Author Topic: Wing Commander Models (Read 2436 times)

starfox1701 · « **on:** February 09, 2012, 10:29:37 PM »

Been working on a restoration project on the 1992 Origin TCS Concordia mesh. I have been trying to update the textures and weapons on the mesh. Anyway I am tring to retain the look and feel of the original textures whilw giving the model the ability to stand upto modern resolution. I'm looking for feedback and segettions. Link is to a gallery for pics.

https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/3697428/1/Wing?h=42b631

serverandenforcer · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2012, 11:21:27 PM »

The thing is, in Wing Commander I & II, the models weren't meshes, but instead bitmap images of an object viewed at different angles. So making an actual mesh would already be a dramatic improvement.

starfox1701 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2012, 12:05:59 AM »

Thats not intierly true. While what we say ingame were sprites; Origin did actully make meshes in 3dsmax and used renders to make thoughs game sprites. For WC2 they also used them to render out all the cutscreens so the models where of a quality equivalent to many modern meshes like the DJ Galaxy or WC JJpries. I manage to aquier most of the surviving meshs from Wing Commander 2, Wing Commander Privateer, Super Wing Commander, and Wing Commander Armada. Of course there are some problems. The meshes themselves where not constructed for a game enviroment so we have things like 30k poly starfighters and all the meshes have large amounts of wasted polies. The textures where also in some archane format called .CEL which took me forever to comvert into somthing usfull as photoshop did have a clue and their resolution was way bad. We ar talking smaller then 256es here. Concordia is the first one I've gotten even close to 2012 standards.

Lionus · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:54:35 AM »

What, no Tigers Claw?

starfox1701 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2012, 09:07:12 PM »

One thing at a time. Until I get the textures looking right I don't want to attempt a scratch model or overhauling one of the 2 or 3 good ones out there. So what does every one think of the Concordia?

Lionus · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2012, 10:44:11 PM »

looks like spaceworthy aircraft carrier as it should.

starfox1701 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2012, 05:15:25 PM »

Thanks Lionus. I was hoping some of the more compatent texture artist around here would have a look and comment as I'm not sure if I'm on the right track for this.

starfox1701 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2012, 08:40:28 PM »

Got a bug last night and built a Kilrathi fighter What youall think? I also included an ortho of the original sprites for comparision.

https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/3697428/1/Wing?h=42b631

Saquist · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2012, 09:35:14 PM »

I never played the Second Game but it looks like a Jalthi 6 gunner from the first game.

starfox1701 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2012, 10:48:51 PM »

Its actually a Hhriss heavy fighter. They where introduced in Secret Missions 2; the second expansion for the first game.

https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/3697428/1/Wing?h=42b631

Lionus · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2012, 05:53:22 AM »

As long as the furball goes boom as easily as they did in the game, I approve.

King Class Scout · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2012, 07:21:56 AM »

you don't need a texture vetting. seems like everybody can texture better than I can!

starfox1701 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2012, 10:44:38 AM »

Quote from: Lionus on February 13, 2012, 05:53:22 AM

As long as the furball goes boom as easily as they did in the game, I approve.

I'm not sure yet as I have no idea how to balance this for BC. That said they did a good job back in the day providing basic tecnical specifacations so I do have a rough idea of how hard to kill they wanted it to be.

Quote from: King Class Scout on February 13, 2012, 07:21:56 AM

you don't need a texture vetting. seems like everybody can texture better than I can!

So you don't think it looks to cartoon like?

King Class Scout · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2012, 01:10:08 PM »

Quote from: starfox1701 on February 13, 2012, 10:44:38 AM

I'm not sure yet as I have no idea how to balance this for BC. That said they did a good job back in the day providing basic technical specifications so I do have a rough idea of how hard to kill they wanted it to be.

So you don't think it looks to cartoon like?

that's what beta testers are for, especially someone who'd played the game it's from.
textures always look toonier out of the game engine, and subtler inside of it. besides, "toony" from my perspective is more "loony Tunes" grade

starfox1701 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2012, 06:04:57 PM »

Quote from: King Class Scout on February 13, 2012, 01:10:08 PM

that's what beta testers are for, especially someone who'd played the game it's from.
textures always look toonier out of the game engine, and subtler inside of it. besides, "toony" from my perspective is more "loony Tunes" grade

Yea but do you bother tring to balace it to trek ships or not? With so little WC content around for BC it's not like they have alot of stuff to shoot at already.

Lionus · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2012, 07:09:55 PM »

well.. WC uses lasers and missiles, and something called mass cannons if I recall right, which could be similar to Stargate's railguns.. although, I base this on wing commanders I and II.. shame that they run too bloody fast on dosbox.

starfox1701 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2012, 08:25:39 PM »

Well for guns you have lasers cannons, mass drivers cannon, Meson Blasters, Ion Cannon, Fusion Cannon, Photon guns, Neutron Guns, Particle Cannon, Phase Transit Cannon, Plasma Guns, Anti-matter Guns, and Tachyon Guns. For missiles you have Image recogition, Heat Seekers, Dumb Fire, IFF, Swarm, Cap ship, and light, standard and Heavy Torpeados; oh and a tactcal nuke. Thats what I can remeber anyway from the games I have played. Not all the guns are very well thought out from a technical point of view. One of the things I have to work out.

Toa_Kaita · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2012, 09:58:35 PM »

Starburst, Coneburst, and Mace are also missiles from WC4. Starburst explodes and damages ships in a full spherical radius. Coneburst is like a shotgun type missile. I forget what the Mace does though, but I think its an area of effect-type missile.

Lionus · « **Reply #18 on:** February 15, 2012, 06:46:54 AM »

mace makes me think of EMP burst missile that blinds radar.

FekLeyr Targ · « **Reply #19 on:** February 15, 2012, 09:02:42 AM »

The Mace is a tactical nuclear missile. It appears in Special Operations 2 (2nd add-on of WCII) and WCIV.

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Author Topic: Wing Commander Models (Read 2436 times)