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The Citadel Project
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Daemun Khanid
Corbeau de sang
#61 - 2015-09-15 20:00:57 UTC  |  Edited by: Daemun Khanid
Sorry, I didn't mean that to sound like I was recommend that you spend more time on design decisions, just that the majority of the time I spent on that chapel was on figuring out how I wanted it to look as opposed to actually working on it. The implication being that you can accomplish quite a lot in a short time in blender once you get used to using it.

I haven't used Cinema personally. Most of my experience has been in autodesk suites like cad and studio and with other more manufacturing focused products like solid works. I ended up getting a CAD degree though I started in computer graphics initially. Blender's interface and controls are much different in how you go about accomplishing things. Modeling is fairly similar other that learning new short cuts but most everything regarding material, textures and lighting is laid out more as a workflow system that the simple windows and check boxes that are used in most programs I've used. But it's actually a very powerful system once you figure it out and it makes it very easy to visualize how objects/textures are interacting and lets you experiment with things without really losing your starting point.

Anyway, the real advantages over using an old copy of cinema would be software updates. resources and community. With any expensive industry software a large part of the user base is professionally trained to use the software in a classroom environment. As such documentation and tutorials are often copywritten materials and require payment for access and professional users tend to have other resources than public internet materials which they reference if they are trying to accomplish something. A free program like blender on the other hand has a huge public/hobbyist user base so there are tons of articles and forum posts out there helping explain how to do things. I prefer being able to search and find hundreds of helpful tidbits on a specific problem I'm working on, all worded and explained differently by different people as opposed to a often rather expensive and possibly poorly worded book.

As for blender being low end, I have to disagree entirely. As I mentioned, I've worked with multiple graphics suites with triple zero price tags and though as I mentioned the interface may not be as polished, the final product from blender is on par with any of them. Blender Demo Reel

Edit: There are of course MUCH more powerful modeling programs out there (particularly for character modeling) which Blender can't really compete with, but from a hobby standpoint its a really nice package.

Daemun of Khanid
Daemun Khanid
Corbeau de sang
#62 - 2015-09-15 20:24:39 UTC
Dragon
Another nice little Blender video.
If you are looking to do something higher quality than either of those then you might need a $5000 graphics package, otherwise the average hobbyist will never get the potential out of things like that to make them worth it.

As for hindering your learning curve it won't happen. The fundamentals of one program are the same as the next. Once you've learned those fundamentals moving into another piece of software is largely just a matter of learning how that particular program goes about doing what it is you want. Different buttons or procedures, same tasks and knowledge/skills.

Daemun of Khanid
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#63 - 2015-09-15 21:14:11 UTC
Daemun Khanid wrote:
Dragon
Another nice little Blender video.
If you are looking to do something higher quality than either of those then you might need a $5000 graphics package, otherwise the average hobbyist will never get the potential out of things like that to make them worth it.

As for hindering your learning curve it won't happen. The fundamentals of one program are the same as the next. Once you've learned those fundamentals moving into another piece of software is largely just a matter of learning how that particular program goes about doing what it is you want. Different buttons or procedures, same tasks and knowledge/skills.



They were pretty good videos. I will build a ship using Blender and give it chance. Thanks.

I may also build a level just to see how good this game engine is. I would like to place models into a engine, even it is just to run around or fly around until I learn pythlon or DirectX whatever is used for games.

Thanks again for your input, you gave me things to try and think about.
Daemun Khanid
Corbeau de sang
#64 - 2015-09-15 21:24:46 UTC  |  Edited by: Daemun Khanid
One more, Sheep This of course isn't the work of a single person. A TON of work goes into making animations like these but it's pretty impressive still that it's all done in blender.

Blender foundation youtube

Daemun of Khanid
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#65 - 2015-09-17 07:25:22 UTC  |  Edited by: Destiny Dain2
Day 50 (10 Hours)


First things first. A shout out to Candi LeMew of Isogen-5 for the player donation. It helped keep the lights on in Eve while I spend my free time doing this.

