Re: Official Image Collection
 

This is just a nonsense post to claim the 500th for the ImageMod. See the post previous to this one for some appropriate imageMod input.

Re: Official Image Collection
 

I'm surprised this hasn't generated some discussion...

How would we decide which images stay or go?
Can we justify forcing modders to go through 1000's of components updating their picture references?

Is there a better way to organize the Imagemod?

Re: Official Image Collection
 

About sorting and viewing 1000 images:
I'm sure there is a tallented programer among us that could create a program to view the components.
Perhaps a standard nomenclature and directory structure could be established and held to.
A folder for each of the standard types where files would include the initials of the artist in the name.
I know I'm missing a few parts to this idea. Anybody care to flesh it out?

Re: Official Image Collection
 

I was referring to the modder who would be forced to examine each component in their mod, and see if the image it uses was moved.

What about subdividing the imagemod packs into themes, all being separate, small downloads?
The minis would be the "core" package, and there would be a host of portrait packages. Cubeworldpack, Hubblepack, CartoonPack, MiscPack etc.

That should reduce the download time, while leaving the images with the same numbers.

Re: Official Image Collection
 

I thought the whole point of the image mod was that once a spot was taken, it was held for good so that you always knew you didn't have to worry about redoing a mod based on a previous Version.

I like your idea SJ about packaging it as themepacks. If someone doesn't want all the bitmaps, that is one thing. But the image numbers already assigned should stay assigned.

Geoschmo

Re: Official Image Collection
 

I agree with the fact that re-organizing the ImageMod would cause some conflicts with modders and that is why I suggested it take place with the next patch, when most modders would update their products. If changes were made to the imageMod, perhaps a list of the changes could be provided so that the modders could easily "search & replace" the necessary info. For now unsupported mods, this might cause a few headaches though.

The original motivation behind my suggestion was to keep the ImageMod picture quality similiar to the game itself, and keep the size of the mod reasonable.

SJ's idea of themepacks might be a good remedy. If all picture IDs are kept the same through each image pack, it should work out Ok. For example.

I have the "Imaginary Mod" - it only uses component picture #s 500-600. Instead of downloading the entire Component Pack with component picture #s 300-1000, I could just download the "Imaginary Mod Pack" which would contain the 500-600 series comp pics and components.bmp for the mini images.

What do you think?

Re: Official Image Collection
 

"I agree with the fact that re-organizing the ImageMod would cause some conflicts with modders and that is why I suggested it take place with the next patch, when most modders would update their products."

I'd suggest leaving it alone. Any benifit from moving the images around isn't worth the loss of backwards compatablitiy. "Theme packs" are a possibility, but don't expect to see them on all the mirrors. Mine for example is already using up a lot of my web space. Speaking of which..I really should update it.

Phoenix-D

Re: Official Image Collection
 

I don't like the theme pack idea. The image mod is fine as it is.

Re: Official Image Collection
 

True. The ImageMod doesn't really need to be fiddled with...I was just saying...that's all.

Re: Official Image Collection
 

Please do not change the image mod. Please.

Re: Official Image Collection
 

Well, make one change. Just name them "Components.bmp" instead of "NewComponents.bmp". http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

I think a good way to handle this would be to keep the complete Image Mod as the standard, and allow volunteers to create theme packages that are subsets of it.

Then a modder could say, "this mod uses ThemePack X; you can install either just X or the full Image Mod to support it."

Re: Official Image Collection
 

Definitely I will be doing the newcomponents -> components.bmp thing. It causes too much trouble.

Re: Official Image Collection
 

Changing stuff. OH NO!! I almost have this system down. Please SJ, don't change it. Pretty Please! Well at least not to much! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

mlmbd http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

What the namechange below will be doing is to automate the install procedure. After extracting the files, you will not need to go in and switch the minis manually.

