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The pixel size depends on what dpi you're using. Try to find out what is the greatest dpi your printer supports and post it here so we can tell you the correct dimensions in pixels. Or if you have Photoshop, for example, you can find it out as well. Actually, you don't even need to know the pixels. Just make a new image, choose inches as the measure and change the dpi value to one that your printer supports.

I think you can find out the supported dpi from Control Panel -> Printers -> Click on the printer you're using -> Properties -> General.

Haha. As far as I'm concerned, it's been completely alright for you to post your 3D stuff. I mean, you enjoyed doing the stuff, right? Creative stuff is always great. Although, on the other hand, I'm really glad you're going to finish your old projects. But don't feel like a fool for getting inspiration for a new project. It's just something creative persons have to live with. And if you always hold back when you get inspired, you'll get bored of your current project. Don't let it suffocate your creativity. Every once in a while you deserve a break!

Yeah, I have the same problem. Chrille, Jannar and DarkStalkey surely are not the only one to know about it!

Oh, man. It's great you reminded me. I really need to start working on those projects!

In addition to what everyone else has said, I think you could decide whether you want to go with loose or rigid style (door VS cabinet).

The door's shape is obviously reminiscent of the wacky shapes in DOTT, but the cabinet and the walls look like those in older Sierra games. I think you should pick either style and let it show in all objects in the game. Otherwise the style will be a bit controversial.

It's often good to lay down all the objects in the preliminary sketch of the scene, in my opinion. You will get the overall look right at the beginning so you won't end up with a too big room with too few objects. Just an example!

But all in all you've done great job on it. It'll work great on an adventure game, no player will be as nitpicky as me!

You're right, Boyd. People need to deal with their problems their own way and yes, different people will give different advice... But I don't see how that would make talking about problems futile. I mean, it's no use to talk in any case if you're just looking for the perfect answer. No one has it. People only have different views and experiences and sharing them makes them wiser.

Furthermore, when you say people should deal with their problems in their own way, doesn't it mean you're not entitled to tell someone that discussing is the wrong approach. Isn't it the usual way of dealing with problems?

Finally, I don't want to pick a fight or anything. I just don't wish to encourage anyone to keep their problems to theirselves for it's the worst thing to do, in my opinion. Of course discussing is best done in real life (take Mittens for a far-fetched example), but it doesn't close this option out. Often people go like "don't ask personal advice on the internet". But I think that is merely underestimating the other person's ability to separate the wrong from the right. Ie. Those with good means and those with the opposite.

By the way, I understand I might have gone a bit too far on my advice for Bodyart. I mean, all he asked was everyone's concept of "crazy" and I go all "do this and do that".

You're not crazy, Bodyart. I think those are the 'normal' symptoms of depression or a burn-out. The best advice I can give is - don't worry about it and try to think positively. However, having the same thing, only in smaller degree, I know it's not easy. When the senses get weaker, one starts to live more and more without them. Like Stephen LaBerge (scientist who concentrated on lucid, "conscious" dreams) put it, being awake is dreaming with external input. And when one doesn't realize what actually IS happening in the world, one easily makes wrong conclusions (is paranoid). I think this is due to the fact that depression deteriorates one's ability to focus. And more specifically, concentrating on what you do physically. Have you ever noticed doing something in your thoughts, kind of automatically, just noticing you just did it?

I don't know if you've ever tried medicine treatment for your condition, but there really doesn't seem to be a good cure for depression, at least yet. if you have, you probably know that the school medicine fails in the fact that it concentrates on the single symptoms and often fails to treat what is causing those symptoms. However, making the symptoms less distracting makes you think clearer, so nutritional products (or whatever they're called) like vitamins and antioxidants are helpful. Stress often takes lots of resources from the body and it's good to be well nurtured to prevent any more 'damage' and even repair any made. But as I said, they can't really cure the disease - you have to do it yourself. Unless the imbalance really IS caused by pure biological factors. I'm not a doctor or anything but it usually is about mental issues, even if it didn't seem like it. Like for me. I got really stressed out in army and it caused a burn-out. I'm slowly getting better but I can't make the process faster because I still haven't been able to identify what really made me so stressed out.