And to Daemun Khanid for the great idea of trying Blender instead of my six year old program


Now I will have a playable walkthrough game you can try from time to time if you want. using Blender game engine. (I just learned a little yesterday and today, so it it's very rough right now)

ArrowClose the first pop-up when you go to download saying download dropbox, just click on download in the box saying walkthrough, I will find a better site to post a file for next time.

Arrow(This does not install on your computer, so you can just delete the folder anytime.)


https://www.dropbox.com/s/jo8d0ya398t3ize/Walkthrough.zip?dl=0

(Extract anywhere and open "walkthrough/walkthrough.exe") esc. to exit game
Movement instructions is inside zip folder (I will be adjusting these keys as I develop more.)

This one is just my staging scene while I learn some things.



OK, back to my main Citadel on what else I did. First I have my glass block dividers for my change room and walls for the shower in my loft.

http://i60.tinypic.com/2luuxiu.jpg


I made a round couch for the first floor.

http://i60.tinypic.com/a7fvn.jpg


I put a little work into the doors.

http://i59.tinypic.com/2iuc6qe.jpg


All three in one frame

http://i59.tinypic.com/ih2z43.jpg


I am going back into Blender now and figure out that light situation. If you tried the walkthrough game, you know what I mean.
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#66 - 2015-09-17 23:24:02 UTC
Day 50 and a 1/2 (4 Hours)


Just making a quick post, so you can tell I made a change to the walkthrough game.


Version 2:

*** I learned to change screens today so I added it, and to make it interesting I hid it somewhere. It's a big "Green Panel" so you can not miss it, if you find it.

Click it and fly around some shapes that is supposed to be a Citadel. (I will relocate it when I actually start modeling the Citadel in Blender.)

*** I just added a couple lights outside so it was not so dark out there.

*** I added some more controls mainly pressing "L" will restart the game.



https://www.dropbox.com/s/vsgfyyzmz3ble4q/walkthrough2.zip?dl=0
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#67 - 2015-09-18 06:05:02 UTC
Day 51 (5 Hours)


After I posted earlier, I went back to work on my Citadel.


I made a computer. I like the keypad, but I do not like the computer station as a whole. It will do for now, though as I make different and better computer stations I will get rid of this.

http://i62.tinypic.com/33xh5ad.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/241p0sn.jpg (I put a few along the window area)
http://i59.tinypic.com/24uyjit.jpg (Needs work, but a few chairs I made)


I did some shaping outside on the right of the Citadel base and added five more floors to the bottom. I also shaped the bottom front of the command center to the Citadel base.

http://i59.tinypic.com/t69t39.jpg
http://i61.tinypic.com/4r95w9.jpg (Nothing special, just the backside.)

I do not want to touch the left side until I figure out if I will reshape my hanger to match my new Citadel style or just build a new one.

I kind of want to start a new one and have it look like in the game when looking from the balcony.
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#68 - 2015-09-18 18:03:06 UTC  |  Edited by: Destiny Dain2
Day 52 (5 Hours)


Just added a little better update on the walkthrough game. I am spending some time on this game until it catches up to my main Citadel.

Version 3:

* I placed a green panel that brings you outside at the very start, just click it. (Give it a second to load. I do not know how to add a loading screen yet.)

* I imported my Citadel, So when you go a click the green panel, you start inside the hanger and you can fly around the Citadel. (I will speed it up, movement is a little slow.) If you fly outside to the Captain Quarters and look in, you can see why I am building the levels in Blender and not just importing my current model.

* I added some more walls and made it bigger inside the main floor when you start the game.


https://www.dropbox.com/s/jo8d0ya398t3ize/Walkthrough.zip?dl=0 (Started Day 50 post - page 4)

Arrow Close the first pop-up when you go to download saying dropbox download, just click on download in the box saying walkthrough, I will find a better site to post a file.

^^Movement instructions inside zip folder (This does not install on your computer, so you can just delete the folder anytime.)

Arrow I do not know what is happening this weekend, but if I end up taking off for the weekend. Try and have yourself a good weekend.
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#69 - 2015-09-19 23:15:37 UTC
Day 53 (17 Hours)


I went out yesterday and I left very early, I decided on being good all weekend and just build my models and game.


