Author Topic: JB_Escort Class LOW POLY Project (Read 2667 times)

JB_Wonderboy · « **on:** February 22, 2009, 11:18:25 AM »

Hello everybody, I am JB, I was playing SFCII the other day and realised the models where looking dated, and I set out to make my own low poly model of my fav ship the defiant, the plan was to build it using 2 x 512 texture sheets and the model be less than 1000 polys. I wanted to see how good I could make it look at this standard. I have been building models for my own fun for some time, so im not too bad. I have this posted on various forums, and twice now I have been told to post it here as I will get some good feedback from this active community. So here I am.

The model and wrapping is already complete, and im currently playing with textures, I plan on bump mapping the entire ship, then use that bump map for a normal map.. use this as a ref for the diff map, so the end result will be a fake render baked normal map ship with speculars. I have no idea how to normal map yet but I do have the Photoshop Plugin that is excellent. Also it means I will have these maps ready for future releases if games will support the maps.

I got it done in 251 Polys (502 tri's)

Dalek · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2009, 11:21:32 AM »

Well, you were right about getting good feedback.

THAT IS INCREDIBLE! And only 251 polies? I'm sure we could all learn how to do that...

CJLarkin · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2009, 11:22:17 AM »

Hey, welcome to the forum, Jb.
Very, very nice! This is the sort of modelling SFC should have had to begin with

Oh, and can I just say?: "Wonderboy... what is the secret of your power???"

JimmyB76 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2009, 11:28:09 AM »

and then there were 3 JB's lol (myself, Jb06, and JB_Wonderboy)

J and B are popular initials lol

very nice start! you mentioned bump mapping - while i have zero skills in modeling, i thought BC didnt support bump mapping?
is this a WIP for BC?

JB_Wonderboy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2009, 11:34:00 AM »

Thanks for all your praise,

BC does not support bump mapping, or normal mapping but when the model is finished, I will bake the textures, to whatever is the best native format for BC, I have read TGA is popular. (this is a big learning exercise for me in different methods of texturing)

This is a WIP for BC / A2 / BOTF / SFC II & III

Thanks

**edit**

I have just realised the mesh is 502 polys :shock: oops

JimmyB76 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2009, 11:36:57 AM »

Quote from: JB_Wonderboy on February 22, 2009, 11:34:00 AM

BC does not support bump mapping, or normal mapping but when the model is finished, I will bake the textures, to whatever is the best native format for BC, I have read TGA is popular. (this is a big learning exercise for me in different methods of texturing)

awesome!
incidentally, the other JB guy (Jb06) and the crew from his team JL Studios found a way to sort of "fake" it when it comes to bump mapping on ships... i personally havent got the slightest idea (since i have zero modeling skills lol) or could even possibly describe anything about the process, but im sure theyd be happy to share their insights

JB_Wonderboy · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2009, 11:39:40 AM »

Thanks for the info, that may prove to be usefull

Dalek · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2009, 11:48:20 AM »

The bumps Jimmy is talking about is has got nothing to do with modelling. It's easily done with something like GIMP or Photoshop. You just press a few buttons, sort your options out an voila! I've attached to pics as an example.

JB_Wonderboy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2009, 12:41:13 PM »

Quote from: Dalekanium2 on February 22, 2009, 11:48:20 AM

The bumps Jimmy is talking about is has got nothing to do with modelling. It's easily done with something like GIMP or Photoshop. You just press a few buttons, sort your options out an voila! I've attached to pics as an example.

Thanks I believe this is the technique I am already applying.

Image 1 bumps applied
Image 2 bump map turned off
Image 3 bump map rendered as a jpeg

Please keep in mind this bake was a basic low level one without proper lighting,
and I am simply drawing the bump map at the minute and no the textures.

Thanks

FarShot · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2009, 02:28:34 PM »

That's beautiful. Great work. This is turning out into an interesting WIP.

JB_Wonderboy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2009, 03:19:17 PM »

Thanks

Bumps are almost done, just the rear sections to finish, and the impulse engines / bussards. then i need to start shading in the panels of colour on a greyscale for the normal map.. Still not worked that bit out yet :shock:

I will 8)

FarShot · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2009, 03:22:06 PM »

Oh, I forgot something.

Cookie

Shino Tenshi · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2009, 04:24:20 PM »

Another one incoming. ;)

Awesome job. 8)

JB_Wonderboy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2009, 05:01:22 PM »

8) Cool thanks for them cookies

Finally managed to work out the normal maps, so the bump maps have now gone into the bin

The next render is a normal map render, so it would react to lighting 100% granted i need to tone it down say 20% and the panelling is yet to be shaded as per the hull, but normal maps really do rock, hence the gaming industry & community now use them as standard i suppose.. even this 500 poly defiant looks not too bad, all because of normal maps 8) Yummy

ACES_HIGH · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2009, 05:08:39 PM »

cookie for managing to do that model in about a tenth the polys as most BC ships

MarkyD · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2009, 07:56:32 AM »

Nice work there mate, I was playing around with normal maps and baking a few months ago, once it is finished, and applied with a spec map and diff map, the results can be hugely impressive. Its a shame that BC does not support it, but once you have the diff map and spec maps done, Im certain this will still look awsome for a 502 poly defiant.