Vandron Shipset

[zircher]

Pardon my nitpicking, bad habit...

The default sphere is too blocky, try loading ball3.suf from the L3 sample directory, It's twenty times smoother than the basic sphere. I can see one planet in view, but not two. Space is too big for that to happen. Perhaps a planet and a moon... Similarly, I love the coloration of the suns, but they are too large. Figure one should be thumbnail sized and the other one a bit smaller. It's interesting that the warp point blocks part of the sun. Perhaps using a transparency mask would make for a more warp-like effect where the two overlap.

This is just more of a random thought thing. Would mines 'tumble' out or would they be launched more like depth charges in a V pattern? The idea of tumbling autonomous anti-matter bombs out the hatch sounds a little frightning. :-)
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TAZ

[chewy027]

ok i'll try to use the smoother sphere next time. And the ransparant wormhole is a good idea. As for the size and spacing i was just trying to spruce up a somewhat bland pic. And the mines are being "placed" outside the ships with a wide arc tractor beam. At least thats what i thought that beam was anyway

[zircher]

Fair enough. :-) As to sprucing up scenes, try using NASA stock photos of nebuli and other such space 'terrain'. You can also download programs like Universe and Starbits to make your own space back drops.
Both are shareware: Universe ( http://www.diardsoftware.com/ ) has more features, but is more expensive. I happen to like Starbits because it's cheaper (only $10) and the demo is fully functional. I used Starbits to make the vortex in this image...
http://zircher.iwarp.com/fots_3d/images/emergence.htm
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TAZ

I got problems connecting to EMM's home page so try this link for Starbits... http://www.softpile.com/Multimedia/I...867_index.html

[chewy027]

ok so how do i import backgrounds that i make with these programs?

[Suicide Junkie]

If there isn't an explicit background feature, use a gigantic box with the NASA image as a texture.

[Alpha Kodiak]

AI Update:

I hope to be able to post an improved set of AI files tonight or tomorrow morning. They're not finished yet, but I think that they are much improved.

[zircher]

C27: ok so how do i import backgrounds that i make with these programs?

It depends on which Version of DoGA CGA you're using. I have an essay on hacking backgrounds in L2. For L3, it's as easy or as hard as you want to make it. :-)

Clicking Display > Rendering Properties will bring up the Renedering Properties dialog box. The frame on the right controls the background, the four choices are none, select a solid color, select a spherical background, or select a custom image to use as a back drop. Drops are fixed and 3D backgrounds pan with camera motion/placement. [This is also why some backgrounds show a planet, but you don't see it because the camera is facing the wrong direction.]

Using a back drop is pretty easy. Create a background or pull one off the web and save the image to disk. Fire up L3 and go to the Render Properties dialog. Click on option four and browse from there to where the image is located. Render as normal. For stills, this is 99% of what you need to know for custom backgrounds.

If you want to make spherical backgrounds, you'll to learn how to merge six images into a single panoramic picture and proper distort it. Fortunately, there's a tool to do that for you. Of course, it's in Japanese so you may want my Version which includes an English cheat sheet. To use a panoramic picture in L3. Load it as you would a back drop, but check the "Map to BG sphere" check box.
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TAZ

[chewy027]

thanks zircher i'll have to try that

[Alpha Kodiak]

Here is the latest AI. It is much closer to releaseable. Give it a shot and see what you think.

[chewy027]

great job alpha. I have all the big boys in and guess whos in first after 60 turns