Ufo Design

[Breunor]

If it's close to 1m, that's good enough. So long as regular units fit through and large ones can't we're fine really. I would suggest (if you haven't already) to make another piece consisting of just that reinforcing rib, that can be used as a cap on the end of a wall, for the sides that don't have it. A door could be made by scaling the thickness down and split it in half, then the halves could slide into the adjoining sections.

[Guest Jim69]

Yeah, already done but I didn't see a need to include it in the screenshot. I was planning on making the corridors 1.5m just for a little extra space to stop clipping problems, basically we have a metre measure on a desk to measure cable lengths so I did a little test. I put my arms straight out and it was bigger than 1m, is this gonna be a problem? I'd prefer a 1m corridor but am concerened about clipping problems. If it is 1m I have a little sketch of how we can use this system for the Med Scout while keeping about it's dimentions, definatly it's area but not quite the same lengths and widths due to the fact that the power source and nav. panel are in different rooms.

[Deimos]

Jim you need to read up on what's already been decided as to our standardised measurements as we discussed it at length and changing it for the sake of it will casue all kinds of problems further down the line.

 

Here is our reference block as a .3ds:

 

http://www.projectxenocide.com/block.3ds

[Guest Jim69]

I know that. I am pointing out a potential problem, if peeps are happy with it as is then I am fine with it also.

[[[Micah]]]

Then base your design on the block, the standard everyone else is working off of.

[Guest Jim69]

OK, that's what I have been doin so I'll carry on. It was more of a general suggestion but since peeps don't think it will be a problem then I don't mind. Just saying what I observed at work.

[Guest Jim69]

How much freedom is there with UFO plans? Do they have to stick strictly to the exact dimentions of the original, or is there a little leeway here and there like a couple of metres here, a couple less there?

 

Edit: BTW, do u recon I could get an answer as to whether we should use this system or use the original system? I'd like to do some floor plan designs but I don't wanna waste my time if it isn't wanted.

Edited September 20, 2003 by Jim69

[Deimos]

Check out the ufo design thread all your questions are answered there.

[Guest Jim69]

? This is the UFO design thread

[Deimos]

Nope this is the images and movies forum. The ufo design thread is here

[Guest Jim69]

OK, can a mod merge a couple of the most important posts towards there so the discussion is in the right place?

 

Edit: I'll provide a location and that if it makes it easier, the last bit of discussion between me and Deimos can probably be deleted since it was only really me who wanted to know that and the post before is the main one that needs moving.

Edited September 20, 2003 by Jim69

[Deimos]

Actually we'll leave it in as there could be someone else that could mistake the two discussions and the link is there to provide info for them too.

[Breunor]

Hey Jim, the block is for 2 things, 1. make sure everybody's 1m=1m, and to make sure that building/ufo chunks are large enough to destroy and navigate through. I think your concern could be addressed by having the main hallways and openings consist of 2 chunks instead of 1, right? For the hallways, your wall is curved at the bottom, so how about this: make the hallway 2 chunks wide, and have this wall leaning into the hallway. You get 1.5+ meters that way. Here's a pic since my description sucks:

 

And IMO you have some leeway as to ufo size, but I wouldn't go more than 2-3m in either direction to be safe. Also realise that tactical layout gets first dibs, so keep that in mind and you can submit your floorplans in that thread as well. I really like this look, and would love to see it make it into the game.

Edited September 22, 2003 by Breunor

[Guest Jim69]

Hmm, not sure I'm with you m8, well here's a suggestion on the style front ne wayz:

[Cpl. Facehugger]

Ok, I like that one better than your first. (No offence intended)

Hmm, you may want to try giving it the irridium sheen (or make it cobalt blue, that would look good too )

[Guest drewid]

I think what Breunor is saying is to measure the 1m block for a narrow corridor from the base of the wall, rather than at arm height. This gives a bit more space.

So the logic follows through the curved wall section would be roughly 1m thick at the base assuming the curves are back to back.

Edited September 23, 2003 by drewid

[Guest Jim69]

To Cpl: Never feel that anything u say towards my work will offend me, I won't take it personally

 

I see now I think. I was thinking of a simular thing myself at work actually, yeah it would be better to have a little leeway just in case, better to avoid clipping problems by having them slightly wider than dead on with the possibility of arms getting lost in walls. Plus if they walk on the curved part you could see the soldier bobbing up and down I think, tho I don't really know about animating, which would look kinda strange. A slightly sunk in walkway at 1m could solve that.

[Guest Jim69]

http://www.uk.infogrames.com//presentation/pictures/products/pc//master_of_orion_3//screenshots/2.jpg

 

I think this is the look that Fux was talking about for the UFO.

[Guest Jim69]

...And my attempt to recreate it in my own style:

[fux0r666]

That looks spartan, Jim 69.

 

And the look I was going for was a lot less cheesy than that. . It looks like he's wearing a hat made of light bright and is sitting in a simon says.

[Guest drewid]

Happy Christmas Davros.

[Cpl. Facehugger]

Well, Jim used a pic from master of orion 3, so it is bound to look cheesy.

[Breunor]

Drewid explained my point better than I did. If each wall section curves out and attaches to a 1 meter floor section, your total width is like 1.5 meters or more. If the unit bobs a little walking up on the curved surface that's fine, they'll bob from the walking animation anyway. Would be cool to have 2 soldiers kneeling on the curved sections and another standing between them to cover a hallway, would remind me of Star Wars as Vader is boarding the Corvette and the rebels line up to die.

 

I like the look of the walls Jim, with the paneled feel. It will be interesting to see it with the iridium sheen as well, and bump mapping will make that texture stand out nicely I think.

[Guest Jim69]

Yeah, it does have a little of the effect in it but I still can't get it very shiny and metallic yet. More playing will improve it I think.

[fux0r666]

I would like to see shaders applied to it so that those square edges appear rounded to see what that looks like.

[Vaaish]

he wil have to add at least one edge down the center of the braces to make it appear round with shading groups. As it is now there aren't enough edges to make a perceived round transition.

 

I won't comment on the design of alien ships to much since I have concentrated mostly on human equipment and as such may inadvertantly pull elements of human tech into the design.

[Guest Jim69]

Sorry, this is going to be a pain in the arse to understand. I posted the texture in the other UFO thread to show how it could be stretched to an extent and Deimos suggested I try a blueish tint, so here it is.

 

Edit: Changed the line opaqity a little, didn't like the lines so faded.

Edited September 24, 2003 by Jim69

[Cpl. Facehugger]

I like.

 

Maby you could try making the floor smoother? Like a solid metal floor, that is what I think of when I think of ufo, clean floors with no visible dividers, psychadelic colors, big eyed aliens with large nasty looking objects in their hands...

[Guest Jim69]

Not sure I like the idea of tripping out when I look at a UFO, but bigger chunks of metal is an option.

[Cpl. Facehugger]

The colors and the probes were jokes, but I was serious about the solid metal floor, it would seem more advanced to me rather than look patched together. Either way, I like the concept.

[Breunor]

What about making the floor concentric(?) rings. I agree that the spoke look seems a little odd, maybe a pattern that could tile out from the center in rings would work? Or perhaps just a lower contrast texture on the floor, where you can just make out the current floor pattern but not by much?

[Deimos]

Ladies and germs,

 

what can I say, when out shopping earlier (of all places) I spotted a car modification magazine and the cover pic just shouted OI I'm an alien craft if you can mod me. So who am I to look inspiration in the mouth, I bought the mag and found even better pics inside.

 

What I like about the modded car scene (ala Fast and the Furious) is that the cars when done well look really mean just like fighters.

 

With our concentric ring design well liked I thought what would the exterior of such a craft look like? Would we stick to the traditional ufo or go off on a tangent?

 

I've re read this thread and tried to incorporate some of the ideas into the design.

 

The pic is a double height craft so it could be any of the bigger designs the actual overall shape isn't important (other than it being circular or multiples thereof). What I'm getting at is the feeling of malice these cars exuded the raw aggression, the intimidation factor and the plain gorgeousness and masculinty of the shapes with bulges, humps and vent outlets all over the place.

 

With this in mind looking at the concept I've gone for the bulging meanness found in some of the more macho cars while trying to retain an alien menace about it.

