First Celestial Skybox!
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Izk The Mad
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:40 pm
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lord rosenkrantz
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2005 6:46 pm
- ctp: No
- dla: No
- TBotR: No
- nwnihof: No
[quote=Izk The Mad;11664]
[IMG]http://www.rpgmodding.com/forums/pictur ... ctureid=89[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.rpgmodding.com/forums/pictur ... ctureid=90[/IMG]
The back side. I ended up with some strange effects because of how I layered this together. This isn't a seam. It's more like a Rorschach Test:[/quote]
Despite the character Rorschach in Watchmen is simply awesome, in NWN anything that resembles the inkblots causes me a bad reaction. I find always too noticeable when a texture is mirrored, it breaks the suspension of disbelief as all I can see is a model mirrored for optimization (there are exceptions of course, especially for kaleidoscopic effects).
Does that mean that symmetric objects can't exist in NWN? Nope, I think that it adds to it (instead of subtracting) if the two "mirrored" sides are in fact slightly different. It achieves the same result without giving the impression of an OOC mirroring. It requires larger textures of course, or simply more than one texture.
So, to come to this skybox, my advice is to remove the mirroring, from the back part at least (the demonic silhouette looks better under that regard).
[IMG]http://www.rpgmodding.com/forums/pictur ... ctureid=89[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.rpgmodding.com/forums/pictur ... ctureid=90[/IMG]
The back side. I ended up with some strange effects because of how I layered this together. This isn't a seam. It's more like a Rorschach Test:[/quote]
Despite the character Rorschach in Watchmen is simply awesome, in NWN anything that resembles the inkblots causes me a bad reaction. I find always too noticeable when a texture is mirrored, it breaks the suspension of disbelief as all I can see is a model mirrored for optimization (there are exceptions of course, especially for kaleidoscopic effects).
Does that mean that symmetric objects can't exist in NWN? Nope, I think that it adds to it (instead of subtracting) if the two "mirrored" sides are in fact slightly different. It achieves the same result without giving the impression of an OOC mirroring. It requires larger textures of course, or simply more than one texture.
So, to come to this skybox, my advice is to remove the mirroring, from the back part at least (the demonic silhouette looks better under that regard).
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Izk The Mad
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:40 pm
@lord r, I was thinking the same thing. Looked like faces to me, but I wasn't happy with it. It was distracting, I agree. I also wanted it darker.
New improved version of The Pit with Underdark scene:
[IMG]http://www.rpgmodding.com/forums/pictur ... ctureid=95[/IMG]
The back side:
[IMG]http://www.rpgmodding.com/forums/pictur ... ctureid=94[/IMG]
New improved version of The Pit with Underdark scene:
[IMG]http://www.rpgmodding.com/forums/pictur ... ctureid=95[/IMG]
The back side:
[IMG]http://www.rpgmodding.com/forums/pictur ... ctureid=94[/IMG]
Ah crap. LR beat me to the punch. Yes, you do not want your skyboxes to be symmetrical. Really check out the tutorials on Youtube and Luv2Help. I use them at work to train the new people to learn more about about the little things. They basically give you a good starting point and go from there. BTW, I like the lighter version better. I would maybe make the picture in the background a little lighter, or more transparent.
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chaos_theocrat
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sat May 31, 2008 12:18 am
"Celestial Rose" and "Abyssal Pit" skyboxes look great!
Izk, I must say you've done wonders with blending Dore's Heaven with The Fountain's starry cloudscape! I'll be looking forward to seeing the finished product once it's submitted to the Vault. Top-notch work even so far! The color schemes of the two sources are blended seamlessly. :thumb:
And speaking of seams, definately artistic blending, blur, and similar techniques are known to take care of them from what I have been reading lately. As they say: "Practice makes perfect".
Regarding that Eye of Sauron... that makes one rocking dark side counterpart to Dore's Heaven! Is that the night-time variant you've come up with for it? If so... it's perfect, and also very inspired.
And speaking of eyes... that "big green eyeball" skybox under "More skybox madness..." would be perfect for a Lovecraftian "Dimension of Madness" kind of thing. You should develop it all the way!
It almost reminds me of the part in the Legacy of Kain: Soulreaver games where Raziel was talking to the Elder God, and all you saw of him was tentacles and a humongous eye. It's really that good.
On the other end of the fence, the hellscape with the almost Gigeresque "Baphomet" image in the midst of it is fantastic in it's own surreal way! I hope you'll continue to work on that one, too, as it is also very good. I must agree that it is a tad bit dark right now; a bit lighter would probably do.
These would make a great "Other Dimensions" three-pack release, and very much welcome additions to the CSP once they are actually finalized. Keep up the good work... it's exciting new territory, and certainly awe-inspiring stuff!
And speaking of seams, definately artistic blending, blur, and similar techniques are known to take care of them from what I have been reading lately. As they say: "Practice makes perfect".
Regarding that Eye of Sauron... that makes one rocking dark side counterpart to Dore's Heaven! Is that the night-time variant you've come up with for it? If so... it's perfect, and also very inspired.
