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BC Forums => BC Modding => Topic started by: Billz on March 13, 2008, 10:21:50 PM

Title: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: Billz on March 13, 2008, 10:21:50 PM
Okay, I know I have made promises on ship models (*Brings back memories of Red Dwarf ship model nightmares*) , but have never delivered (mainly because of my extreme lack of modding skills) but I am determined to make something, give back to the community and learn basic modeling along the way. Even if it takes me months to learn all the ins and outs of modeling.

Heres a first W.I.P picture of about 5 mintues work using basic shapes. Any tips are welcome.
 Again, determined to give something back.

Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: Aeries on March 13, 2008, 10:50:52 PM
Dude, this is SO cool that you're taking this on!

Do my first immediate suggestion is that you flatten her down horizontally a bit. The ships seen in that show were never quite so tall... :) Otherwise, it's far too early for me to nit-pick.

Awesome project idea, my man.

Cheers,
~Aeries.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: Adonis on March 13, 2008, 11:02:16 PM
Also, you don't need so many horizontal segments on the vertical sides.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: Nighthawk on March 13, 2008, 11:07:51 PM
I was going to make an ID4 mod, back in mid-2006, but never got to make something significant.
there aren't ID4 mods out there, so it will be a nice add-on for the game. specially because of the hugeness of the ships. the mothership is roughly basic in shape, but it would be nice if you carve it out and model the interior, like starbase 12, so you can fly inside :P
also, the fighters would make a good target practice for BOPs or Defiants
good luck with it!
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: WileyCoyote on March 13, 2008, 11:13:18 PM
I was actually thinking about doing ID4 ships too.  :D It's good to see someone working on this.  The City-Destroyers look very easy to model.  The ship has a basic shape, but the detail goes to the textures.  If someone does an MVAM mothership, it would be huge!  I actually have a model kit of the alien fighter for reference. 

Here's some reference for the city-destroyers, mothership, and fighter:
http://www.merzo.net/
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: Billz on March 13, 2008, 11:18:20 PM
I was actually thinking about doing ID4 ships too.  :D It's good to see someone working on this.  The City-Destroyers look very easy to model.  The ship has a basic shape, but the detail goes to the textures.  If someone does an MVAM mothership, it would be huge!  I actually have a model kit of the alien fighter for reference. 

Here's some reference for the city-destroyers, mothership, and fighter:
http://www.merzo.net/


Now that is very helpful. Thanks Wiley. The plan is to do the simple ships first (City Killers and Mother ship). I may do the fighters if they don't prove too difficult. The only problems I see with doing these ships is the scale and lighting. In the movie, the ships are very dark meaning they would be almost impossible to see in the game. The scale is going to be a tricky thing to work out. Seems to me that the Mothership is going to be the most annoying thing about this project.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: Starforce2 on March 13, 2008, 11:20:57 PM
as well as the odd ball cruisers or DD's we saw inside the mothership.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: Barihawk on March 14, 2008, 08:02:58 AM
ID4= Independence Day? So confused.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: Billz on March 14, 2008, 08:15:19 AM
ID4= Independence Day? So confused.

Yes, the movie 'Independence Day' is sometimes abbreviated as 'ID4' because its set on july 4 which is Independence Day.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: WileyCoyote on March 14, 2008, 08:47:50 AM
The "odd ball" crusiers inside the mothership were the troop transports.  The game based from the movie had more alien ships ans fighters.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: cordanilus on March 14, 2008, 09:26:51 AM
Lol, I was just thinking about this last night.  Was just watching the movie again.  I'm glad you took it up, can't wait to see it in-game. :D
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: teeth_03 on March 14, 2008, 09:29:10 AM
the mothersip,is that the one where they fly into it,or is it the one where the city killers all undock from?

I know its prolly one and the same,but if I remember right,the one they flew into didnt look like it could dock the city killers
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: WileyCoyote on March 14, 2008, 09:37:26 AM
The mothership is where the dozens of ships undocked from.  From the studio model, they undocked from the bottom.  The "heros" in the captured fighter, flew into the side into a triangular port.  I could probably build the mothership, with the interior.  As I recall it was foggy inside.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: Billz on March 14, 2008, 08:56:28 PM
So I scrapped the first model because:

A. It was just a bit of practice
B. It sucked bigtime

W.I.P 2

I know the flat bit at the bottom is still not accurate but like I said before, learning as I go along.

