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Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 1:36:04 AM

GaryChildress

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LINKS TO GRAPHICS FILES ARE LISTED BELOW

All of my graphics so far have been uploaded into posts in this thread as attachments. Below are links to the individual posts in this thread where you can find each set of files as described below.

Rifle Pack: (See post #2) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3738164
Bazooka Pack: (See post #15) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3738270
SMG Pack: (See post #17) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3738336
Staff Pack: (See post #23) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3738686
Staff Pack II: *IMPROVED* (See Post #41) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3739783
Addendum to Staff Pack II: American Officer with Helmet (See post #48) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3740094
Rifle Pack II: *IMPROVED* (see post #46) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3740090
Elite Forces Pack: (See post #52) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3740470
Engineer: (See post #65) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3742529
Bazooka Pack II: *IMPROVED* (See Post #70) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3742573
Addendum to Bazooka Pack II: British Anti-Tank gunner with PIAT (See post #75)http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3742610
Cavalry Pack: (See Post #83) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3743129
Miscellaneous Units Pack: (See Post #87) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3743676
Horse Pack II: *IMPROVED* (See Post #92) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3744723
Vehicle Pack: (See Post #107) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3810175
Ship Pack: (See Post #112) http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=3816270

PLEASE NOTE: Please be aware that these graphics are not yet "game ready". You will be required to manually replace your stock graphics images in order to use these graphics at this point. It is of course highly recommended that you back up your original files before you replace them with these. Once I have made a complete set of game replacement graphics I will post a "game ready" attachment in which the graphics can be more simply installed all at one time. Thank you for your patience.

< Message edited by Gary Childress -- 3/7/2015 9:36:23 PM >

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 1:37:50 AM

GaryChildress

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RIFLE PACK I: Files attached

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Gary Childress -- 11/13/2014 8:50:43 PM >

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 2:53:31 AM

Ormand

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I like them. They look pretty good for regime specific graphics. I am curious how you made them. They do look as if they are a 3D model of some sort. It is a simple matter to include these specific graphics, but I would ask about plans for other SFT's. It is a pretty daunting task given the shear number of them.

The current ATG style is kind of a generic graphic that is not photo-realistic or based on a 3D model for a specific vehicle. So, I played around with photos and using the "cartoonize" option to give them some sort of character that was also similar to the original ATG style. This was time consuming though as I wound up having to colorize a WWII photo and use a mask to eliminate the background.

I also thought of adding Italians as a people for random games, but I think this is not possible. In the editor, the the number of Peoples is limited in the RuleVars for random games. So, they would have to replace one of the current Peoples. This creates a practical problem for the "vanilla" at2 files since if there is a change made by Vic to the at2 file, you have to reload his at2 file, and it would just overwrite everything that exists in his file. That's why in my versions of Newdawn, the stuff is above his stuff, so it wouldn't be overwritten. For the custom at2 files, this isn't a problem since they are self standing.

At any rate, this is one of the great things about ATG. That you can customize it as you like. I confess that 4Seasons came about because I wanted to make a desert-based scenario with AT (Yom Kippur) and noticed that it was possible to change things with the editor. So, I embarked on a 3 year journey making terrain graphics, with a first attempt that I found wanting, and then spent another year fixing mountains, forests, etc. I found many interesting sources, like the Cartographer's Guild and WILBUR (which erodes terrain).

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 3:06:50 AM

GaryChildress

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Thanks. I made them using Poser 9. It's a 3D modeling program. I used some models I purchased years ago as well as some of my own custom made props and clothing accessories. For backgrounds I made some files with flags. Perhaps these graphics could be used for a WWII scenario maybe (if modding the random game will be too difficult. I'll post an in game image shortly.

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 3:09:24 AM

GaryChildress

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EDIT: Need to redo these, just realized the game likes to color the images itself for some reason.

< Message edited by Gary Childress -- 11/10/2014 4:22:14 AM >

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 3:11:40 AM

GaryChildress

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Here's a sample pic of one of the bases (German in this case).

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Gary Childress -- 11/10/2014 4:12:00 AM >

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 3:14:32 AM

GaryChildress

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And here's what it would look like in game.

