Is this a good PQ4 style?

Knox · Mon 11/05/2009 18:54:46

Hi,

I just wanted to get people's opinion on a simple background I did if it matches Police Quest 4's style...the car + character is ripped (for now, temporary...just to see)

Ive only got two so far.

Does it match "ok", in your opinion?

Also, does anyone know of a good program that converts video into 256 colors and divides the animation into individual cels? Back in the 90's I heard Sierra used to use a program called "Movie 256" that permitted this but I cant seem to find anything like it (but I will continue trying!).

Thanks!

goldensox · Mon 11/05/2009 22:08:59

Not sure if it's really compatible with the PQ look, but damm, looking good there pal. I really liked the visual, this photographic, realistic look really appeals to me, tho I'm more fond of bigger resolutions, it's looking good anyway.

Knox · Tue 12/05/2009 01:34:11

Thanks! Its 320 x 200 right now, like the PQ4 resolution (I think). I'll try to get some more done in higher resolutions, to test out and see what you think.

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

xenogia · Tue 12/05/2009 02:07:01

Looking good, very good. Your on the right track

As for a program like Movie 256. One way of doing it, is extracting the frames via virtual dub into png/jpg whatever and then using Animation Shop 3 to convert it 256 colours.

Knox · Tue 12/05/2009 04:40:02

Hey thanks Xenogia...I got myself a copy of virtual dub...checkin it out now!

By the way, I noticed you're making a game on the Jonestown Conspiracy...man I'm pretty "obsessed" with that event, the death tape is pretty eerie...will it be in the game?

I love your graphics, if ever I have some technical questions, do you think I could ask some stuff?

Im pretty much the type of guy who will try everything out himself before "bugging" someone with questions, so dont worry, it will only be for something Im really stumped on!

xenogia · Tue 12/05/2009 04:48:48

Sent you a PM general_knox

zabnat · Tue 12/05/2009 09:47:32

Quote from: general_knox on Mon 11/05/2009 18:54:46
Also, does anyone know of a good program that converts video into 256 colors and divides the animation into individual cels? Back in the 90's I heard Sierra used to use a program called "Movie 256" that permitted this but I cant seem to find anything like it (but I will continue trying!).

I have used The RAD Video Tools from Bink to convert video to 256 color FLC to use with AGS. It can also handle other formats.

rbaleksandar · Tue 12/05/2009 21:22:42

It doesn't really matter if this looks like PQ4. The fact is it's very very good. Keep up the great work.

Knox · Thu 14/05/2009 16:11:47

Ive decided to let go a bit of the PQ4 style, and paint over my images to give it a more artistic look instead of too "photo-ish".

Here is my interpretation of what Sonny Bonds would look like.

I did a montage with Val Kilmer's features + tom cruise + matt damon...

What do you think, is it too much like Val, still? I dont want people to go "yah, thats WAY too much like Kilmer..."

Also, do you think I should put the character's name on the bottom like that or not?

xenogia · Thu 14/05/2009 22:51:35

That's awesome

Are you going to animate that portrait.

Knox · Fri 15/05/2009 17:20:24

Oh yeah...for sure!

GarageGothic · Fri 15/05/2009 18:01:40

I think it looks great, very nice style you've come up with. I do notice some of Val Kilmer's features, but it's not really a big deal. You could try changing the lips if you think it would distract people. Also perhaps tone down the blue in the eyes a little for realism.

Dualnames · Fri 15/05/2009 19:10:36

He seems like Val Kilmer but not 100% (if you change the eyes a bit, no one will notice), but I think it gives Sonny Bonds some depth and overall it fits the character quite well.

Darth Mandarb · Fri 15/05/2009 19:30:51

The mouth is un-mistakenly Val Kilmer (that's not a bad thing since you openly admitted to photo-mashing it!) I'm just saying!

The only other thing I'd suggest is maybe a less "trendy" hair style. Most beat cops (and I'm guessing he's a beat cop by the uniform - unless this is just his photo or something for when he wears the dress blues) but most beat cops are required to have close cut hair (at least in my experience - my best friend is a cop!) Granted if the setting of the game is the 70s it'd fit right in but he might need a bushy[ish] mustache as well!!

GarageGothic · Fri 15/05/2009 23:04:08

Quote from: Darth Mandarb on Fri 15/05/2009 19:30:51Granted if the setting of the game is the 70s it'd fit right in but he might need a bushy[ish] mustache as well!!

And don't forget the cop glasses!

Hudders · Fri 15/05/2009 23:24:17

Quote from: general_knox on Thu 14/05/2009 16:11:47
Also, do you think I should put the character's name on the bottom like that or not?

No. He already has a nametag anyway.

Knox · Sat 16/05/2009 14:52:08

Hey, thanks for you comments people!

GarageGothic: Ok, Ill try some different lip versions and some eye colors desaturated to test out. Its funny you mentionned the glasses, I might have a scene or two with them...

Darth Mandarb: Aww man, I hate those buzcuts, lol! Ok, Ill see what can be done for that (butI'm not sure Ill stick with the crew cut!)...NO MUSTACHE, hehe!! perhaps a soul patch when hes undercover...ahem.

Hudders: Ok, I removed the name on the bottom, you're right, its redundant...GONE!

Dualnames: Thanks, I always thought the portrait pic from PQ3 of Sonny resembled Val a little bit...

Val Kilmer look-a-like, no? --->

GarageGothic · Sat 16/05/2009 17:11:52

I think you should definitely stick with the original Sonny Bonds look, and the current hair is a good approximation though maybe a bit unkempt.

Just as a curiosity, it seems that Sonny did in fact adopt the classic cop look in his later days. This is Lt. Sonny Bonds as he appears in the tutorial level of SWAT 4, complete with buzz cut and cop moustache:

It always struck me as odd that Sonny started out with black hair, then bleached it for his undercover work at the end of PQ1 and never returned to his original hair color. I don't remember any of his colleagues ever mentioning it in the later games, though I couldn't imagine something as metrosexual as bleaching your hair passing without remark in a macho cop environment.

Knox · Mon 18/05/2009 06:10:38

I havent had the time to test lips, hair, eyes, etc...but here is a brief look at what I have so far for the icon bar. The Sonny sprite is pretty much how I pictured him (in patrol uniform).

100% height is 240 pixels, so at 480x640, Im assuming this is OK...(?) In the pic below, you can see at 50%, Sonny will take up 1/4 of the screen.

I decided to make the portrait image around 80-90% of the screen when a character talks...that way lots of facial expressions can be used with detail...do you think this is a bad move, or a good one?

Are these good sizes, and perhaps some feedback on what you think of the icon bar?

Its still a W.I.P so dont be shy to bash away

GarageGothic: haha, in that pic sonny looks really...uhh...I make-ah dah-pizza doh-ah, mama-mia....

xenogia · Mon 18/05/2009 06:32:43

Personally I think what you have done so far is absolutely amazing and I wish I had that type of photoshop skills..

*Looks down jealously*