Graphics that need work

Monger · Post by **Monger** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:42 pm

While browsing the Monster spoiler I noticed huge differences between the quality of graphics used. Like the Angel vs. the Angel knight is a huge difference. I know that artists work very hard on their work, and don't want to bash anyone. This is more to provide direction to new artists, that will most imporve the look of CF. So what monster would you most like to see re-worked? My top picks right now are:

Angel
Big Demon
Demon Lord
Greater Demon
High Angel
Olog-hi
Raas
Titan
Most of the Para-Elementals

I've tried my hand at pixel art, and I am lacking, otherwise I'd try to do some of this myself.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 8:43 pm

elementals. all of them need an overhaul, but the normal elementals only need a little brushing up.

cavesomething · Post by **cavesomething** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 6:11 am

most of the monsters that look 'wrong' are those that were converted from the previous graphics set a few years back.

Most of the more commonly used of these have long since been replaced, but there are still a few which need revisiting by someone talented enough to make a good job of it.

Ryo · Post by **Ryo** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:17 am

Actually some people would say almost all graphics could be remade

More seriously, there are 2 things to consider as far as graphics are concerned:
* there aren't that many artists around - it's a fact, it's not only us Crossfire who have this issue
* some people will want to replace some graphics others deem perfectly acceptable - thus some will always say it's a waste to remake graphics

elmex · Post by **elmex** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 8:51 pm

well, i've been doing models for crossfire+. making a 3d model and rendering
it in a standardised way (making sure the same light settings are used
and perspective, etc.).
But there are some or at least one on #crossfire who don't like so
realistic looking monsters.

IMHO making a 3d model _once_ and rendering it from 8 directions
is _way_ easier than draw each monster in 4 or even 8 directions
each time from nearly scratch. (some experienced pixel artist might
disagrees with me there, at least I am faster at making models than
pixeling stuff in gimp

Some model with around 2-3 hours efford (given that you
are familiar with the tools you use (blender/wings3d/gimp))
could look like this:

(The crossfire devs are free to use all stuff crossfire+ has, it's completly GPL of course)

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 10:41 pm

i like, do you have any more to show off? and maybe a couple tutorials to start off with? i tried to get into it, but blender doesnt work well with radeon cards, maybe ill try again.

Monger · Post by **Monger** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 3:19 am

Would it be possible to have different graphical themes for tiles? One could be classical, and 3d could be another? Then everyone is happy, except the developers.

cavesomething · Post by **cavesomething** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:44 am

that is possible already, they are called tilesets.

You define the tilesets in the tilesets file, along with what they fallback to, and then create the images you want, anything which isn't present in your tileset, the fallback one is used.

In the client there is an option to choose which tileset to request, and when the client connects, it say 'send me tileset [foo]'

Currently there are two, the base tileset, and the 'classic' one, but if you want to create a third, go ahead, there are only ~5000 images to create.

elmex · Post by **elmex** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 10:11 am

Aaron wrote:i like, do you have any more to show off? and maybe a couple tutorials to start off with? i tried to get into it, but blender doesnt work well with radeon cards, maybe ill try again.

Try to search around on www.wings3d.com. I've modelled some houses
already which are online on cf.schmorp.de. I hope i will have enough time
to replace all houses soon.

There are quite some tutorials out there for 3d modelling with wings i think,
and also for blender. But blender is awkward... something even i find
confusing after using it quite some times...

The best thing to learn modelling is by trying around. And even the crappiest
model looks nice with some crappy textures if it is rendered down to 32x32

Btw. there are some modelled houses on this screenshot:
The smallhouses and the courthouse for example.
http://data.plan9.de/pclient.png

@cavehippo: Oh, there are multiple tilesets? I guess i will have a look
at that... but it doesnt sound nice of an artist has to make 3 graphics
for one archetype if there are 3 tilesets... (classic, normal and 3d for example).

cavesomething · Post by **cavesomething** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 12:43 pm

elmex wrote: Oh, there are multiple tilesets? I guess i will have a look
at that... but it doesnt sound nice of an artist has to make 3 graphics
for one archetype if there are 3 tilesets... (classic, normal and 3d for example).

That's why it uses fallbacks, the idea being that if you don't have a drawing in one tileset, it uses the one from the fallback tileset. The only one that is 'required' is the base tileset, there must always be an image in that one for every item (or the 'parent' tileset if you choose to change which one is the main one).