Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Since I have been playing SEIV I have been in my spare time developing and tweaking my own Space Empires IV race called the Daitoon Consortium. I use this for games from time to time, and also for role play on the Space Empires IV ladder.

I have had several Versions of it over the months, but basically all have used the Norak shipset. I have also blatently used a racial pic that I found somewhere on the internet and copied, without expressed written, or even implied consent from the artist. (I am so ashamed. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif )

I wish to cease and desist from this activity, but I do not have a bit of creative ability to make my own racepic or shipset.

Well.... TA DA!

Announcing Geoschmo's shipset design contest.


Any of you that feel like you have some talent in this area are invited to make submissions. You can make as many submissions as you wish.

Each submission needs to meet the following specifications.

1. A 128 x 128 Race_Portrait bitmap of the Daitoon race. The Daitoon are a feline humanoid species that originated on a slightly colder than normal rock planet.

2. A 128 x 128 Daitoon_Portrait_BattleCruiser and a 36 x 36 Mini_BattleCruiser bitmap.

3. At least one other 128 x 128 Portrait and 36 x 36 Mini of a ship or unit of the artists choice. (I would not ask you to make an entire shipset until you win the contest!)

All contest entries will be judged by me, geoschmo.

What you get if you win...

1. The respect and admiration of your peers.

2. My personal grattitude.

3. Ten U.S. Dollars! (No it's not much, but hey you an amature afterall.)

Once the winner is decided, the artist will complete an entire shipset that is Neo-Standard compatible. The winner of the contest will receive credit as the original artist, but in exchange for the ten dollars will sell to me the rights to use of the end product. This includes the right to copy, distribute, and modify the images as I see fit.

All submissions must be the original work of the artist submitting it. No copying others work. I could do that myself!

Send contest submissions to dayton_dragons@yahoo.com. Zip up the images please!

Dealine for entries will be no earlier than January 31st, 2002. Deadline may be extended if a suitable entry is not received.

Void where prohibited by law.

This contest is not affiliated with Shrapnel Games, Malfador Machinations, SEIV Play-By-Web, or the Space Empires ladder.

Geoschmo

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

I'm sorry I won't be able to make any submissions - I have enough trouble focusing on making more than two ships for one race - let alone 50! I never finish anything I start! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

That's funny. I never start anything I finish. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Do you have the race files for download? Like, the full descriptions bit. I might give this a go if I get time.

I had a go at a race pic - guidance?

Hey, why don't we all do one pic each and make him send us each a quarter?!?

http://www.irregulars.org/meow.jpg

[ 15 December 2001: Message edited by: Mark Walton ]</p>

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Here you go Mark. <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>
Homeworld: Ohanna III
Empire Leader: Chairman Gergar

Biological Description:
The Daitoon are a feline humanoid race. The average is taller, but the range within the species is similar to the range of Terrans. Their feline characteristics and heavy musculature give them a ferocious appearance that belies their basically peaceful nature.

Social Structure:
Daitoon Culture is very work oriented with a strong emphasis on accumulating wealth. An individual's place in society is based on their position within their place of employment and also upon their net worth. Daitoon that live on the home worlds are almost exclusively employed by one of 32 Mega-Conglomerates. These corporations are all represented in the "Board of Directors" which handle any issues which fall within the "public sector". These issues include planetary defense, and mediating disputes between corporations.

History:
The Daitoon emphasis on trade and business ventures have allowed them to avoid large scale conflicts with other races. There have been times that they have showed a tendency towards imperialism, however they prefer to couch their actions and words in a framework of their "legitimate business interests".
<hr></blockquote>

That race pic is pretty neat. Is that your work? It's very good. But for the Daitoon I am thinking a little more mountain lion, and a little less mexican hairless. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Geoschmo

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

I am not much of an artist, but here you go.

Gizmo

Do you need a ship set? I would be honored to return the favor for the banner.

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

OK next attempt -

http://www.irregulars.org/leonine_1.jpg


muscular, lionish, and with visible wealth.

(Yes this is my work, I just use Poser and muck about with magnets props etc.)

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

I still like mine better. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif j/k

Nice work man. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

http://www.irregulars.org/leonine_new.jpg

another (still in progress)

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Very nice work Mark. After your 2nd one I was going to ask if you could make the eyes a little bigger, but you did it in the third one before I could ask. Very close to what I had in my mind. Can you put some clothes on him? Remeber, Ohanna III has a fairly cold climate. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Do you do shipsets too?

