Ceiling lights

[weasel497]

Hello, this is my first try at custom scenery and I have mad a light to hang inside buildings, but I don't know if i should keep going and make a full pack of little things like this. If i were to, the pack would include flooring and ceiling fans too.

Here is a pic of the light: The textures look a lot better, it's just the pic.
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2943/texturedlamp5jr.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


I have a problem though, Bitrun isn't working for me, is there any other way to convert the file to an ASE???

BTW, I'm using Milkshape.

Comments and suggestions are welcome!:D

[Carowinds2004]

it would be great if your lights worked but i would like you to do a pack of ceiling lights

[weasel497]

it would be great if your lights worked but i would like you to do a pack of ceiling lights

I wish, but Jonwil cant get the effect points working.:(

[marnetmar]

If you're using Milkshape, you can convert the ms3d model files to ase with Biturn, no need to export as any other file type.

[weasel497]

Bitrun converts the file, but the file isn't there... It's weird.

[marnetmar]

It's in the same folder as your model file, unless you choose to save it someplace else. It'll have the same name, instead of light.ms3d it'll be light.ASE & the icon is different.

[weasel497]

oh...

Ok! Thanks!!!

[weasel497]

I made a rusty metal version too... Do you like?

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/376/lampmetalrusty2fy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[weasel497]

every time i try to save the .ovl in the importer, it says it isn't a square with a height and width of the power of 2, or something like that, How do i fix it?

[shyguy]

I think it means your texture file. It needs to be 256 color, 128x128, or 64x64, or 256x256, or any other similar configuration.

[weasel497]

I did what you said and it still says texture not square 8bpp with a height/width a power of 2.

[-[A.S] Fanie-]

(If you're using paint) Make sure every time you edit the texture save it as 256 bmp. I found it automatically saves it as a 24-bit bmp. So just make sure it's the right format;):up:

[weasel497]

thanks, I'm a little confused about the icon references thing, could you tell me how to do it? The tut doesn't explain it good enough.

[weasel497]

I got throught the importer and i hit saved the theme in "my documents" then i hit "install theme" it said "theme installed sucessfully, but the theme is not in the "themed" folder of RCT3... Could someone guide me step by step on the last bit of saving and installing?

[marnetmar]

Check your "C" drive just to make sure the theme isn't there. I know a couple of times myself & others had this issue come up. If it's there, just delete it & install it again. If it's not there try installing it again & see if it shows up.

[-[A.S] Fanie-]

Or use the search program..

[Eagle001]

I made a rusty metal version too... Do you like?

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/376/lampmetalrusty2fy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Now if we can get them to work that will be cool! :cool:

:jumpclap: :jump: :hat:

[Guybrush_47]

May i suggest something, i'm not sure if you can make lights paintable? But if so, i'd change that rust texture and make it colourable. That would be great.

Can i also suggest you make a version to hang off a vertical wall for outside industrial looking areas. Your making my life alot easier if your doing a light pack :)

[Vodhin]

Hey, this is a nice idea! Perhaps you have one where the lamp part is separate from the base and pole, so we can make the pole as long as we want? (to hang lights from a tall ceiling).

[RCT-Spanky]

Very good idea. For me it's not so important, if they currently work or not (I'm sure, that jonwil will find a way to do this someday). This lights are a perfect addition for any restaurant.

I agree with Vodhin, you should separate the lamp and the pole. And maybe you can do a ceiling lamp that looks like a crystal-crown-lamp for castles or ballrooms.

but I don't know if i should keep going and make a full pack of little things like this.
Off course, you should do it. Do you have any other things except the lamps in your mind?

[StayingDead]

Wow very nice! This will be a great feature to make any building look good. And i would say do what you wish. I mean i would rather see smaller things like this in a pack but creating custom scenery is hard work.

Choose whatever makes you feel happy.

[SilverSky]

Wow great work. That rusty light would be good for a Nemesis recreation.

Good to see some people on this forum aren't just immature and don't wreck the good topics, such as this one. Good work.

[Phil]

Good to see some people on this forum aren't just immature and don't wreck the good topics, such as this one. Good work.

Nobody here wrecks any topics :bulb:

Good luck on these weasel! Good to see you finally started with these!

[weasel497]

Hey, this is a nice idea! Perhaps you have one where the lamp part is separate from the base and pole, so we can make the pole as long as we want? (to hang lights from a tall ceiling).

