[C4:AC][Programming][Arts and Graphics] Pyramids replacing Secret Projects?

[Rubin]

Disregarding if we want the Secret Projects showing on the map, I would like to request a new pyramids texture (and perhaps 3d model) to go with testing implementation of Secret Project buildings.

In the SMACX folder there is an image depicting the SMACX Secret Projects structure (monbig5.pcx). The shape of this building resembles that of the pyramids (at least to me).

Civ4 has the pyramids art in:

...\assets\art\structures\buildings\pyramid

This folder contains 3 files:

pyramid.nif
This, I assume, is the 3d model. It may be possible at this point to replace this model using a custom 3d model--particularly if the pyramids have no animation. Can someone look into this?

pyramids_map.dds
This is the main texture file which we should be able to modify. Perhaps a simple recolor will do initially.

pyramid-shadowmap.dds
This image looks similar to a standard alpha mask.

There may be additional changes needed: Position on map/city display, size, orientation, etc. I have no idea (yet) how these things are defined, but it may be worth looking into.

(Note: Of course, I believe it would be silly to replace the Civ4 space elevator with a SMACX "pyramid". However, Secret Projects that have no immediate sensible graphical representation in Civ4 could use a SMACX "pyramid".)

So, anyone up for this mini-project?

Edit: The Chichen Itza may be a viable 3d model for SMACX Secret Projects as well. I did an image showing the Space Elevator, the Chichen Itza and the Pyramids as they look in the game.

Edit 2: Image deleted.

[Blake]

What does Rock and Roll look like?

[Illuminatus]

What will happen with bases with multiple secret projects?

[Rubin]

Originally posted by Illuminatus
What will happen with bases with multiple secret projects?

I don't know. Been wondering about that too. I guess we'll just have to experiment and see what kinds of results we get.

Blake, I should have posted all of this in the thread you made earlier about map graphics. And Rock'n Roll is Graceland, I think.

[gkclarkson]

see, this is what happens when I open my mouth and get involved

Yeah, I'll do it

Expect a texture done soon

EDIT: I can't find that folder in my directory, the only folder present in Civilization4/Assets/Art is "movies" there is no folder for anything else there? help

reedit: O wait.. i forgot all about that .fpk extractor.. perhaps it could possible be in that giant compressed folder art0.fpk... quite possibly

rereedit: here it is
http://files.filefront.com/pyramids_mapdds/;4381676;;/fileinfo.html
yeah.. very rough reskin from memory
the shadow map is just black, so I didn't replace it

[Rubin]

Thank you for the texture, gkclarkson!

Now, I tried two different approaches for applying the texture and implementing the wonder structure.

1st try: I replaced the pyramid texture with the new texture. In addition to this, I renamed the pyramid files to replace both the Stonehenge and the Chichen Itza wonder files.

Here is the result when the 3 wonders are placed in the same city (I added the Rock'n Roll as well):

Edit: Image deleted.

That didn't work!

2nd try: Using just the pyramid files, I modified the .xml references of the Stonehenge and the Chichen Itza buildings to use the pyramid art definitions.

Placing the 3 wonders in the same city produced this result:

Edit: Image deleted.

The sizes of the wonders are not identical. However, I am happy with the result.

[Ijuin]

You know, seeing the Pyramid in the middle of a city to represent a Secret Project reminds me of the appearance of NERV Headquarters in "Neon Genesis Evangelion".

[MMC]

I've not really been much of a fan of using the Pyramids... I always thought they were meant as an unsually-shaped warehouse/desguise for the project being built inside.

[#endgame]

I agree with MMC, but if someone did have the time, tools and inclination what would the Weather Paradigm look like?

[Senethro]

The Weather Paradigm is like the Theory of Evolution Wonder or Ascetic Virtues Secret Project. Its not concrete, its philosophy and knowledge. Therefore, perhaps some kind of statue or display with Planet as the theme?

However, Planet is not exactly the kind of environment where you're going to have an outside perspective on things. Bases would just be a bunch of generic domes because of the need to have a differently pressured and oxygenated interior.

[MMC]

You would have differences though... for example, the Gaians would have huge domes with big open spaces of preserved ground (with their mesa trees inside), whereas the hive would have only the smallest surface stations with massive warrens underground.

As for Secret Projects, I see your point about many of them being ethereal, but even the monuments would be varied... I see something more along the lines of the oracle building, or maybe the Washington monument - simple and to the point (excuse the pun).

Although some projects could have effects such as updating the entire architecture style... I could see the Planetary Datalinks being represented as say an arial or substation added to each building to connect it to the datalinks.