[OSP] [WIP Release 0.8.5] New Units for Gondor REBORN work thread (1st post image heavy)

[SuperTechmarine]

Can't see the images. Imageshack hates me.

[Taro_M]

Imageshack took them down long time ago. I think I will need to get around making new images.

BTW: Didnt do any work. Still thinking about the Lamedon CoA. Maybe Ill try making the first version of the Lamedon Nobles tough.

[Taro_M]

Hey folks. Sorry for being inactive, but I still didnt do much work. Right now Im playing Witcher 3 and there are some really nice models for grunts that i may take as a reference.

However, when playing Witcher 3 I noticed how they did normal maps and the specularicty/gloss/etc. for plate armors. In short: you are able to see the hammering marks. I decided to try making something like this in MTW2. Well, since MTW2 shaders are pretty limited to work with I still think I got something decent. Thing to note that the changes only are visible in light


NOTE: Both soldiers use same textures more or less. The general has the old normals (and a different helmet), so the only real difference are is the bump mapping and different specularity.

New normals and spec

Old normals for comparison

Also I found the GEMFX shader tool with lets me squeeze even more from MTW2 graphics engine. I especially like the HBO with lets you sharpen the picture, also realistic shader looks nice

New normals with GEMFX shader turned on

And as a final comparison: pay attention to the shoulder pads (GEMFX on), the base texture is exactly the same, only change is bump mapping and spec tweaks

Old normals

New normals

The change may not be big, but considering I could squeeze out more out of MTW2 with some clever bump mapping and specularity tweaks it still something nice. Im still working on figuring out exact values in order to fine tune the whole normal maps thing.

EDIT: Some more tweaking. I focused on the main chest piece, made the irregularities bit less defined and I think it looks better now.

More tweaks

EDIT 2: I edited the textures a bit. I simply used the 1st upgrade (one without shoulder pads) as a base and added white tree to armor, leaving everything else like it was before on the 2nd upgrade. Small change, but now the normals look even better.

Check out the album: http://imgur.com/a/gM8Jk#0

[paradamed]

Cool! The new units look more realistic! They are indeed better than the old ones. Are you overhauling more units using this new technique?

[aynur_uyghur]

Can't see faramir and boromir perview photos, could you post them again?

[Taro_M]

Cool! The new units look more realistic! They are indeed better than the old ones. Are you overhauling more units using this new technique?

This tweaks will be used for any new units, but I do plan a big revision so I may use the new normals as well.

Can't see faramir and boromir perview photos, could you post them again?

eh.. I will need to make brand new previews as old ones were deleted. For all units this time. Well, heres quick preview of Big B and Little F . Note they are more like "close enough" work.

Boromir & Faramir

[Earl of Memory]

Wow I really like how the hair looks, it's so damn difficult to get it right but yours looks even greasy and messy as it should be! + rep

[Taro_M]

Hey folks, Im sorry for the lack of updates. I could just say I got a job, but its not a real excuse for not working on this project much, Im just being lazy yet again.

I still need to start making Lamedon Nobles.

I also plan to remake the militia grunts (yeomen, guardsmen etc.) as I feel they need some love. I also want to create new shield for Pinnath Gelin House Knights.

At least the new job means some money for me, so I may finally be able to purchase few things I wanted for my computer.

BTW: What do you guys think about this:

Le stuff

[Spitfire -WONDERBOLT!]

Is that.... a painting? Or a filter?

[Taro_M]

An effect of countless hours spent at the canvas!
And totally not a PS filter applied to screenshot!

[Roma_Victrix]

Taro M, you simply rule, bro! These units are amazing and look fantastic in the Divide and Conquer sub mod. Cheers.

[Spitfire -WONDERBOLT!]

An effect of countless hours spent at the canvas!
And totally not a PS filter applied to screenshot!

Still awesome.

[Araval]

Concerning the normals: I'm not sure about them, they don't strike me as a must-have.

I also want to create new shield for Pinnath Gelin House Knights.

How so?

[Taro_M]

Damn, time sure flies.

Anyway, I decided to get back into modding/modelling saddle and I retouched the new Pinnath Gelin House Knights.

The cloaks are out and the Scarf-thingy (TM) makes a triumphant return. The shield has been completely replaced by a one modelled from scratch. To add some more diversity I have added small emblems that some (its random) soldiers can have pinned to the chest, there are 59 possible emblems (yeah it took some time to set them up right).

Retouched new Pinnath Gelin House Knights

Album: http://imgur.com/a/FvMD3

Hope you guys are still interested...

Old new Pinnath Gelin Knights for reference: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...1#post14184269

[Ngugi]

An active Taro_M is a good Taro_M! ^^


No go fix the OP so folk may drool and know what they're missing

[Taro_M]

But that would mean that I need to actually install all of my units and make screenshots .

I think I will redo the screenshots with GEMFX turned on, otherwise MTW2 looks pasty.

[Araval]

Since you removed the green capes, could you make the green variations dominate?

But that would mean that I need to actually install all of my units and make screenshots .

You could istall a submod that has most of them included to save some time.

[Taro_M]

Since you removed the green capes, could you make the green variations dominate?

Its random, so even if I make more copies of green stuff game might just choose black instead. So it remains as it is, PG Knights have equipment unique enough to recognize them at glance.

You could istall a submod that has most of them included to save some time.

Nah, I would run into the trouble with reaching the EDU limit if I wanted to have all of my units in, I will be working off vanilla TA with all merc units deleted for more space.

[Taro_M]

Retouched upgraded Pinnath Gelin House Knights.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Album: http://imgur.com/a/DxyQE

Im happy how they turned out. Im not sure who should I go for next: Greenhills Riders or Lamedon Nobles.

[Dutch-Balrog]

Very nice, love it!
Any chance btw you will be creating some stuff for the Arnorian units? They should be very similar in overal style.