That's a great Idea!!! Thanks!

I'll re-do the set.

Thanks to all who have helped and made suggestions. Thanks for putting up with all my Q's too, I'm new at this.

[jonwil]

Very good idea. For me it's not so important, if they currently work or not (I'm sure, that jonwil will find a way to do this someday).
You can already do working lights.

[weasel497]

Really? Tell me how! Please?

[weasel497]

Vodhin, was this what you meant? Tell me what you think...(if you do think...):p

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3712/lamptoprecolorable3ch.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/5051/poleextend2mg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/6582/poleextendcorner5uv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img319.imageshack.us/img319/4464/lamptoprecolorable5ad.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[°Celsius]

AWSOME, I NEED THOSE, when theyre finished of course.

[KingofKamelot]

Nice set weasel! This looks like it'll turn out to be a great scenery pack. I know I'll use it!

[Phil]

Looks great!

[weasel497]

My first attempt at making a celing fan, what do ya'll think? (no, i'm not a hick)

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/9142/fan124yp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/2703/fan15xx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

EDIT:Oh, almost forgot...
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/3966/sideextendpole9yx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

To extend the side hanging light.

Could someone (jonwil) tell me how to make it light up?

[-[A.S] Fanie-]

Read this thread http://www.ataricommunity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=509108

[Magnum]

Very, very cool, Weasel... I'm sure we will soon have custom lamps and lights in the game... Greatness!

[live_the_thrill]

You read my mind, I was going to post a request for lamp extensions, but you beat me to it, and I am glad you did!

I have to say for a beginning this is amazing work, and you are creating something that everyone will use. We can finally have decent lighting in our buildings, instead of those lame lampposts.

I hope you get them working!!

P.S will these lights need collision detection?

[weasel497]

no, there is no colision detection, i won't be able to do much more until i get the size issues worked out tho...and until someone tells me how to make it light up a room.

[Guybrush_47]

Perfect Weasel, good job mate.

[-[A.S] Fanie-]

Like I said to you on Aol Weasel.

4x4 Squares in Milkshape = 1 Square in RCT3

But to do this you have to zoom in on Milkshape until the the squares/grid stops getting bigger..If you know what I mean.

[weasel497]

um... I loaded 3 items into the importer, when i hit install theme, it encountered an error and crashed... Can sime one tell my what i'm doing wrong?

[-[A.S] Fanie-]

Make sure you filled in everything.. that's all I can tell ya'

It's never crashed on me so Im not sure..

[Phil]

Tell us more on these 3 items. Do each have proper OVL files and do each have icons etc?

[weasel497]

yes, all items have the proper ovl's and icons, the only thing i can think of is something to do with the text strings and icon referencing things, i'm supposed to make one for every piece, plus one for the main group with the text strings and icon referencing... right???

[shyguy]

Did you choose a category for your theme. In other words, "Sci-Fi", "Adventure", etc.?

[weasel497]

yeah, I can't really try anything now tho, I'moutta town.

[weasel497]

Bad news... I'm seriously thinking about quitting this project.:( I'm not getting anywhere with this.:cry: Every time i try to import multiple objects to test in RCT3, the importer crashes, or i get an error when RCT3's main screen is loading.:( I don't think I'll be doing this much longer, sorry guys...:( The importer just isn't working 4 me.

I'm willing to keep going ONLY if i can get the problems worked out. Can anyone help me out? If not, I quit.:(

[live_the_thrill]

Oh please don't quit!! I think these would be an awesome additional, could someone with the talent please help me out?

[DarkRidePerson]

Bad news... I'm seriously thinking about quitting this project.:( I'm not getting anywhere with this.:cry: Every time i try to import multiple objects to test in RCT3, the importer crashes, or i get an error when RCT3's main screen is loading.:( I don't think I'll be doing this much longer, sorry guys...:( The importer just isn't working 4 me.

I'm willing to keep going ONLY if i can get the problems worked out. Can anyone help me out? If not, I quit.:(
I had the same problem awhile ago.

The reason that it happened to me was because I was trying to use more than one icon texture. If you are useing more than one icon texture, here is what you are supposed to do.

