Bridge Commander Central
BC Forums => BC Bridge Modding => Topic started by: Lurok91 on March 20, 2010, 02:01:07 PM
-
Assuming permissions ok, and knowing frustrations of new working bridges, thought this might make interesting experiment. Take existing bridge (so avoid anim probs) and adapt. I always liked the NX bridge layout but looks too industrial. This is just an experiment to see if can update to later eras. With new textures, lighting and lcars, could be working in less than a month. Any feedback welcome, especially on style of roof (ribbed? flat? domed?) Thought of putting transparent LCAR screens (like the Excalibur MSD) on top of consoles so crew have something to look at :)
EDIT: gone for PDW era feel, experimenting with textures and lightmaps...
EDIT: ingame video added 3/6
-
This is actually an interesting idea that few have been able to do much.
I'd like to see a more detailed Nebula class bridge with textures that we could do more with. Or add some stations (albeit even nonfunctial and empty ones) to bridges that could use more detail.
I like the idea. This is going beyond retexturing, though, and permissions would likely be needed.
-
This is actually an interesting idea that few have been able to do much.
I'd like to see a more detailed Nebula class bridge with textures that we could do more with. Or add some stations (albeit even nonfunctial and empty ones) to bridges that could use more detail.
I like the idea. This is going beyond retexturing, though, and permissions would likely be needed.
We've obviously been thinking along same lines :) I'd considered same, but just picked on this as first possible project. Thought about time we had a brand new bridge, even if a bit of a kitbash. Besides, in spirit of ST itself which we all know recycled bridges and bits of bridges endlessly...
-
My personal request for this is the FC Excelsior bridge with the helm console redone to look like the USS Righteous from Star Trek: Borg. It's ugly, sure, but it would motivate me to finish that monstrosity.
Say the Enterprise A or Miranda bridges with LCAR friendly helm consoles would allow for several new bridges to be made without worrying about the "balls" on the ends of the panels.
There's so many things you can do with this idea.
-
Can you post some pics of what you had in mind?
-
How about a video?
&feature=PlayList&p=EC15E8E30186D5D2&index=6
I want to recreate this bridge but the only thing that stops me is the helm panel, lightmapping, and those beams at the back of the bridge (for some reason they stay beige on FC Excelsior bridge instead of being steel).
-
Is this sort of thing? Obviously got scale and position wrong, and few things gone screwy on export (lost textures :'( ). But the principle's right if can crack?
-
impressive!
-
I really like this design. :)
Could be the next stage in some of us modders becoming bridge superstars since 3rd era. Perhaps? :P
-
Could be the next stage in some of us modders becoming bridge superstars since 3rd era. Perhaps? :P
i, for one, certainly hope so :D :thumbsup:
-
That's the ticket. Another something that can be improved? The chairs :P.
-
i agree, no sovereign command chair, possibly something like the Prometheus tactical, and helm chairs
-
I like the Sovereign chair. I actually dislike the Prometheus command chair. The crew chairs are what bug me here. If the ship gets rocked everyone is going to be flying.
-
More for Barihawk :) (Mod: could this be split off as separate thread on USS Righteous?)
-
Looking better. Loving the chairs. Now, the top of the bridge is grilled so that most of the light in the lightmaps come from the side of the bridge. In the game, the cieling is open and is essentially one huge light with the support beams still Xing in the center. Can you open that up and properly lightmap it? The Righteous if nothing else was very well lit.
-
So ceiling is just a white dome with the crossbeams as FCEx? Should in theory be poss. Chairs are ones used in Nebula and Excalibur bridges.
Good(ish) news... cracked exporting prob. The imported FC nif had all objects named as Editable Mesh. So what I (or someone with any Max :) ) has to do is just rename objects as "Floor", "crew chair", etc... then should be able to export to ingame nif with original FCEx textures/maps! (in theory at least, lol). Any new objects like helm and chair will have to be textured separately. But at least don't have to redo entire bridge.
Any takers?
-
So ingame though still with some texture issues... :( Positive is that if all sorted you'll be able to use the FC textures you've already been working. Next big issue will be animated doors and gamma/alert change probs.
