Dropship prototype

Hand_Me_The_Gun_And_Ask_Me_Again · February 2002

<div class="IPBDescription">This time, it's ns related!</div>Here's a prototype dropship - I've been working on the proportions and its general design before I get to Gimping textures for the exterior. There's a load of existing NS textures that should be great for the interior, so I'm fine there.

<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/ns_sugarlump/ns_sugarlump-dropship1.png" border="0">

<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/ns_sugarlump/ns_sugarlump-dropship2.jpg" border="0">

It's effectively a sketch for the real thing - brushes, textures etc are all temporary. It's not even hollow. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Anyway, I've got a few questions - first of all, what sort of style should its textures be? I really don't like how it is at the moment - it's somewhat derivative of every other dropship that's appeared in a computer game or science fiction film. I was thinking about something more, um, Homeworld-like - panels, details and various symbols and so on, but this time made to look more drab and slightly weathered. Any ideas?

Also, I'm wondering about the porportions. It looks about right for an atmospheric vehicle that can also go into space (fairly streamlined, but big engines), but should it be a bit longer? Anything else?

I'm going to have two of these dropships in my map - one will be relatively undamaged, and will have the commander console thingy in the nose, while the other is fairly heavily damaged. They should be more than large enough to hold eight marines apiece - is that enough?

And before anyone asks, the scientists are there so I could check the proportions. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Slycaster · February 2002

That is very nice, i can't stress that enough, if i could choose a best dropship made, this would be it, this is great! nice job.

realityisdead · February 2002

Very nice, HMTG. I see absolutely nothing wrong with it. As far as holding 8 each, that should perfect from what I understand (I could be wrong). For the textures I think a darker grey with lots of scratches and wear on it would suit it nicely. It would give it a "used" look.

Great work!

UnCritical · February 2002

Damn thats good!

I love the design, proportions look right, remember its a drop ship, it isnt supposed to be flown with much manouverability, just get in and get out sorta thing.

One thing tho, when ever ive created dropships and he like i always try to have the cockpit view overhanging (or at least have a window facing downwards aswell as forwards) this seems more practical, and them rear supports dont seem to be attatched to anything solid, well the base of the wing, but maybe you can strengthen them up if you have polys to spare.

Texture wise it looks good as is acctually <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> but maybe some burn marks on the belly/nose and just detail it with panals and air intakes and other such gizmos.

But it does look pretty awsome!

Flayra · February 2002

Probably the best dropship I've seen for NS. I think I would change the front end a bit so it feels less like a bubble and more stream-lined. Maybe something pointier and sleeker, along the lines of the back end?

ChromeAngel · February 2002

Their has got to be a better alternative to dropships. They take up so much valuable maping space and add so little to gameplay.

I think marines will arrive by T.A.R.D.I.S in future maps. It takes up very little room yet can easily house 16 marines and all their gear in comfort.

Actually no I don't that's a silly idea.

* goes back to brainstorming *

UnCritical · February 2002

Well you could model (as in an acctual model,not made in worldcraft) the dropship...though you could walk into it and stuff...polus theres the poly count problem..

Comprox · February 2002

Personally, there will be NO dropships in my map, Im using the marines teleportation technology as the entrance into the ship. The marines will just spawn inside the map with a little flash and all that fun stuff <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

But that dropship does lookk good! I agree with Flayra a little sleeker nose would make it look better.

ChromeAngel · February 2002

If you want to make a model of something UnCritial make me a command console <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> I could never get to grips with any model making tools <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>

Damn can't get that tardis idea out of my head...

RhoadsToNowhere · February 2002

That's one sexy looking dropship! I might use it if I weren't considering doing an underwater map <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

Comprox · February 2002

Looks like a porta-potty or telephone booth to me <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

Hand_Me_The_Gun_And_Ask_Me_Again · February 2002

Bonus screenshot!

<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/ns_sugarlump/ns_sugarlump-dropship3.jpg" border="0">

I'm beginning to think I'll use a variation on the way it's textured at the moment - I'm going to enhance the 'polygonal' nature of parts of it - such as the section just before the tail fin. The 'smoothing' effect in HLRAD removes that completely - and I don't want to disable the smoothing because of other parts of the map...

I've tried to make it look like a so-called 'lifting body' - the Space Shuttle is a fairly good example of one. Stubby, not particularly streamlined - but can act as a glider at high speeds. I'll make it a bit more streamlined, though - it is possibly a bit on the stumpy side at the moment.