EDIT: Woops, just realized the game taints the color of the background image. I'll need to do the rifles and images together it looks.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Gary Childress -- 11/10/2014 4:18:33 AM >

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 4:23:35 AM

GaryChildress

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OK. So the background thing is going to be a tough nut to crack. I have the rifleman graphics but not sure how to incorporate them into the game with backgrounds. Here is one idea I had.

This is going to be a work in progress and will take some time but I hope to come up with some alternative graphics to the stock ones.

Attachment (1)

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 4:24:47 AM

GaryChildress

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And here's the little pic on the console.

Attachment (1)

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 5:28:18 AM

Ormand

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As I said, it was relatively easy to do, but MIND NUMBINGLY BORING to change all the rifle SFT's (both rifle and light infantry).

I uploaded an .atzip file to the community web site 4Season-Gary-at2. I had to do this because the at2 files are too large to package into a zip file that I could just attach here (they are 640 kb each). I added your rifle images to my Divisions and Regiments v3.0 files for both rifle and light infantry. I also added three Peoples: British, Italian, and Indian. I don't think these Peoples will be used in random games. I chose the US rifle for AngloSaxon Peoples. For all the peoples (except neutral), I set the rifle SFT as its primary graphic.

I had to put your graphics into a directory graphics/Gary-SFT, so it will be duplicated for you. Sorry, it took me awhile to do, and a directory is required to select the graphics.

I may ask to be allowed to use these for a scenario I am trying to build that uses Italian, German, American, British, and Canadian troops.

EDIT: I forgot to add that you discovered that the game tints the graphics by default. This is done by the BasicColMod button. Set this to zero to get no tint. Also, the game uses a similar image for the large counters. I have overruled this using NATO counters all the time. Thus, the other images are still there. But they won't be used. It is an effort to remove them.

< Message edited by Ormand -- 11/10/2014 6:30:59 AM >

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 6:30:36 AM

GaryChildress

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Awesome! Thanks Ormand! I've been experimenting a little more with the rifleman graphics. Ideally I want to come up with a standard background and then use that background for a whole new set of images, vehicles included. I have Wings3D which is a 3D modeling program which I use to create new props and models which I then render using Poser 9. I have a few "generic" looking vehicles and planes I made, left over from my days of modding Civilization III which I think I may be able to use for some of the units.

So here's another sample. trying to create a background which looks halfway decent and allows the highlights of the pics to show through. Also I lightened up the game interface a little in some places so a light background won't look too bad.

Attachment (1)

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 6:33:11 AM

GaryChildress

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And the sub-formation as it appears in the game. I'll post some comparisons once I get a few different backgrounds set up and then maybe others can let me know what they think is the best background.

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 6:36:05 AM

Ormand

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I don't know if I would put in a background. You can, but in the unit window, the terrain picture is shown as well. Which is kind of useful in that there is a variety of backgrounds and the terrain the unit is in is visible. Tough call, but having the background pop is nice. Thus, I would do both if you want.

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 9:27:54 AM

GaryChildress

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I just completed a set of Bazookas. Unfortunately I don't have a British Piat so they got a regular bazooka with everyone else.

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 9:43:40 AM

GaryChildress

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BAZOOKA PACK I: Files attached

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Gary Childress -- 11/13/2014 8:51:47 PM >

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 12:31:10 PM

GaryChildress

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Another pack, this time SMGs.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Gary Childress -- 11/10/2014 1:31:25 PM >

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 12:34:13 PM

GaryChildress

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SMG PACK I: Files attached

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Gary Childress -- 11/13/2014 8:52:25 PM >

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 4:19:32 PM

GrumpyMel

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Hey Gary, I just want to say those are really nice looking graphics! I like the style you've gone with alot better then the one the went with for ATG.

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 5:29:07 PM

GaryChildress

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quote:

ORIGINAL: GrumpyMel

Hey Gary, I just want to say those are really nice looking graphics! I like the style you've gone with alot better then the one the went with for ATG.

Many thanks GrumpyMel! I hope to have a complete set of infantry before too long. Also I think I may have the background thing figured out. I've been working on "toning down" some of the brightness in the stock backgrounds and I think they go a little better with the units. I'll try to release a pack of recolored stock backgrounds soon also. Just wish I knew how to package the graphics so that they can be unzipped and installed from the ATG menu. But I guess I'll figure that out eventually.

