And I got my idea... hope I get it done cause on paper...it sounds pretty great.
Edit: Here we go. All done. It's not the most fabulous terrain ever-made, but still "ok".
So, before you watch, I want to say that I put the game speed to slowest to get as much animations as possible such as the clocking effects and the explosion effects. However, my computer (just like it always been) is super slow as hell so, I had just a few fps. If you think this is painfull to watch... you haven't played StarCraft 2 at this speed... Anyway, except the fps issue, I hope you like.
I added the map file. To start the cinematic press Numpad 0 one time.
I wished there was a way to force starcraft to have a minimum frame rate even if it slows the game drasticly. Then you can just put the video on x2 and it's all fine... or simply should I wish for a new comp?
Sorry to say but a new computer usually does the trick haha, I like it, I myself was very tempted to make a cinematic myself.
Edit: A new shiny graphics card can also do the trick to take a load off your computer, or do what I do and have literally nothing outside the current camera view, or as little as possible haha (if you remember what my indoor terrain looked like, it was literally the inside and nothing else but a strange emptiness on the outside.)
Yeah I remember your empty filled terrain if that make sense :P But well, it much more than just a graphic card that I would need to make my comp better. I don't want to say that Pentium 4 (cpu 3.6Ghz) can't be good...but it's getting old, and 2Go of ram is pretty limit to run a game such as starcraft 2.
Well since mr tatatatate was nice enough to release his marine model I decided I'd participate with hopes I'd get to use it. I got A1B@ Which is terran rebels performing a small attack/raid on the dominion military without using more than 30 doodads. Since I'm not as great at terraining as you guys I tried to make a more actiony shot than you usually see here but I ran out of time. Anyway I think I made good use of tatatatate's marine.
I was wondering if you guys mind having a noob join the WTEs because I am really bad at terraining but wish to get better because every map needs good terrain, so do you guys mind if I post in bad looking stuff until I get better ??
I find it cool that you are trying to use his animations, I like the one marine pointing his gun at the camp as well as the one poking his head over the hill on the other side, but a bit odd that the one marine looks like he is in the fire.
Also, action shots are always the most difficult and time consuming types of terrain.
I was wondering if you guys mind having a noob join the WTEs because I am really bad at terraining but wish to get better because every map needs good terrain, so do you guys mind if I post in bad looking stuff until I get better ??
For sure. That's the main purpose of the WTE: to practice, get feedback and improve.
But usually we only have a very small group of regulars participating, so newer terrainers are pretty rare to see these days.
Use the 'Add attachment' button at the bottom to attach your screenshot. It'll automatically display image files in the way you see around the WTE threads :)
Yea he's not on fire but I'll move him so it doesn't look like he is. There was supposed to be a impact particle under the diving marines feet but I just noticed it's not there.
Anyone else got any critiques? I'd definitely like to improve my terrain.
Someone asked for critiques? Ummm... I think it's time to open my txt file again...
Fog (data): I sense a slight grey-ish fog that fit pretty well with the terrain overall.
Fog (doodads): There are none which is fine as you want to keep a maximum of 30 doodads.
Main focus: It's a little bit more tricky to know what is your main focus, is it the marines on the moutain, the marines around the fire, the crashed ship...of course not the ship as it is really on the side. I think a closer TPS view from the marines on the moutain would be great.
Second focus: We have the ship, the crates, the fire and the marine on the other mountain. I feel like in overall it's "ok" but I think it could be improved. A limit of 30 doodads is hard, but if you remove all small rocks and small details and try to go with bigger doodads like the crashed ship to tell a story, I think it would be better. As a work around for the rocks, you can use the terrain tool and brush to paint fake rocks. However it would be tricky as well as the scene is very small, so there are less terrain triangles to play with and it makes weird moutains...when you see the 3D angles.
Background: I think something could be happening in the background... Right now it's just few mountains, so we feel like on the moon, a ship crashed, and for X reason they are beeing observed by other troups.
Ground heigh variation: Here you're good. It fills most of the boring places. However, just as I said before, the scene is very small. It would be great if we would not see those 3D angles, if you know what I mean? Other than that, it's fine to me.
Texture variation: Here again you got it pretty great. I think there could have some more improvements such as the fake rocks (maybe), mountain (well i think I should call them hills...or whatever word) could use some more texture I think and behind the ship, I feel like it's too (can't find the word I'm looking for) unpolished?
Camera point of view: I talked about that earlier. Generally, we trend to have a top view to prevent seeing the map edges or empty background... Well, for a night view like this one, I think it would be nice a skybox with stars and a view from the marines on the hill. But it's just a guess.
Camera field of view: A very small field of view effect could add alot for the background. When everything is fuzzy, your eye trend to go on the real subject and not just move around. It could also help if you do a close TPS view because you could make the marines close to the camera be slightly fuzzy, have the marines around the fire be clean and the background be fuzzy again. That would fix the main focus.