Atrocities. Gizmo was great. I laughed my arse off! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Yes I need a shipset too, but I am not sure the work involved is quite the same as the little time I put into the NASY banner. Doesn't seem like it would be a fair exchange to me.

So I had the idea for the contest kind of tounge-in-cheek, but I do intend to keep my end of the deal with the artist for whichever one I choose.

Geoschmo

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

http://irregulars.org/leonine_clothed.jpg

How's this? Utility space suit style, available in a range of colours.

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Well here's my first attempt for a race pic.
http://se4kdy.cyberwars.com/temp/daitoon01.jpg
About the ships, you said used the Norak most times. Would you like the ships to resemble the Noraks either in their shape or color scheme?

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

I really like Mark's third attempt with the space utility suit - very nice.

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Idea #1 for ship set;
hope I still think this looks OK after I've had some sleep

http://irregulars.org/ship_a.jpg

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Mark, excellent race pic. Very nice.

The ship is interesting. Very original.

Oh, and by the way. I didn't mean anything bad by asking before if this was all your work. I was just amazed at how fast you were able to crank them out. I hope I am not keeping you up at night.

Andrés, I am not set on the Norak. That was simply my favorite of the original races that came with the game.

Your race pic is nice. Looks a little like Atrocities cat though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Geoschmo

[ 16 December 2001: Message edited by: geoschmo ]</p>

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

I'd like to know why there is so much race/shipset creating and hardly any new components or facilities. There are all sorts of images we could use.

A decent 'armored bulkhead' image is the first component that comes to mind for me. An internal reinforcement, as used in several popular mods, should look different than an external armor plate. Organic and crystalline armor flavors should be included in the project. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Also, just larger/heavier looking Versions of the existing armor for 'capital ship' Versions of armor. Missiles with funky looking warheads for various special weapon types are another obvious component that no one seems to have made. Plague armed missiles anyone? Or neutron bomb tipped missiles? Any number of new styles in beam weapons are possible. There is a very clear sameness about the weapons in the default set. There are many other ways to depict a beam weapon.

Quite a few of the facilities images are re-used even in the default configuration of the game. Where are the new images? Surely the people who enjoy making all these ship sets so much can make some facilities? We could use 'specialty' faciltities to go with the racial techs, for example. Shiny, multi-faceted buildings for crystalline techs... Textured, multi-lobed and rounded buildings for organic techs... and just lots more distinctively different 'ordinary' buildings to relieve the re-usage of the default set.

Does someone have to offer money to get these made, too? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[ 16 December 2001: Message edited by: Baron Munchausen ]</p>

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Baron Munchausen:
I'd like to know why there is so much race/shipset creating and hardly any new components or facilities. There are all sorts of images we could use.

<hr></blockquote>

Good Morning All!

I was in fact working on some new component/facility pics for the MarkMod (My ongoing full mod... one day it will be stable and complete enough to release)

One of the problems with these pics being modded in general, is probably agreement over which pic numbers to use. Remember there is one file for the collected mini-images, so we can't just drop new items into the game as easily as we can with Races.

And yes, you DO need to offer money! That $10 could make or break me... (j/k, I'll be broke either way)

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

What about this ship?
http://se4kdy.cyberwars.com/temp/ship01.jpg

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

What about this?

http://irregulars.org/entirely_original.jpg

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Now, you guys aren't taking my comments personaly I hope. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif I only wish I could come up with something like this. I'd be hard pressed to draw a decent Eee ship.

Andres, a little chunky. But I like the mettalic coloring.

Mark, You've go the geometric figure thing down. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

What about your first ship, but stretching it a little, more oval then circular. And with some more physical features. Not too much though. Not looking for Trekish nacelles or anything, but I'd like to have an idea where the engines are.

Geoschmo

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

NP with your commets. I prefer constructive critics rather than everybody saying it's cool.
That chunky blocky look may be exactly what I was looking for my Bruenna shipet to contrast with the organic looking snail shells they use.