-
Mostly the light posts on the columns. That I can leave up to you :P. The textures themselves I can work with once you get it more stable.
-
Oh boy, I like that new helm station, feels very Voyager like ;)
-
Latest results. Will probably lose animated lcars (though can ifl) and doors unless can find solution. Can't seem to do much at present about shading on left side of bridge. Seems to be integral to model. Suppose could try relighting, but what a pain :( The EntB would be an easier bridge to work with but know it's not quite the same :)
-
It's getting there, keep on keepin on!
-
It's getting there, keep on keepin on!
Or you could just say this-
Don't stop belivin, hold onto that feelin
-
So, fixed most of lightmap problems. Gonna put this one to bed for mo to concentrate on animation and my NX revamp. If anyone wants to try out or play around with LMs/textures will upload.
-
Send it to me. I'll install MPE and do some texture work on it. I'll see if I can't make it look like the Righteous project I was working on. LCARS will have to wait, though.
-
doof...the vid is marked "private"
-
doof...the vid is marked "private"
doh :( Fixed....
-
It looks good. I would suggest bevelling the screens so that they don't look so flat.
-
i pale yellowness of the walls doesnt feel right somehow... they seem to bright i think? i dunno, it is tough to tell... im just not sure that is the best color for them...
-
By the looks of it, the bridge needs to be entirely relightmapped.
-
ya, unfortunately i have to agree...
-
Thanks as always for feedback :) Always very useful...
B, which screens do you mean?
Jimmy and Kirk, any suggestions on colour? I was just trying yellow as experiment, contrast color with blue/PDW. As for lightmapping, wall shadows not accurate in this version as walls currently floating (export problem to Max 3). I'll fix walls properly when I've done all changes. Vid really just a taster. I think you might have point about illum though. Bridge is lit by single omni (1.0) from dome immediately above centre, so shadows etc accurate. But maybe need to reduce light level?
-
i would say go more grayish for the walls... Post Dominion War (IMO) has a more militant-feel rather than the cozy/comfortable feel from early TNG era...
-
Thanks :) Very useful to know...
-
The LCARS panels screens. They just look like stickers slapped on at the moment. Recess them!
-
The LCARS panels screens. They just look like stickers slapped on at the moment. Recess them!
lol :) They are just stuck on while wip. I'll try and recess them for final...
-
Since Generations, federation ships now have much moodier lighting. If you wouldn't mind me looking at the model, I could make adjustments to show you what I mean.
-
Since Generations, federation ships now have much moodier lighting. If you wouldn't mind me looking at the model, I could make adjustments to show you what I mean.
Soon as I finish fiddling with it, let you have a look :)
-
Changed main color and still fiddling with lightmaps, tho shadows are accurate. Noticed prob with double-sided transparency (pic 3). Anyone any theories on what causes prob and poss fix?
-
I think it might be the video mem-being pushed bit far, Ive noticed something similar on many bridges, when [walkfxing around] espacially with High texture bridges, and or ships [if I got them ingame]
-
i'm loving your bridges!
love the transparent displays
i hope its ok to ask...
are these bridges (love the one from st:borg) going to be specific or generic?
also, and i know you are new to these... but what about active displays as in shield status monitor, hull damage, weapons status. (not sure the last ones ever been done) may be have these on the MSD its always seemed like the MSD should show more than it does.
any way awesome work (makes me want to try lol but then i'm not able to texture lol [no programs or skill])
:bow:
-
are these bridges (love the one from st:borg) going to be specific or generic?
also, and i know you are new to these... but what about active displays as in shield status monitor, hull damage, weapons status. (not sure the last ones ever been done) may be have these on the MSD its always seemed like the MSD should show more than it does.
The NX PDW currently generic (the st:borg one is specific USS Righteous).
Like your idea about MSD. Haven't experimented with ship status/damage/etc but as you suggest these prob work better with specific bridges rather than generic, unless can think of clever way to it :) Prob something to try in future...