Instead of one texture for each item, create one large 512 by 512 texture. divide the texture into 32 64 by 64 squares. Each of these squares is representitive of one icon. when you use the icon references, fill in the 4 boxes so that they create a box around one of the areas you divided the icon into.

For example, if you had an icon for the theme, the reference would be:
top 0
left 0
bottom 64
right 64

this will "draw" an invisible box around that part of the image and use whatever is in that part as an icon. I usually fill the squares with just a solid color, just to make sure that there is space.

when you are ready to put an icon into the game, simply fill in the area you referenced with a 64 by 64 picture that you want to use for an icon.

I am not sure if this helps, but I had the same problem, and that was how I fixed it...

[weasel497]

tahnk you SO much!!! I'll get on that later tonight. I got company right now tho. I'll tellu how it works!:D

I love you!!! no, not like that!

But, thanks again for that little bit of info!

[DarkRidePerson]

tahnk you SO much!!! I'll get on that later tonight. I got company right now tho. I'll tellu how it works!:D

I love you!!! no, not like that!

But, thanks again for that little bit of info!
your welcome

[Guybrush_47]

He loves you DarkRide, he wants to have your children :o

On a serious mark; Hope that does work for you, i haven't ever come across problems like that with the importer. The only problem i've ever had was the importer 'performing an illegial operation' when trying to save an .ovl

I found out the reason why that was crashing was due to a fault in the model, not sure what kind of fault... but i redid the model and it was fine.

When you get a 'error in svl command' or something like that when you load up rct3, its because you've referenced two models with the same name tag, and thus it conflicts as it can't determine which one you want. To fix that error, simply go in and have a look at the scenery settings of the item crashing, and you should find the information doesn't match.

Theres a few Guy tips :)

[-[A.S] Fanie-]

^ That helps me too thanks Guy :D

[Guybrush_47]

/bows

Now carry on doing those lights! :D

[weasel497]

/bows

Now carry on doing those lights! :D

LOL Thanks!:p

[weasel497]

So the texture for the icons should look like this? Cause if so, it doesn't work, the importer crashed AGAIN after i clicked "install theme"
http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/373/icontexture210df.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Could the problem be the texture? Cause when i loaded it, it said it wasnt a true color with a height/ width a power of 2, yet it is saved as a .png and is exactly 512 x 512... Waht do i do?

EDIT: the pic is a 256 x 256 that i tried too, it doesn't work either.

[marnetmar]

The texture needs to be 512x512 png format & there should be 8 icon "areas" across & 8 "areas" from top to bottom with a total of 64 possible prop icons. Actually 63, since you need 1 for the theme icon, unless you use one of the prop icons for it.

[weasel497]

The texture needs to be 512x512 png format & there should be 8 icon "areas" across & 8 "areas" from top to bottom with a total of 64 possible prop icons. Actually 63, since you need 1 for the theme icon, unless you use one of the prop icons for it.

Thats what i did the first time and it said it wasn't a bla bla with a power of 2

Could you make the texture for me, cause it's really hard in paint, i don't have a better program. if i sent you the pic that i want textured?

[marnetmar]

Check your PM's weasel

[DarkRidePerson]

So the texture for the icons should look like this? Cause if so, it doesn't work, the importer crashed AGAIN after i clicked "install theme"


Could the problem be the texture? Cause when i loaded it, it said it wasnt a true color with a height/ width a power of 2, yet it is saved as a .png and is exactly 512 x 512... Waht do i do?

EDIT: the pic is a 256 x 256 that i tried too, it doesn't work either.
Hmm, did you flatten the image? there may be a problem because, in photoshop, I don't believe the layers are automatically flattened when converting to .png. Also, make sure it is EXACTLY 512 X 512

also, make sure that you re-do all of your references.

Edit: oh, sorry, you have paint. I reccomend that you get the GIMP, or GIMP-shop. It is free.

[weasel497]

To answer that question, i will quote myself...:p

...cause it's really hard in paint, i don't have a better program...

[DarkRidePerson]

To answer that question, i will quote myself...:p
Hmm, that is odd.
I recomend that you get the GIMP. there is a link to it in "Frogee's guide to all things custom". The GIMP is a free program that has most of the features of photoshop. If you use that, than it might work. It may not, I don't know.

[marnetmar]

I'm not sure if you had the texture as a bmp file first or what, but you don't want it to be indexed. It was an indexed 8 bit png file. Just save it as a regular png file in paint & it should be a 24 bit png file & will work. I changed it for you & it's on the way weasel.