Here's another Version of the same ship, it may still need a few more details.
http://se4kdy.cyberwars.com/temp/ship02.jpg

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif Oh, my! &lt;blush&gt;

What exactly are we going for here Andres? ROFL.
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

It's not quite what I had in mind, but my wife loves it for some reason... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Geoschmo

[ 17 December 2001: Message edited by: geoschmo ]</p>

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>If anyone else wants to try a ship, one of the ideas I had was a twin-hulled vessel (which I belive, in nautical circles, is called a "cat")<hr></blockquote>Yep; short for "catamaran".

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Andres, I like the ship, even if Geoschmo doesn't like it, you should use to create a whole ship set.

I would move the bridge module forward, so it's centred with the nascelles. Give the two turrets on the main hull their own little step or notch lower than the main hull. Make the middle prong shorter - about half the length, so it merges into the dark hull and then at the round portion in front, you could place a dish or torpedo/missile launcher. Also, make the nascelle wings on an angle about 15 degrees, so that the nascelles are slightly lower than the rest of the ship.

Seriously, this could be a great ship set. The basic parts of the ship lend themselves to easy and creative editing to build other ships, like carriers or transports. I think you should pursue this into a full set.

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Out of curiosity (no jokes about how it killed the cat), what programs are y'all using to design the different ships and stuff? DoGA? Bryce?

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Captain Kwok:
Andres, I like the ship, even if Geoschmo doesn't like it, you should use to create a whole ship set.<hr></blockquote>

I am not saying I don't like it. It's just that it's a little, um, "suggestive"? Or maybe I just have a dirty mind. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Geoschmo

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Val:
Out of curiosity (no jokes about how it killed the cat), what programs are y'all using to design the different ships and stuff? DoGA? Bryce?<hr></blockquote>

I'm using Poser. It's totally unsuited to the job(for ships, pretty good for race pics) but I can't be bothered to learn anything else at the moment.

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by geoschmo:


I am not saying I don't like it. It's just that it's a little, um, "suggestive"? Or maybe I just have a dirty mind. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Geoschmo<hr></blockquote>

After looking at it myself, I'd go for the latter. If it were a single shaft it'd be one thing. But as it is, I don't see the problem. Your wife must be really thrilled by the rockets on the pads at NASA, Geo. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

http://irregulars.org/ship_adjusted.jpg

Is this more like?

For different ships extra engines can be added, or different surface details / scale.

If anyone else wants to try a ship, one of the ideas I had was a twin-hulled vessel (which I belive, in nautical circles, is called a "cat")

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

This is a great idea, and I'd love to enter. Don't expect any images this side of new year's though...

(BTW: Gizmo=lol!)

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Geoschmo I never intend to give it a "suggestive" look. You can be sure that if I ever want to make a dirty looking shipset I'll go straight to the point. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Don't worry Kwok I intend to finish this shipset even if Geoschmo doesn't choose it for his race. And thanks for your suggestions.

And the program I use to make the ships is 3d studio max r2 (yes I know it's old, r4 is out there, but it's the one I could get and don't intend to buy such an expensive program).

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Andres, be sure to post the followup designs - I'm interested in seeing more of the ships...

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Ok here's a newer Version
http://se4kdy.cyberwars.com/temp/ship03.jpg

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

The same ship and a smaller one. Probably battlecruiser and escort.
http://se4kdy.cyberwars.com/temp/ship04.jpg

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Keep up the good work!

I still think you should move the middle 'prong' back and make some sort of torpedo/missile launcher or deflector dish thing...

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

very cool. but i have to make one remark, please dont be offended:

i know they appear in all sorts of clasic sci-fi work, but i have to ask.. turbines in space? sure, sure, for that matter, why conning towers and wings. but turbines? must be to propel the ship thru the 'ether.'

i remember some William Gibson comment about a pLastic raygun he had as a kid. seems it was equipped with a ram-rod. no doubt for unclogging stuck-on globs of fussion power.

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Baron Munchausen:


After looking at it myself, I'd go for the latter. If it were a single shaft it'd be one thing. But as it is, I don't see the problem. Your wife must be really thrilled by the rockets on the pads at NASA, Geo. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif <hr></blockquote>

sorry to jump on the bandwaggon late, but i had to get my snide comment in:

what, you only have one?