I Started my actual Citadel Main Level. Still need two more rooms and a hallway, then it will match my Main Citadel.

Everything in todays post is on the walkthrough game.


Version 4: I started my actual Citadel in blender

* I started to make my main floor. (Still need two more rooms to the left if you saw todays image)
* I increased the speed when flying outside the Citadel
* I added a red panel you can click and it brings you in the cockpit of a Cannon. (I will figure out how to make a mini game out of this, as a way you defend your Citadel.)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vsgfyyzmz3ble4q/walkthrough2.zip?dl=0 (Started Day 50 post - page 4)

ArrowClose the first pop-up when you go to download saying dropbox download, just click on download in the box saying walkthrough, I will find a better site to post a file.

^^Movement instructions inside zip folder (This does not install on your computer, so you can just delete the folder anytime.)


I figure some people do not want to download something that someone post on a forum and I do not want you to miss out on what I am doing.

So, I made a real-time walkthrough video of my game and the different scenes I started as well.

https://youtu.be/HToBeO-VpZ8


I made some quick random images of the game.

http://i62.tinypic.com/2mw8b5l.jpg (Outside Looking Down)
http://i57.tinypic.com/2uqhjya.jpg (Starting Hallway)
http://i58.tinypic.com/25ich02.jpg (My Hall to the Captain Quarters)
http://i61.tinypic.com/2i23a5e.jpg (Captain Quarters)
http://i59.tinypic.com/28c0gti.jpg (A Room)
http://i59.tinypic.com/32zl0e1.jpg (Outside Citadel)
http://i62.tinypic.com/5zfpt2.jpg (Cannon View)
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#70 - 2015-09-21 03:14:54 UTC
Day 54 (5 Hours)


Today I did something on my main Citadel that I thought of for my hanger bay, but did it for my Captain Quarters Door instead.

I will make a video of this in action, but I want to do some detailing on the door themselves and then I will post a video. That way I can also add it to my walkthrough game as a cut scene when enter the Captain Quarters.


Standalone Image of what I made

http://i59.tinypic.com/2mzotw.jpg


The emblem starts like this when the door is closed and locked.

http://i62.tinypic.com/bf282x.jpg


Then it rotates to unlock and starts to open.

http://i57.tinypic.com/ndso6v.jpg


As the door proceeds to open all the way the emblem on the right also slides sideways. (Otherwise I had two points from the emblem sticking out, and that a safety hazard.)

http://i61.tinypic.com/kamc6x.jpg


I also placed materials in my game, so I was able to delete most of those lights and lined up all the walls. got stairs to the loft in there now, and worked on the cannon cockpit scene.

I will be posting these updates maybe tomorrow. I want to do some more on it tonight and a little tomorrow, that way it will be better to try out instead of downloading it just for one little thing.
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#71 - 2015-09-21 23:03:57 UTC  |  Edited by: Destiny Dain2
Day 55 (3 Hours)


Today I made a update to the walkthrough game.

The video walkthrough of the game with Outside the Citadel and Cannon scene, if you do not want to download it and try it.

https://youtu.be/IgEYdogCoxA


Version 5:

Arrow Added Materials to my game and deleted most of the lights. I just left those four rooms alone until I decide what they are going to be used for.

Arrow Made up the hall leading to Captain Quarters to match my main Citadel

Arrow Placed stairs in Captain Quarters to get to the loft.

Arrow I learned how to make bullets for my Cannon Scene whenever you left click, so I added it too. (RED Panel on wall) (I will figure out how to make a mini game out of this, as a way you defend your Citadel.)

I also made a texture filled of stars for the background, but it is just displaying grey and not the image. I see it in Blender, it just is not displaying when I assemble the game into an exe. I will figure it out.

Give the scenes a second to load until I learn to make a loading screen


https://www.dropbox.com/s/jo8d0ya398t3ize/Walkthrough.zip?dl=0 (Started Day 50 post - page 4)

Arrow Close the first pop-up when you go to download saying dropbox download, just click on download in the box saying walkthrough, I will find a better site to post a file.

