Something i mapped....

Belgarion · September 2002

<div class="IPBDescription">And it actually looks cool!</div>Man.. this is just like that story i heard on a tape. This guy was feel'n pretty good. He just bought a Porche, and he's driving around, reving it up all the place, feeling really good. Then he stops at a light and a Ferarri pulls up.... *translation to real life* i spent easily an hour on this bitty of map, probably more like 2. i stop to look at it, and i'm like "Woa, that looks really good! Almost as good as something in the official NS maps!" so i'm feel'n good, i'm tak'n pictures of it, trying to decide which one to put up. Then i come in here and look at Mendasp's map. *is crushed* THAT"S OK THO!! Here's my little piccy. Angelfire is dumb, so i have to give you a dirrect link to <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka001.txt" target="_blank">this.</a>
And obviously it looks way better in the game, but it's still cool. ok. i'm done. now. btw Mendasp, i really like your pic if you hadn't noticed. wicked texturing on the walkway there. ^_^

Belg

TychoCelchuuu · September 2002

A bit dark, pretty though. Very nice job!

Gwahir · September 2002

The architecture is good, but the scene could be stellar with better contrast in lighting.

realityisdead · September 2002

Better contrast? Eh? That's <i>plenty</i> of contrast! <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

But... my biggest point of criticism would, in fact, have to do with the lighting. It's too dark. It looks cool and all, but it would look so much better if you could actually see the map structure and detail. The atmosphere <i>is</i> great in that shot, but it really does need to be brighter.

When people go out to add contrast to their lighting (you have tons of contrast here, which is good), they tend to make a really dark map (pitch black, practically... which is bad) with bright spots of light. I think a better approach would be the opposite: To make a well lit map with tons of shadows. That way the map is a) easy to move around in and learn, and b) it looks better.

Really though, I definitely, definitely think you're on the right track here. Very moody and atmospheric.... it just needs a little more light. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Sinister · September 2002

Um... Excuse me, but what format is the file? The link is to a txt... I've tried renaming it to all (Well, maby not.) image formats I know... acdsee just shows 'nothing'...

Mouse · September 2002

Looks pretty good, Belgarion. Ken covered everything pretty much. But one more thing, It looks wierd seeing those light textures on the floor because they aren't emitting light, I suggest you use a different texture or make them emit light.
BTW is this going to be for a NS map or were you just experimenting?

Sinister: just click on the link and leave it as it is, changing the extension on image files to a .txt is a trick to allow the picture to be viewed through a link that isn't on the same website.

Mendasp · September 2002

Thanks! <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

I agree that you should make it brighter, it's very good, but it just needs light <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

Battousaix · September 2002

Nice job man <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>, i loved how you used the particle system for the pipes, it looks neat =). Make it a bit brighter, and you will get the cool look <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

Necro · September 2002

veyr unfable

<img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/pudgy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':pudgy:'>

Belgarion · September 2002

*whisper* wooooow..................................
*several more moments of silence*
so many good replies..... amazing...... ....
*begins to recover* uhh.. in response to mouse, i originally did have light emitting from those lights, but then took them away, thinking it would add to the atmosphere if they were dissabled.. possibly by the aliens? kinda (and i hate to say it.. but i must) like in Aliens (notice, plural, meaning second one, also, this may spoil the movie if you've not seen it) -------------------- when they're all bunkered in the room and seal the doors, and the aliens cut the power. hence the reason for having the backup light on top that doesn't provide as much light, and the red emergency lights. and btw, this is all i have done so far. i have some other stuff in there too, but i think i will scrap it. if you really want to know what else i had in there you can ask for it, but it's kinda dumb.
ken20banks: that was a great response. i will take you up on that shadows idea, and try that. when i think i've finished i will again post a screenshot. hopefully you can follow up on that great post with another. seems as though everyone thinks it's not bright enough. in game it's actually brighter, but i'll try this anyway and see how i like it. thankx again for all the great criticism! *sniff* oh, and Battousai^^X- thankx for saying something about the particles. i spent 10 minutes making sure the dripping water went through the slits in the walkway. ^_^

Belg

Maveric · September 2002

some of the halls in my map are gonna look like that...

...

then a burst of steam will...

<img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

Belgarion · September 2002

ok. i worked on the lighting a little, added some supports, guards, stuff like that. tell me what you think.
<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka0002.txt" target="_blank">IMG 1</a>
<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka0003.txt" target="_blank">IMG 2</a>
<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka0004.txt" target="_blank">IMG 3</a>
input input input. input makes a map better.. sorta.......
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maybe it is too dark...

Belg

realityisdead · September 2002

The lighting on the floor and back wall is frickin sweet. Very nice job, your color selection is great and it really stands out well on that light texture. I like that kind of creativity.

I'm still thinking it's too dark overall though. The floor seems lit well enough, but the foremost walls here would probably look better with some sort of light shining down them. "Some sort" meaning spot lights. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

Sinister · September 2002

Mouse: Yes I know, but that didn't work! My browser just shows it as a .txt anyways...(Netscape) That's why I downloaded it and changed the extension in the first place...
Maby I'll try IE some time and hope it won't crash within the first 10 seconds! <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

Comprox · September 2002

I agree with ken, in the fact that it's still too dark. Also, it seems a little odd to have all those unlight lights along the sides of the floor <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Black_Wolf · September 2002

yeah, i would agree with the comments so far, you need more lighting contrast, and just plain lighting =D

a bit brighter so the architecture is highlited rather than hidden.

