Uncle Thunder's Side Projects Thread

[Dan1025]

From previous conversations one of the big headaches with the cylons is a lack of models.

Ah, now here I can be of some help. Quite a while ago, I had a long conversation with Major Payne about BSA and the general lack of a BSG mod for A2 that was of good quality (this was during one of the mods long silences and a while before Chiletrek joined the team). I got the idea to start working on a BSG mod of my own (one of my many side projects that I work on when I get the time lol).

Being the kind and helpful guy that he is, MaP sent me all the BSG models he had on his HDD, which consists of 14 TNS Colonial ships, 5 TNS Cylon ships, and 3 TOS Cylon ships. He gave me permssion to use, edit & release the material as I saw fit so long as he was credited, so I have no problem sending the TOS (or TNS for that matter) Cylon stuff to whoever wants it for use in this project.

Here are the TOS Cylon units I have:

Spoiler: Basestar

Spoiler: Attackstar

Spoiler: Patrolstar/Station

It might also be worthwhile contacting the mod team that created the BSG mod for Homeworld2, I know how to convert models from HW2 to A2 so I can help there, you'd just need permission to release them.

Let me know if you want the Cylon stuff I have and I'll send it along

 

[thunderfoot]

Whoooo Hooooo! Between MaP's stuff and the Homeworld stuff, it is certain this mod will fly at the speed of heat once it gets off the ground! This is indeed excellent news and thank you, Dan! Since we've not started on anything yet, if you'd please lay the groundwork for the permissions and send me some shots of the Homeworld ships, I'd be very much obliged. I am very sure we'll find what we need. Some of it may need some poly reduction/rebuild but hey! And welcome to the group!

Whoops! I just did some of that 'Coordinator' stuff, didn't I? And everyone saw me do it? Well now, that was careless of me!
Hmmm...what to do, what to do. Aah! Got it!

Hey gang! Look! Over there! Isn't that Number Six sashaying by?

Guess my distraction isn't going to work at all is it?

*sighs*

 

[Dan1025]

Whoooo Hooooo! Between MaP's stuff and the Homeworld stuff, it is certain this mod will fly at the speed of heat once it gets off the ground! This is indeed excellent news and thank you, Dan! Since we've not started on anything yet, if you'd please lay the groundwork for the permissions and send me some shots of the Homeworld ships, I'd be very much obliged. I am very sure we'll find what we need. Some of it may need some poly reduction/rebuild but hey! And welcome to the group!

You're welcome

I'll have to download the HW2 mod again (only kept the TNS stuff for conversion & use in my own install lol) and then I'll unpack it and start taking pics of the TOS Cylon models & passing them on to you via PM or email or something. Once that's done and we have a list of what models you'd like to use I'll contact the BSG: Fleet Commander mod team via ModDB (their forum isn't finished yet) and ask for permission. I should have the pics done and sent to you sometime today TF

Assuming they say yes I'll be able to convert the models to either .3ds or .obj format, which will allow them to be imported into MS3D for hardpointing and export as .SOD files. Homeworld2 textures are exported as .DDS files which are easily converted to .TGA format with Photoshop or similar software.

With my own projects and university work I won't be able to hardpoint and export all the models myself due to lack of available free time, but I'll extract all the needed files and pass them on to whomever is doing the hardpointing for the mod (once we have permission from the mod team of course).

Thanks for the welcome TF, like I've said I won't have a tonne of spare time but I'll pitch in where I can

 

[Starfox1701]

Theirs a DDS converter over on Elite Forces Files that I use. A link to it can be found on Legacy Files. Its Fast and uber efficent.

 

[Terra_Inc]

Hey gang! Look! Over there! Isn't that Number Six sashaying by?

Guess my distraction isn't going to work at all is it?

*sighs*

Maybe you can distract a Colonial Viper pilot with a Number Six, but not an A2 Modder. He will just shake his head and mumble something about her being "too poly heavy". And she has running lights! Gah!

As I said, if you'd like my help, I'm over here. I may not be very helpful on the modeling/texturing front, but weapon sprites are my specialty. And I know more obscure ODF commands than there are Cylon models.

 

[Starfox1701]

ROFLMAO Maybe but he should still want to convert her for POTD shots.