-
It's brilliant, I might have a suggestion about the LCARS, they are now a bit too cluttered, kind of the same mistake I made on PDW Excelsior/Ambassador reskin but that is easy to fix ;) also you need to find a way to make letters on transparent LCARS non-transparent I think color change to white would work the trick
-
i *love* what youve done with this bridge! :dance :yay:
any chance you could take a quick vid of how it appears at red alert?
frankly, i could care less how it appears, this will definitely be in my install no matter what; im just eager and cant wait lol :P
*moar cookeez*
-
How many cookies, can you eat? oh BTW have another.
-
Thanks as always for feedback :)
It's brilliant, I might have a suggestion about the LCARS, they are now a bit too cluttered, kind of the same mistake I made on PDW Excelsior/Ambassador reskin but that is easy to fix ;) also you need to find a way to make letters on transparent LCARS non-transparent I think color change to white would work the trick
Main crew lcars and inspiration are from your PDW reskin :) Can you suggest a fix? Agree about transparent prob also, that was my mistake. But it's a pain to fix, lol
i *love* what youve done with this bridge! :dance :yay:
any chance you could take a quick vid of how it appears at red alert?
Same prob as other bridges, J. Relightmapping seems to erase red alert status. Real shame as this bridge really needs it! Soon as I learn how to remap-in changing alert will do :) Oh, and how to animate doors, which is another pain :(
And for Bones, this is my old reskin of Excel bridge for your original Krakow...
-
Same prob as other bridges, J. Relightmapping seems to erase red alert status. Real shame as this bridge really needs it! Soon as I learn how to remap-in changing alert will do :) Oh, and how to animate doors, which is another pain :(
aaargh that is a shame indeed... seems if you can figure out those things, BC will wind up having a whole lot of new bridges in the future!
have you tried to contact Mark about that? or even perhaps LC (aka "Legacy" over at the Excal forums) or even Sean or Viper? those guys would surely know all about that, especially Mark and LC...
im sure if you tried to contact them, they could offer some advice?
-
OMG :eek send this to me NOW PLEASEEEEEE it looks ... stunning ! I could work on it and finish it off while you would prepare the PDW NX bridge, the point is each LCARS screen should be alligned to ... dunno how to call these... 'trees' IDK lol... those golden or grey bars that serve the purpose of connections or something like that, just look on Nemesis Sov bridge and you'll see what I mean ;)
P.S. I knew I saw these LCARS somewhere :P
oh and COOKIE away for you good mister :D
-
aaargh that is a shame indeed... seems if you can figure out those things, BC will wind up having a whole lot of new bridges in the future!
have you tried to contact Mark about that? or even perhaps LC (aka "Legacy" over at the Excal forums) or even Sean or Viper? those guys would surely know all about that, especially Mark and LC...
im sure if you tried to contact them, they could offer some advice?
Have tried Mark without success...shall I try others? Figure they have their own probs/time issues. Gotta theory though about red alert; will experiment and post results :)
P.S. I knew I saw these LCARS somewhere :P
lol :) is it the Excel (actually it's the EntB bridge) reskin you want me to send?
-
lol :) is it the Excel (actually it's the EntB bridge) reskin you want me to send?
yes that's the one :D
-
Have tried Mark without success...shall I try others?
hmmm id say fire off another PM to Mark over at Excal forums lol and ya i would definitely try to contact the others (try MLeo as well, tho he hasnt been here to BCC in a few months now)... LC (Legacy) is pretty much only at Excal forums, but you can try firing off a PM to him as well... tho it is true those guys are really busy these days, it is worth annoying those guys if it means you can break this barrier of bridge modding lol
Gotta theory though about red alert; will experiment and post results :)
ooooh i really *really* hope youre successful!! ill keep my fingers crossed for ya... :)
-
So my theory panned out... now just have to refine :) Added maps to bridge script. Cloned dome and light poles and gave them different lightmaps. All a bit crude, but I'll carry on experimenting and see if get better overall look.
-
sweeeet :D
-
So my theory panned out... now just have to refine :)
good deal! :thumbsup:
All a bit crude
not to worry, its all new to you right now; with time and practice youll get better and better :)
out of curiosity, how were you able to do the alert lightmapping thing that you werent able to before? unless it is complex and tedious to explain; i was just curious...
