Space Quest Backgrounds C&C

Farsight · Thu 06/05/2004 05:44:03

Hi everyone,
This (obvious for some) is the first playable screen in Space Quest 2. I am trying to make a SQ2 VGA Remake which of course requires VGA or better backgrounds. I am trying to make it look the same but diferent.

Ok let me explain. I want to have the same items, theme in the backgrounds but I don't want to stuff it up. Any help?

Image removed by Farsight
P.S I know I shouldn't have posted here until I had done at least something but I honestly don't know what.

Phemar · Thu 06/05/2004 05:52:54

I, don't get what's different?

Farsight · Thu 06/05/2004 05:57:44

Nothing, thats why I need some C&C!

strazer · Thu 06/05/2004 07:12:18

Do you know Tierra's SQ2 demo?

Farsight · Thu 06/05/2004 08:43:11

:o :o :o :o
No way!!!
Did they actually make a SQ2 VGA demo?
Do you think I could use those backgrounds and where can I get the demo from?

strazer · Thu 06/05/2004 09:32:50

Yep, it's a 3 room demo, I've provided the link above.

I think the remake is just on hold officially, but why don't you ask them: http://www.agdinteractive.com/

Farsight · Thu 06/05/2004 19:55:56

Man those are some good graphics!!!
Do you know who did them. I really need to make contact with him.

Tiki · Fri 07/05/2004 01:21:42

The Anonomous Game Developer guys did. Basically, Tierra. Don't bother asking them if you can have what they had gotten done before the project went kablooie. They don't give away any open source stuff. And just about all the guys who were working on SQ2 before are busy with some other project now. Sorry. You're on your own.

LGM · Fri 07/05/2004 01:46:17

Farsight.. As far as I see it, you just ripped Screenies from SQ2 and are asking people to paint over them for you or copy them into a VGA? What exactly have you done to get towards this goal yourself? You can't be spoonfed if you're gonna make a repectable game.

Farsight · Fri 07/05/2004 06:13:23

TikiTikiMan if you could teach me how to upgrade backgrounds to VGA that would be much appreciated!

Or if you have some other backgrounds that would help. Also what drawing program did you use. I only have PSP, Paint and ArtGem which is shareware so you can't save. If you do contribute I will be sure to put your name in the credits.

Yellow is a Flavor · Fri 07/05/2004 17:46:17

I don't think you get the purpose of this particular forum. Critic's Lounge is for you to post your *own* work that others can critisize, comment on, and give advice for. Just posting an already existing background and asking others to help you make them better is going to make you unpopular real quick.

I believe there's a thread in this forum with links to quite a few tutorials. Check 'em out, see what you can do on your own. When you've acheived the highest quality you can on a given background, THEN come back here, post it, and ask for advice.

InCreator · Fri 07/05/2004 18:40:32

Farsight, you can save with ArtGem, just find version 1.2 somewhere! Newer ones have nag screens and saving disabled. By playing a little with computer date you also can increase expiration period length, like for 10 years

Farsight · Fri 07/05/2004 20:31:14

Yellow is a Flavor:
I posted here because I was in real need of getting a handle on changing EGA to VGA graphics. I checked out most of the art tutorials and they're all really useless.
InCreator:
I did expand the time period (by ten years) but because it is SHAREWARE I can only SAVE in ARTGEM format not like gif, bmp, png etc. If anyone can tell me where I can get ArtGem v.1.2 it would be much appreciated.

Hollister Man · Sat 08/05/2004 20:58:24

The main part of making EGA style into (S)VGA is that its pretty much like making your own artwork. Basically all you're doing is using the outlines from the original, and adding completely new details. Mostly you can't even use the same colors. I agree that most of the tutorials are useless, or specialize in a particular style that does not fir a Sierra remake. I think theres one over at m0ds' site that describes how they made thier great BGs, that might help you.

Now, this may sound like a stupid queston (or not) but why is it important to use ArtGem? I, for one, have never heard of it. There are lots of good programs that are cheap, and some (such as Gimp) that are free. Gimp is supposed to be great.

Farsight · Mon 10/05/2004 05:29:37

Yea ok, I'll try out Gimp but last time I think the download failed? Mabye not anyway I'm going to download it now.
EDIT: Did a 'quick' redo in ArtGem... told you I suck.

Nacho · Mon 10/05/2004 12:18:20

I'll tell you gentle before someone do it harshy... This is just the original image with a change of colours... What can we criticise???

I mean...Ã,Â

IMO you shold resize the image, and in a new layer start to paint a more smooth outlines, that huge pixels were ok when SQ was originally released, but not now, imo...

Ali · Mon 10/05/2004 12:37:36

I've done this very hurriedly in about ten minutes, but you want to be trying something like this (but more detailed and with far more time taken over it):

Use the original as a template and draw your own graphics on top. If you don't know how to draw well in a VGA style, then spend some time studying other people's work and using tutorials before you attempt a VGA remake. Okay!

Farsight · Mon 10/05/2004 19:42:10

:o :o Not bad at all. Thanks all, if you can recommend any tutorials that would really help. Yes that was just a change of colours...

EDIT: I got Gimp down and it is sooooo confusing. I still don't know how to VGA graphics. You all seem to have great ideas and pics but they have gradients / textures and I don't know how you did it or what program you used.

Isegrim · Tue 11/05/2004 11:21:25

Gimp is not too difficult to use... And I think that there are some good tutorials out there (just search google or the forums here), but they ususally require you not just to read them, but to try and experiment also!
Also: Take some time for it! I know no tutorial that will present you with all the knowledge you need in just 10 minutes...

And anyway I think all the guys who have posted their images here took a LONG time to become as good as they are now... Just keep on trying!

Ali · Tue 11/05/2004 14:32:06

Here's a method you can follow if you're interested:

Some of these steps are specific to this image, but I'm sure they could be adapted for a different style.

1. Replace walls with flat colour, and smooth objects with a gradient describing their shape.

2. Use a brush like the one floating in the sky in the 2nd image to add texture. You can do this by making the brush darken or brighten the image, or by choosing painting with colours slightly lower and higher than the wall's colour. You'll have to ask someone else how this is done in Gimp though.

3. Draw cracks, dents and erosion with a line drawing tool using light and dark lines. The lines should have anti-aliasing set on, to make them smoother.

4. Sketch out panneling with slightly darker lines.

5. Make panelling look 3D by adding highlights where the light is coming from.

6. Use a mask to capture all the areas of your picture that are to be in shadow (If you want sharp shadows) then lower the brightess in those regions.

7. Adjust the contrast to get the look you want.

8. Add details with small brushes and line tools, remembering your light source. Anti aliasing should be on here to make objects blend better with their background. Just drawing the image and blurring it will not look as nice.

Hope that's helpful.