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Gordon

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Posts posted by Gordon

  1. Tracer,

    Yes, the very first step (at least for me), is to find the exact onlines of the various polygons on each and every BMP. I do this by substituting a grid image on the BMP and then using that to trace the outline of the various parts of the BMP that are mapped onto the 3-D model. I'm not sure that all modders do this, but I know it helps me a lot as I'm trying to lay out the graphics.

    Gordon

  2. Originally posted by tracer:

    Thanks Gordon,

    But one question, how do you start a vehicle from "scratch", I realize that you can get the original color and such down to where it doesn't show as much, but how do you get it to a clean base to mod from?? There have been a few vehicles I would like to mod with a totally differnt camo scheme but can't due to the camo that is already in place.

    Tracer,

    Definitions of what "from scratch" mean varies from person to person, but the meaning that I attach to it is to start with blank BMPs and draw all the features and details. There's no "erasing" of existing camo as you are starting with "bare metal" so to speak. This is how Kwazy Dog and the other artists who worked on CMBB textures did 90% of the default BMPs shipped with the game. You end up drawing lot's of highlights and shadows to create the appearance of 3-D where there isn't any and adjusting the brightness and darkness of the various BMPs to accent the 3-D model. It's an extremely tedious and slow process, but when done right can often be more realistic looking (IMO) than photos because all the shadows, hightlights, etc. can be made more consistent.

    Another way of doing a "from scratch" mod, which is how I did my CMBO King Tiger, is to work from digital photos or scanned images and splice them all together on the BMPs and make them blend well across all the BMPs so that it looks consistent.

    Gordon

  3. Fionn,

    The "Caunter" style of camouflage used on British tanks in North Africa was based on naval camouflage practice first adopted in World War I. It was designed to disguise the outline of the tank (to confuse enemy gunners) rather than to make the tank blend into its background, obviously smile.gif . The original designs were worked out mathematically (which I had to adapt to the constraints of the CMBB 3-D models).

    Gordon

    I think I'm waiting for a turn, btw. smile.gif

  4. Ok, here's an update to my Matilda II project. It seems the Russians have gotten it all dirty.

    DirtyMatildaII.jpg

    It will be available in British factory dark green as well as the "standard" Soviet color. My sources state that the Soviets usually didn't repaint lend-lease vehicles, but this way folks will have the option.

    Gordon

    [ March 23, 2003, 05:50 PM: Message edited by: Gordon ]

  5. Thanks all. I hope you'll like the finished product(s). I'm not really as much "back into modding" as I am just trying to not forget everything that I've learned over the last 3 years. So, please don't expect that I'll be producing a steady stream of mods, or that I'll have time to take up CMMOS development again (as much as I'd like to).

    MikeyD,

    Yes, I had previously downloaded your excellent Valentine mods, and while the manlets/3-D model are similar, and I'll be able to use your Valentine for inspiration/ideas to further improve the Matilda, they are sufficiently different to cause particular Matilda-specific problems.

    I'll provide further preview pics as the situation warrents it (especially the Caunter Camouflage version as that's going to be "striking" to say the least).

    Gordon

  6. Well, when I retired from the day-to-day grind of modding I decided that I'd at least keep my finger in it slightly by working on a single long-term modding project, and this is it. a "from scratch" (as they say) Matilda II.

    MatildaII.jpg

    It is still a WIP (which translated into Makjager-speak means it could be published within the life time of some of those alive today smile.gif ). It will eventually be offered in both the original British base color as well as the Soviet base color (my sources say that most lend-lease vehicles were not re-painted by the Soviets), clean and dirty, and I'm also toying with doing a Caunter Camouflage (North Africa/dazzle camo) version, a Malta version and several others.

    Gordon

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