H3SW: General Graphics discussion

Orzie wrote:

All of the Heroes 2 mage guilds are made of the same pattern, where similar building blocks are put on top of each other. We simply cannot avoid this rule. Moreover, all of the blocks have rather simple geometry. Your previous version was close to perfection and probably needed to be even more simplified.

Say it to the Wizard's mage guild. Generally I agree with you however. The previous version was much more suitable. But it doesn't need to be more simplified. I'd like to see something special on its top instead.

Spoiler:

Guys these look absolutely amazing !!

All classic artifact icons in 43x43 (Inventory Screen) are done and can be placed in the game.
I plan to start (oh, dear) a discussion for new artifact ideas in a separate thread.

Technical note: thanks to feanor, now we have an opportunity to implement a custom def file for a currently chosen artifact. This means that we will no longer operate with moving squares in the hero Inventory Screen and can devise a 43x43 concept for currently chosen artifacts so they can fit better (black outline/yellow outline/shadow + no outline/other).

Technical note: a different design of an empty artifact slot is still required. The current one (made of H2 classic slot) is too bright, while we require something darker without a picture on it, similar to an empty window in the hero portrait miniature/castle icon section of the Adventure Map Interface.


Ultimate Sword of Dominion
Ultimate Cloak of Protection
Ultimate Wand of Magic
Ultimate Book of Knowledge
Ultimate Staff
Ultimate Shield
Ultimate Crown
Golden Goose
Helmet of Anduran
Breastplate of Anduran
Sword of Anduran
Battle Garb of Anduran (Shield of Anduran)
Minor Scroll of Knowledge
Major Scroll of Knowledge
Superior Scroll of Knowledge
Foremost Scroll of Knowledge
Endless Pouch of Gold
Endless Bag of Gold
Endless Sack of Gold
Endless Pouch of Sulfur
Endless Vial of Mercury
Endless Pouch of Gems
Endless Cord of Wood
Endless Cart of Ore
Endless Bag of Crystals
Giant Flail of Dominion
Thunder Mace of Dominion
Power Axe of Dominion
Dragon Sword of Dominion
Holy Hammer
Armored Gauntlets of Protection
Defender Helm of Protection
Stealth Shield of Protection
Divine Breastplate of Protection
Spiked Helm
Spiked Shield
Sword Breaker
Mage's Ring of Power
Caster's Bracelet of Magic
Witch's Broach of Magic
Arcane Necklace of Magic
Staff of Wizardry
White Pearl
Black Pearl
Legendary Scepter
Wizard's Hat
Enchanted Hourglass
Skullcap
Ring of Elements
Book of Elements
Ankh
Snake Ring
Evil Eye
Staff of Negation
Gold Watch
Everhot Lava Rock
Evercold Icicle
Lightning Rod
Fire Cloak
Ice Cloak
Lightning Helm
Seeing-Eye Pendant
Pendant of Free Will
Pendant of Life
Serenity Pendant
Kinetic Pendant
Pendant of Death
Holy Pendant
Golden Bow
Telescope
Power Ring
Traveler's Boots of Mobility
Nomad Boots of Mobility
True Compass of Mobility
Sailor's Astrolabe of Mobility
Medal of Honor
Medal of Valor
Medal of Courage
Medal of Distinction
Four-Leaf Clover
Lucky Rabbit's Foot
Gambler's Lucky Coin
Golden Horseshoe
Masthead
Crystal Ball
Statesman's Quill
Spade of Necromancy
Ballista of Quickness
Ammo Cart
Spell Scroll
Magic Book
Sphere of Negation
Arm of the Martyr
Broach of Shielding
Heart of Fire
Heart of Ice
Fizbin of Misfortune
Hideous Mask
Tax Lien

Fantastic job! They all look amazing

I recall you posted a very good starting in-put for the discussion in the DF2 forums
http://forum.df2.ru/index.php?showtopic=34792

I want to repack adventure defs of these artifacts. Can I simply use AVA0000.def scheme and give respective numbers from dropbox?

The numbers in Dropbox were set just according to the order of file creation, I doubt it's convenient for you. I suggest using a custom order, probably similar to the one presented in my post above (at least I tried to sort out artifacts).

Other than that, do everything what you feel necessary with the artifacts. Their effects, however, are yet to be discussed (I suppose 95% should have the same bonus as in H2 though).


I also suggest using Battle Garb of Anduran as the Shield of Anduran (the 4th part of Anduran set, +5 Defense, while other artifact effects are redistributed similar to H3). By doing this, we are allowed simply to replace the components of Titan's Thunder H3 artifact with respective Anduran artifacts and obtain the Garb (graphics should be designed) without complex programming issues.

Current situation with the Knight townscreen. Currently trying to find an ultimate sequence for the 2D treatment of the Town Hall.
The skies are still in progress.

Amazing! You can already see how much better the new one fills the picture (well, currently only the right side ) compared to the old one.

I think the shadow is a bit too dark :p

Yes, I also think that brightening shadows would be the best solution. Another little change: subtle shading in the corners.

Another one, if no one noticed yet.
Where is the cathedral shadow on the new building?
And how about softer transition into the grass? At the moment I have a feeling like it was just thrown there rather than built :p

Well, the shadow on the ground does not touch the facade. In theory only the shadow of the tower should lie down on the roof. And I'm not sure whether we should do something with it. Lighting here seems pretty randomly)

Quote :

Where is the cathedral shadow on the new building?

