background, I save the PNGs of both kinds on the PC. I'll offer them together with my main mod later.

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/8/2011 11:59:31 PM

the1sean

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Nedrear

I doubt NPH is a common internet acronym... so what does it mean?

Google it, first result!

Attachment (1)

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/9/2011 12:11:26 AM

Nedrear

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Well if people use acronyms in internet forums, you normally expect the short version of a sentence:

LoL = Laughing out Loud
IMHO = In my humble opinion

Therefore I expect a real sentence behind NPH and not a person. Just because I use a Starship Trooper picture of him does not include I know his name.

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RE: Source Gathering - 12/9/2011 12:17:14 AM

the1sean

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By the way I suggest that a great place to find character art is Deviant Art where tons of artists showcase concepts and such.

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