And speaking of eyes... that "big green eyeball" skybox under "More skybox madness..." would be perfect for a Lovecraftian "Dimension of Madness" kind of thing. You should develop it all the way!
It almost reminds me of the part in the Legacy of Kain: Soulreaver games where Raziel was talking to the Elder God, and all you saw of him was tentacles and a humongous eye. It's really that good.
On the other end of the fence, the hellscape with the almost Gigeresque "Baphomet" image in the midst of it is fantastic in it's own surreal way! I hope you'll continue to work on that one, too, as it is also very good. I must agree that it is a tad bit dark right now; a bit lighter would probably do.
These would make a great "Other Dimensions" three-pack release, and very much welcome additions to the CSP once they are actually finalized. Keep up the good work... it's exciting new territory, and certainly awe-inspiring stuff!
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Izk The Mad
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:40 pm
[quote=chaos_theocrat;11672]Izk, I must say you've done wonders with blending Dore's Heaven with The Fountain's starry cloudscape! I'll be looking forward to seeing the finished product once it's submitted to the Vault. Top-notch work even so far! The color schemes of the two sources are blended seamlessly. :thumb:[/quote]
Thanks, chaos! Took some color adjustment to get everything right. There's multiple captures from The Fountain layered in there to get the look I wanted. Still playing with those seams, though.
[quote=chaos_theocrat;11672]Regarding that Eye of Sauron... that makes one rocking dark side counterpart to Dore's Heaven! Is that the night-time variant you've come up with for it? If so... it's perfect, and also very inspired.[/quote]
Haven't done any night variations, but that's a fantastic idea! They're two separate skies at the moment. I thought about making another variant with them as front and back, sort of a Limbo sky.
[quote=chaos_theocrat;11672]And speaking of eyes... that "big green eyeball" skybox under "More skybox madness..." would be perfect for a Lovecraftian "Dimension of Madness" kind of thing. You should develop it all the way!
It almost reminds me of the part in the Legacy of Kain: Soulreaver games where Raziel was talking to the Elder God, and all you saw of him was tentacles and a humongous eye. It's really that good.[/quote]
All the way? It was finished, I thought. Perhaps another variation with more around it. I was thinking of an album cover from "Tool", and of course, Lovecraft. I remember the Elder God, btw. I played the original Blood Omen and Soul Reaver games, two all time classics! Ask me about my module's Heart of Darkness, sometime, which is also a reference to something else, which inspired a certain movie I love, and this part of my module.
There's also a painting by one of my biggest artistic influences, Jim Fitzpatrick, which I can't find an on-line image of to link here. "Nuada and the Demon of Death", which is basically a large eye, of sorts, with smoke and wings, and laced with Celtic knotwork.
@chaos, if you haven't heard of Fitzpatrick, look him up. Judging by your tastes, I think you'd really like his work. Celtic Art Nouveau! Reminds me of Ivan Bilibin or Mucha (and look them up too!).
That's a pigeon eye, btw. Found that doing a Google image search for eyes, and I doctored it heavily.
[quote=chaos_theocrat;11672]On the other end of the fence, the hellscape with the almost Gigeresque "Baphomet" image in the midst of it is fantastic in it's own surreal way! I hope you'll continue to work on that one, too, as it is also very good. I must agree that it is a tad bit dark right now; a bit lighter would probably do.[/quote]
Something gets lost when I reduce these shots down for the album, like my Underworld screen. The latest version of the Pit doesn't look as dark in game. That is Giger's Baphomet, btw, with the naughty bits removed, and a "ripple" effect to make it blend with the background some. My first attempt at this sky produced that symmetry effect, and it made me think of that Giger image, so I went ahead and added it. I was envisioning that Dore image of the lowest circle of Hell, with the Devil looming in the background. I'm actually very satisfied with that one, as-is. The Pit should be dark, shouldn't it? Also the seams came out perfect.
[quote=chaos_theocrat;11672]These would make a great "Other Dimensions" three-pack release, and very much welcome additions to the CSP once they are actually finalized. Keep up the good work... it's exciting new territory, and certainly awe-inspiring stuff![/quote]
I'd love to see these make it into the CSP. As an artist, I tend to enjoy the attention I get from my work, but I also enjoy sharing. If you want anything before they make it to the Vault, just ask. I can be a little slow to finish things sometimes, due to my creative ADD, so they may not make it to the Vault right away. I'm also working with a few other ideas I may add. Trying to make that Bruegal sky too, but it's more work than I thought. I had planned on packaging these as Surreal Skies or something, like that. "Izk's Mad Skies". I like it.
PS: I've been looking at some of the existing CSP skies, and may have to make a few altered versions of them, with some added imagery, of course. I don't know if I have the patience for dealing with seams.
Thanks, chaos! Took some color adjustment to get everything right. There's multiple captures from The Fountain layered in there to get the look I wanted. Still playing with those seams, though.
[quote=chaos_theocrat;11672]Regarding that Eye of Sauron... that makes one rocking dark side counterpart to Dore's Heaven! Is that the night-time variant you've come up with for it? If so... it's perfect, and also very inspired.[/quote]
Haven't done any night variations, but that's a fantastic idea! They're two separate skies at the moment. I thought about making another variant with them as front and back, sort of a Limbo sky.