The visibility from the cockpit is actually pretty good, incidentally - I've just checked it with the camera in Worldcraft. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> I was wondering about a down-facing window, but it would be obscured by all the controls, and wouldn't be such a good idea on re-entry...

Thanks for all the comments - constructive criticism is very useful.

Incidentally, what sort of logos should I have on it? It's from the UCC Rosencreutz, but are there pre-drawn, 'standard' TSA logos and so on?

Hand_Me_The_Gun_And_Ask_Me_Again · February 2002

Nah, screw it. I'm replacing it all with a Tardis. Ohyes. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Time to get Worldcrafting...

Cliff_Mellangard · February 2002

looks really nice reminds me of the shuttles in that old scifii series on the box with the lizzard aliens V was the name i belive. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>
Keep on working it. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

InZaneFleaArmy · February 2002

I want mappin skills like yours...I can get the basics...but details are lost in that huge gaping hole between my brain and my left ear.

Cremator · February 2002

great looking dropship. very basic, but very nice. gj man.

pielemuis · February 2002

hmm nice dropship, simple but it gets the job done, gj.

badmofo · February 2002

well i Give you props on the dropship, but I also got some advise for you. If you made your own texture for it, then you could get it more detailed looking AND lower the number of polys on it. For instance...texture the cockput glass instead of making seperate brushes for the glass and the frame...it would look better and take up less space.

Shuvit_Viper · February 2002

but... the cockpit would be the command console? then its better to be able to see outside. I would like homeworld textures, homeworld is just the best rts game i have ever played/seen. Still. The thing i don't like is the command console being in the spaceship. Its just my opinion, i can't say why, and other people like it, but i would rather see an old command panel INSIDE the ship, or maybe a just-set-up-improvised command post inside the ship. i don't like the idea of outside-command posts. It just isn't right to me.

the ship looks FABOULOUS btw.

Hand_Me_The_Gun_And_Ask_Me_Again · February 2002

More screenshots...

<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/ns_sugarlump/ns_sugarlump-dropship4.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/ns_sugarlump/ns_sugarlump-dropship5.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/ns_sugarlump/ns_sugarlump-dropship6.jpg" border="0">

A view inside the dropship - is there really enough space for eight players? There's enough room for people to get past if someone stands in the doorway, so there's no chance of some fool holding up the marines just to be annoying.

The textures are very early - they need stacks more detail. It's three 256x256 textures for the sides (with different text on either side), and probably another couple of textures for the wings, the rest of the cockpit and the top and bottom.

I'm going to use a masked texture on the cockpit, reducing r_speeds, and also there'll be a lot less visible glass when it's done.

I'm having second thoughts about having the command console in the cockpit of one of the dropships. I will have a suitable place nearby, so that's alright.

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

While I remember - are there any pictures of existing Natural Selection spacecraft? It would be nice to get this one stylistically similar, so it doesn't look too out of place.

Oh, and the r_speeds are fairly high on one picture - that's because there's another dropship in the distance.
<img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

Ravenous · February 2002

Sweet that's one of the nicest dropships I've ever seen. But I liked the HALO dropship too. Who constructed that and where did it go ?

realityisdead · February 2002

The insides look great. If it were me I'd dim the lights inside a little though. There's really nothing wrong with how they are though.

I say that placing the command outside of the ship is a better idea too.

Unknown · February 2002

it looks reall purdy an' all, but I really think that if any dropship or *cough*command*cough*console*cough* is made, it should be a model by cory.

Biomechanoid · February 2002

looks nice, but.... Here's some things that may improve the look of the ship

1) make the chip dirty; it just "fell" through the atmosphere, there's gotta be scorch marks ALL over the bottom from entry into the atmosphere

2) I realize that you're making it as functional and low r_speeds as possible, but the inside looks like, well... a hollow rectangle, despite the luggage compartments and the inset control panels, perhaps have some lighting on the ceiling that's haning down slightly... (and I just spilled me soda... <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> )

3) 11k+ epolys?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! that MUST be the highdefinition model pack that's creating those, right?

4) it Does look a little shamu like (err.. whale like) but I'm sure that with the application of textures it'll look more rugged

good work, I loved the shots you had from your SP map!

Moleculor · February 2002

Shouldn't the number of players that you can fit in ther be 16?

And the scorch marks... what if it's a airless planet? I'd say 'no scorch marks, or ones that can pass for both old or new'.

Greedo · February 2002

Moleculor: Fitting 16 people in so that they don't telefrag would require a really large ship. Its just easier to assume that they were all crammed in, then the ship landed and started unloading, and at this point the level starts.

