File Management and Export

Well. Texturing is done after all this time. I find difficult to know what I have to do now that I don't have any texturing to do...

I am now arranging all the 3d and texture files to be exported to the game engine.

Once that is done I will create a material, set up its values and duplicate it for each object replacing the textures. This will ensure that all materials will react to the lighting the same way.

After that, I will replace the untextured and old models in the game and will start making some screenshots. I think that I will be able to make a few video captures by this weekend.

SpaceLab Colour completed

This is the last texture model.

I have now to bake the shadows of these extras in the cargo area to use them in the different missions. These bakes will integrate the models with their suroundings.

I think I am going to re-export all the textures at once to make sure they all have the same settings. I am also going to remake all the ingame materials to ensure they all have the same light and ambient values.

SpaceLab texture update

I have been working on this spacelab this week and I plan having it completed by tomorrow night.

I have also been reworking the earth renders trying to improve the resolution near the player so it looks sharper and more detailed. Currently the earth rim looks great but the area just underneath not as good.

A bit of visual candy for your desktop if you consider it worth it.....I have it in mine

Greyscale completed

I have completed the greyscale. It has been quite quick. All that is left now is the colour and that would be it for texturing....Then I will have to go back to programing.

I still will have to bake the shadows from these objects that are in the cargo area into the shuttle textures but that should be quite quick.

Greyscale update

I can't believe this is the last 3d object to texture....and it has loads of cloth.....grrr

It is looking quite good. I think I should have the greyscale completed at least by tomorrow lunchtime.

SpaceLab Greyscale

I am making a version based in the reference of different missions using the spacehab, and the spacelab.

I have already completed the line work and started the greyscale.

SpaceLab preview

This model is mainly to be used as a filler of the cargo area of the Shuttle. I might create one mission around.

It is a nice collection of living area and lots of boxes that create a lot of detail.

IUS platform completed

The Inertial Upper Stage launch platform is completed.

I will start the SpaceLab tomorrow (not the same thing than the Skylab) and all texturing should be completed by the end of the week.

Colour started

This one is also going to be completed quickly. I have completed the greyscale half an hour ago and the colourmap is already looking quite alright.

This prooves how quickly the whole game could be done if this was a full time job and not a night one.

IUS Greyscale Completed

I have completed the greyscale.

I should complete the colour between tonight and tomorrow. I have a lot of energy after Madrid finally defeated Barsa at the Camp Nou.

Now the greyscale...

This is going quite quick and rthis time I am enjoying making the cloth.

I have developed a workflow to paint the cloth folds that work quite well. It better do because I am going to need it for the next model which is almost covered all in cloth.

IUS docking textures started

Ok. Only two more textures to go. The next one is this docking station. It is quite small and is mirrored so it shouldn't take too long to texture.

I have already done the line work and should complete the greyscale today. I think it should be completed within three days.I am giving me time to watch the Barsa- Real Madrid this weekend.





Tell me what you think...

I still haven't made public this blog in any forum and haven't annouced the game anywhere so if you by any mean land in this blog I would love to hear from you.

Contact me in the email address in my profile and let me know any comments you might have and I will try to reply as soon as I can.

I will start posting in forums and sending emails to websites as soon as I complete the remaining two object textures and make a quick video capture of the game. Can't wait....

I think this is the first post without a picture...

Docking station completed

The colour texture is complete. I quite enjoyed doing this one although the cloth texture has been a bit less fun than the rest.

The next model will be the rotating docking station for the Initial Upper Stage for the Magellan and Galileo probes.

Docking station colour started

After an impass last night, I have resumed working on the textures.

I have been reading a bit about musical chords and other similar things as I am starting to think about the teaser trailer video. I am thinking on a simple rendered video for the game announcement with a few screenshots and then a few gameplay captures to expand the "press releases"

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Greyscale completed

The greyscale of the docking station is completed.

I am quite happy with how it is looking and also with how fast I am completing it. Specialy considering that I decided three days ago that I had to model it.

Solar Maximum Docking Station

I have modelled and started the texturing of the station where the Solar Maximum satellite is docked to the shuttle when it was being worked on.

The AO is quite dark because it is occluded by the shuttle interior.

Solar Maximum Completed

The Texturing is completed. I have found out how the attachment to the shuttle was built when it was recaptured for repairs so I will have to model, UV map and texture this object aswel

The count of remaining textures goes back from 2 to 3 again. At least each one is simpler than the previous one.

The completed Solar Maximum

Solar Maximum update

I have continued the colour texturing of the solar maximum.

Razer Nostromo

I have just bought a Razer Nostromo to help me with my shortcuts when making the textures.

It is awesome and very easy to set up. The best thing is that the shortcuts work between programs as they are just keybord combinations.

It is a gaming keyboard but it works great for texture and 3d development too. I am sure they will start making these more bespoke for 3d artists soon enough.

Solar maximum color started

I have started with the dificult bit which is the gold foil.

I am using the same layer colours as I used in the TDRS but as a starting point I am using the texture of actual foil as mask. Then I am painting extra detail and correcting edges by hand. This process keeps the hand painted look that defines the whole game.

I hate the pasted photograph textures look. There isn't much craftmanship on that.

Solar Maximum Greyscale completed

I am flying with the process now. I have completed the greyscale in one day and I think I could complete the colour in two. That means that I should finish this model by thursday leaving the next week for the two remaining objects.

After that there is a fair ammount of work but it will be different to what I have been doing for the past few months. I can't believe the will power that has taken to model, unwrapp and texture all the models for the game considering that has been done in my own "free" time.

Solar Maximum line work completed

I have completed the line work of the satellite.

Solar Maximum Satellite started

After completing the TDRS now it is turn for the Solar Maximum satellite.

This satellite was actually worked on in the shuttle mission STS 41 when the manned manouvering unit was tested. This makes the missions with this satellite the most plausible ones.

I have already started the line work

TDRS completed

The colour has been completed. I have added a few cables and I think that I can call it the day on this one. I should be moving to the next Satellite Tomorrow.

I have just bought a Razer NOSTROMO keypad designed for games but I am mapping the keys for use with my texturing and modelling software.

I think that it is amazing. The mapping software is very good and updates by clicking a button. It is going to be hard work thinking how to change all my shortcuts to it but I think it is worth it.

Here are some screens of the finished TDRS

TDRS colour almost complete

I will be adding a couple of details like the stickers and maybe a few cables later today but i think it is quite close to completed.

I have to confess that if I feel that I have improved my workflow and style so much that I don't know if some models will look much better than others but that happen in AAA games anyway

It is inevitable when the whole game Code and Art is made by just one person that you improve along the time and make things better and quicker at the end.

Next game I make will be even better ;P....I have to finish this one first though  :)

Some screens of the TDRS....I have even painted reflected orange in the dishes....

TDRS colour started

I have started the colour on the TDRS.

I wasn't quite sure how to do the gold foil but I think it is looking alright. I will add some sharpness to it once the rest is finished.

"Tracking and Data Relay Satellite" greyscale completed

Finally found what TDRS stands for.

I have completed the greyscale and moving now onto the colour.

TDRS line work

Finished within two hours. It is nice to work with a small model. It was quite well unwrapped and didn't need any remodelling.