When I am happy with the final shape, I'll model on the little tiny details. Its my first serious attempt at a model and I am kind of a perfectionist, lol.

Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: Aeries on March 14, 2008, 08:58:53 PM
Dude, trust me when I tell you... practice makes perfect. I mean, how many times have I rebuilt the Mithra now? Gotta be at least four. :)

Re-build it as much as you feel you need to and keep at her! You've got a whole community here as support. 8)

Have a cookie, to keep you going.
~Aeries.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: Billz on March 14, 2008, 09:04:57 PM
(http://www.roflcat.com/images/cats/cookieday.jpg)

Thanks for the support.

lol

I was thinking, that when it comes to hardpointing (AAAGGGHHH!) , should I give it a hyperspace drive or a slipstream drive? Somehow, for whatever reason, I can't imagine these ships having warp drive.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: Aeries on March 14, 2008, 09:10:14 PM
Hyperspace. Green. Oh yyyeeeeaaahhhh.  8)
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: 086gf on March 15, 2008, 02:49:09 PM
The "odd ball" crusiers inside the mothership were the troop transports.  The game based from the movie had more alien ships ans fighters.

Invaders is what ive always called them. Its the most logical really. While we are at it, I wonder who stole from who? The Invaders look fairly similar to the Kazon fighters just reversed lol.

Also where would I go to see the alien ships from the game?
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: Nighthawk on March 15, 2008, 06:52:31 PM
I was thinking, that when it comes to hardpointing (AAAGGGHHH!) , should I give it a hyperspace drive or a slipstream drive? Somehow, for whatever reason, I can't imagine these ships having warp drive.
the city killers and the fighters most likely won't have FTL drives. motherships, maybe, since they work as huge carriers
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: WileyCoyote on March 15, 2008, 07:49:35 PM
Here's a pic I found of the ID4 troop transport resin kit-

http://www.benoitsf.com/trooptransport.jpg
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: Billz on March 15, 2008, 07:52:02 PM
I appreciate all the positive feedback I am getting. Thank you.

Wiley, you said you had the model kit for the fighters. Do you think you could take some really good pictures from as many angles as possible? For future reference.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (First Very Early W.I.P)
Post by: WileyCoyote on March 15, 2008, 07:55:09 PM
Here's some links I found-

http://joesmodels.50webs.com/attacker.html
http://www.invasionid4.com/attacker-replica.html

These should help
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: Billz on March 28, 2008, 09:17:44 PM
Don't get me wrong. I am still determined to finish this. I just want to apologize incase anyone thought I gave this up. Its just, my sister has moved back *im going to need a shotgun in my mouth and a blindfold by the time June swings round, aagghhh!* and trying to get any time on the computer with her here is like trying to calm a raging bull.

I have a weeks holiday coming up starting Monday. Lucky for me, shes at work during the day, lol.

Long story short,
Getting back to the progress of the model or otherwise incase I decide to do a pack.

Textures are going to be another problem. I have limited harddrive space and zero texturing skills. So starting Monday, open auditions for texturers. You know, incase anyone is interested, lol.

Again, my apologies for lack of updates.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: cordanilus on March 28, 2008, 09:42:05 PM
No worries mate.  Take your time. :D
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: Aeries on March 28, 2008, 09:44:06 PM
Take yer' time, dude. :3 Best of luck! *hides all my weaponry from Billz*  :)
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: Starforce2 on March 29, 2008, 12:26:38 AM
Don't get me wrong. I am still determined to finish this. I just want to apologize incase anyone thought I gave this up. Its just, my sister has moved back *im going to need a shotgun in my mouth and a blindfold by the time June swings round, aagghhh!* and trying to get any time on the computer with her here is like trying to calm a raging bull.

I have a weeks holiday coming up starting Monday. Lucky for me, shes at work during the day, lol.

Long story short,
Getting back to the progress of the model or otherwise incase I decide to do a pack.

Textures are going to be another problem. I have limited harddrive space and zero texturing skills. So starting Monday, open auditions for texturers. You know, incase anyone is interested, lol.

Again, my apologies for lack of updates.