^^Movement instructions inside zip folder (This does not install on your computer, so you can just delete the folder anytime.)
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#72 - 2015-09-24 02:25:43 UTC  |  Edited by: Destiny Dain2
Day 56 (3 Hours)


I would like to start by giving a shout out to "Delonewolf" for recommending a new home I could go.

The first time in my Eve career (10 Months I think) I am leaving high security space and have started moving into null space. I hanged around all yesterday and I really liked it. First time I sat down and played Eve all day and night in almost a month now.

Here's one of his videos that made me decide to go.

https://youtu.be/JOFvfXBm1gE




OK, down to business. I did not do much today. I watched some tutorials and learned a couple things and one applies to me right now on lighting, So I incorporated it right away. So basic too.


If I did not move the lights around and play with them until it looks good. I would sometimes get this.

http://i62.tinypic.com/ffcylv.jpg (See the light hotspots on the walls)

Here it is now. I put lights in quick to reproduce that same glare and took a random shot. Now No hotspots.

http://i60.tinypic.com/m7xqhd.jpg

Oh yah, I learned something small on materials a couple days ago. Compare the wall color from the before and after images as well. A lot sharper color.



I did all I am going to do on my door for now, until I get an idea to add something.

http://i57.tinypic.com/34ycpxl.jpg

I want to see my door in action, so I am going to render out a animation when I go to sleep. I will post that with tomorrows post.

Have A Good One.
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#73 - 2015-09-24 21:46:08 UTC
Day 57 (4 Hours)


Made that animation of the door.


I made one last night. It was very rough and I would have been happy with it since I am just deleting the keyframes for animation anyways, but I could not do that to you.

So, I sat down for an hour and made it up better today and rendered it over again.


https://youtu.be/gYLUfT3N-40


I sat there for almost 3 hours and watched the render go frame by frame, just to look for anything wrong, like...

* I need to turn down the reflection on the door
* I need to move the Amarr Emblem ever so slightly to the right to be centered.



I am going to do some work on the walkthrough game for the rest of the night, that's why I'm posting so early.

I want to bring out a update soon.

I also might not post tomorrow if I am still working o the game. I have a few ideas I want to learn and incorporate.
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#74 - 2015-09-26 20:37:07 UTC
Day 58 (20 Hours)


For the last two days I have been doing a few things here and there.

First, I will mention that I did some more on the walkthrough game. Fixed my bullets, added my door with the Amarr emblem on it. I even learned how to make a cutscene (Sort of) so I added it.

But, I will show all that when I bring out an update, which will be soon


I also logged into Singularity and started taking screenshots of everything. (Weapon, Ships, Asteroids, etc. from all angles)

just incase I loss my account, due to not making isk anymore and just doing this.



Now, the cool thing I am doing now.

It seems that CCP will be going with the Citadel in the images they posted, therefore I have direction now.

3rd revision of my Citadel and I promise the last as well.

http://i60.tinypic.com/2zrqnmc.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/wgukwl.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/swcydd.jpg
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#75 - 2015-09-27 18:19:56 UTC  |  Edited by: Destiny Dain2
Day 59 (1 Hour)


I uploaded a small update on the Walkthrough game today which includes the new Citadel.

I will be taking the rest of the day off and get some vitamin D into me.


If you want to check it out without downloading it. Here is the real-time video playthrough of it. (3 scenes in all so far.)

https://youtu.be/1SoPZMhTLyk (2nd scene starts at 0:55 min, 3rd scene at 1:33 min)


Version 6:

* Added the door opening cutscene (Blue Panel Next to door) "A bug here"
* Fixed the bullets coming out from the cannon (I will work on the bullets next and skydome)
* Added what I have done so far on my new Citadel. (Did not fix it up after import, I'll do that another day)
* I also added my Venture, so it feels like that's what your flying in the Citadel scene.

Give the scenes a second to load until I learn to make a loading screen.

I found a better site to share files "Google Drive", why did I not think of that. I have my moments.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_dec2J6oe6dUEpJN3pxZ1JCTHM/view?usp=sharing (Started Day 50 post - page 4)

ArrowMovement instructions inside zip folder[/b] (This does not install on your computer, so you can just delete the folder anytime.)