Hand me the gun: I think the dropship looks a lot like a fish. I don't know if this is a good thing or not. Maybe its just that they sky looks like water and the texturing is bland. But it definitely does look nice.

Sgt_Bilko1 · February 2002

What might make the inside of the dropship a bit more realistic is A. benches along the walls where marines sit before the drop, with straps for the shoulders ( I think I've seen this texture before) B. Maybe split the bench in the middle and add a gun rack or something to that extent.

If you own a copy of opposing force for half life, check out the intro sequence in the helicopter, you could could copy/model the inside of the dropship after the helicopter, because it's a good representation of military transportation.

As far as the body, I don't mean to be insulting, but it's like the front end of a Boeing 747 with the back 2/3's of the fuselage cut off and some wings attached. That was just my first impression.

If you look at most renowned sci-fi type games you will see much more original designs with unique architecture.

Mechwarrior series uses a rounded design with gun ports around the outside radius.
<a href="http://www.cdmag.com/Home/home.html?article=/articles/031/056/shot7.html" target="_blank">http://www.cdmag.com/Home....t7.html</a>

Aliens has a really cool dropship, modeled after the U.S. militaries Osprey just a bit.
<a href="http://www.planetavp.com/alienshive/amr/multi/pics/alien2/dropship.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.planetavp.com/alienshive/amr/multi/pics/alien2/dropship.jpg</a>

The starship trooper's dropship is original too, with a "drop the bucket: type design.
<a href="http://www.starshipmodeler.com/Other/dslater.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.starshipmodeler.com/Other/dslater.jpg</a>

The halo dropship looks really cool, a bit borrowed from other games/movies, but cool.
<a href="http://gamespot.com/gamespot/filters/products/screens/0,11105,472132-94,00.html" target="_blank">http://gamespot.com/gamespo....00.html</a>

I'm not saying your dropship is bad or good, just that in my opinion, all sci-fi games/movies in mind, is that it's a bit lack luster. I believe that it's impossible to improve without criticism and I've tried to be as constructive as possible while giving my viewpoint. So, please don't take this as a negative comment rather possible avenue for improvement <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Wurmspawn · February 2002

it has definite potential.
you were asking about theming it to previous NS ships...
i havent seen any, if they exist cory and co. are probably hoarding them.
but!
there are already three TSA structures you could try to draw inspiration from; the two turrets, and the resource tower.
i am personally very fond of their green, techy worn-in theme and i think it would look excellent if their structure and texturing style were extrapolated to a full-sized drophsip.

Hand_Me_The_Gun_And_Ask_Me_Again · February 2002

Well... The dropship's currently gaining some much better exterior textures (burn marks, more detail, big grinning shark mouth, etc) as well as improved exterior geometry, and I've had a play around with the interior.

I'm pretty hopeless at drawing textures from scratch, but I realised there was a useful one to use as a lightweight seat with straps...

<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/ns_sugarlump/ns_sugarlump-dropship7.jpg" border="0">

(Those scientists getting in the way? Let's try this...)

<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/ns_sugarlump/ns_sugarlump-dropship8.jpg" border="0">

I'm trying not to raise the polygon count too much - I'm going to have two of these ships, after all - but it's looking a bit better. There's still no passage to the cockpit - I'm wondering about sealing it off completely, so I can have a sound-effects-only landing at the start of the map. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

I hadn't been intending that this become some 'standard' dropship prefab - I would have thought an organisation as resourceful as the TSA would use whatever hardware they could. If there was a standard one, I would expect it to look more like the starship troopers one (thanks for the pictures - they're really useful), except with textures more like those bits of existing TSA hardware. Since I can't draw, I suggest someone else have a go...

Thanks again for all the ideas, criticism and so on - without it, I probably would have 'finished' it a while ago. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Biomechanoid · February 2002

I like what you've done with the cables and the hanging "bucket" just push out those benches a little (make the bottom part of the seat texture stick out on a brush so that if sitting was a possible position you could sit on them), and I'd say the interior is finished.

<img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> I'd love to see one of these plummit through an atmosphere with a huge grin on it's face like one of those dive bombers.

Dr_Death · February 2002

that is a good dropship man, But i agree about the scorch marks and stuff, it would add more detail and a beter "feel". It would be cool if you did make a couple of benches, a way into the ####-pit, control panals, ect... Would the dropship have any defences ( ie... Aliens one, thats one bad ### dropship ! )
Thats one kick ### dropship though
-thax for your time

Dropship prototype

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