3D Artist

[MODAX]

Hello. I'm new here. I've recently created a new char. with the same name. I really like void's concept and community.

I, after alot of "exploring" here on the forum and ingame, have seen many of the custom ships. I think there can be improvements on a few of them. Additionally I would love to create new designs, to whatever specifications void needs. I'd love to populate void with hordes of new ships, if possible.

For a little  background, I am a working  pro. 3D/Visual FX artist. I've been using 3dsmax for 6+ years now. You can check out my animation work and videos here http://www.youtube.com/user/EmanuelWazar. I've worked on some other MOD's too, like Silgrad Tower,  as well as a few different real time game engines, so I got an idea of the kind of stuff that works in real time models.

Unfortunately, I do not know Freelancer's internal model pipeline, so I'm not going to be adding in any hardpoints, stats, kill boxes, etc.

Since I have some free time, I'll see about creating 100% new ships of all kinds. I'll upload all materials  here, and anyone can use my stuff as they see fit, modify it to their hearts content, I dont care, I'd just love to see some in game.

If it's possible, please let me know the particular geometry and data requirements for creating basic raw freelancer ship models(number of polys, naming conventions, data structure, special objects, texture size/file type,  etc. etc.) I will begin asap, and keep the void community updated on new models. If there are any models (in .obj or .3ds format) that anyone else would like for me to work I'm available as well.

Regards. Hope to get you guys some good stuff soon.

[die_volker]

Great m8 - one problem though:
Give us a working link..

[Andrax17]

aaa

[mightybean]

You sound like a very interesting and talented character mate! I would love to see your work, and welcome to the VOID .

[Maverick]

Awesome! Anyone can give him some info?

[MODAX]

http://www.youtube.com/user/EmanuelWazar


This is the link. Sorry.


I'd really appreciate any information regarding  requirements for getting my geometry compatible with the Freelance engine.

[Andrax17]

aaa

[Osiris]

Modax for freelancer you will need milkshape and CMPeditor.

with 3dmax you will design your model
with milkshape you will add textures
for milkshape you will need 3 plugins, the mat.exporter, sur.exporter and cmp exporter (mat file is the file of textures for freelancer, cmp.exporter is the file 3d for freelancer)
with CMPeditor you will check the 3d model for freelancer and you will add the weapoints.

the game for read your ship need the CMPfile, the mat file and the sur file.

[MODAX]

1. Why would I do textures in Milkshake? I have very powerful texturing tools.  Milkshake can, if I remember right, import .obj files, I can export to .obj the model and the texture. Can you give me a link to the latest milkshake?

2. So, what I would do is import the model, with its textures, into milkshake. Then I export the 3 components ( .sur .mat .cmp ) Then this would need to be passed through cmpeditor to add in weapon points. Is this the method?

3. I'm not to sure about adding in weapon points. I don't really know that much details of what would make good point selections, orientation, etc. etc. You guys know more about that then me, and I think it would be better for more experienced void  modders to add in all the game elements to the model (ship stats, weapon points...) I just wouldn't have the time to figure all that stuff out for freelancer by trail and error. I'd rather leave all the technical cmpeditor stuff to you guys.

4. For my work I use alot of differnt applications. For 3d I mostly use 3DstudioMAX. I also use Zbrush and Mudbox. From there I do my composites and motion graphics in After Effects. I also do traditional animation (anime) in Anime Studio Pro and Toon Boom. Photoshop for images, DeepPaint for UVWMapping, and Coral Painter for some of my concept art stuff. Also Crazy Talk is nice for facial animation. I'm trying to learn XSI as my new 3d app. I dont use Maya very much, but it is very good. If there is anything you'd like to know just ask.

Thanks guys. Hope to get stuff to you as soon as possible.

[geromix]

Hello there mate

It seems like ur a pro at this,but i will have to say all this depends on Strail,the mod-maker.We have a Development Team for the mod,but it has about 6 inactive members in it and we are hoping that there will be some reforms there.

Pls check my topic-Dev Team Reforms?!

If u are interested,u can reply there and hopefully Strail will take notice.Though i believe he has taken notice and i expect changes in the Dev Team in this week or the next.If that happens u can try and apply to get into the Dev Team.

Till that happens u can make a few ships as a test.
One thing though,pls make Freelancer style ships,what i mean is that the ships u make must fit into FL universe,so no Star Wars ships. (You can work on the existing ships and make advanced versions of them though if u want u can make absolutely new ships but they should be kept to a minimum and must be really good)

-Geromix

[LuckyLuke]

MODAX,
if you have instant messager, feel free to add me. (msn: chucharros@hotmail.com, icq: 306975792)
i should be able to answer all your questions related to fl modding.

nice work btw =D>

[Hash]

Aye, aye!! Good news!  :D

One important thing too is the size of the files of the ship. Max. is 10.000 triangles, recommended size: 1000 triangles.

I'm learning too to model ships. If u want I can send you the tools I use and one semi-finished ship. I'm stuck with it right now, I can't build a well-finished tail and some extra help would be very helpfull.  ;)

This is how I texture the ships:


And this is the ship I'm working on:

Hardpoints is no problem, but Idk if I should place one, two or three wings at the tail and... how?  :-?

[MODAX]

Ok.

Im not a big fan of starwars ships. So no fears. I hope the Admin likes my my work. I'll make what I can freely and hope you guys can use it.

For me the best example of ship-as-design-esthetic's is the designs for homeworld2 ships. Even more so with the Complex 7.0 MOD additional ships. I do understand though that kind of design would be to abstract, and "designed" for freelancer universe, it would feel out of place. Freelancer has a more realistic style.

For your consideration, I'm using the following as design references;

http://conceptships.blogspot.com/
http://conceptships.blogspot.com/2009_0 ... chive.html
http://conceptships.blogspot.com/2008_0 ... chive.html
http://conceptships.blogspot.com/2008_0 ... chive.html
http://conceptships.blogspot.com/2008_0 ... chive.html

I wont be making a 1:1 copy of anything there, I'll just use some of the art in the links as a visual guide.

Let me know if there are any designs there that you like in particular.

If you want hash you can send me what you have. I'll see what I can do.

Thanks for the geometry info. I'll try to keep it 1000~2500

[Zsoca]

IMO the HW ships are one of the most beautiful designs in space rts games...but Freelancer is a "simmetrical" universe, and Homeworld an "assimetrical" in the matter of ship design.
Btw these concept ships are great @-)...

[MODAX]

Ya... HW style's wouldn't ever work at all in freelancer.

Still little asymmetry here and there is good though. I have always been somewhat disappointed with vanilla FL designs. They are too safe, generic, and toy like, which they made that way due to the kind of shobby break apart multi-ship-in-one implementation. Not a fan of that.

I'm currently modeling a ship. I'll keep void posted.

If anyone wants me to modify a WIP, just send me .obj of what you got.