Lightning (doodads): Your fire is fine. I wonder if you could make it slightly in angle to make it less linear and simulate wind. For the picture with the added light on the jumping marine, I prefer with the light than without. It is most likely to be illuminated when you are next to a fire. We can also see the small effect you are talking about in a previous post in the in-game view. I feel like it's not yet well incorporated to the picture... It just stands there.
General lightning (window): I like the actual lightning. We can see all the details and still feel it's night. I would also say that the mune is very bright. When you look at the shadows, it feels like mune shines and not sunshines. I also want to point out that the marines in general have a weird lightning. I don't know if it is cause of the animations, but they are way to bright...
Water (data): No water. No need. Could "maybe" add some effect somewhere in the picture.
General terrain: The terrain in general looks great, but could still be improved. I would give a 7/10, considering the 30 doodads limit. I like the actual position and brightness of the ship...all lights off, just a dark ship...
So, I hope this helps you. It's only what I feel like when I'm looking at your pictures, mostly the in-game one as it has a better camera position and lightning. It doesn't mean all points I bring are good and is a must do, no, it's just ideas, paths you can folow, think of, ... :D
First, welcome to the WTE, I'm very happy when I see some new people.
Second, you got something interesting there. I won't go in super detailled mode however. When I look at your screenshot, I first see a hive, which is the main focus, for the screen and also for the story you're telling about to happend. Because, not long after you see the hive, you see the crystals and the falling rocks telling you that you might be in a cave and then, you see those terran units and say to yourself, that hive will be under attack very soon... and more than that, you put ghosts...and everyone know what ghosts are for...launching nukes ! So that hive in a cave will get nuked really soon! That is your story, and it works. (Thinking of that... how would you nuke in a cave?...but thats a detail)
In overall, it's a bit messy, there are units everywhere without any logical order. They are there to fill the place. I like the lightning for the crystals but I don't like how bright it is next to the terran army. I think a darker environment with a dark fog that would hide the very far cliffs into the black background which in this case would be fine because, yes it is possible that when you are in a big cave, that you don't see the other side and it's just black. Another point, I feel like the banshee is a bit out of place... how would that thing fly in a cave... I know there are overlords, but I feel like these fine... who knows how big an overlord is? You can't know at all, they might be baby overlords? hahaha... I think you could work on the texture as well. Making some variation and not just uniform texture, mostly at the terran's army.
Oh and, make sure to have nothing selected before taking a screenshot. Minor mistake ;)
Note: Sorry for double posts, when making big reviews I prefer to seperate them.
Thanks, I am going to get working on that when I find the time but I have a question about my units, how could I make it less messy and give it more of a purpose. Should I make a fight with a decoy while the ghosts nuke, drones building structures with some guards staying around (and cloak the ghosts) or does anyone have a suggestion.
About the indoor nuke and banshee, I am going to remove the banshee and try to find something better to take its place but I like having the ghosts there, even if it isn't really possible, I just think they fit in well so I am going to keep them.
and last, about the fog, I have no idea how to make it and I might not have the time to look for how it works so we will see.
The fog is found in the Data editor into the terrain set. To get a realistic fog it needs some specefic settings, like one value has to be really low and another one has to be changed accordingly to get a good looking. Otherwise the fog will come from the ground and looks weird... well depending of what you want to creat I guess.
@JacktheArcher: Go
Ahah thank you man! I'll update it soon.
So far we got some interesting posts ! Well done.
And I got my idea... hope I get it done cause on paper...it sounds pretty great.
Edit: Here we go. All done. It's not the most fabulous terrain ever-made, but still "ok".
So, before you watch, I want to say that I put the game speed to slowest to get as much animations as possible such as the clocking effects and the explosion effects. However, my computer (just like it always been) is super slow as hell so, I had just a few fps. If you think this is painfull to watch... you haven't played StarCraft 2 at this speed... Anyway, except the fps issue, I hope you like.
I added the map file. To start the cinematic press Numpad 0 one time.
Working on projects:
I wished there was a way to force starcraft to have a minimum frame rate even if it slows the game drasticly. Then you can just put the video on x2 and it's all fine... or simply should I wish for a new comp?
Working on projects:
Sorry to say but a new computer usually does the trick haha, I like it, I myself was very tempted to make a cinematic myself.
Edit: A new shiny graphics card can also do the trick to take a load off your computer, or do what I do and have literally nothing outside the current camera view, or as little as possible haha (if you remember what my indoor terrain looked like, it was literally the inside and nothing else but a strange emptiness on the outside.)
@joecab: Go
Yeah I remember your empty filled terrain if that make sense :P But well, it much more than just a graphic card that I would need to make my comp better. I don't want to say that Pentium 4 (cpu 3.6Ghz) can't be good...but it's getting old, and 2Go of ram is pretty limit to run a game such as starcraft 2.
Working on projects:
Well since mr tatatatate was nice enough to release his marine model I decided I'd participate with hopes I'd get to use it. I got A1B@ Which is terran rebels performing a small attack/raid on the dominion military without using more than 30 doodads. Since I'm not as great at terraining as you guys I tried to make a more actiony shot than you usually see here but I ran out of time. Anyway I think I made good use of tatatatate's marine.
