beat2k
Registered user
Registered: 01-2005
Posts: 500
Karma: 5 (+12/-7)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Graphics concepts for SV6
Hey, I was wondering if I can help with the graphics for SV6. I have some ideas for the StarSystems, but I wonder if it can be done on the new platform?
Unfortunately, I just found out that my geocities website that I host my images from will be closing in October 26th so don't be suprised that the images will no longer be available unless I can do something about it.
Last edited by beat2k, 7/22/2009, 11:26 pm
|
|
7/22/2009, 11:16 pm
|
Link to this post
Send Email to beat2k
Send PM to beat2k
|
awfullyjohn
Registered user
Registered: 03-2006
Posts: 17
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Graphics concepts for SV6
Just pay for a new host. It's really not that expensive.
I'd recommend https://www.nearlyfreespeech.net/
|
|
7/23/2009, 11:25 pm
|
Link to this post
Send Email to awfullyjohn
Send PM to awfullyjohn
|
GlitchSCG
Head Administrator
Registered: 01-2005
Posts: 347
Karma: 6 (+7/-1)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Graphics concepts for SV6
I like the concept of the star graphic. It's clean and it fits in with the look and feel of the game. However I prefer the concentric circles representing the shields, because you can quickly tell exactly how many shields the StarSystem has at a glance, and I'm kind of attached to the color cycling effect.
I would need to convert your graphic to vector based XAML. I haven't yet cracked colorizing images in Silverlight, and all of the "game pieces" are XAML based vector graphics.
With Silverlight 3, I may be able to colorize images, but having a vector based StarSystem has other advantages. Maybe you can try Expression Blend 3 trial and create a XAML representation of the graphic?
There's plenty of time to tweak the graphics until I complete the game.
Thanks for the great work here!
|
|
7/24/2009, 8:29 am
|
Link to this post
Send Email to GlitchSCG
Send PM to GlitchSCG
|
beat2k
Registered user
Registered: 01-2005
Posts: 500
Karma: 5 (+12/-7)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Graphics concepts for SV6
I was thinking about storing the colored star for each player so that all you have to do is draw the image.
I get the idea of using concentric circles, but you can also judge the shield count by the size of the aura. You can draw only one circle with a thickness depending on how many shields and vary the color so that it can slowly fade in and out. Just some ideas.
I don't know how XAML drawing works. If I can get good detail without too many drawing routenes, then it can work.
|
|
7/24/2009, 1:27 pm
|
Link to this post
Send Email to beat2k
Send PM to beat2k
|
franpa
Registered user
Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 56
Karma: 0 (+0/-0)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Graphics concepts for SV6
photobucket
imageshack
deviantart
many places you can u se for image hosting if your webhost dies.
|
|
7/25/2009, 12:26 am
|
Link to this post
Send Email to franpa
Send PM to franpa
MSN
|
GlitchSCG
Head Administrator
Registered: 01-2005
Posts: 347
Karma: 6 (+7/-1)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Graphics concepts for SV6
The trouble with storing a number of precolorized images is that it's possible for players to get a randomly assigned color in case there are ever a very large number of players in a game. So we need to flexibility of colorizing the images dynamically. Try out Expression Blend 3, I was able to get up to speed quickly and start turning out some decent looking vector graphics for the StarShips.
|
|
7/25/2009, 8:55 am
|
Link to this post
Send Email to GlitchSCG
Send PM to GlitchSCG
|
beat2k
Registered user
Registered: 01-2005
Posts: 500
Karma: 5 (+12/-7)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Graphics concepts for SV6
I just downloaded Expression Blend 3 Trial and it won't let me install it. After the installer initializes, it gives an error message about some dll. I guess it's because I don't have XP.
With the randomly assigned color thing, Can you send the list of colors used to all the players so every player has the exact same colored image list?
I have photobucket, but I don't use it anymore. I don't even know if my account is still valid. Maybe I will clean it out once my webpage goes.
|
|
7/25/2009, 10:55 am
|
Link to this post
Send Email to beat2k
Send PM to beat2k
|
Viltris
Registered user
Registered: 01-2005
Location: San Jose
Posts: 196
Karma: 4 (+6/-2)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Graphics concepts for SV6
Pre-drawing images for every possible color is a bad idea for a lot of reasons. No matter what crazy scheme you come up with, 99% of the time, you're better off just making the color-neutral (that is, gray) version and letting the game dynamically re-color the game on the fly.
As for Expression Blend 3 Trial not working, what error message is it giving you? Does it require the .NET Framework to run?
---
\/
|
|
7/26/2009, 8:37 pm
|
Link to this post
Send Email to Viltris
Send PM to Viltris
AIM
|
beat2k
Registered user
Registered: 01-2005
Posts: 500
Karma: 5 (+12/-7)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Graphics concepts for SV6
I tried to install it again, and it the error says that it can't find a method in the setup's dll. I already have the .NET Framework so I should not have any issues with that.
Are you talking about all the possible colors in the system or in Solar Vengeance player color list?
I was not intending to make a colored image for every possible color in SV, but rather for the player colors used in the game. 3 players = 3 colored images plus 2 images for unknown and unowned. I don't see why it would be a big problem doing that unless you go animated which in that case would present a problem with sorting the frames correctly.
What I was trying to do is dynamically color the "gray" image with the specified color used; Then store that colored image in an ImageList so it can be recalled (quickly) when it was time to draw it. This will be done on each of the Solar Vengeance in the game. I have done this on many games including on my 2D DX9 Graphics Engine with very good results.
|
|
7/27/2009, 12:21 pm
|
Link to this post
Send Email to beat2k
Send PM to beat2k
|
Viltris
Registered user
Registered: 01-2005
Location: San Jose
Posts: 196
Karma: 4 (+6/-2)
|
|
Reply | Quote
|
|
Re: Graphics concepts for SV6
Oh okay. For some reason, I was under the impression that you were creating separate image files for each color.
---
\/
|
|
7/27/2009, 2:30 pm
|
Link to this post
Send Email to Viltris
Send PM to Viltris
AIM
|
