48 replies to this topic

[dark]

Hello,  I've recently taken some time to reach out and make an attempt to get a better idea on how VP makes use of 3D models.  As I've stated here and there, I'm not a table maker and don't know much about using the VP editor (maybe that will change in time) but I do have artistic skills I can offer the community.  Now as of late I've been trying to get back into 3D modelling and animation so my primary service to the community would be modelling toys in 3D for the use in VP tables and texturing them.

 

I invite you to check out the 3D model thread I started to check out the dialogue some of us had on the topic of using 3D elements (and how to use them) in VP here:

 

http://www.vpforums....showtopic=27951

 

In addition to 3D modelling I'm also pretty decent with illustrator and photoshop, so I am capable of doing playfield re-draws, touch-ups, etc.

I can also do 2D animations and effects that could possibly enhance your tables, but again the main thing I'd like to focus on is 3D modelling.

 

UV MAPPING:

3DSmax gives a great degree of control over how mapping is applied to objects, so if you're having trouble with mapping something or need something mapped that is complicated I'm happy to help in that regard as well.

 

Other Artistic:

I probably will do playfield re-draws on the side, but I won't do more than one at a time if at all. The reason being that re-draws, if done with the intention of preserving quality and detail are time consuming.  I can help with lighting effects, and photoshop/illustrator related tasks, but my primary focus will be 3D.

 

While 3D modelling does take a fair bit of time, my workflow is decent and I feel I can contribute more production if I focus primarily in this area.  Also as I mentioned above I'm trying to get back into 3D modelling so what ever little projects I can do that are also fun are good practice for me.

 

3D SCANNING:

I have a colleague with a good 3D scanner, so I am capable of scanning toys as well, although I don't see it likely that too many of you have spare toys you can mail me kicking around for the purpose of scanning.

 

FUTURE PINBALL MODELS:

Thanks to UncleWilly and Zany, I'm now able to convert FP models to VP compatible models.  FP models often have poor geometry - more faces than is needed for a good level of detail which can be problematic for VP when rendering 'non-static' primitives.  In addition to conversion I can often optimize these models or even re-model them to be better suited for VP.  Typically this will mean they at least look the same or better with less faces.  UW has offered FP model conversion services as well and I'm sure Zany wouldn't mind doing it for you either.

 

REQUESTS PRIORITY:

In terms of priority, I will take on 3D projects on a first come first serve basis, but generally I will try to prioritize models from simple to complex just so I can finish the more simple models fast and have them ready for use for you guys.  I try to have an open dialogue with table authors to try to keep pace with them as best I can, generally I like to get on board with their projects in the earlier stages of the project.

 

OBJECTIVE:

My goal is to improve VP tables by making 3D model toys available for table authors and hopefully as a result make table authors lives a bit easier.  I've been part of this community for almost 3 years now and would like to give something back besides my subscription.

 

TOYS,RAMPS, ETC:

I'd also like to mention that 3D models don't need to be restricted to just toys, but if you find a table element that you cannot reproduce accurately with just the normal means let me know and I'll see what we can do.  An example of this maybe things like special ramps.

 

RESOURCES:  The more the merrier.  Generally what I need for accurate models are HD photos from multiple views and angles, but primarily from the FRONT,SIDE(s) and TOP views.  If you are the one taking photos for these please do your best to make the photos as straight and head-on as possible, if the photo is slanted or distorted this can make for distorted model proportions as well since I'm basing proportions off photos.  Also since photos are often used for mapping the same applies, need good straight, square pictures in HD.  It's always better to take more photos than not enough so take lots!

 

An example of how you should try to make your photos line up from front to side etc here:

 

If you have access to the toy or table element, and can actually remove it from the table, place it on a rotating cake stand or "lazy susan" and take pictures using a tripod and rotate a bit for each photo to get a full spectrum of angles.  Preferably if you can take the table element apart would be helpful, also placing white paper or foam core or something(black and or white) behind the object when taking photos will help give it consistent lighting.