We can build Capitol without building the Cathedral, so we shouldn't have this shadow.

Yeah I know, but with the cathedral it makes no sense. Redesigning the capitol might be the solution. Possibly so it'll be flat with the front wall of the cathedral just like mage guild is.

Well, we can just pull a capitol a bit forward, so shadow shall stay behind.

Let's see what I can do in 2D in the following couple of days (maybe three if I will successfully regain my right to play another H1 tournament on HeroesPortal, lol).

I have a little question. In one part of heroes game series, probably 3 or 5 when you increased the level of your capitol, it no only changed the main building and income, but also there were new houses built to give you feel that your castle is in fact growing. What do you think about that? Can it be a good idea?

I understand what you are talking about. However, I must say that primarily the purpose of those small houses was to fill the empty space, while in classic H2 screens there is little room for that. We do have more free space with the enlargement of the working screen zone, yes, and Uhm even had some drafts for it, but in general it's too much other work to ever consider it (primarily because we will have to devise a concept of living houses from scratch and ask someone skilled in 3D to help us, for Agar is already busy with stuff). Currently I work on the Knight townscreen without thinking about additional inactive objects - the space is filled acceptably good without inventing such things.

But who knows, if we talk about future.

So what are the official addictional creatures for each faction? Couldn't find the info anywhere

Knight: Crossbowman/Marksman (4 lvl)
Sorceress: Satyr (4 lvl)
Wizard: Gnome (3 lvl)
Necromancer: Death Knight (5 lvl)
Warlock: Beholder (4 lvl)
Barbarian: Harpy/Harpy Hag (4 lvl)
Witch: Tribal-Wasp-Lizardman-Toad-Mantis-Treant-Wyvern
Dervish: Acolyte (2 lvl), Scorpion (4 lvl), Anubite (6 lvl)

Neutrals: Leprechaun (3 lvl), Pirate (3 lvl), Devil (7 lvl)

The graphics are posted all over this thread. The Dervish lineup will soon be finished thanks to you.

I found the graphics for the inferno castle



And new townscreens



Is this not getting implemented?
I also wanted to ask what is the main site of the mod? Is this it or not? I mean the site where all the work is being done, like graphics etc, cause this forums sometimes feels pretty dead and you knowl, v0.8 was announced 2 years ago as to be "soon" out..




PS Graphic designer site: http://melindar.deviantart.com/
PS2 Check out my topic for new design on harpy :p



//EDIT

I didn't wanted to be rude ofc.
This site just needs cleaning, bcause it's hell to find anything, graphics or info.
Just a pile of mess.
Just found this too: http://www.moddb.com/mods/h3sw/images/fortress-town-complete#imagebox

Ragoon wrote:

I found the graphics for the inferno castle

That was the first variant of the Heretic lineup back in the time, yes. The Succubus received an update later (I'm for the dressed variant, but it needs fixes). The Heretic lineup is still pretty debatable and we plan to return to it later. There is too many complicated concepts (which is not the style of Heroes 2) and too similar gamma for each creature. The Devil was redesigned in regards to the classic Might&Magic VI Kreegan concept. (the images are not showing because I'm using proxy being at work currently, I'll fix the post when I come home in the evening)

Ragoon wrote:

And new townscreens

This is already in the game, but in the end of the day sometime we will have to remodel it from scratch. It's looking too much like Fortress, while the new concept of the Witch castle is different. Moreover, it's not fitting the style.

Ragoon wrote:

I also wanted to ask what is the main site of the mod? Is this it or not? I mean the site where all the work is being done, like graphics etc, cause this forums sometimes feels pretty dead

Yes, this is the main working place for the project. We also have Dropbox and a little chat in VK between me, feanor and DrSlash as russian speakers. The reason that these forums are currently hard to navigate are simple: I didn't have time to bring it to a presentable state like I used to do with our Russian DF2 forum branch which was once active. I plan to spend all my New Year holidays to update the forums and post the most recent materials as well as participate in the graphic development on a daily basis.

Currently Uhm is busy with exams, and Agar with DrSlash are busy with the upcoming Heroes 3 HotA release - thus, the silence. However, I plan to start working from today's evening, for I have a little more spare time than I had a week before.

Ragoon wrote:

and you knowl, v0.8 was announced 2 years ago as to be "soon" out..

Yes, I was too tired from questions "When???777" back in the end of 2015, and we tried to bring the release on the New Year. However, nothing went as planned. Currently I hope that feanor will take his vacation on his job in February and we will finish everything required for v0.8 beta. For now, only graphic and mapmaking work can be done, which fact slows the beta testing down.

Ragoon wrote:

PS Graphic designer site: http://melindar.deviantart.com/

That is Kivo, the previous team coordinator. Too bad that the dude is currently working on other frontiers, his skills would be a nice addition to what the team has now. I plan to get in touch with him (once again) in Facebook on the New Year holidays.

Ragoon wrote:

I didn't wanted to be rude ofc.
This site just needs cleaning, bcause it's hell to find anything, graphics or info.
Just a pile of mess.

I absolutely agree. There is not much time left before the holidays, when I will be finally able to fix all the issues, especially the currently broken Mod Database interface.

Seems that we are done with the Marksman.



The Crossbowman requires a little more work which is left for tomorrow.

I have a minor proportion