 

[StarBlade]

And she has running lights! Gah!

The ventral column of running lights only activate when she's, er.... engaged in docking maneuvers.

 

[thunderfoot]

You're welcome

I'll have to download the HW2 mod again (only kept the TNS stuff for conversion & use in my own install lol) and then I'll unpack it and start taking pics of the TOS Cylon models & passing them on to you via PM or email or something. Once that's done and we have a list of what models you'd like to use I'll contact the BSG: Fleet Commander mod team via ModDB (their forum isn't finished yet) and ask for permission. I should have the pics done and sent to you sometime today TF

Assuming they say yes I'll be able to convert the models to either .3ds or .obj format, which will allow them to be imported into MS3D for hardpointing and export as .SOD files. Homeworld2 textures are exported as .DDS files which are easily converted to .TGA format with Photoshop or similar software.

With my own projects and university work I won't be able to hardpoint and export all the models myself due to lack of available free time, but I'll extract all the needed files and pass them on to whomever is doing the hardpointing for the mod (once we have permission from the mod team of course).

Thanks for the welcome TF, like I've said I won't have a tonne of spare time but I'll pitch in where I can

From past experience, your, 'pitching in', is the equivalent of others' full blown mods. We're still at the planning stage and not going into production until after the new year. Real Life can and should always take precedence over A2 modding. Worry not about what you can and cannot do right now. Pretty sure we can find someone to take care of things you do not have the time for.

Theirs a DDS converter over on Elite Forces Files that I use. A link to it can be found on Legacy Files. Its Fast and uber efficent.

Thanks, Bro! Trust a Carolina boy to go find stuff, lol. I think there are several DDS converters available all over the place. Since we're speaking of textures here, I want to do the following if we can. I already know it is a headache.
1) I want only one or two textures per model, and
2) I want no textures larger than 512 X 512 pixels before applying lightmaps in the final release. You can make them any size you like to work on 'em, but the final size will be 512 x 512 with lightmap applied for a file size of 1 Mb. I've found this is a good compromise between beauty and functionality.

Maybe you can distract a Colonial Viper pilot with a Number Six, but not an A2 Modder. He will just shake his head and mumble something about her being "too poly heavy". And she has running lights! Gah!

As I said, if you'd like my help, I'm over here. I may not be very helpful on the modeling/texturing front, but weapon sprites are my specialty. And I know more obscure ODF commands than there are Cylon models.

I am unsure you are old enough to be thinking about Six's, ahem, 'running lights'. And you saw what happened the first time she powered them up didn't you? lol. You're part of this, Terra. Vielen Dank! Not sure what we'll need as far as weapon sprites but we probably ought to start looking for good screencaps from both TOS and RDM to get what we really want. I absolutely do not want SOD based missiles unless we have no choice at all. But I would like to have missile trails. We should be able to do something like this as I was once able to make my sprite based missile leave a trail. It was ugly and blotchy, but it was a trail. Unfortunately, I cannot find the files and I am afraid they got deleted in a routine cleaning of my HDD. Figures. if you could please start looking into this, I'd be grateful.


Alright, might as well accept a fait accompli, here. The floor will come to order for a vote. All those wanting TF(me) to be Coordinator on this mod will signify by a show of hands and saying, "Aye". *closes eyes and covers ears* All opposed will signify by a show of hands and saying, "Nay". *one, two, three, aw****!* You have to promise something though, people. If I start to get uppity and bossy and such, someone has to smack me on the nose and say,

"BAD dog! Sit!"​

Please note there will be refreshments in the lounge for those of you who voted, "Nay". The rest of you pack of miscreants and ne'er-do-wells are on your own, lol.

 

[Terra_Inc]

I am unsure you are old enough to be thinking about Six's, ahem, 'running lights'. And you saw what happened the first time she powered them up didn't you? lol.

I assure you, I am old enough. Also, I'm probably much more cylon than the people 'round here. At least, I can speak fluid Assembler.

Alright, might as well accept a fait accompli, here. The floor will come to order for a vote. All those wanting TF(me) to be Coordinator on this mod will signify by a show of hands and saying, "Aye". *closes eyes and covers ears* All opposed will signify by a show of hands and saying, "Nay". *one, two, three, aw****!*

Aye, Commander!