Anyway, one thing that to me sounds like a way to help it is meditation (taking the time to relax and think) and other eastern forms of natural healing. According to eastern traditional healing philosophy, diseases occur when a person doesn't have enough energy or there's a block in the energy flow which causes an imbalance, resulting in physical symptoms. I don't know, it's a weird concept but it makes sense and by all the stuff I've read about it, it seems to work really well on stress and depression. I mean, even if you didn't believe the energy thing, it does make sense that when you're relaxed, blood pressure drops and the amount of cortisol in blood decreases, for example. I'm thinking of buying a book on Qi Gong... I've tried reflexology already and it works really well, though it isn't claimed to be all that effective on stress. Reiki also seems interesting.

Anyway, as I always use far too many words to express myself, here it is in short: RELAX, EAT WELL AND TRY NOT TO WORRY!

PS. I hope I didn't sound scary or anything. I mean with that eastern medicine thing and all. And it seems I didn't really answer your original question, but by your incentive on your post (not topic), I thought I'd try to discuss the matter in constructive manner.

I think the overall look is really good. However, the colors aren't quite right.

In the first version they're too MSPaint'ish and in the last version they're pretty much the same, just darker. One can instantly see that the scene is not really nighttime because of the saturated variety of colors nor is it daytime because it's so dark. In addition, if it was daytime and it was raining, the shadows wouldn't be as definite because the sun isn't shining.

I would go with something like Ali's example. It's bright enough for a day scene and it's very unsaturated, which is very typical for a rainy day. When I think of a sunny day, I think of the vibrant, glowing, warm colors. When I think of a rainy day, I think of a pretty dull grey, cold colors. You should keep that kind of impressions in mind from the very beginning. Try to reflect the mood in the colors of the background. It is VERY effective. If you have no clue of what kind of colors you should go with, look for reference images. Google has a great image search. Many professionals refer on pictures to get inspiration and correct color themes.

If you want to have just a neutral rainy weather scene you shouldn't go as far reducing the saturation as Ali did and add just a bit of blue perhaps. With pre-rendered graphics that (at least the fine tuning) is best done in Photoshop. You can have a better control of the subtle changes in colors.

In short, it is very important to remember taht colors are more important than shapes when it comes to atmosphere. Ie. The rain plugin wouldn't make the essential difference you're looking for, I'm afraid.

Seeing you're going with 3D images this information is kind of out-dated, but might help you in the future. Perhaps even with sketches for 3D images.

Anyway, the main problem I see you're having is that you're not thinking in 3D. You must remember that every object can be presented in basic shapes: boxes, spheres etc. Using such basic shapes when starting to sketch out an image is very beneficial. Ultimately, it makes the image look a whole lot more 3D, but it also makes the progress a lot faster, not only because it minimizes the need to adjust the sketch afterwards. This is basically the same system Igor introduced to many of us for character animation.

Next time you draw, try to either imagine the scene in your mind or make a real quick (less than a minute) sketch of it to get the overall look. After that, start figuring out the composition and shapes in more depth by using basic shapes for the objects. You can use cross-sections to emphasize the 3D look.

It won't take much time and it will make the whole progress a whole lot easier. You will be able to think in a whole different way of the shapes - in 3D. With the primitive shapes on the background (on a separate layer in Photoshop with little opacity, if you wish) you can render the final objects with ease.

Let's say you would start working on the final composition based on your previous image. You would first think whether the scene would work well in your game. Walkable areas etc. You should also consider how placing of the objects could be improved. Is the stump relevant in the game? If it is, move it closer, on this side of the lamp. It it's not, try and make it less distractive. So that it doesn't really even draw attention. So that the player knows it's only part of the detail of the scenery.

After you have those and more figured out, start blocking in the basic shapes. Here's an example of what I mean.



AT THIS POINT you probably wouldn't have such defined sketch on the background, but I had it there because I didn't use a quick sketch at all. I would though if I were to make the background for a game or something.

In any case, after getting all the basic shapes down you could make it less visible and start making the final lines on it, details and all (as black outlines are part of your style). Eventually after getting those right you could start coloring the image on multiply layer or a layer that is beneath the sketch.