Take photos both with flash on and with flash off - try to keep lighting consistent for texture mapping.  A black background is helpful for selection and a clear outline, depending on the subject some times white makes it more clear but the problem with white is it can make the outer edge of objects have a white glow to them....so try both photos with a black backdrop and then do a series with white if you can please.

 

RAMPS:  I generally don't want to do too many ramps because they don't really give me good modelling practice, and they take time away from other things that authors can't really do like toys.  With that being said though,  if there's a ramp you can't really get to look right through normal means because it is complicated or has a special set up I'll try to help you out.  The biggest issue with doing ramps is that it can be difficult to figure out what the height of the ramp should be in a 3D environment so that it translates properly once imported into VP.  So if you want me to do a ramp for you, what I'll ask that you do is just make a very basic guideline model in Future Pinball, export the mesh and import it to your VP table.  Make sure that the FP mesh you just made follows the VP ramps dimensions correctly and the ball travels along it properly - the FP ramp can be very basic so long as I can use it to determine what height to make the 3D model ramp at - doing this for me will save me a lot of time and make me more inclined to help you out in this regard.  Be absolutely sure your FP ramp works in VP because I won't want to waste time afterwards adjusting height - a few minor tweaks okay - but I've already had ramps take too much time on me so what ever you can do to make the process easier on the both of us will be greatly appreciated.

 

PERMISSIONS:

I always try to give credit for what ever resources are provided to me but if I've neglected to do so, feel free to let me know.  Also I'd like to mention that unless stated otherwise I like to make most of my projects available to everyone as a download package that comes with instructions, texture maps, table template etc.  There's a few reasons for this, this avoids any confusion regarding permission in the future if anyone wishes make use of my models - they don't need permission for the table author or need to rip the models from a table.  Working with me you should realize that any models I make I intend them to be available for any other table versions or updates made by any author who wishes to use them.  Also if an author gets models made by me for their WIP but ends up abandoning their project for what ever reason, this prevents my work from being completely abandoned as well.  My models can all be used freely and are free to modify I just ask that I be given credit for my work and if I've given any credit for resources on that work that you should credit those resources as well.  If you use my work without giving credit it's essentially using it without permission.

 

Just as a short disclaimer, I can't promise anything to anyone other than I'll do my best to help out, but some times life gets busy without notice.

 

You can post on this thread or send me a PM.

 

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration,

look forward to working with you all.

Edited by dark, 27 September 2014 - 04:32 PM.

[faralos]

in the near future I may need a pirate ship 3d of course for a pirate themed pin

 I have in mind a series of pins made from itch's template (he made another table template)

I am thinking Pirate BOB then a few months after that maybe Cowboy Bob, Injun Bob, Race Car Bob etc...,

so thanks for the offer and prepare to get inundated with requests from us!!

[dark]

in the near future I may need a pirate ship 3d of course for a pirate themed pin

 I have in mind a series of pins made from itch's template (he made another table template)

I am thinking Pirate BOB then a few months after that maybe Cowboy Bob, Injun Bob, Race Car Bob etc...,

so thanks for the offer and prepare to get inundated with requests from us!!

Provide me some resources,videos if possible, references images (as many as possible) etc, and I'll see what I can do.

[unclewilly]

Appreciate this offer. I will have a list for you in the near future for upcoming pins.
I could think of a few offhand but they would be for other authors tables so I'll wait till I catch up on my own wips

[randr]

dark...you poor SOB. you have no idea what your in for!

[dark]

dark...you poor SOB. you have no idea what your in for!

I did have a disclaimer...lol

 

Appreciate this offer. I will have a list for you in the near future for upcoming pins.
I could think of a few offhand but they would be for other authors tables so I'll wait till I catch up on my own wips

If you can provide me with resources sooner rather than later, regardless of what it's for I can see what I can do.  Like I mention, some models are fairly basic and can be done fairly quick and I might as well add them to the queue....other models that are more complex that take time may end up on the back burner but until it starts to pile up throw some at me.