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>i know they appear in all sorts of clasic sci-fi work, but i have to ask.. turbines in space? sure, sure, for that matter, why conning towers and wings. but turbines? must be to propel the ship thru the 'ether.'<hr></blockquote>They could easily be multi-armed centrifuges for an extremely high artifical G-Force. Virtual G's used in a tractor/repulsor beam, or maybe a WMG? Those kind of things you'd need to keep on the outside anyways.

The wings are so you can bank left, then turn right, catching the enemy by surprise http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

The tower could be for the sensitive equipment/supplies/etc that need to be kept isolated from the main hull for security or safety reasons.

[ 20 December 2001: Message edited by: suicide_junkie ]</p>

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by suicide_junkie:
The wings are so you can bank left, then turn right, catching the enemy by surprise http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
<hr></blockquote>

HA! got me to laugh out loud on that one!

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

The tower could also be used as a tempting target to draw enemy fire away from the more important body of the ship.

Maybe the fans are like hydrogen scoops that take in fuel for the engines.

Can't top SJs use for wings though...

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Well, I hate to state the obvious here, but perhaps the turbines don't do anything in space. The ship could be designed to land on planets as well as fly through space and the turbines are for atmospheric flight. Using your ion engines for atmospheric flight would not be very polite to the planetary inhabitants, or terribly efficent if I understand how they are supposed to work.


And I have a suggestion for anyone working on submissions for my contest. I kind of like the Generic Race pics that come with the game. Something in that vein would be well received. But not that bleached aluminium coloring. A new colring and texture would be appreciated.

Geoschmo

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Yeah the turbines. I guess I just wanted to make the engines look different, I think the turbines matched nicely with the rest of the ship, mechanical but sleek. I’m tired of trek warp nacelles, and rockets aren’t even visible in se4 unless I place big flames behind them.
Many sci-fi ships have atmospheric flight capability. That’s when turbines are used, and that also explains their wings and aerodynamic shapes. Wings are also used to provide a better position for weapons and thrusters (it’s easier to turn if the maneuver thruster is farther from the center of mass).

Kwok, I like the position of the three 'prongs'. Maybe I can place a rocket launchers between them, or replace some turrets with somekind of missile turrets. I don’t want a trek-like blue shiny dish, maybe a parabolic antenna and some other gadget in the main hull instead of those grey-yellow 'tanks'.

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

There's a very simple explanation for wings, bridges, turbines, and all sorts of other things on these spaceships: tradition! And no, I don't mean sci-fi shows, I mean that oceangoing vessels, land-based vessels, and even airborne vessels all have some kind of bridge, and some have turbines; airships (and some oceangoing vessels) have wings; and so on. So each race, as it develops spaceships, naturally follows the old pattern of vessel design. That's why good shipsets have a distinctive pattern: it shows the character of the race.

Also: to bring up an older post, in Star Fleet Battles (at least the old tabletop Version I played in college) the Lyrans used catamaran (and, on larger ships, trimaran) hulls. Made for some neat-looking ships...

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One month to go!

I'd say Mark definetly has the inside track, but there is plenty of time left. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Geoschmo

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Thought I'd give this a shot. Let me know what you think http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Leonine.zip

I included a Battlecruiser and Race pics. The race pic was originally modelled in DoGA then brought into Paint Shop Pro 7 for "Lionizing". Came out more feline than humanoid, but it is the first attempt.

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Val,

This ship is awesome. Very nice.

Geo

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Thanks. Now if I could only get the hang of this dang poser program maybe I could make a decent racial pic.

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Been working in Poser and I was trying something different, let me know what you think so far, I still have to add the ears and clothing, but I didn't want to go too far if it didn't look good at this point.

Leonine_Race_Portrait.bmp

Played around a bit and made some ears (sort of)

Leonine_Race_Portrait2.bmp

[ 03 January 2002: Message edited by: Val ]</p>

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

Val,

Dunno what Version of Poser you are using, but you probably have lion and cat figures under Figures/Animals

Load one of them up, and start mucking about with the dimensions - also select the head and create a magnet, see what sort of effects you can come up with.

Re: Artists, Shipset designers, and other creative types, please read.
 

I really like Val's battlecruiser - it looks very lethal.

I hope all of you finish these sets - they all look quite good.

Ya, even the cat snapshot. I have some pictures of my cats taken with a flash that makes them look like energy beings... er, ok, just kidding here. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

PvK