[quote=chaos_theocrat;11672]And speaking of eyes... that "big green eyeball" skybox under "More skybox madness..." would be perfect for a Lovecraftian "Dimension of Madness" kind of thing. You should develop it all the way!
It almost reminds me of the part in the Legacy of Kain: Soulreaver games where Raziel was talking to the Elder God, and all you saw of him was tentacles and a humongous eye. It's really that good.[/quote]
All the way? It was finished, I thought. Perhaps another variation with more around it. I was thinking of an album cover from "Tool", and of course, Lovecraft. I remember the Elder God, btw. I played the original Blood Omen and Soul Reaver games, two all time classics! Ask me about my module's Heart of Darkness, sometime, which is also a reference to something else, which inspired a certain movie I love, and this part of my module.
There's also a painting by one of my biggest artistic influences, Jim Fitzpatrick, which I can't find an on-line image of to link here. "Nuada and the Demon of Death", which is basically a large eye, of sorts, with smoke and wings, and laced with Celtic knotwork.
@chaos, if you haven't heard of Fitzpatrick, look him up. Judging by your tastes, I think you'd really like his work. Celtic Art Nouveau! Reminds me of Ivan Bilibin or Mucha (and look them up too!).
That's a pigeon eye, btw. Found that doing a Google image search for eyes, and I doctored it heavily.
[quote=chaos_theocrat;11672]On the other end of the fence, the hellscape with the almost Gigeresque "Baphomet" image in the midst of it is fantastic in it's own surreal way! I hope you'll continue to work on that one, too, as it is also very good. I must agree that it is a tad bit dark right now; a bit lighter would probably do.
[/quote]Something gets lost when I reduce these shots down for the album, like my Underworld screen. The latest version of the Pit doesn't look as dark in game. That is Giger's Baphomet, btw, with the naughty bits removed, and a "ripple" effect to make it blend with the background some. My first attempt at this sky produced that symmetry effect, and it made me think of that Giger image, so I went ahead and added it. I was envisioning that Dore image of the lowest circle of Hell, with the Devil looming in the background. I'm actually very satisfied with that one, as-is. The Pit should be dark, shouldn't it? Also the seams came out perfect.
[quote=chaos_theocrat;11672]These would make a great "Other Dimensions" three-pack release, and very much welcome additions to the CSP once they are actually finalized. Keep up the good work... it's exciting new territory, and certainly awe-inspiring stuff![/quote]
I'd love to see these make it into the CSP. As an artist, I tend to enjoy the attention I get from my work, but I also enjoy sharing. If you want anything before they make it to the Vault, just ask. I can be a little slow to finish things sometimes, due to my creative ADD, so they may not make it to the Vault right away. I'm also working with a few other ideas I may add. Trying to make that Bruegal sky too, but it's more work than I thought. I had planned on packaging these as Surreal Skies or something, like that. "Izk's Mad Skies". I like it.
PS: I've been looking at some of the existing CSP skies, and may have to make a few altered versions of them, with some added imagery, of course. I don't know if I have the patience for dealing with seams.
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Izk The Mad
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:40 pm
Had to share these images for skybox ideas, though I think they're beyond my abilities at the moment, except for maybe the cloud shot.
[IMG]http://www.rpgmodding.com/forums/pictur ... ctureid=98[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.rpgmodding.com/forums/pictur ... ctureid=96[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.rpgmodding.com/forums/pictur ... ctureid=97[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.rpgmodding.com/forums/pictur ... ctureid=98[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.rpgmodding.com/forums/pictur ... ctureid=96[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.rpgmodding.com/forums/pictur ... ctureid=97[/IMG]
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Izk The Mad
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:40 pm
[quote=Izk The Mad]but I'm also a little lazy...[/quote]
The fact that I have a 500 page book that I've barely read on how to use PS6 is proof of this...
Seriously, though, I've been studying easier ways (for me) to do this. These skyboxes lay out like:
AB
CD
To produce:
ABCD
I'm now trying to work with a few images as ABCDA, in a strip, with a copy of A at the end to blend with D. Then I can move it over to the other A and blend/replace. When I'm done I'll cut it in half and stack the halves to make a square again. I think I explained that right. Doing this allows me to see how the seams look beforehand, and see it in a panoramic view.
I think I may have to start reading that book again, soon. "Visual Quickstart Guide" for Photoshop 6. Lots of pictures, too.
The fact that I have a 500 page book that I've barely read on how to use PS6 is proof of this...
Seriously, though, I've been studying easier ways (for me) to do this. These skyboxes lay out like:
AB
CD
To produce:
ABCD
I'm now trying to work with a few images as ABCDA, in a strip, with a copy of A at the end to blend with D. Then I can move it over to the other A and blend/replace. When I'm done I'll cut it in half and stack the halves to make a square again. I think I explained that right. Doing this allows me to see how the seams look beforehand, and see it in a panoramic view.
I think I may have to start reading that book again, soon. "Visual Quickstart Guide" for Photoshop 6. Lots of pictures, too.