Map loading screens

[Mattn]

Hi,

you want to contribute and ask how?

someone with more talent then me (well - everybody) can do some nice map loading screens for the available maps.

My default crappy loading screen


There is a Gimp template available:
http://ufo.myexp.de/template.xcf

You can make screenshots with your F11 and F12 keys (deactivate hud and take the shot) in-game. you can also play with the cl_cam* cvars (type cl_cam to game console and hit your tab-key)

those loading screens would be shown in singleplayer mode when loading a mission. they should somehow give a feeling for the map - you can also render some of the alien models or soldier models in front of some map part - everything that looks good is allowed.

feel free to send contributions. the loading screens should have a size of 800x600

a list of already available shots can be seen here: http://ufoai.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/ufoai/ufoai/trunk/base/pics/maps/loading/

if you agree, we would take your name into your nameslist - then there is a chance that soldiers, workers or scientists will have your name.

feel free to add contributions to our patchtracker or show them in this thread:
http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?atid=805244&group_id=157793&func=browse

[hardyvoje]

I'll take chance on it!

Where I can download source  (MAX or OBJ) files of current 3D models used in UFO AI, to use it for renderings?

[Mattn]

you can use the svn browser:

http://ufoai.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/ufoai/ufoai/trunk/base/models/

there are max, obj, wings and other source files available

[hardyvoje]

great!

but do you have any md2 to 3ds or max convertor and where to find it?

[Mattn]

http://ufoai.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/ufoai/ufoai/trunk/src/tools

there is a max im- and exporter in our svn, too

[hardyvoje]

cooooool!

[ion]

Hi everyone. I’m new in this project so I need some help 
First of all – sorry for my bad English.
I will do some artwork for 2D part of the project. In the fist please – loadingscreen.
Unfortunately I don’t have any experience with 3D studio, so need some help.

1. What have to be a size of loading screen in pixels end DPI

2. Should we have differed  loadscreen for every mission or we will use same for all maps.    

3. For design of loadscreen I need few big beautiful JPGs. Some aliens faces and flying units and  if is necessary – maps  screen shots. Just export characters from 3D studio for me.

10x a lot to everyone

[Mattn]

* 72dpi and resolution should be 800x600

* different loading screens for every mission
 
* and that's the problem - we have screenshots - but no nice rendering of the characters, yet

[Wolf4D]

So, I made a small render (maybe, not so good). This is prevew version:
If it's usable, you can get a full version in http://rapidshare.com/files/33930076/load.zip.html

[RaXaR]

How can I figure out which maps need loading screens?. And what would be mandatory on each image (ie Logo/Emblem/Gore/Blood/Chickens etc)? And are there Hi-res models available somewhere for use in rendering?

[BTAxis]

As far as I know, loading screens are not related to the maps that are being loaded. As such, they should be generic.

Also, here's a little snippet of IRC discussion which might be helpful:

[16:51:39] <@Zenerka> Did you played Warhammer40k: Dawn of War/Winter Assault/Dark Crusade?
[16:52:54] <@Zenerka> The loading screen there is divided into three fields: 1) up there is a rendered picture of models in fight 2) in the middle there is a list of players and teams in case of multiplayer games 3) at the bottom there is small loading bar
[16:53:19] <@Zenerka> if we would use that and replace 2) with mission brief plus scrollbar, it would be perfect loading screen _for me_

He was talking about this:

[RaXaR]

Sweet, now I have an idea of the layout and flavor for the loading screen.  Any chance of Hi-res models to put on it?

[RaXaR]

Here's a quicky, personally I don't like the look much but I thought I'd post it anyway and see what you guys think There's a 40px black border at the top and bottom and I left a bit of space in the middle for a panel later on.
Laters.

[Wanderer]

Here's a quicky, personally I don't like the look much but I thought I'd post it anyway and see what you guys think There's a 40px black border at the top and bottom and I left a bit of space in the middle for a panel later on.
Laters.

How do those things even fly?  There's not enough material there to catch air for aerodynamics, and there's no thrusters underneath to counter gravitational forces.  Drop like rocks, they would, hmmm, yes?

Pretty picture otherwise, even if it does go with the 'mass invasion' theme.

[BTAxis]

How do those things even fly?  There's not enough material there to catch air for aerodynamics, and there's no thrusters underneath to counter gravitational forces.  Drop like rocks, they would, hmmm, yes?

Strings, duh.

I agree with Wanderer. It may not be representative of the scale of the invasion, but it's easy on the eyes.