Re: Official Image Collection
 

SJ, that sounds like a good thing! I have some images coming. I only say this because the number of images is substantial. Facilities (as per request) 20-30, Events about 10. Planets, warp points and the like 40-50. I have several Race images. But I don't know if they are something you use in your mod. After this U/L, it is on to the combat file. With an occasional facility, planet or component thrown in! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

mlmbd http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

There isn't any event imagepack...
Though I suppose we could start one.

Re: Official Image Collection
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Race pics aren't used in the imagemod, but you could use them as the basis of shipsets. Alternatively, if you don't want to design all those ships, just throw together some AI_General text files and release them as neutrals http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

SJ, I didn't realize there wasn't an events imagepack. So, I will hold off on U/L the events I have until you decide whether to make one or not! If is any incentive, I have about 50 really good ideas, not images as of yet!

dogscoff, I am working on 5 different shipsets presently. I did one Neutral Race image, for my own game. I got tired of looking at that Mohawk.

mlmbd http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

Damn, Mumbles, you are one busy guy! With all your SE4 projects I'm amazed you have time for everything. Do you have some kind of temporal technology that allows you to spend 12 hours a day making images for SEIV and playing the game, 12 hours for chasing women and still have 10 hours left for eating and sleeping?

Re: Official Image Collection
 

Back on topic... almost... here's a teaser for my latest project:
Neo-expansion pack.

Re: Official Image Collection
 

dogscoff, interesting, this Neo-expansion pack. Very very interesting indeed! As to the other <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No temporal technology. As to being busy, I don't really seem to be that busy. Let me see. 3 hrs a day doing images. I don't chase women, they come to me, 4 hrs. Eating and sleeping 10 hrs. Another 2 hrs on the internet. That, ah 19 hrs! So, that would seem to leave about 5 hrs free. Was there something you needed? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

mlmbd http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

So, what, you never sleep??? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

He counted sleep, but it's interesting to note that he doesn't go to work...

Re: Official Image Collection
 

dumbluck, Eating and sleeping 10 hrs. Sometimes a little less!

dogscoff, some people are just independently wealthily with no need to work anymore!

mlmbd http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Should the WIKI be used to plug your projects, dogscoff? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon8.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

TerranC - I've replied to your question over on the Malfadorica thread.

[ December 05, 2002, 10:11: Message edited by: dogscoff ]

Re: Official Image Collection
 

My mirror is (finnaly) updated.

PHoenix-D

Re: Official Image Collection
 

how are you supposed to contribute if file uploading isn't allowed in here?

Re: Official Image Collection
 

ok,i think i figured it out.here are a couple planets and nebulas.i'm new so i just did a couple to see how they fared with you all.the nebulas are in all the sizes necessary if you want to use them as background bmp's in the game.any suggestions or advice gladly appreciated....enjoy

1039598569.zip

Re: Official Image Collection
 

I must say those are beautiful pictures. Makes me want to start a SystemPack http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

The planet portraits are very nice.
You do realize that the angled lighting on those minis is going to look funny when the dark side of the planet is facing the star, right?

You may want to get a pair of new minis with balanced lighting so that they will fit into random maps.

Re: Official Image Collection
 

DarkAngel, indeed nice pics!

SJ, the System Pack sounds really good. I have tons of pics, if you decide to start one! I was wondering, how is the puter?

mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

At the moment, its got win98/safemode, and DOS available, and boots most of the time.

Tonight I will be restoring my OS image, so I'll end up back where I was in August.

I've got most of my files on a new drive already, so I should be getting my fix as soon as the image finishes restoring.

Re: Official Image Collection
 

Yes SJ - you have been holding up P&N on PBW for a couple of weeks now.