By the way, why not take everything out of Photoshop and use anti-alias and other features it has to offer? Or is it just a style thing? Not saying AA is something a good image must have but it's good to test out different tools as it gives you a whole lot more options.

As a sidenote, as in - not helpful anymore - the sketch and a colored version. I always get carried away. But hey, it's great practice!

Finally, I don't know where that weird all-knowing tone came in my post but I hope you can ignore it.

Great to see you're back, Fruitree!!! We really did miss you. Where were you?

Anyway, I'm actually very interested in reading this book. Especially after reading the customer reviews on Amazon. Well, actually, seeing that even somebody I know thinks the same way as they do. It must be true.

I just hope I can find this book from my bookstore.

How about running a virus scan on her computer's harddrive with your computer? That would require moving the HD around but I can't really think of anything else...

I think I'll go with Mods' tip!

Archangel, in addition to Pestilence's very valid point, very few new people find the time to get acquainted with the community by browsing the old threads. I think GameFreek deserves full credit for that. Not to take any away from you though, as you just pointed the fact out. But I'm glad this thread came up as I hadn't seen it before.

I just hope Fruitree is still here somewhere to read his thread.

Anyways, I consider myself as a pretty social and outgoing person. It's just that often I don't WANT to know some people and that leads to them thinking I'm somewhat shy or introvert. I just think relationships either work or they don't. I know many people who chat this and that with everyone and really knows none of them. I don't think it serves any purpose.

I must admit I have trouble starting discussion with someone I'd really like to get to know better. But then again, it's about the same thing: I don't feel comfortable talking with someone about a matter that really doesn't interest me. Seems like there are many like me in that matter here.

It's really hard to find the right kind of company. Different kinds of people bring different things out of me. Some bad, some good. And when it comes to AGS community in general, it often seems to be the best. Helpfulness, politeness, thoughtfulness, intelligence. They're features that I actually never thought I had so strong before I joined AGS Forums. I'm not saying I really am any of that, but it has helped me in creating a more positive view about myself and eventually, start acting accordingly.

In real life I'm a bit different, though my friends still generally regard me perhaps nicer and more thoughful than the regular guy. The fact of the matter is, one can not be very helpful or thoughtful in real life. I don't really have a problem with that, but it's a bit unfortunate when people are after all so intelligent. Perhaps it's just that people often are pretty "shallow", so to say, in company of many people, but then compensate that when they're with their loved ones. I realized that when my friend just started his army service at the same time I finished it. He was all like he was going to hold a knife with his teeth going all "Geronimo!" or "turtle power!" and all confident. But then my friend told me that he was actually really stressed out and really worried about the service. He had told her that personally because he doesn't want us to think he's a wussy or anything. Though I don't see anything to be ashamed there.

Anyway, it seems like I'm talking about relationships more than of anything else. But hey, we think of ourselves through our relationships, right? I suppose you are what your friends are... Well, not quite.

I think the most frustrating thing about the whole issue is when people respect you because of your talents and achievements, not for what you really are. Oh, and the other thing is when you go all off-topic.

Yay, the patch seems to have worked! Thanks a lot, Remixor!!!

Jason, sounds like the one my brother's computer is having. Thanks for the instructions!

I have the very same problem, Ben. It has become really irritating.

My brother has some different issue with his computer. Kind of similar. His computer crashes so that Window says that some application has caused an error and Windows needs to shut down. There's a sixty second countdown before it shuts down.

These problems have occured during the last week or so for both of us. And what is funny, is that he's using XP and I'm using 2000. They're even different executables that crash. I don't know if some hacker has really started to get bored or something.

Anyway, I downloaded the patch (had to update to service pack 3, actually, I think) but can not find the msblast.exe from the Task Manager. Also, I tried the Stinger but it didn't find anything. This is the first time I'm running the system with the patch and the computer's been up and running for about 10 minutes, so I can't really tell whether it's working or not. We'll see. I'll let you know if it worked.

YEAH, BABY!

That's the way to go, Andail! Takes a man, or more (if it's even possible!) to do that. I'd also like to say that Squinky did equally great thing on his post!

Rock on, Andail, Squinky and Darth Mandarb. This is what makes this community great.

Have a great time on your time-out! You know, there's hardly a bad thing to remember from you, the host of this year's Mittens.