Belgarion · September 2002

ok guys. i've listened, and tried out some stuff... and if i may say so myself.. i'm just amazed at what i've done. i never knew i had it in me...

<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka0012.txt" target="_blank">the 12th screenie</a>
<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka0013.txt" target="_blank">the 13th warrior.. i mean, screenie</a>
<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka0014.txt" target="_blank">the 14th screenie</a>

so, i pray thee, lay upon me thy thoughts of mine screenies. and again, i don't think the pics quite acurrately capture how it looks. they are brighter in the game, so if you really want to see, ask me for the bsp and i'll send it to you.

Belg

ChyChsco · September 2002

I don't know about anyone else, but I think that look is killer. don't change the style, it's plenty well lit and the colors work well. Only thing I would say is maybe add a type of door-frame for that one screen. Having the walls just sort of cutting off at the door makes it look rushed.

RhoadsToNowhere · September 2002

Yeah, I think it looks pretty groovy. Again, the door frame in pic 13 looks kinda odd because it's largely triangular-looking (it'd probably look better if it were more like the shape of the hallway), but other than that I like it.

Bullyfan · September 2002

Dude i think it looks awsome! Keep up the good work.

Belgarion · September 2002

*beams* that makes me happy. i was afraid the lights were a bit too much, but if you say it's good, i think i have to agree. in fact, i told my friends this was the best i've ever done. definetly my best. of course.. i've put more time into this one map than all the other maps i've made combined, and it's about 1/50th the size of my other maps. lol. alright. i'll fix up that door. i think i wanna keep the shape of it right now. i'll widen the top maybe and see how that looks, but that's it. then i'll ad the border thingy. i didn't think of that, but it makes complete sense. and thankx for the votes of confidence. ^_^

Belg

Jessica · September 2002

nice work

Tzarcon · September 2002

The only thing I can complain about is the texture you used on the side of the hallway, the slanted part of the floor. It's designed to be a light texture, so when you use it there in my oppinion its a little ugly, also when the halway turns, the part with the door, you use a different texture in that spot! So it looks really, really odd when the two textures touch each other because they're so different.

I believe, in the 13th shot, with the door, the texture you use there for the slanted part of the floor (it called wall_something), use that instead of the light texture, and I will have no complaints. THe lighting is excellent

Belgarion · September 2002

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> (Tzarcon @ Sep. 29 2002,13:53)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">when the halway turns, the part with the door, you use a different texture in that spot! So it looks really, really odd when the two textures touch each other because they're so different.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
you <i>might</i> have a point there... it's possible i will follow your advice, but i really like how the light texture reflects the light from the spots. originally it was indeed going to be the light source, but ended up not being, as you see. i may or may not change it. i might change it and give you a screenie to look at it, give it a poll or something and see what people think. at the moment i really like how it's turned out (like i said, i've never mapped something so cool in my life) and won't change it. but we shall see.

Belg

Necro · October 2002

WAY 2 dark...as everyone said <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tiny.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='::onos::'>

Radiocage · October 2002

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> (Belgarion @ Sep. 29 2002,23:21)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">you <i>might</i> have a point there... it's possible i will follow your advice, but i really like how the light texture reflects the light from the spots.
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

No, he does have a point there, it looks pretty screwy.

Without the abusive lights and that light texture on the floor, I would love this.

SuperMunchkin · October 2002

Hey I think it looks great. And just remember, you can't please everyone- there are going to be some negative remarks no matter what you do. Personally I don't pay all that extra attention to walls and floors when I'm actually playing the game, as I'm more concerned about staying alive.

pielemuis · October 2002

looks great, only thing i don't like is that cieling texture (i think it's supposed to be a floor texture), it could be a bit lighter, but it's not that dark (at least not on my monitor)

CrouchingHamster · October 2002

I think it looks great.

Nice lighting, and it doesn't look too dark on my monitor either btw

Belgarion · October 2002

SuperMunchkin-- yes, i realize that. in fact, the first thing i thought when i read Necro's post was.. lol.. 'too bad for you palsie. that's what the lighting is' i don't mean to be offensive to you Necro, but that's just how i feel. i like the way it looks. as for the light textures, is till <i>really</i> like how they contrast the lights. i dunno. i'll think about it some more. actually, i was really surprised to see that some one else had decided to post something after so long. i had been meaning to update again and show you guys what i've done (which is really quite a bit), but i wanted to do a lot, and have a lot to show when i came back again. eh.. i'll post'em sometime soon here. maybe even tonight.

as for a layout of the map.. i'm doing this on the seat of my pants, so i have no layout. if i could implore of one of the seasoned mape designers to make a map layout.. that would be cool. otherwise i'll come up with one eventually.

edit- oh yeah, thanks to those who say it isn't too dark. i know where my true friends are. ^_^

Belg

Belgarion · October 2002

<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka0021.txt" target="_blank">21</a>
<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka0022.txt" target="_blank">22</a>
<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka0023.txt" target="_blank">23</a>
<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka0025.txt" target="_blank">25</a> - to whoever said i need a border around my door, and to widen it, i took your advice.
<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka0026.txt" target="_blank">26</a>
<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka0027.txt" target="_blank">27</a>
<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka0029.txt" target="_blank">29</a>
<a href="http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/belgarion115/images/hl/NS/baka0030.txt" target="_blank">30</a>

Something i mapped....

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