Shaders

[DKealt]

I'm fairly new to editing models in BC and I've come across a number of odd areas when it comes to the shaders of a model.

I use 3DS Max 2009 to edit the models, using plugins from NifTools. Due to the high ploy nature of some of the Stargate models, its a necessity to export them from Max.

I've noticed though that when loading a model using BC or a preview program such as NifSkope, sometimes the models view differently. Essentially the model looks flat, as if there is no depth. If for instance you render the scene in NifSkope without textures on a model like DJ's Galaxy, there is noticable tonal shadow differences across the model.

On the Prometheus Refit model I have, the ship appears virtually solid white.

A similar problem is arising on an Atlantis conversion, where when the model is rendered without textures, some parts appear white with shadows, and other model eliments appear dull, grey and toneless under lighting.

I hope this explanation makes sense, I'm finding it to be an odd problem to explain.

[DJ Curtis]

You can adjust the brightness and type of light to make the models more visible in Nifskope.  That being said, I rarely use it for anything.

[DKealt]

It's not just in NifSkope, all of those shots had the same setting and it translates into BC, like on the Atlantis model, the textures appear tainted by this underlying colouring

These images show the models when they have lighting applied directly above, both are near pure black on their underside, the Prometheus just appears marginally grey

[Jb06]

You'll have to fix the grey parts of the atlantis model as them parts will be dark in-game. If you select, for example the tower, right click, then to mesh - and select face normals. Do this for each grey section of atlantis.

This will make Atlantis the right colour in-game.


~Jb

[limey BSc.]

The other way to fix the grey bits in Max is to attach then split it from a part that is displaying correctly. Not quite sure why the Prommie is solid white though.

[DKealt]

I think I managed to sort it myself.

If I export the Prometheus model having edited the materials Ambient and Diffuse values, I can make it look like the Galaxy and Sovereign models.

Apparently by default, 3DS Max locks the Diffuse and Ambient values to be the same. On the X303 the values were equally Pure White. If I manipulated the Ambient Colour slider in NifSkope the ship would appear more shaded.

After some experimentation I found that the Galaxy and Sovereign models have Pure White Diffuse colours and Pure Black Ambient colours.

So in essence, the Galaxy and Sovereign are created with no Ambient lighting. Other ships like LC's Intrepid have low Ambient colours, such as a dark grey colour.

Does anyone know what the best value for textures ambiance should be? Completely Black or Grey?

[DKealt]

Oh and btw, Limey thanks for that tip, that Atlantis model is sorted now