I agree with Nellie totally, on "Debates don't exist purely in the pursuit of a resolution, but also as a way of sharing ideas."

I realized this a few nights ago, when we we're at my friend's summer cottage. We talked about issues such as the war in Irak, whether crime is essential for society and things like that. It was the first time we talked about such issues, we're no politics you know. And that is what got me into thinking, perhaps it's not the topics of discussion that made it so enjoyable. Maybe it's just the fact that we got to know each other's views and ideas on the matters.

When you talk about weather, you can not present your own ideas. You won't get to share anything, you won't get to know them. It doesn't matter what the topic is, it matters how you discuss it. Take this thread for an example. When I read Darth's, Pestilence's, Nellie's and Andail's posts, I really thought about the last Creation VS. Evolution thread. I mean, people don't agree on all things, but they discuss it in a very thought-out and - considering the circumstances - in polite manner. I get to hear a lot of good ideas, and when I read two sequential posts, from both sides (Nellie - Andail), I really don't know which one is right. However, I get to hear both of their views on the matter and learn more about the situation and how to think of it. And that is why I know where I stand on this issue.

I don't think posts should be locked because they've been discussed before. If they're done to death, then wouldn't they automatically fall down to the next page? If there is something to talk about, then those who are interested can talk and exchange ideas. Those who are sick and tired of the topic will have to find the self-discipline to ignore the post. Even though it might be hard when you see it for many days.

However, what I suggest is: not re-writing the topic of a debate that has been interesting and debated well in the past. If you come up with something that is interesting now and is something that really intriques you and you'd like to know what others think about it - post it.

I have absolutely nothing against Darth Mandarb and do not wish he would stop posting.

And I wish that makes me a bit more qualified to say that the last Darth's post in this thread proves Andail's point. Not saying that this matter couldn't have been better off dealt in private though.

Anyway: think about it. If Darth Mandarb has pissed off people, doesn't it mean something is wrong? If it does, shouldn't something be done?

Even if Darth has been using the same tone as always, it hasn't pissed anyone off until now. Why now? Perhaps because it's the inevitable when people get to know each other better. Like when a relationship isn't new and exciting anymore, people start to express the things that they are irritated by. In my opinion, it has happened here before, just in larger scale, so that no one really got pointed at.

So, what I'm saying is - be open to suggestions, think them over. One can say the same thing in either negative or positive manner. Sometimes one has to adapt to retain a relationship. If you have to tone down your posts so people wouldn't consider offensive even they aren't meant to be - then it's something you should consider. It's very small price for the result.

Let me tell you a story just to make this reply resemble more of those novels I sometimes used to post. Well, actually, I'd just like to present a situation I had, involving the same human trait that often slows down or inhibits progress.

I have a friend that likes to draw. She's pretty good (with shapes, at least) and the first time I saw pictures drawn by her, I told her I liked them a lot, and that she was good. She didn't seem flattered or anything, so it seems like she had got good response before.

One time, I told her how one of her images could be made better. In the same way as I do in the Critic's Lounge. And it seemed as if she was a offended by that. As if I was saying I didn't like her art anymore. And the reason for that is, I believe, that she really believed that she was so good at art that there practically was no place for anything else but praise, especially from a regular scribbler like me. Sure anyone would welcome criticism from Craig Mullins!

Once I started to elaborate my criticism, introducing her to how ambient light's color affects the shadow's color and how light bounces, for example, she started to realize that perhaps she wasn't as good as she thought she was. She couldn't dispute what I was telling her because it was about such a science as art, where there are distinct rules. If I was to say she should be more positive, how would I prove it to her if she really would think she already is positive? No way.

Anyway, this lead to the fact that she started to learn more about colors and light. Along with the realization of her actual artistic skills came the option of learning more. If she would think she's great at every aspect in art already - why would she think there's anything to learn?

So... It's about one's conception of oneself, and people really don't want to change that. It's because they want to protect the way they see themselves. If someone says "you're stupid" and you would believe it, it would lead to false conception of yourself. People need to be more convinced. And that is where everyone should really consider what the other one is saying. Perhaps it CAN be true (not meaning the 'you're stupid thing ). You won't lose anything for considering. Take a minute to really, really think about it.

With realization comes the option. As I read from an article concerning meditation.

And by the way, I don't think the Ascii Art link thread was useless or out-of-place. Perhaps the criticism on that was because of other issues, which would be the tone of some of Darth's posts.

Looks good, Xoz! A lot better than my first 3D try!

I just wanted to add that metallic and plastic surfaces often tend to reflect more when the angle at which we look at their surface is small. I think that property is called 'falloff' in 3D applications. At least in 3D Studio MAX. Check it out if you ever use a program that has it.

For this battery, it would mean that the left and right edges would have a bit of purple in them.

Another thing that would add to the metallic look would be making the surface less apt for receiving light. As in, retaining the original brightness, no matter the light.

Here's an example of it: http://www.neiparts.com/specials/images/batt/energizer_aa.jpg .

See how the black and white parts don't have any tints? They're pretty much the same color all over. And even despite that, it looks round.

You can also see an example of the falloff thing on the right side of the black surface and on the very top. See how it reflects the surface that is further away but doesn't reflect anything that is on the camera's side: you can't see your own face when you look at it, but you can see the wall that's behind the battery.

PS. On your current image, the reflection should be basically all white with very sharp edge.

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I'd also like to state that this forum is not only for art that will be seen in a game. This is a board for getting better at art. Often you want to be good at art when you start making the game. Game-specific art is not as flexible. You can't change the style if you've already done half of the images. And if you get better at art halfway, you won't feel inspired to utilize the old style anymore to keep the backgrounds consistent. I think this was an issue for Rodekill when he started making Rodekill 2.

Great improvements, Loominous! I feel like a fool for missing that other tearduct. Your modifications make the eye look a lot rounder! You're right though, I tried to stick to the original shapes because I have sometimes gone too far with modifying the original, and in the end it hasn't been the same image at all. Although, in this case you proved it to be very necessary to change the shapes as well, as they add a lot to the whole thing. I suppose I'm more of a color guy.

I definitely misplaced the eyebrow as well. Doesn't only look more realistic but also a lot more interesting your way.

Thanks for pointing those out, Loominous.

Necro, it actually takes a lot of experimentation to get it right, even though it might seem contrary. It's usually so that I first lay down the preliminary colors and after I've started rendering the shapes I realize the colors aren't quite right, so I have to lay them down again. And after a bit more rendering I modify the colors again and again. It slows the process down, but for a beginner like me it's not easy to get the right* colors right away. I will probably grow out of it, but it takes practice.

*As right as I can get with my current skills.

Anyway, thanks for the compliment. I just wanted to point the reality out as I've been desperate to hear it from artists I like.

Really nice looking eye, Evil! Did you get a tablet or something?

The overall look is great on both of the images. However, to make that overall look a bit better, I think you should use sharper brushes.

The first one could have more saturated colors, in my opinion. The skin looks a bit dead. Not sure if you wanted to go for that, but if you'd like it to look more alive, add some red. Another issue is the reflection on the eyeball. It's too vague, as in too smooth. Eye usually reflects very sharply, the edges should be really defined. I'm not saying it's impossible to have that kind of reflection, but it's rare enough to make the viewer think it's not correctly done.

Here's an example:



For the eyelashes and eyebrows, basically, the only thing special is how they curve. It's easy to draw them wrong, but on the other hand, it's also easy to draw them right. Just take the time to see in what pattern they curve. Female eyelashes tend to curve more and be a bit longer. I think, at least. Well, you'll probably see what fits as you go.

Here's an example of how you could add them. I tried to add some arrows to help see the way the eyelashes curve and how the eyebrows' hair grows. Now that I look back at it, it's a bit too vague for an example, but what the heck.

Note: it definitely is not what one might call 'anatomically correct' but it's a place to start, I think.



I hope to see more of these! I see GREAT potential.

Thanks for the compliments, guys!

Yeah, GinnyW is correct - I did use smudge for the waves. If I were to draw realistic (and bigger) waves I probably would use regular brushes, but smudge works really well for waves like this. I just moved 3-pixel wide soft brush around. Really simple.

I think I used about 20 to 30 minutes on the drawing. The changes were so little that it only took very little modifying.

Keep up the good work and keep us posted!