Need help: Images

[UninspiredName]

I've always had trouble copying the style Illwinter's sprites take. For that reason, I usually prefer to (drastically) alter existing sprites to suit my purpose. The problem is, the only way I know of doing this is the brutish, print screen method, and because of my screen size it never comes out properly.

Any advice?

[Maltrease]

Hi, I sent you a PM with a link to download a zip file that contains a screen shot of the unit detailed view (when you right click on a unit) of all the 1700ish units visible in the new AllUnits map.

Its not the best thing for modding (since the images are always scaled to some degree) but its the best thing we have right now (as far as I know).

[Gandalf Parker]

I havent messed with it since Dom2 so that brings up something I was wondering.

Back in Dom2 I found that it worked better to turn off all of Dominions screen effects. I would use command-line settings to run it on its lowest ugliest graphic mode in order to capture the image, then I would use a paint program to make minimum changes (such as moving an arm for the second sprite). I had found that if I spent too much time trying to make the sprite pretty, then when it was put back into the game Dominions fade and blur effects made it look terrible.

Is this still a factor with Dom3? Does smoothing the edges of your sprites cause the game to double the effect?

[HoneyBadger]

I'm hoping at some point that from the community we'll get a core of volunteer artists who are willing to work with modders and nail down the finer points of creating "Dom-style" artwork.

To me, the game's graphics are one of the most interesting aspects of Dominions, because there's a ton of potential and a real style. Hopefully enough people will realize this too and step up to the challenge. We don't, after all, NEED 3-D etc. for this type of game to be graphically competitive with the big boys.

[UninspiredName]

I've also always been a sucker for sprites.

[Gandalf Parker]

Ive seen the modding of games die from going 3D. Not to mention the damage that it did to the performance of some games.

I would like to see the macro that was used to create the Dom2 library get used again to create a Dom3 library.
http://www.dom2minions.com/~minion/icons/

[Maltrease]

Gandalf, I performed that Macro. Unfortately the layout of the detail page is not as uniform as in Dom2. I beleive previously I only needed to determine the height and could then crop the image. Now their are some weird layouts and the horizontal position of the unit image occasionally varies.

So now instead of just the image I have the entire screen (everything is black except the unit detail).

It either needs someone to manually crop them or for me to spend a lot more time determining a pattern that my program can use to find and crop the image.

[HoneyBadger]

I'm really not in favor of using any technology without a good reason, Gandalf. I'm all in favor of "improved methods", but new technology isn't always an "improved method". Graphically, I'd prefer this game go in the style direction of watercolors and Asian "temple art", since it's what the game's graphics remind me of now, and because there's so much good that can be done there-check out 15-19th century Japanese watercolor depictions of Samurai, and artwork from Tibetan temples, some of the work is downright excellent and should remind you of Dom 3 (especially Yomi, naturally enough). Another direction to consider is the graphical look of the game "Lords of Magic: Special Edition". It's an older game, but it's probably the best looking game I've ever played, and a game well-worth the 10 bucks I paid for my copy about 5 years ago. It could really serve as inspiration for Dom. The mapping/terrain editor is exquisite, resembling nothing so much as a fine oil painting.

[Uh-Nu-Buh]

HoneyBadger, sounds great. Get to work. Get us something! I want a mod that transforms all sprites to watercolor versions, plus gives us a watercolor map generator, and maybe a random sprite generator as well. You enter the number of heads, arms, legs, the type of armor, type of weapon it will hold, and maybe a general racial type like human, lizard, etc. Plus a large, med, small.

Ideally, you will have this done for us by Tuesday. I personally will understand if it takes a bit longer. Let me know if you need a project manager! I would be happy to lead you and an elite team of your choosing in this endeavor. My background of knowing pretty much everything about the subject we are talking about should stand us in good stead.

Put together a project plan with a timeline, please. Remember, no "improved methods". Do this the old-fashioned time-tested way. No cutting corners!! I want this to be a quality effort. I am counting on everybody to pull together!!

GOOOO TEAM!

[Uh-Nu-Buh]

I am moving the watercolor project to another thread. Too much is happening too quickly in this project for this thread to handle it. Look for it as

HoneyBadger's Watercolor Translation and Generators Project