-
no hope you dont mind me putting my 2 pence worth in:
jimmy: i think he made the ceiling and side lights changeable, like the red alert screens. then copied the textures and made one set red
-
indeed... map swapping isnt too difficult using BP Core; i thought he meant something different...
-
Damn, would go great on the cortez or soboski
-
Lol DT it's PDW bridge afterall :facepalm: after Lurok finishes it I can easyli slap Sobieski MSD into it and voila ;) of course that's if Lurok gives me permission ;)
-
@hobbs & Jimmy... yeah, map swapping. Sorry didn't explain, but you guys got it. Still working away, but thanks to Bones EarlyTMP have better template and will post results when finished.
Lol DT it's PDW bridge afterall :facepalm: after Lurok finishes it I can easyli slap Sobieski MSD into it and voila ;) of course that's if Lurok gives me permission ;)
of course :)
-
first attempt at red alert mapswapping. Some of maps got a bit screwed up lol :) but kinda works (if a major pain to do!).
Thoughts: keep with overall red look, or traditional darken bridge? Maybe just have dome and fluorescents go to red?
-
hmmmmm, that is intresting, would not be to hard to get use to.
-
I'm really loving the atmosphere of this bridge now! Feels like a submarine or something - a scout ship that hunkers down and takes sensor readings, and then pounces on border patrols and makes a fast getaway or hides in an asteroid field...
-
I'm really loving the atmosphere of this bridge now! Feels like a submarine or something - a scout ship that hunkers down and takes sensor readings, and then pounces on border patrols and makes a fast getaway or hides in an asteroid field...
That's a nice idea for a ship/bridge :) What do others think?
Playing around a bit more; updated pic and ingame footage. Too red? (I was going for WOK homage :)) Darker still? Still some map probs need to solve so still a way off beta.
EDIT: new footage posted below
Shame can't change ambient lighting on crew :(
-
You could probably go a hair darker, but the effect is quite nice.
Question: Is the steady red light the intended effect or will you be shooting to have them blinking on and off?
-
I like that.
-
You could probably go a hair darker, but the effect is quite nice.
Question: Is the steady red light the intended effect or will you be shooting to have them blinking on and off?
Red pulsing would be nice I think...but don't know how to achieve (yet :)) Any advice welcome...
I like that.
Thanks DJ. :bow:
-
Red pulsing would be nice I think...but don't know how to achieve (yet :)) Any advice welcome...
If I had some to give you I would, I know how to do it through BP Core but not the "proper" way of through the lighting. :(
Anyways even if and when you figure out the pulsing effect I think the steady red should stay. It's not something we have on current bridges and it seems to work with this bridge well, of course if you decide otherwise that's your call. :)
-
i just watched the video above....
very nice...
personally i think a pulsing red glow would be distracting but the glow you had in that vid was gooood
and i came up with a way of doing a "genaric sheild/ msd"
-
Marvellous work! I love the atmosphere!
Bren was right, it really has a Submarine vibe to it. :)
-
Bridge now red alert-mapped. Just static red; no pulsing. Had prob with some of texture maps changing for no reason and took a lot of fiddling to fix. Only one still playing up is the headrest & arms on cap chair, so if can't fix will have to delete those (but not end of world). But... biggest breakthrough is: MANAGED TO ANIMATE TURBO DOOR :yay:
Hoping these will prove useful to Baz's WOKEnt bridge when he returns to it :)
-
Quite a breakthrough indeed. Wonderful news :D
-
youre making excellent progress!! :yay:
keep it goin!! :)
*moar cookeez*
-
Oh booooooy :bow: this looks fantabulous :dance I love that red ambience when going to red alert, reminds me of TMP/TWOK/TSFS bridge :D have a cookie
-
Thanks for encouragement and feedback guys :)
Anyone up for beta-testing so can iron out any last bugs/errors?
-
Anyone up for beta-testing so can iron out any last bugs/errors?