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 6:59:13 PM

Ormand

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I agree that they look nice. For now, I prefer a transparent background (although I admit that the terrain background does cause some issues with the rifle units - the bayonets are little hard to see).

I have a vested interest in you making a zip file that puts your files in graphics/Gary-SFT since I have already started with them in this location and it would be very uncomfortable to start over. I have to admit that I have found putting paths into zip files a bit complicated. I have used winzip and manually put the subdirectory graphics in, and then just loaded the other directories. Part of the problem is that it will put the full path, which isn't really how ATG wants it. It wants things to start at the ATG directory.

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 9:22:54 PM

GaryChildress

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Hi Ormand,

If I can get all the graphics put together would you be willing to put them in the same zip file for me? Maybe as I learn more about modding this great game I'll figure out how to do it on my own one of these days. Also maybe you could release them in an upload on the AT website like you did the last one? I would really appreciate it if you would.

Thanks for helping me with this.

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 11:58:01 PM

GaryChildress

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Staff are up next:

Attachment (1)

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/10/2014 11:59:35 PM

GaryChildress

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STAFF PACK I: Files attached

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Gary Childress -- 11/13/2014 8:52:53 PM >

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/11/2014 5:46:38 AM

Ormand

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Gary, sure I'll help. Sorry for radio silence, long day at work. It will take a bit of time as it is fairly involved. I will see how far I can get in the next few days. This weekend, I am offline. I have to go to DC (from SF) for a meeting Sunday and Monday, and will be back Monday night. So, we'll see how far I can get before then. The rush is not too great, as you will see modding is both fun and something that one delves into with gusto and starts to take over, and takes time to get done right.

What I will do for sure is to bring them into all five of my 4Seasons at2 files. This means editing three files, and importing to two others (the vanilla 4Seasons file can be imported into NewDawn and NewDawn2). If it is possible to import just units, it might be possible to do the same for the standard distribution. I know it is just one more file in principle, but it is a rather tedious process.

One thing I will do is also exchange US and British in my file so that British is Anglosaxon and American will be the new people.

As for paratroopers, I didn't create a separate SMG, MG, Bazooka, Mortar unit for paradrops, I just made the standard units droppable. I could do make them, but it would mean more SFTs and items, which may not be a good idea since in one of the posts regarding models, Vic says they eat memory. I would suggest you go ahead and make them, since they look to be part of the template, and we can decide what to do later.

For marines, if you took the US rifle and made a camo uni, that would probably be nice. For Rangers, this is technically is an Anglosaxon only unit, so a one image is just fine. I would try to model this on the SAS instead. Partly because if I were to make separate Peoples between British and Americans, I would make the British special unit commandos, and the US marines (again to keep the SFTs down, I didn't make marine SMG, MG, or Mortars). For the Italians, the special unit should be mountain troops (Alpini).

I like the staff as well. I almost hate to say that for the Soviets though that you should have posed him in the position of the staff unit in the game. It is based on that rather iconic photograph. I don't know if I could have resisted.

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< Message edited by Ormand -- 11/11/2014 6:46:54 AM >

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/11/2014 5:51:27 AM

Ormand

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Your SMG is not too far from the iconic photo from Okinawa that is also used on the opening screen.

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/11/2014 1:29:27 PM

Tac2i

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Great work Gary! One comment that I would make is that the German staff guy kinda looks like a policeman to me. All of them, with their hand in the air, seem to be indicating halt or I'll shoot. Just my two cents...

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/11/2014 4:28:17 PM

GaryChildress

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Webizen

Great work Gary! One comment that I would make is that the German staff guy kinda looks like a policeman to me. All of them, with their hand in the air, seem to be indicating halt or I'll shoot. Just my two cents...

Ah! Good point. I'll try working on the pose a little more.

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/11/2014 5:09:20 PM

GaryChildress

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How about something like this? Maybe a little more "action" oriented.

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< Message edited by Gary Childress -- 11/11/2014 6:09:52 PM >

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RE: Gary's New Graphics Thread - 11/11/2014 7:20:04 PM

GaryChildress

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I came up with a tentative idea for a background. The background is basically gray and white checkerboard. However, when applied in game, instead of black and white, it picks up a color hue depending upon what color you set your counters for.