Re: Official Image Collection
 

thanx for the compliments/tips.I didn't think to look at the lighting,but will do so from now on.Here are a couple more planets/nebulas.Sorry for only submitting a couple at a time.My next uploads will include more pics,i just wanted to test the waters first.Future submissions will also include some pics that some of the star trek/star wars modders should like.I have a ton of pics/ideas just waiting to be submitted.If anyone needs something specific post a reply.Anyway enough rambling...enjoy

1039686151.zip

Re: Official Image Collection
 

wow,doesn't anyone post in here anymore?anyway here are more pics as promised.i included a txt. document with suggestions on what some of the pics might best be suited for.there are some nebula/storm pics,planets,and a couple misc. pics...more to come soon,enjoy

1039762649.zip

Re: Official Image Collection
 

SJ, I am very glad that you and your computer are on talking terms again!

Let the games begin! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif Sorry, just a little excited!

mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

i have some ideas for some changes,or implementations.where can i post them(and actually have them read)?....i'm also very interested in PBW myself,but i too poor to get SE4 Gold right now http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif then again i've been so busy making my own modifications and implementing new ideas that i haven't actually played in quite awhile,lol

Re: Official Image Collection
 

If your ideas are related to the imagemod, post 'em here!

Otherwise, you may as well start a thread all your own about it! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

The imagemod, BTW, works for any mod, 1.49 or Gold. So you don't have to worry about being too poor to get Gold..well, at least when it comes to using the image mod!

Phoenix-D

Re: Official Image Collection
 

Well, my computer has been down for quite a while.
now that I'm back I'll be catching up on PBW games and Imagemod submissions.

Re: Official Image Collection
 

well by the time i'm done modding my own SE4 game it won't play like either of them anyway,lol.i look at it as a challenge to make what i do have as challanging/interesting as possible

Re: Official Image Collection
 

Sj, here are the zips of planets and facilities. Now Combat images. About 50, I think. To start! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Planets; 1040556106.zip

Facilities; 1040556308.zip

I included 1 Facility, like we discussed. If you like it great. I will make some more like it. If you don't like it, no prob. Also 1 Monolith image in 'Organic' look. If this is what you were looking for then I could do the entire SEIV facilities in this look. I will do the 'combat' images first, either way. Unless you would prefer I do something else, first. Just let me know, Sir.

mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

SJ, here are some beam images.
1041253835.zip

The first ten are very wide. I had in mind, a huge planetary based weapon.

Since this my first submission to the Combat Images, I do hope I did everything correctly!

mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

You will be losing a lot of detail in those beams...
Perhaps I wasn't clear about how they worked. I have prepared a graphical example of how SE4 displays them:

Your starting image:
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newup...1041269758.bmp
The pattern mask that is applied to each image (zoomed up):
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newup...1041269872.bmp
The mask, overlaid on your first beam image:
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newup...1041269941.bmp
The first beam image, masked to show which parts appear in SE4:
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newup...1041269994.bmp
And finally, a simulated firing of the weapon to the right :
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/newup...1041270241.bmp

Is that what you intended?

Re: Official Image Collection
 

SJ:

Thanks for helpful example although it took me a couple of minutes of looking at it before I figured it out!

Re: Official Image Collection
 

SJ, No you were perfectly clear about how it all worked. I do understand how it works.

I meant them to be wide (really BIG). Because I was thinking of them being assigned to a planteary weapon of some sort. But I can scale them back. If you prefere.

mlmbd http://www.shrapnelgames.com//ubb/icons/icon6.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Official Image Collection
 

SJ:

I've been rendering my planets for the Last day or so and I'll going to end up with about 250-280. I'll send you a .zip file but you will have to renumber them since they are set up for use with the TNG mod. I do not intend on using the imageMod for the TNG mod, but I thought it would be nice to donate some planets to the cause.

[ January 02, 2003, 18:28: Message edited by: Captain Kwok ]

Re: Official Image Collection
 

I heard a rumor that a new update is coming, sounds very cool...

KirbyEF

Re: Official Image Collection
 

If it has those planets Kwok was talking about, there will be a new Version of FQM Deluxe soon to follow! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif