Who knows how to make shields?

posted on November 12th, 2009, 1:33 pm

I've noticed that the shield geometry uses SODs. Does anyone know how to make some? Because I find this to me a rather annoying problem... especially with project Tholian going much quicker than I assumed. If anyone knows how to make shields... just tell me.

Here is some information that will help those of you who can make these...

According to Shattered Universe (one of few games that I see Tholians in...), Tholian shields are supposedly a golden yellow. The confusing part is that the shields on their scouts and fighters are a dark red....

If anyone can make these, I'd gladly appreciate them.

posted on November 12th, 2009, 5:31 pm

I will take a look at them.  I think i can change the textures in order for them to work.

posted on November 12th, 2009, 5:55 pm

I think i can change the textures in order for them to work.

The problem is that they are all used... I think. Thats why I was wondering if someone could basically make shields, or even just change its texture reference to make it not have to use textures of currently used shields. I dunno, I would just like to have Tholian shields for my tholian ships and stations.

posted on November 17th, 2009, 1:30 pm

like I said i will have a look, then give you the diagnosis

posted on November 23rd, 2009, 6:19 pm

ok, so what Ive found is that you can change the colors and sprite entries to be yellow, but unless you want to make your own shield model, or can edit the one in the game , or are going to replace the federation or some race, you are out of luck.  however I think it can't be too hard to make a sphere, and i have the hp hierarchy, if you want to try, but here some pics of what I did.

if you can make a sphere ms3d that uses the textures that are in the game, but with different names, I can do the rest, but if not, you have only a few options...

Attachments

posted on November 24th, 2009, 12:02 am

Perhaps maybe copy a sod then rename it and then hex edit it to use a different texture? I dont know if that would be a real pain to do or not.

posted on November 24th, 2009, 1:30 am

I believe a copy/edit option is the best way to go... basically take an existing SOD and have it refer to other textures.

Here is a reference for the textures to the textures I'm planning for them. Though I have planned stations to have different shields, so station shields will have their sizes followed by an S to verify)

Station shield textures are:
wshield_violet_down.tga
wshield_violet_hitcritglow.tga
wshield_violet_hitglow.tga
wshield_violet_hitglowS.tga

Ship shield textures are (For the small shields, replace gold with red):
wshield_gold_down.tga
wshield_gold_hitcritglow.tga
wshield_gold_hitglow.tga
wshield_gold_hitglowS.tga

---

I wish I could do it myself, but I don't have a modeler program. Sorry if it is too much.

posted on November 24th, 2009, 1:58 am

Don't the klingons have red shields?

btw, do you want me to do anything?  are you asking me to give you the textures I edited and make red ones, or do something else?

posted on November 24th, 2009, 2:03 am

I have the textures.... all I'm asking is to edit the SOD files to refer to the textures... that is all.

posted on November 24th, 2009, 2:05 am

hmm, well I can try, but I'm not sure if it will work. I sugest asking blade.  He seems to be an experanced modder, and knows plenty about modeling.  He might be able to make you a sphere sod instead of editing the texture refrences.

posted on November 24th, 2009, 2:20 am

ok, well it did not work to just edit the sod with a txt editer, but I think I found a way with assimview, so I think I can get it to work.  I'll post here when done

posted on November 24th, 2009, 2:49 am

lol tripple post!!!

ok, well I can change the texture in assimveiw, but it has the save feature (at least for the Armada sod) blocked.  It can edit and change hardpoints but nothing else.

Sofar as I can tell all you can do is make your own model, or edit the npc ones or something like that.  sorry man, it just won't work to edit the sod.  not at least without a unblocked editer.

posted on November 24th, 2009, 4:21 am

Im not sure but sheild textures still have to be uv mapped to the sod im thinking......definitly pm blade if I were you. or perhaps Neon might know as well.