[weasel497]

Thanks, Marn, for the texture file, i ahve to rotate the pieces and then re-import 'em. i have a question tho, some pieces aren't re-colorable, and the ones that can be re-colored are all dull, the white looks grey, and the yellow looks like a honey mustard color. Is there a certain way that i should texture these items? and what about the ones that won't color?

[DarkRidePerson]

Thanks, Marn, for the texture file, i ahve to rotate the pieces and then re-import 'em. i have a question tho, some pieces aren't re-colorable, and the ones that can be re-colored are all dull, the white looks grey, and the yellow looks like a honey mustard color. Is there a certain way that i should texture these items? and what about the ones that won't color?
there is a recolourable .ovl table that you can use when converting them to indexed textures. it only works with photoshop, and Corel photo paint though. The easiest way to make sure they are recolourable is to check and make sure that everything is blue with an equal amount of red and green which is less than the amount of blue

[weasel497]

there is a recolourable .ovl table that you can use when converting them to indexed textures. it only works with photoshop, and Corel photo paint though. The easiest way to make sure they are recolourable is to check and make sure that everything is blue with an equal amount of red and green which is less than the amount of blue

So... Like a baby blue color?

[marnetmar]

Thanks, Marn, for the texture file, i ahve to rotate the pieces and then re-import 'em. i have a question tho, some pieces aren't re-colorable, and the ones that can be re-colored are all dull, the white looks grey, and the yellow looks like a honey mustard color. Is there a certain way that i should texture these items? and what about the ones that won't color?

Are you trying to make them all recolorable? If so you have to select the recoloring option in the importer.

The ones you have working most likely have the colors off because (I'm guessing here) that you're just using an indexed bmp texture file, which will make the colors come out differently than with the file that Klinn made & is included with the importer program. It works with Photoshop & there's another one that works with Corel.

[weasel497]

i did select the re-color option in the importer, but i don't have corel or photoshop... Is this a problem?

[DarkRidePerson]

i did select the re-color option in the importer, but i don't have corel or photoshop... Is this a problem?
it would be a good idea to use those two programs, as the recolourable options will only recognize a certain range of colors

[weasel497]

and... How much would that cost me? I'm only 14 and don't have all the money in the world. :p

[DarkRidePerson]

and... How much would that cost me? I'm only 14 and don't have all the money in the world. :p

wow, really? me too :)
If you don't have photoshop, go to the thread called "Frogee's guide to all things custom" (it is stickied). It has a link to a place that has a download of "The GIMP" It operates similar to photoshop, and it is much easier to create a custom table and convert it to index color.

If you want to spend the money on photoshop. It will cost you as much as 700 $ (very very expensive), but you can get an earlier version for less.

You can also try Ulead Photo Impact, an excellent program for creating textures which is 50$ (much less expensive)

[weasel497]

oh, ok, thanks! :D

[shyguy]

I have always used greyscale mode to create colorable objects. Numbers 1-85 are color one, 86-170 are color two, and 171-255 are color three. I do this in Paint Shop Pro.

I have PhotoShop Elements but it won't work with Klinn's file. I am currently playing with a trial version of PhotoShop, but I still can't figure out how to use Klinn's file with it. I opened the file in Photoshop, but I see no change in the palette. It would be a lot easier to create colorable objects using the 3 colors instead of shades of grey, but I can't figure it out.

[RCT-Spanky]

weasel497 it's great to see that you continue your fantastic work.

[Guybrush_47]

Someone really needs to write a tutorial on creating recolourable textures. It would be alot easier. I would do it, but i don't know how to make them :o

I get lost when you go on about Klinns table, i really need to look at this.

'goes off to find out about it'

[Potter]

Someone really needs to write a tutorial on creating recolourable textures. It would be alot easier. I would do it, but i don't know how to make them :o
Guybrush_47, what software are you using for textures?

If you are using photoshop, you have to save your texture as 8 bit BMP. Then, convert the image to Indexed Color by setting Image Mode to 'Indexed Color', Palette to 'Custom' and Dither to 'Diffusion'. When asked to select palette, choose Klinn's recolorable ACT file (found in the Importer folder). And, you are done :)

For more detailed graphical explanation, check out here (http://www.timestream.com/mmedia/graphics/colors/exppsd.html)

PS: And, you have a PM!

