Godfist: Level 2 Enemies

[Shaolin_Bboy]

I will update this thread as I complete new enemies

Punch Bug



Video:http://stevenprovost.com/flv-movies/Bug_Enemies/Punch_Bug/Punch_Bug.html

2 color maps: 1024X1024 and 512X512
2 normal maps: 1024X1024 and 512X512
1 diffuse/spec map: 1024X1024
1 luminosity map: 1024X1024
1 transparency map: 512X512

Bug Turret



Video:http://stevenprovost.com/flv-movies/Bug_Enemies/Bug_Turret/Bug_Turret.html

1888 triangles
2 normal maps 1024X1024 and 512X512
2 color maps 1024X1024 and 512X512
2 luminosity maps 1024X1024 and 512X512
1 diffuse/spec map 1024X1024
1 transparency map 512X512

Bug Kamikaze



Video:http://stevenprovost.com/flv-movies/Bug_Enemies/Bug_Kamikaze/Bug_Kamikaze.html

558 triangles
2 color maps: 1024X1024 and 512X512
2 normal maps: 1024X1024 and 512X512
1 diffuse/spec map: 1024X1024
1 luminosity map: 1024X1024
1 transparency map: 512X512

[Squat]

Stop making me itch. Are these mechanical ships or organic creatures? I dig the style you got goin, but I think this one could use a really huge stinger and maybe more wings. It might be cool to put a stinger coming out of every one of those yellow holes leading down to a long one on the tail. Or big hair-sensors all over it that are metal looking.

Whenver I design an insect monster, my first image is the Starship Troopers warrior bug. There are many lessons to learn from that design. First and foremost, don't copy it. You need to design a main attack method. It's big kill weapon. On the ST bugs, it's those big scissor-teeth. Then there's it's mobility. If you pay enough attention, the warrior has an impossible walk cycle where it floats for one beat. Then, the last lesson is that there are extra bits that don't really serve a purpose other than to basically creep you out with movement. Little feelers, rows of tiny legs and extra sets of eyes or teeth and things that differentiate and make things more ominous and dangerous upon first glance. Usually those things never reveal their purpose, but it would make for a much more compelling drama for the viewer to learn more, or be afraid to. Just my thoughts on bug monsters.

I would also like to suggest that you create a 128x128 noise map and create a normal map out of it to break up the highlights. Boost the UV scale and you'll get more of a natural surface look to it. If you want, I'll post the one I made but it's basic and easy to do. Just add it as a new layer over everything and keep the depth low. I would do this only on the main mesh and use a different, more simple surface for the LOD's.

Keep 'em comin dude, they're pretty killer.

[Shaolin_Bboy]

Stop making me itch. Are these mechanical ships or organic creatures? I dig the style you got goin, but I think this one could use a really huge stinger and maybe more wings. It might be cool to put a stinger coming out of every one of those yellow holes leading down to a long one on the tail. Or big hair-sensors all over it that are metal looking.

this stage will be all organic, I think the spec might be a bit high right now, that may be giving the mechanical vibe...This creature is actually very small so I decided to keep it very simple...but if you like spikes and stingers and things of that sort wait till you see the next two larger bugs that my associate and I are working on!!!...I will likely have mine finished by the weekend, I just finished the normal map for it right now...it's very much like what you describe.

I would also like to suggest that you create a 128x128 noise map and create a normal map out of it to break up the highlights. Boost the UV scale and you'll get more of a natural surface look to it. If you want, I'll post the one I made but it's basic and easy to do. Just add it as a new layer over everything and keep the depth low. I would do this only on the main mesh and use a different, more simple surface for the LOD's.

I'm not sure I follow, i've already created a normal map...can this be salvaged using the method you explain? Is this just a photoshop filter to break things up more? i've actually just started making normal maps...still learning all the ins and outs.

Thanks for all the great feedback!

[pixel_legolas]

I like all your characters because they have personal style. But, most people today use normal maps to much and they all seem to auto-generated. Makes the surface look to bumpy and irregular. I can't really put my finger on what it is but i see it qutie often. I rather have no normal maps then auto-bumped ones

[Binesi]

I like the basic concept but the skin is looking a little flat and lifeless. I agree about normal maps in many game looking much too auto generated. I just finished Clear Sky and man.. those normal maps are horrible. The bricks look round and squishy and the terrain normal maps looks like a lot of cake frosting. However this isn't saying auto-generating is not a good place to start. Try this tool if you have not already:

http://www.crazybump.com/

This tool has already saved me countless hundreds of man hours in creating and tweaking normal maps and speculars. I typically go back and forth from Crazybump to Photoshop quite a few times, but generally I end up with something very natural.

[Shaolin_Bboy]

I just updated this thread with the bug turret...check it out.  I tried to do what you were saying with the normal maps...break up the smooth surface and make it more cellular.  Thanks for all the great constructive criticism guys!

[Squat]

Well, the only negative comment that I can think of probably isn't even negative to you. It just seems that the normal maps are showing muscle, like almost human muscles. Seems a bit weird on a bug creature. He looks sweet though, cool and menacing silhouette, and that's the key to good 3D characters btw. Wanna know if they look cool? Try them in all black.

Your surface properties are improving nicely. I would try next to see if you can gain control over both the specular and glossiness so that you can make dull and worn armor parts blend over shiny and fresh skin parts.

So, if I were to just guess from looking at this guy, I'd say he's going to shoot electricity. Am I close? It matters some, players should be somewhat prepared with visual cues. Those feather/fan things look too important to not be some kind of conductor. It'd be very shibby to have those glow hot when he fires. Or even try to achieve an energy build-up that transfers from those thingies to his eyes or mouth or whatever nasty body part does the actual shooting.

[Shaolin_Bboy]

I just updated this thread to include the Punch Bug.  I also updated the graphics of the other 2 enemies and added links to videos as well...Check it out