 

[Dan1025]

From past experience, your, 'pitching in', is the equivalent of others' full blown mods. We're still at the planning stage and not going into production until after the new year. Real Life can and should always take precedence over A2 modding. Worry not about what you can and cannot do right now. Pretty sure we can find someone to take care of things you do not have the time for.

Ah right fair enough. I should be able to get you all the material by then, it'll be good timing since my exams start after the Christmas holiday. And thanks for the compliment

Not sure what we'll need as far as weapon sprites but we probably ought to start looking for good screencaps from both TOS and RDM to get what we really want. I absolutely do not want SOD based missiles unless we have no choice at all. But I would like to have missile trails. We should be able to do something like this as I was once able to make my sprite based missile leave a trail. It was ugly and blotchy, but it was a trail. Unfortunately, I cannot find the files and I am afraid they got deleted in a routine cleaning of my HDD. Figures. if you could please start looking into this, I'd be grateful.

There should be something about giving torpedo based weapons a trail in the files for the Akiras' Chain Reaction Pulsar, as I recall that one had a trail in stock.

Alright, might as well accept a fait accompli, here. The floor will come to order for a vote. All those wanting TF(me) to be Coordinator on this mod will signify by a show of hands and saying, "Aye". *closes eyes and covers ears* All opposed will signify by a show of hands and saying, "Nay". *one, two, three, aw****!* You have to promise something though, people. If I start to get uppity and bossy and such, someone has to smack me on the nose and say,

"BAD dog! Sit!"​

Please note there will be refreshments in the lounge for those of you who voted, "Nay". The rest of you pack of miscreants and ne'er-do-wells are on your own, lol.

Well this mod is your idea, seems only fitting that you lead the effort, so I vote 'Aye!', and don't worry, if you start to get either uppity or bossy, I'll be wondering who you are and what you've done with the real thunderfoot

 

[Adm_Z]

Danny boy, I hope you can get permission to release those converted HW2 models. That mod was actually what convinced my to buy HW2. The game was a bonus as it was way better than I expected.

Anyway, I think it would be great if, in addition to a full mod, somebody would release the models as single ships like Maj does it. I know I would like to use them in my mod. My mod is actually based around basically what if the plan never happened. The cylons have massive amounts of ships and the colonials have their pinnacle of technology, the Beast, the Mercury along with some smaller support vessels and reconnaissance ships(the valkyrie)


One thing I think would be cool for this mod is if the Valkyrie could launch Stealthstars. A model i think is severely missing from the community.

Like I said before a campaign would be too cool and you could recreate things like the Valkyrie flash backs from Razor.

 

[Dan1025]

Well there's a tonne of great TNS stuff in the HW2 mod I've mentioned, and a Stealthstar is one of them (I have it in my personal install among the others I've converted).

Maybe once this mod is either done or a fair way along we can ask the mod team about the TNS stuff. That's assuming they grant the first request of course

 

[Majestic]

Even if you can't secure permission Dan, those of us whom are modellers can use what is available and make new designs. For me as long as their are textures I can do wonders, I even surprise myself. I can even use existing textures chop them up and make some new textures, like I have recently done for the YY Okinawa and Lexington classes.

Those are some fantastic Cylon TOS designs there Dan, Map always produces quality models.

Now does anyone what to use the Rangar station I have, it's a little on the high side in regards to poly count, but it is till usable. I may even be able to poly reduce it. The model is by Syf and is just collecting dust. Also is you guys are just using standard shipyards and nothing overly fancy I have some old PRP shipyards that haven't been released yet that may fit the bill.

Oh and aye Rear Admiral.

 

[Dan1025]

I have no doubt the modellers here can create whatever material is needed for this mod, if I can get permission to use the HW2 material it should save you all some time if nothing else

As for the PRP material, I'm sure there'll be a place for it somewhere, plus anything that doesn't end up being used can simply be released as a single ship/station mod. Ragnar station was old when Galactica used it to resupply wasn't it? (been a while since I watched the miniseries) I'm pretty sure it was built during/around the Cylon War, so maybe it could be used as a base or outpost?