That's it for today and I am out of here.

Have a great day and I be back tomorrow, hopefully with a lot of work done on the Citadel. I will see how it goes tomorrow.
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#76 - 2015-09-28 21:59:00 UTC
Day 60 (4 1/2 Hours)


Today I started working on the top platform of the Citadel and almost have it done. Just a few adjustments and then the second platform.

For something that looked not to difficult to make was actually very challenging. I had to scrap one and restart it.

Anyways, here it is so far.

http://i61.tinypic.com/21j9845.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/2mww49l.jpg


Hopefully I can get the second level done tomorrow, but I do not think so. I guess we will see tomorrow.

Have a good one.
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#77 - 2015-09-29 22:55:38 UTC
Day 61 (6 Hours)


Today I never started the second platform down.

I decided to just focus on the entire top part first and then work my way down. I am however going to build the hanger tonight. That way I can get rid of the old hanger in the walkthrough game A.S.A.P.



I cleaned up the edges around the top level and added a couple more openings that I noticed in CCP image that I missed yesterday.

http://i57.tinypic.com/2mdje6r.jpg


Here's the start of an elevator idea I'm thinking of.

http://i60.tinypic.com/2n1xn28.jpg


Just a couple images of the citadel so far in a space environment.

http://i60.tinypic.com/2du9e21.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/s2r5dw.jpg
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#78 - 2015-09-30 19:53:56 UTC
Day 62 (3 1/2 Hours)


Today I was looking at my elevator and realized that it was too big and did not represent the scale of the Citadel, so I changed it.

http://i60.tinypic.com/10xakj5.jpg



Then I built my hanger like I said, so I can get rid of my old hanger from the walkthrough game right away. And I added some light poles around the Citadel as well.

http://i62.tinypic.com/2h4gh0p.jpg


That's it for today. I am heading out and having a couple, just to take a little break and if I am up to it later I will do some more tonight.
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#79 - 2015-10-02 02:16:03 UTC
Day 63 (7 Hours)


Today was the mass test on Singularity. I did that and then I got to work on this game update for today.

So much to do still, but I wanted to get my most current Citadel on there as well and making a Screen you can change locations anytime by pressing "L" on the keyboard.

If you want to check it out without downloading it. Here is the real-time video playthrough of it. (3 scenes in all so far.)

https://youtu.be/gsqhH2tXSRQ (2nd scene starts at 1:20 min, 3rd scene at 3:25 min)


Version 7:

* I made a quick menu screen for changing scenes instead of those panels (Press "L")
* Added a background in the Cannon scene as well as outside Citadel
* Added what I have done so far on my new Citadel
* I added my couches and shower walls and Changing room dividers.

Give the scenes a second to load until I learn to make a loading screen.

I found a better site to share files "Google Drive", why did I not think of that. I have my moments.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_dec2J6oe6dcDY3LW1KVEJWN2c/view?usp=sharing (Started Day 50 post - page 4)

ArrowMovement instructions inside zip folder[/b] (This does not install on your computer, so you can just delete the folder anytime.)
Destiny Dain2
Your Destiny Corporation
#80 - 2015-10-07 20:26:51 UTC  |  Edited by: Destiny Dain2
Day 64 (2 Hours)


After a long weekend of playing Eve, I am now fully moved into null. It took me forever to move all the stuff I wanted to keep to my new home. (I sold my P.O.S. and everything and got myself a Plex. :)

Today I started to subdivide my towers and going to start on making them full of windows that can turn off and on for animation, so this is going to take a couple days of this, as well as playing Eve to complete to a point that I want to show the progress.

I made a quick image just to give you an idea of what I'm doing. It will look a thousand times better though when I'm done.

http://i61.tinypic.com/14bma01.jpg


I'm going to continue subdividing this model so I can start making the windows and I will make a post in a day or two.

I do not want to post the same image for two or three days just showing the same thing on all sides, but I will post when I complete one side to give you a proper image of how it looks with the windows.