 

The doorway which is recessed into the craft looks like it'd swallow whole towns without a trace to the recessed weapon bays either side of the door which I feel gives it a sense of unknown menace. The doorway area is the only area that makes the craft look like it goes in a certain direction but the rest of the craft should follow the generic roundness of the interiors.

 

The windows on the second level retain that uncertainess with the purpleish glow coming from them and should wrap around the entire craft.

 

Once again this isn't any particulae craft, rather just a general idea for what they could look like. Oh and there's the power armour concept in there for a sense of scale

[Cpl. Facehugger]

A few questions:

1. Where is the door?

2. Where are the weapons ports you mentioned?

3. This line was intentionally left blank.

[j'ordos]

According to Deimos' post the door is that large black area in front of you resembling the air intake of a Jaguar or some other muscle car, and the weapon bays are the smaller black areas right next to it.

 

Now I like the look of that cave-like door, how would it work in the game? It's almost like an Avenger could take off from in there... or is it only a small door but invisible now because of the black??

 

edit: it doesn't really seem to fit with the interior style so far, however, with this being smooth and rounded and the interior quite straight and angular (or was that preliminary?)

Edited October 28, 2003 by j'ordos

[Deimos]

Heh, ok I guess I should have given a bit more detail, sorry

1. The door is in the shadowed area in the 'gaping mouth'

2. The weapon pods are the semi teardrop shapes either side of the doorway (the bigger ones). The smaller ones are to fill out some detailling to make it look more finished. Heh, even though its just a rough concept

 

3. There is no spoon

 

Jordos, the 'batcave' would have either a standardised double or single door within the darkness of the mouth area. I guess that when landed it could have proximity sensors that light the area up so the player can see the doorway or something

 

For now it was the sense of forboding that I was after and yeah it could swallow an Avenger That's a good analogy and it means I got the sense of xenophobia correct in it Do you wanna assault it?

Edited October 28, 2003 by Deimos

[Cpl. Facehugger]

Well, I certainly wouldn't want to assault that on a dark night... Edited October 28, 2003 by Cpl. Facehugger

[Deimos]

Cpl F. See my above post I edited it with an explanation

[Breunor]

The "evil glow" look comes across, it looked like a giant frog was smiling as it prepared to eat the soldier! I know there are lots of reasons for using a strictly round design, but I'm partial to something a little more oblong. Depends on the ship's function of course.

[Guest drewid]

just wondered what it would look like with tha alloy plates from the lightning etc.

 

 

oops - edit to attach pic

Edited October 30, 2003 by drewid

[[[Micah]]]

Wow, very nice.

[Deimos]

Oh man that's creepy. It just adds so much more of an alien feeling to it :shudder:

 

I was thinking about when its landed how would the player get to see where the door was and I remembered that it could just become invisible when a PC is in the doorway area. That way the player could see where he's going and still we could retain the xenophobia felt from looking at the craft

 

I had planned on bashing together a alien alloy version of it but you beat me to the punch

[fux0r666]

It just looks like the front end of a car to me.

[Deimos]

I guess you didn't read the accompanying post that went with the image

[Jenny]

I see you're coming up with some great designs. I think we shouldn't stick to the original UFO designs.

[Cpl. Facehugger]

Do you have any ideas to make the ufos more creepy?

 

Anyway, as I suggested before, I think the UFOs should get darker and more omnious the larger and more powerful they get.

 

How is that ufo going to look with the sheen on?

[mikker]

Do you have any ideas to make the ufos more creepy?

horns. Lots of them.

 

 

(950!)

Edited November 14, 2003 by mikker

[Breunor]

Horns? Perhaps human skin stiched together and stretched over the hull?

[Cpl. Facehugger]

Why do that when you can use humans for other, more devious purposes!

[Breunor]

I'm only using the humans' skin Cpl, that leaves plenty of other parts for your devious purposes! :fang:

 

Seriously though, the organic look is in reference to smooth lines and curves rather than the Aliens look of habitation. We just wanted something better than the straight angles from the original, which made zero sense. I also like the idea of a dark surface, perhaps a brighter reflective bottom where you can see it, which would be harder to see from the ground when the ufo's flying. Explains why it's hard to spot them?

[Cpl. Facehugger]

Great. As long as it doesn't look completely organic (which has been done to death in so many movies that I can't even count) I'll be happy.