Basically, the more PRP material you can get released the better, whether it gets used in this mod or not

 

[Adm_Z]

Oh, I could use any station you get out! The more the better.

 

[Majestic]

Basically, the more PRP material you can get released the better, whether it gets used in this mod or not

Oh, I could use any station you get out! The more the better.

I'll see about getting it textured and release at a later date then. I'll see about using a cut and paste job on Coxxon's textures to texture her with then. Or I may try and expand on them with my own efforts.

 

[Dan1025]

I'll see about getting it textured and release at a later date then. I'll see about using a cut and paste job on Coxxon's textures to texture her with then. Or I may try and expand on them with my own efforts.

Excellent! Looking forward to it

thunderfoot - I've PM'd you the information on the material from the HW2 mod

 

[Ryderstorm]

All this talk about BSG '78 and TNS has further heightened my recent bsg mood of late. I think doing a complete colonial race and complete cylon race is 100% doable if we all work together. There is enough variety on both sides to make up a race however a lot would have to me moddeled. Also if anbody remembers the BSG game for PS2 and Xbox there was some nice additions in there. One my favorites was the colonial cobra class bomber. Another nice addition in that game was the variety of cylon fighters ranging from the TOS raider to designs that bridged the gap between TOS and TNS.

 

[Chiletrek]

Hello:
That sounds very good, I wish I could untie my hands and help you all... but at this rate it might happen.

As for Cylon Raiders, I have also seen designs between TOS and TNS Raiders, so the idea is very interesting. As for other designs, I have lots of Cylon stations, including the Colony (and a way-scaled down version to have like a normal starbase).

For Colonial stations, I have plenty of designs to make a full race, but I am doing them on my own without telling anybody... but not now as I was asked to do some more 8472 Bioships and I am also making a couple more of things :zipped.

But I agree, a super-scale BSG mod is indeed possible.

 

[Adm_Z]

Yeah, we can always use more BSG related stations. I know I can, and if there is to be a full mod like this, I think the more stations the better.

 

[Majestic]

Cylon Raiders




Cylon Tank/Transport




Medusa Basestar



Mobile Base



Chimaeia Basestar



Cylon Stations



Cylon Captial Ship

 

[Adm_Z]

Those are all really cool.

 

[thunderfoot]

"Ask and ye shall recieve." lol. Beautiful work there from all the artists and they look Cylon enough to be in the series.

 

[Dan1025]

I actually have the Medusa, Chimaeia & Capital ship (Worldstar); they were in the pack of models MaP gave me, however they are TNS so I'm not sure they're of use for this particular mod.

 

[Starfox1701]

check this link out for TOS BSG

http://ravensbranch.allen.com/galacticaships.html

 

[Terra_Inc]

There's one thing we have to decide, and maybe it's already clear - but not to me. We are basing this in the TNS Universe, right? That means (as stated before) that virtually nothing is known about the 1st Cylon War (except for the Razor tidbits). So if we want, we could use TOSy designs as well as "old" TNS designs. Right?

Majestic, me lieks those cylons. They are great!

 

[thunderfoot]

Yes Terra, we are basing this mod on what TNS calls the First Cylon War. I assumed everyone knew this but I can see how someone might misunderstand due to the way this thread has developed.

 

[Dan1025]

Yeah we could include the Chimaeia and Medusa as older designs built towards the end of the 1st Cylon war. The Worldstar though is too TNS for this mod, it looks like it was built after the re-imagined Baseship was.

 

[Chiletrek]

Hello:
I agree, the Worldstar is too much like the TNS Baseship.

As for the Medusa, I made a version of it, same with the max (a smaller cruiser), those could fit as mid step between TOS and TNS designs too I think. I did not make them from MaP's models but from the pics from Ravenstar (blurry pics indeed ).

Have you thought of a role for the Guardian Basestar? or will this mod tos-based only?

 

[Dan1025]

I don't think there's a model of the Guardian basestar anywhere we could use is there? Unless you have one you'd be willing to share Chile (which would be awesome!). Otherwise someone interested here would have to model it for us I think.

Since the Guardian was built/launched at the very end of the war, we could use it as the best/strongest ship the Cylon side in this mod has.