Sure
-
I'd be glad to give it a test. :)
-
I"m always willing to beta test. :)
-
Check have NX Bridge installed first (can't remember if included in KM or separate install) :facepalm:
Might be in KM [I forget tooo]
HMMMM, when I click the link i got nothiing [except white page, I try agian soon] I got it finally,
but I had to dwnld the NX bridge http://bridgecommander.filefront.com/file/NX01_Bridge;22329 [either I had removed it from my KM install, or it is not included in KM]
-
you know, I wasn't really thinking this bridge would come out to anything at first, but you did a heck of a job with it, I can't wait to use it, awesome job
-
http://www.filefront.com/16378585/NXPDW-beta.zip/
That works
-
I just did a test run and noticed a couple of issues:
The door animations are appearing to only work when the crewman who mans the station behind the science console comes in, not for the other two. Screenshots are attached to show what I mean. Also, the helm's LCARS are showing up funny.
A console dump didn't show anything. I'm currently checking my testing install to see if these are problems on my end but I don't think they are.
Anyways I'll continue to play around with this and if I see anything else I'll give you a yell.
-
Preliminary Report?":: [before install] all files looked good. :)
[ After Install ] see pics, my system has small video mem- [64kb] ,
cant look at tactical when press F2 [pic cant-jpg] , when push F3, 4, 5 ,1 view goes to proper area
-
I like the idea of the HUDs :-)
-
I just did a test run and noticed a couple of issues:
The door animations are appearing to only work when the crewman who mans the station behind the science console comes in, not for the other two. Screenshots are attached to show what I mean. Also, the helm's LCARS are showing up funny.
Working fine for me. My fault...minor scripting error to fix in later release :) Not sure what prob mean with helm lcars.
Preliminary Report?":: [before install] all files looked good. :)
[ After Install ] see pics, my system has small video mem- [64kb] ,
cant look at tactical when press F2 [pic cant-jpg] , when push F3, 4, 5 ,1 view goes to proper area
F2 prob is inherited from orig NX bridge (I think there are a few bridges where F2 is locked to viewscreen so don't take eye off view during battle). Is it worth changing? Not sure what prob re: video mem.
thanks for feedback so far :)
-
thanks for feedback so far :)
That's what beta testers are here for :D
(I think there are a few bridges where F2 is locked to viewscreen so don't take eye off view during battle). Is it worth changing?
My personal opinion: No for two reasons:
1. Most players generally fight outside of the ship anyways so it really wouldn't make a difference to begin with (hence not worth the effort).
2. For the players that do like to battle from the bridge, changing it to face away from the viewscreen would hinder gameplay when using the "manual fire" option. I believe it's a rarely used feature, but why take the chance?
That's my two cents on that issue but whatever you decide I don't think it'll cause a major problem.
Not sure what prob mean with helm lcars.
It looked pretty distorted when I played the bridge (per the screenshot attached in my last post) but I'm not ruling out some issue on my end. :idk:
-
TBH, changeing F2 to look away is not really worth the effort,as Nero said.
-
TBH, changeing F2 to look away is not really worth the effort,as Nero said.
it is very easy to fix the viewscreen zoom when hitting f2... i can do that myself...
ill look into it later today...
-
Thanks J. If no other major probs and can do any fixes, should I release to BC? What's best way to contact Viper and Amaral for perm?
As mentioned on WIP thread, taking few days out to work on bringing Baz's TMP bridge(s) ingame. Really nice model and excellent lcars by Bones. Will be a real beaut if works :)
-
Viper and LC are good to go, so long as credit is given...
lemme check out the f2 camera zoom and make sure all is well before you put it to bcfiles tho...
-
(http://bc-central.net/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7237.0;attach=41620;image)
I love this bridge. Any schematics?
-
Sadly no as based on NX Enterprise bridge. Can anyone else help?
-
one note - in the readme, you should note that the original NX bridge is required previously installed... on this install i didnt have the NX bridge and as such the bridge didnt work...
second thing - (for tiq) hitting f2 zooms perfectly to the viewscreen... why would you want to look at felix anyway? the point of hitting f2 in bridge mode is to be able to take over tactical controls and as such seeing the viewscreen is better, no?
-
second thing - (for tiq) hitting f2 zooms perfectly to the viewscreen... why would you want to look at felix anyway? the point of hitting f2 in bridge mode is to be able to take over tactical controls and as such seeing the viewscreen is better, no?
YEP