[Guybrush_47]

Ah, thank you Potter, i assume all textures have to be greyscaled in which case.

Yeah i use photoshop, so thats a big help, cheers. Didn't realise it was that easy :o

P.S. So i do :)

[Potter]

i assume all textures have to be greyscaled in which case.
Unfortunately, YES. It takes a little time getting used to coloring in gray shades ... But, that's the way it is :)

[weasel497]

WOOHOO!!! I finally got the objects into the game today, so far, they are upside down, about 3 times too big and the textures have to be inverted.

Don't worry, i think i know how to doo all this stuff! :D I think...

I'll keep you updated.

[weasel497]

**UPDATE**

I got the re-colorable textures worked out and...

The first object is imported into the game!!! Here are some pics.


Thanks for all your help everybody!!! I will keep you updated, hopefully every day.

Tell me what you thiink!

[-[A.S] Fanie-]

pics arent showing for some reason..

[weasel497]

Do these work?

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/6899/shot02040dl.jpg

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/4679/shot02004an.jpg

[shyguy]

Well, they look rather...LARGE.

But, besides that, congrats for finally getting things to work. You've gotten past the hardest part. Don't expect everything to go smoothly (take it from one who knows) but you're well on your way. ;)

[weasel497]

they arent too large, they are only a quarter tile in size... i don't think they need to be much smaller... do they?

[shyguy]

I guess I'd have to see them with other scenery. But if they are half the width of a pathway, that would make them about 3 or 4 feet in diameter. A little big for a ceiling lamp.

[weasel497]

i may make a smaller version...

[Guybrush_47]

Those are too large tbh. I would half the size if not more. Put a lamp next to those lights for comparison.

Well done though, Good to see them ingame, with colourable textures (one step ahead of me :P)

Just scale them down by 75% and you'll have a great addition.

[Jag100]

[QUOTE=shyguy]Well, they look rather...LARGE.[QUOTE]

they are quite large

[weasel497]

I'm keeping these the same size, i'm gonna make a lighter version of them too (like shyguy's sets) and i'll do a amaller version of both also...

You may be looking at them wrong, the objects in the pics aren't placed right near the ground, they're quite a ways up in the air, so when looking down, it looks way too big. I'll ge some more pics up soon to show u.

[weasel497]

*SIGH...* I have, once again, found a problem. Whenever i try to make a second ovl, when i save the ovl, i name it and click the save button, but the darned thing crashes... every time i try to make the second ovl.

anyone know how to fix this?

Yes, i have the textures and stuff right...

[marnetmar]

Did you make sure to not have any extra textures listed in the importer besides the one for the current model you're trying to make the ovl file for?

[weasel497]

Oh... *smacks forehead* Thanks, didn't think of that, but i've always gotten rid of the extra texture, just forgot the last few times. Update soon!!!

[live_the_thrill]

Oh... *smacks forehead* Thanks, didn't think of that, but i've always gotten rid of the extra texture, just forgot the last few times. Update soon!!!

Have you got them working yet? I would hate to see this thread die!

[weasel497]

No, I caught a virus and it deleted a lot of stuff... I am trying to get the lights modeled and textured again, but it's becoming a problem, I am still trying tho, so i'll keep updating... hopefully.

[Vodhin]

It's a sad thing to have some stupid virus cause such grief- all that hard work will not be in vain, though- I bet the next incarnation of these will be even better. :D

[lee2by4]

If you have a virus my dad usally gets a hard drive and saves all my stuff onto it, then take everything off my computer, then he puts the files back on my pc.

If this set continues i hope it goes ok, It all looked really nice.

[StayingDead]

Hope you get this sorted.

Why not just remove the actually lightbulb looking thing. We can add eligantas light sphere in it or something to light the room up.

[weasel497]

I have made a flourescent light, but i'm not sure if i should release it or not...

[niccum_123]

You Should

[ryguy222]

^^agreed

[marnetmar]

I have made a flourescent light, but i'm not sure if i should release it or not...

You should work on adding to it before releasing it, that way there's more different things for people to use.

[weasel497]

ok, i haven't had much time to fiddle with custom stuff, between school, state issued testing, homework, and my latest ptoject: Planet X. But i'll get em out soon.

[niccum_123]

I really Need These