[unclewilly]

Ok. I will gather some things together.i just need to scan my hard drives

[edizzle]

Hello Dark,

 

May I request some 3d models for some toys from Super Mario Mushroom World?  I found some decent reference photos of the toys but I don't have photos at too many various angles.  I believe these toys are pretty simple in terms of complexity.

 

The first toy is this red castle mold:

 

 

 

And the next toy is this yellow tube:

 

 

This yellow ramp would be a nice to have but not necessary:

 

 

and here is a full playfield view just for perspective:

 

 

Thanks in advance for offering your services.  I hope those pictures will provide sufficient information, as those were the best pics I could find by far.  I actually came across this machine this past weekend and was excited to try to get some good pics but the red castle was missing  and I just couldn't get any better pics with the glass on.

[zany]

I gave the pipe a try. Not sure how to achive the transparency in VP from the UV-map though.

 

Attached Files

•  sm_pipe.jpg   14.74KB   14 downloads

[unclewilly]

For transparency just make a second layer for that part of the uvmap. Add a Grey or whitish color to the part of the uvmap and add highlights if you want. Then drop the opacity somewhere between about 50 and 75.
Then save as ong. Then you will have the solid yellow part and the other part will be transparent

[zany]

I'll try that...thanx, and i guess you meant png!

[unclewilly]

Damn phone

[zany]

When i baked it as a png in blender, i got the transparencey directly. I cant try it in VP yet though...since i don't have VP at work!

Edited by zany, 21 June 2014 - 11:08 AM.

[Pinball999]

I'll try that...thanx, and i guess you meant png!

Damn phone

[unclewilly]

Can you export a texture after its been baked, with the lighting and shadow on the texture

[zany]

I did export the texture,but it all look messed up. like it was rortated wrong or something.

[unclewilly]

For some reason in blender it always seems to be mirrored to what you need in vp. That's why fuzzel added the mirror object question when you import into vp.
That transparent tube looks good compared with the plain Grey transparent images I get.
I don't understand the materials and baking in blender.

So if you add a light source will it create the highlights and shadows for you?

Maybe we could do a test.

If I were to send you say either the transparent loop ramp from fire or the heartbeat criss cross ramp from bop. Could you make them have that nice clear transparency like you did on the clear tube then bake and export the texture. Then I can see how it re imports back into vp?

[dark]

@edizzle:

 

Just to clarify you want models of the flat plastics with mario character decals on them right?  Like the luigi, izzy and princess peach?  The princess peach one is mounted on some kind of bubbled plastic by the looks of it?....Oh it's a castle...duh.[edit]  Hard for me to tell from top view pics only.

 

The ramp and pipe would probably be the most beneficial items to have as 3D models in my opinion.  I think I could do them all for you without too much difficulty.  I haven't tried adding transparency to anything for the purpose of using in VP yet so that's something that may need some trials for.

 

I'd be happy to help you but I am starting to build up a bit of a queue of models to do, are you in a big hurry for this?  How far along in development is your table?

 

One concern I have already is that the pictures of a lot of those decals are angled and not very close in.  This may make it difficult to make texture maps out of them.  Also the lighting isn't quite the same for all of them.  Preferably we want normal uniform 'white' light for all images.  Where are you getting these resource images?  Can you get access to a table to take some more 'head-on/square' photos?

 

You should send me a PM and we can start discussing some plans and priorities on how to go about this project.

Edited by dark, 23 June 2014 - 05:51 AM.

[zany]

First of alll...yes UW...sound like a great idea if you jus send me the rampmodel, and i add plastic, and w go from there!
dark....sorry for hijack!

[zany]

Ok...so this is how it looks like...the dome prims looks ok, but not the texture. The testflipper though looks ok, ant the texturemap ends up as it should....and i do the same on both.

 

Attached Files

•  primtest.jpg   37.54KB   13 downloads