If you got a hillbilly neighbor...just try to set them up on a date and you'll be rid of her in no time 8)
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: Technerd89 on March 29, 2008, 01:14:31 AM
http://www.vortex.com/i4.jpg
http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/twentieth_century_fox/independence_day/id4newyork.jpg
http://www.kesigndesign.com/medium/id4-3a.jpg
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: Aeries on March 29, 2008, 01:38:35 AM
Don't get me wrong. I am still determined to finish this. I just want to apologize incase anyone thought I gave this up. Its just, my sister has moved back *im going to need a shotgun in my mouth and a blindfold by the time June swings round, aagghhh!* and trying to get any time on the computer with her here is like trying to calm a raging bull.

I have a weeks holiday coming up starting Monday. Lucky for me, shes at work during the day, lol.

Long story short,
Getting back to the progress of the model or otherwise incase I decide to do a pack.

Textures are going to be another problem. I have limited harddrive space and zero texturing skills. So starting Monday, open auditions for texturers. You know, incase anyone is interested, lol.

Again, my apologies for lack of updates.

If you got a hillbilly neighbor...just try to set them up on a date and you'll be rid of her in no time 8)

LOL!!! OH that is SO mean! :P
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: eclipse74569 on March 29, 2008, 08:13:32 AM
If you got a hillbilly neighbor...just try to set them up on a date and you'll be rid of her in no time 8)

Now whatchu mean by Hillbilly LOL.  a good ol' southern country boy? (like me) :P

Billz, do take your time man, and hope things get better soon, this is turning out better than what I can make LOL.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: Billz on March 29, 2008, 09:09:07 AM
http://www.vortex.com/i4.jpg
http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/twentieth_century_fox/independence_day/id4newyork.jpg
http://www.kesigndesign.com/medium/id4-3a.jpg

While I appreciate the input (anyone want to marry a monster of a sister?, lol) I dont plan to go into too much depth with the modeling. Alot of the detail can be obtained with the use of textures. I'm trying not to use too many polys. I will model the pattern on the bottom of the ship where the ultimate-mega-gun-of-nasty-painess is, lol.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: limey BSc. on March 29, 2008, 09:31:55 AM
ultimate-mega-gun-of-nasty-painess

I laughed so hard at that!

To reiterate what everyone else has said, take your time! There is no race. The longer you take over it, the better the final result will be (theoretically) :P!
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: eclipse74569 on March 29, 2008, 12:44:44 PM

While I appreciate the input (anyone want to marry a monster of a sister?, lol) I dont plan to go into too much depth with the modeling. Alot of the detail can be obtained with the use of textures. I'm trying not to use too many polys. I will model the pattern on the bottom of the ship where the ultimate-mega-gun-of-nasty-painess is, lol.

LOL Depends on what you mean by monster :P LOL

Seriously though, take your time, and I agree that a lot of detail can be accomplished with textures :).  hopefully it'll look great
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: Billz on March 29, 2008, 05:23:00 PM

While I appreciate the input (anyone want to marry a monster of a sister?, lol) I dont plan to go into too much depth with the modeling. Alot of the detail can be obtained with the use of textures. I'm trying not to use too many polys. I will model the pattern on the bottom of the ship where the ultimate-mega-gun-of-nasty-painess is, lol.

LOL Depends on what you mean by monster :P LOL

Seriously though, take your time, and I agree that a lot of detail can be accomplished with textures :).  hopefully it'll look great

Put it this way. Her nickname is 'Paranoid Mandie'. I'll let you work it out from there, lol.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: Billz on May 14, 2008, 08:33:20 PM
Quick Note:

Model work resumes tomorrow. Havn't done any for 2 months because of life issues and such. Anyway, need a bit of help making the 'indent' (crater thingy around the fin on the presumed front of the ship). Also, how do I check the poly count in Milkshape?

Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: WileyCoyote on May 14, 2008, 08:39:55 PM
Do you need help making ID4 ships?  I have played the game many times and have the movie and a model kit for reference.  I would love to build some attack fighters.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: Billz on May 14, 2008, 08:51:41 PM
Do you need help making ID4 ships?  I have played the game many times and have the movie and a model kit for reference.  I would love to build some attack fighters.

Its totally upto you. If you could make the attack fighters, that will mean I won't have to worry about their complex shape. I should be fine making the mother ship and city killers though.
Title: Re: ID4 City-Killers (Massive Apologies)
Post by: WileyCoyote on May 14, 2008, 09:46:27 PM
Ok, amazingly enough, I have the old Independence Day game working on my Vista computer.  There are plenty of different variants of alien ships.