Screenshot-to-3D [Archive] - EQ2 Forum Archive @ EQ2Wire

Enna

05-25-2010, 04:59 PM

Just for grins and giggles... or anyone that might accidentally be curious...When I made the entry for the "<a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?start=45&topic_id=476570" target="_blank">Notable Norrathians</a>" contest, I didn't just splat a screen-shot into the background.<img src="http://everquest2.com/images/en/features/articles/norrathians/Enna.jpg" width="400" height="300" />I applied a few different screen-shots to a geometry background I already had.Screen-shots of just the floor were applied to the floor, screen-shots of just the walls were applied to the walls, a screen shot where I made an acorn window fill the screen was added over the wall area, etc.(For this project, I made the sides invisible, since I only needed the back. When all geometry is visible, this background makes almost a half-circle.)<img src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a196/Eden_Evergreen/Contest/Build-an-acorn.jpg" width="800" height="555" />It took a bit of time to "clean out" the window's contents, and make the second version that's for transparency, but I think the result was worth it. This way I can make my own lighting, instead of trying (and possibly failing) to match the one in EQ2. *grins*Since the screen-shots belong to SOE, I cannot re-distribute the result. However, I can show you how I achieved it, so that you can make your own. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" />This also lets me (or you!) use any screen-shot desired as the view through the window.The above procedure, with that specific geometry, should work for any rounded room, and possibly even for Gorowyn housing interiors.You could use any rectangular background geometry you have in your libraries for a square interior.Multiplane cyclorama, or something similar, could work well for applying exterior screen-shots as backgrounds.I also tweaked the textures and shading on some of my furniture to make it match the acorn theme better.<img src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a196/Eden_Evergreen/Contest/B4-Aft.jpg" width="792" height="600" />The banner was simply a matter of removing the existing transparency and re-sizing a screen-shot to match the template. It sure helped make the characters look like they were in Norrath, though!Hopefully this little notion may help with some of your inspirations, too. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" />Edits: Doggoned typos... every time I swat one, I find another! <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/499fd50bc713bfcdf2ab5a23c00c2d62.gif" border="0" />

Enna

07-08-2010, 08:18 PM

3D Free Stuff linksSomeone had mentioned an envy toward 3D art abilities in another thread...I'm re-posting my response here in the art forum, with more links to free 3D content added, in case anyone else might be interested. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />For those of you who are already 3D artists, though I admit it is unlikely, it is slightly possible that I included a freebie link that you didn't already know about. Please feel free to scroll down past the "introductory" stuff and dig into the links. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />For folks new to the idea of 3D...I stumbled into 3D art because someone had kindly provided links to a free 3D program and free content that worked in it... so I'll do the same, and share the joy with any who might be curious or inclined to give 3D art a try.Please don't be discouraged if your first few efforts fall short of your dreams. As with any other art form, practice helps! I'd be shy of posting most of my own early efforts, to be truthful. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/499fd50bc713bfcdf2ab5a23c00c2d62.gif" border="0" />Yet somehow I managed to improve enough, over time, to get my art in-game by way of placing in these SOE art contests. If I can improve that much, then eventually anyone else with the time and inclination can do at least as well. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />================================================== =========Introduction for anyone new to 3D art --Can you customize a face when creating a character in EQII?Can you use your character's appearance tab?Can you decorate an in-game house?If you can do any of those three things, then you can probably do 3D art at least as well as you do those. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" />You'll just need to acquire a "library" of items to work with, and read a tutorial or three on how to use the program's controls.The basic premise is extremely similar to EQII character creation, and appearance tab set-up for applying different hair and clothing, and in-game house decorating (if you choose to arrange your own backgrounds and props).The primary difference is that instead of pulling the items from your bank or backpacks, you're pulling them from your 3D "Library."You also get a lot more options in 3D art than in-game. Character customization usually has at least 20 dials. If you also choose to purchase morph packages, the number of customization options increases dramatically!Even if you lack a knack for decorating to incorporate into custom background arrangements, you can still make character portraits and use photos or screen-shots as backgrounds. While making good use of background items can certainly enhance character portraits, there are some truly fabulous backgrounds out there (many for free) that you can pop in behind your character to save yourself the trouble of composing a custom background from scratch.If you find a background or screen-shot that suits you, then all you need to do is dress up a character, pose him or her, find a good light set that creates the desired effect, and render.Post-work in any layered "2D" image editor, to correct little things like the occasional "poke-through," or to add a little sparkle or a deeper shadow here and there, can also enhance 3D art.The first thing to learn when obtaining "3D Library" content: check to see if something provides a geometry/mesh, or if it's only a texture "add-on" for a geometry obtained elsewhere. A texture add-on won't do you much good if you don't have the correct geometry to apply it to!With 3D, you can go a *long* way without spendnig a dime. So you can experiment with free things, and find out that way if this type of art is something you are enjoying, before you start investing any money.Though be warned: if you do start buying, it can count up really quickly! <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/385970365b8ed7503b4294502a458efa.gif" border="0" />In addition to hair, clothing, backgrounds and props, you'll also want to look for light sets and pose sets. Making poses by hand takes a longish while. It's much easier to tweak an existing pose than start from the default pose. Same is true for lights, especially at first, unless you have a lot more skill/talent than I did from art and photography classes starting in grade school and continuing through college. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" />Happy experimenting! <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" />================================================== =========LINKSYou may need to register (for free) at each site listed below. (I've been a free "member" at each of them for so long that I've forgotten, since I have my cookies set for auto-login at these sites).Store links: Most store links below have to go to their front page (linking directly to the free content page(s) won't work). Look for a "Free" or "Freebie" or "Downloads" link... sometimes they're in fine print and a bit ticklish to find, but I promise there are free items to be found at every one of those link targets! <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Warning: Some of the links below may lead to other links, and some links may include a few images of... I think the currently politically-correct term is 'fetish wear'? ...mingled in among other options that work better for Norrathian-style fantasy.In other words, the links below are ** not ** recommended for browsing at work! You have been warned. *nods*Free 3D art program: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/software/studio/-/download?&_m=d" target="_blank">http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/software/s...nload?&_m=d</a>Info / details about DAZ|Studio: <a href="http://artzone.daz3d.com/wiki/doku.php/pub/software/dazstudio/start?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://artzone.daz3d.com/wiki/doku....azstudio/start?</a>Tutorials: <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/tutorial/0/-/?&_m=d" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.daz3d.com/i.x/tutorial/0/-/?&_m=d</a>Free 3D human models, and assorted misc: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.daz3d.com/i/3d-models/free-3d-models?cat=382&_m=d" target="_blank">http://www.daz3d.com/i/3d-models/fr...at=382&_m=d</a>More free stuff from the community: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://forum.daz3d.com/viewforum.php?f=41" target="_blank">http://forum.daz3d.com/viewforum.php?f=41</a>Signing up for the DAZ newsletter also gives you access to their free-stuff archives: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://free.daz3d.com/free_weekly/archive_list.php" target="_blank">http://free.daz3d.com/free_weekly/archive_list.php</a> (unless they changed it, that link won't work unless you're signed in and signed up for the newsletter.) They are no longer adding items to their archives, but some of the items are still worth getting if you don't already have them.Additionally, DAZ has a "new item" freebie every week. It remains free for approximately a week, then it goes to an "introductory price" for another week or so, after which time the formerly free item is full-price. So 'tis worth the effort to catch those as they go by. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" />More free stuff in "Poser" format, 98% of which works for DAZ|Studio also: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.sharecg.com/b/11/Poser" target="_blank">http://www.sharecg.com/b/11/Poser</a>(Notice the little search box in the upper left corner? You can pick a specific model, such as "Kids 4" and search out items specifically made for them!)Recommended: Jan 19's porfolio at <a href="http://www.sharecg.com/pf/full_uploads.php?pf_user_name=Jan019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.sharecg.com/pf/full_uplo...ser_name=Jan019</a>Recommended: Chohole's incredible texture sets at <a href="http://www.sharecg.com/pf/Chohole" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.sharecg.com/pf/Chohole</a>Note: Some of Chohole's texture sets are for purchased geometries, others for free geometries (such as those created by Jan19).Another store with an incredibly huge free stuff section is <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.renderosity.com/" target="_blank">http://www.renderosity.com/</a> ... for them, you will need to register before you can access their freebie section. Why do I remember this and not the others? Well... when the auto-login cookie expires and I forget to log in, the "Free Stuff" link right there on the front-page menu won't work!If you sign up for Renderosity's weekly email newsletter, there are additional freebies available. Renderosity sends a different link each month in their newsletter (so you get the same link all month long, however many weeks that month lasts).RDNA has a fair supply of "Zero Price" items in their store also. As with DAZ and Renderosity, they also have a newsletter that gives an additional short-term free item regularly. RDNA home page is: <a href="http://www.runtimedna.com/home.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.runtimedna.com/home.php</a>Evilinnocence has a wide selection of freebies (Freebies link on main-page menu), including a very handy clothing-conversion program (CrossDresser, or XD for short, does require a purchased license for converting clothing *to* the more popular figures - though the program itself is free): <a href="http://evilinnocence.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://evilinnocence.com/</a>3DSC - numerous props, plus Sara-specific clothing & accessories (click the pictures to reach each theme's download pages: most theme pages also have a link to get Sara herself): <a href="http://www.jalberts.net/francemi/3dSC/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.jalberts.net/francemi/3dSC/index.htm</a>Studio Maya hair: <a href="http://www.3digitalcrafts.net/studiomaya/1download/wig1/wig01.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.3digitalcrafts.net/studi...wig1/wig01.html</a>Qraffx freebies - <a href="http://qraffx.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=11&chapter=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://qraffx.com/index.php?main_pa...1&chapter=1</a>Kozaburo's hair (pick downloads): <a href="http://digitalbabes.jp/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://digitalbabes.jp/</a>Fantasy / Sci-fi hairs: <a href="http://www.comm.unt.edu/~ktaylor/downloads.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.comm.unt.edu/~ktaylor/downloads.htm</a>April's Vanity (Mostly add-ons for purchased items, but a few free hair, character and light sets): <a href="http://shop.aprilsvanity.com/-free-items/cat_10.html/.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://shop.aprilsvanity.com/-free-...at_10.html/.php</a>Free weapon props: <a href="http://www.greylight.com/poserweapons.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.greylight.com/poserweapons.html</a>3D Universe (mostly cartoon-ish but all high quality): <a href="http://www.3duniverse.co.za/allproducts.asp?View=FREE" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.3duniverse.co.za/allprod...s.asp?View=FREE</a>Morphography free: <a href="http://www.morphography.uk.vu/downloads.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.morphography.uk.vu/downloads.html</a>Richard Taylor's props / furniture: <a href="http://www.poseruniverse.com/Models/Models.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.poseruniverse.com/Models/Models.html</a>Treasure Chest (props, toon-style stuff, kid clothing): <a href="http://trumarcar.francemi.net/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://trumarcar.francemi.net/</a>Thorne & Sarsa's "Fairie Dreams" store: <a href="http://faerie-dreams.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://faerie-dreams.com/</a>Stefan Morell's (SciFi / steampunk, good for clockwork): <a href="http://stefan-morrell.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://stefan-morrell.com/</a>** Schlabber's free poses: <a href="http://www.schlabber.org/poses/pdaz.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.schlabber.org/poses/pdaz.html</a>** Free Poses Net: <a href="http://www.freeposes.net/poses-free" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.freeposes.net/poses-free</a>** Free backgrounds: <a href="http://www.mausershooters.org/rowan/freebies.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.mausershooters.org/rowan/freebies.html</a>Hope those prove helpful. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

Seidhkona

07-09-2010, 04:02 PM

I've had some similar fun working from EQ2 screenshots to 3-D. I'll show a pic and explain what I did to bring a Norrathian flavor in below. All pics should be clickable to get full-sized versions.Sisters-in-Flight<a href="http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs46/f/2009/178/9/8/WIP__Sisters_in_Flight_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs46/f/2009/178/9/8/WIP__Sisters_in_Flight_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" width="600" /></a>Here I started from having the <a href="http://market.renderosity.com/mod/bcs/index.php?ViewProduct=59641" target="_blank">really cool commercial clothing model</a> that I desperately wanted to use. I thought it would be really neat clothes for my fae ranger:<img src="http://eq2images.station.sony.com/000/001/564/546.JPG" width="170" height="305" />The big thing I wanted was for the wings to match my EQ2 character's wings exactly.I started with the free <a href="http://www.faeriewylde.com/ThorneWorks/wings/UWings.html" target="_blank">Thorne's Universal Wings</a>. To make a good custom wing, you need three images: the texture, the transparency, and a bump map (although you can get away without the bump map):<img src="http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/29b16a4a0189512ff9695f86021bd5c59d0cb200.jpg" width="760" height="185" />My next step was to get the texture, which I did by putting my fae facing a neutral backdrop (one of the cubbies in Irontoes East, to be exact):<a href="http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/190/a/9/Skadhi_Wing_Screenshot_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/190/a/9/Skadhi_Wing_Screenshot_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" width="300" /></a>I selected the best wing and cropped to get just that wing, then used it and a mirror reflection to build my wing texture image:<a href="http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/190/1/3/Skadhi_Wing_Texture_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/190/1/3/Skadhi_Wing_Texture_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" width="300" /></a>Next, I need a transparency map. I use Macromedia Fireworks, so I was able to use the "Paste as Map" tool to pick up the actual texture image and use it to create the black and white map in a simple one-step way.<a href="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/190/a/3/Skadhi_WIng_Transparency_Map_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/190/a/3/Skadhi_WIng_Transparency_Map_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" width="300" /></a>For the bump map, I used <a href="http://www.redfieldplugins.com/filterEmboss.htm" target="_blank">Redfield's iEmboss plugin</a>. This is a commercial plugin, but there are <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=emboss+site:thepluginsite.com" target="_blank">a LOT of free plugins</a> to get the embossed effect.<a href="http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/190/e/3/Skadhi_Wing_Bump_Map_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/190/e/3/Skadhi_Wing_Bump_Map_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" width="300" /></a>Guardian Geriard<a href="http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/024/c/7/Guardian_Geriard_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/024/c/7/Guardian_Geriard_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" width="600" /></a>For Sir Geriard, I was starting from his screenshots to create a desktop image and signature. Geriard is a guardian.First I wanted to get his facial tattoo. I did that by pulling the screenshot into Fireworks and creating a vector object of the pattern, then used that vector object on my skin texture:<img src="http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/024/f/d/Tattoo_How_To_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" />The other element in Geriard's picture that is directly from Norrath is his shield. The Roman legionary-styled tower shields used in EQ2 are REALLY easy to replicate in 3-D. <a href="http://www.sharecg.com/v/28906/Poser/Roman-Tower-Shield-and-Short-Sword" target="_blank">ShareCG has a very nice Roman tower shield</a> available free.<img src="http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/1c916543058d5929f3433ebed78e23e2da7b48fb.jpg" width="610" height="300" />The shield design is from the Shield of the Wurms, dropped by the Corsolander in the Laboratory of Lord Vyemm. I took a good screenshot from a preview image in the dressing room:<a href="http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/b4236ff3443d01e48ea857db2899f5cf89c4d61e.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/b4236ff3443d01e48ea857db2899f5cf89c4d61e.jpg" height="300" /></a>I created a new texture and bump map, adjusting proportions to match the original images:<a href="http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/190/a/5/Greenman_Tower_Shield_Texture_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/190/a/5/Greenman_Tower_Shield_Texture_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" width="300" /></a> <a href="http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/190/1/d/Greenman_Tower_Shield_Bump_Map_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/190/1/d/Greenman_Tower_Shield_Bump_Map_by_Sigrdrifa1.jpg" width="300" /></a>I used <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/i/shop/itemdetails/?item=9543" target="_blank">a commercial morph package</a> to get the dwarf body, however, it's entirely doable from the basic free <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/i/shop/itemdetails/?item=7877" target="_blank">Michael 4</a> or <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/i/shop/itemdetails/?item=8436" target="_blank">Freak 4</a> model by adjusting limb and body proportions as well.There's free sword models all over the place if you look:<ul><li><a href="http://goblin-design.heim.at/" target="_blank">Goblin Designs has three nice swords</a></li><li><a href="http://www.dwmdesigns.com/Conan_Movie_Sword.html" target="_blank">DWM Designs Conan Sword</a></li><li><a href="http://www.sharecg.com/v/24553" target="_blank">ShareCG Morphing Rhino Sword</a></li><li><a href="http://www.sharecg.com/v/33710/Poser/Katana-Samurai-Sword" target="_blank">ShareCG Katana</a></li><li><a href="http://www.sharecg.com/v/26209/3d-model/Elvin_Sword" target="_blank">ShareCG "Elven" Katana</a></li><li><a href="http://www.sharecg.com/v/23552" target="_blank">ShareCG Hellbent Sword</a></li><li><a href="http://www.sharecg.com/v/15298" target="_blank">ShareCG Fantasy Hero Sword</a></li><li><a href="http://www.sharecg.com/v/31617/3D-Model/Sword-of-Neverwinter?division_id=11" target="_blank">ShareCG Sword of Neverwinter</a></li><li><a href="http://www.sharecg.com/v/37998/Poser/Reverse-Cog-Sword?division_id=11" target="_blank">ShareCG Gnomish Cog-hilted Saber</a></li><li><a href="http://www.sharecg.com/v/24579/3d-model/broad-sword?division_id=11" target="_blank">ShareCG Broadsword</a></li><li><a href="http://www.sharecg.com/v/9336/3d-model/Black-Dragon-Sword" target="_blank">ShareCG Black Dragon Sword</a></li><li><a href="http://www.whatever3d.com/search.ez?q=sword" target="_blank">Whatever 3-D Swords</a> (look for the ones marked ShareCG or "free" or "freebie" etc.)</li><li><a href="http://www.greylight.com/poserweapons.html" target="_blank">Greylight Weapons Collection</a></li></ul>I used <a href="http://www.daz3d.com/i/shop/itemdetails/?item=9958" target="_blank">a commercial armor model</a> for Sir Geriard. Good free armor models are more challenging, but they do exist.I generally Google for "poser freebie" and the word I want, but be prepared to wade through a lot of pages.

Enna

07-09-2010, 10:10 PM

Fabulous work! <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/47941865eb7bbc2a777305b46cc059a2.gif" border="0" />I did something similar with the wings in my Amree & Saphronia picture, though I used Fabiana's free wings instead. ( <a href="http://www.renderosity.com/mod/freestuff/details.php?item_id=59783" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.renderosity.com/mod/free...p?item_id=59783</a> )The tattoo application tip is great, too. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" />*goes off to chase down some of those swords she doesn't have*