I was wondering if you guys mind having a noob join the WTEs because I am really bad at terraining but wish to get better because every map needs good terrain, so do you guys mind if I post in bad looking stuff until I get better ??
@JacktheArcher: Go
I find it cool that you are trying to use his animations, I like the one marine pointing his gun at the camp as well as the one poking his head over the hill on the other side, but a bit odd that the one marine looks like he is in the fire.
Also, action shots are always the most difficult and time consuming types of terrain.
@pokenoufl: Go
Post away man. This is the one of the best places to get better no matter what your skill level :)
For sure. That's the main purpose of the WTE: to practice, get feedback and improve.
But usually we only have a very small group of regulars participating, so newer terrainers are pretty rare to see these days.
@joecab: Go
Cool thanks.
@Telthalion: Go
I noticed that it was always the same people posting, thats why I asked if I could join in the first place.
I have a problem. My map's first draft is done, but I can't figure out how to add a screenshot on here, please help.
@pokenoufl: Go
Use the 'Add attachment' button at the bottom to attach your screenshot. It'll automatically display image files in the way you see around the WTE threads :)
Ok thanks, here is what I got right now. Any advice ??
I got A1d#
@joecab: Go
Yea he's not on fire but I'll move him so it doesn't look like he is. There was supposed to be a impact particle under the diving marines feet but I just noticed it's not there.
Anyone else got any critiques? I'd definitely like to improve my terrain.
Someone asked for critiques? Ummm... I think it's time to open my txt file again...
So, I hope this helps you. It's only what I feel like when I'm looking at your pictures, mostly the in-game one as it has a better camera position and lightning. It doesn't mean all points I bring are good and is a must do, no, it's just ideas, paths you can folow, think of, ... :D
Working on projects:
@pokenoufl: Go
First, welcome to the WTE, I'm very happy when I see some new people.
Second, you got something interesting there. I won't go in super detailled mode however. When I look at your screenshot, I first see a hive, which is the main focus, for the screen and also for the story you're telling about to happend. Because, not long after you see the hive, you see the crystals and the falling rocks telling you that you might be in a cave and then, you see those terran units and say to yourself, that hive will be under attack very soon... and more than that, you put ghosts...and everyone know what ghosts are for...launching nukes ! So that hive in a cave will get nuked really soon! That is your story, and it works. (Thinking of that... how would you nuke in a cave?...but thats a detail)
In overall, it's a bit messy, there are units everywhere without any logical order. They are there to fill the place. I like the lightning for the crystals but I don't like how bright it is next to the terran army. I think a darker environment with a dark fog that would hide the very far cliffs into the black background which in this case would be fine because, yes it is possible that when you are in a big cave, that you don't see the other side and it's just black. Another point, I feel like the banshee is a bit out of place... how would that thing fly in a cave... I know there are overlords, but I feel like these fine... who knows how big an overlord is? You can't know at all, they might be baby overlords? hahaha... I think you could work on the texture as well. Making some variation and not just uniform texture, mostly at the terran's army.
Oh and, make sure to have nothing selected before taking a screenshot. Minor mistake ;)
Note: Sorry for double posts, when making big reviews I prefer to seperate them.
Working on projects:
@Scbroodsc2: Go
I saw the word critique from 2 people, and just somehow knew that you would make one or two of your epic replies haha :D
@Scbroodsc2: Go
Thanks, I am going to get working on that when I find the time but I have a question about my units, how could I make it less messy and give it more of a purpose. Should I make a fight with a decoy while the ghosts nuke, drones building structures with some guards staying around (and cloak the ghosts) or does anyone have a suggestion.
About the indoor nuke and banshee, I am going to remove the banshee and try to find something better to take its place but I like having the ghosts there, even if it isn't really possible, I just think they fit in well so I am going to keep them.
and last, about the fog, I have no idea how to make it and I might not have the time to look for how it works so we will see.
@Scbroodsc2: Go
Well thanks for that wall of text. I do agree with you on most of the points.
I also noticed the marines had that weird lighting but I couldn't figure out how to get rid of it.
The textures behind the ship looked better before I viewed them from the camera angle I chose.
As for a skybox I couldn't find one I felt looked good so I tried to avoid looking to far off.
Anyway thanks for your input I'll see if I can find time to improve the shot.
@joecab: Go
Mhuahahaha!!!
@pokenoufl: Go
The fog is found in the Data editor into the terrain set. To get a realistic fog it needs some specefic settings, like one value has to be really low and another one has to be changed accordingly to get a good looking. Otherwise the fog will come from the ground and looks weird... well depending of what you want to creat I guess.
@JacktheArcher: Go
Take your time, no stress ;)
Oh well... I know it's kind of out of place/nowhere, but this song is sooo good and could even be inspiring for some people. Does anyone remembers:
Working on projects: