Skyland Ranger class frigate (modified fuel transport)

[Cormorant]

So, I've finally gotten into EoC modding after all these years of (rather pointless) I-War 1 scripting.

I proudly present the Sykland Ranger class frigate, a modified fuel transport available as a player ship. You can download her here (http://www.ig-25.de/beta_frigate.zip).
This is my first EoC mod, and though it's aynthing but spectacular compared to what is around these days, it seems to work out nicely.

Here are some screenshots for you:

Beauty shot of the Skyland Ranger (http://www.ig-25.de/frigate.jpg) on one of her first test flights ;)

Frigate in service with a mining operation (http://www.ig-25.de/frigate_miner.jpg)

Internal weapon mountpoints allow use as a Q-ship (http://www.ig-25.de/frigate_q.jpg)

Have fun
cormorant

[Dreadnaught]

I lurrrrve those turrets and engine heat sinks :up:

[MichaelShane]

If interested, you're more than welcome to use the Frigate model we worked on before in an EoC mod. I'd love to see it balanced by a true I-War modder.

[Cormorant]

Dreadnaught: The credits for the placement of the engine heat sinks go to Particle Systems ;)

Shane: If you still have the model, I'd love to do some balancing and "test flights"; it would be a pitty to abandon it

[MichaelShane]

I'll do some searching through my archives. I'm sure it's in there somewhere.

I'll also update the model; I've learned a thing or two since then. ;)

[Momaw]

How easy is it to whip out new ships and layouts? I've always wanted a missile-based ship. Not like the model that was posted a few days ago, more streamlined. Probably with the launchers oriented sideways, or at least with a steep pitch, rather than all forward. Needs to have four quadpack launchers and enough internal space to mount magazines for all of them. Speed is necessary, handling is not, cannon-based weaponry is a low priority....

[MichaelShane]

It gets easier every day. :D

Head over to Soup's forum and take a look at this thread. At six pages it's a bit of a read, but I think you'll find it very, very interesting. Jasper has done some amazing things.

http://www.i-war2.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2164

[Second Chance]

Neat screenshots, Cormorant. Especially that one with the blast going right under the camera. :up:

Momaw-
It's pretty easy to whip out ships and layouts, if you've got the tools. I've built entire new models, set them up, created INI files and got them working in-game in one night. 80 to 90 percent of the work is model building and texturing.

As for missile launchers in EoC, here's what we've learned: a missile launcher can face any direction, as long as it's forward. :D

Sorry man.

[Cormorant]

A little more work on the old frigate model would sure be fine if used in EoC, as EoC supports more polys and higher texture quality. I'd also love to see external weapon dockpoints instead of pre-modelled PBC and Missile launchers at the pylon tips (though I think we should keep the pair of heavy bow cannons as they were - they can be scripted as internal weapon mounts, for example)

[MichaelShane]

I'd begun building a higher-poly version some time ago, but put it aside when I became busy.

The model I'd constructed for the I-War mod was only 367 triangular polys... pretty scant on detail.

http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/9467/oldfrigate2xo.jpg


The newer version should be around 1800 polys and feature normal mapping to capture a good level of detail. Here's some shots of where I left off (of course, nowhere near finished and not textured).

http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/5023/newfrigate8wa.jpg


I'll build new textures and see if I can find the comsec model I created long ago. I agree the two bow cannons should be kept and external weapon dockports are fine.

But it'll be anywhere from 2-3 weeks before I can get started on it. Currently I've got my hands full building a couple of models for the next Torn Stars release.

Cheers.

[Momaw]

That's a pretty cool looking ship! It almost looks stealthed, with the angular multi-faceted nature of it.

[Second Chance]

Wow, I remember that model! That's awsome that it's getting finished. I always thought it was a really cool looking design.

[Cormorant]

Ooooh... I love that higher-poly version! Great work, Shane! :up:
I think I'll use these few week to work on my EoC modding skills.
Considering the original comsec on the frigate was supposed to work with I-War 1, we could also abandon it for EoC and use a different style of bridge, but that's up to the model master ;)

[MichaelShane]

Thanks guys. I'll post updates as soon as progress warrents. :D