[DOTA 2] - Beastmaster - Tamarin
polycounter lvl 17
***edit*** This storyline about natural fibers and no animal leathers will not work with my current design so I'll come up with a different idea - I'm still staying away from actual recognizable animal parts - just need the hides for beastmaster to look like a real bushman.
So the idea is that Beastmaster was sitting by the campfire one night with some of his animal friends.
All was going well until one of the animals pointed out that most of Beastmasters equipment was made from dead animals.
At first Beastmaster shrugged it off and was dismissive saying that he had collected all of his leathers and furs from the bodies of slain enemies. This answer was true and Beastmaster had never felt a moral conflict over the issue in the past, but now that the question had been raised it made him think. These animals around the fire were all friends and knew him well, but what would a new animal acquaintance think? First impressions are really important and Beastmaster did not want to come across as some regular schmo in the habit of frequently killing animals for food and skins.
This change in attitude led Beastmaster to search out new materials for clothing and armour and develop methods to weave fabrics from natural plant fibres. He also created tools from nature for woodworking and gardening. Thus, a whole new set of Beastmaster items have become available.
-=Original Post=-
Starting with some concept sketching.
Replies
Crap.
Off to a flying start.
Drow Ranger - from SPACE.
After some research I have decided to go with Beastmaster. I'm going to try and make a set of "au natural" accessories - starting with hair - no bones or horns or anything just plain jane hair on your head type hair.
I considered doing something for Beastmaster since it seems a bit strange for someone who can speak to animals to kill them for fur and horns to adorn himself with (unless they're already dead, I guess?), but no interesting alternatives really jumped out at me.
Anyway, nice hair. Looking forward to seeing more.
Had issues getting the export axis fingered out, but after waving my arms in the air for about 1/2 hour and making many strange and elaborate hand gestures, the problem is solved.
Although my mask textures don`t appear to be having an effect.
Up next - weapon downgrade. Going back to the stone age.
I`m also thinking this nature lover might make some stuff from hemp.
448 triangles for 2 weapons - still have two triangles to burn!
Looking good mate ;D
Okay, here is the start of the arms. 340/350 triangles so I`ve got 10 triangles to maybe add some more leaves.
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As for the wooder armor... eh. They are practical sure, but something seems off in them. Maybe you should improve the texture some way. Also get rid of the leaves. He's not treant protector so the leaves would fall off for not being able to live. Not only that but it interferes with the color palette.
Your doing great, I also enjoy the minimalistic look your going for with these.
Really liking the weapon over all.
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This was another texturing option that I tried out using the pattern found on his belt to break the symmetry a bit.
keep the good work =]
Thanks for the encouragement. I did try to push the silhouette with the horns. It looks alright in game but up close you can see that I didn't put a lot of effort in. I think there is a balance between looking good in game and close up as well. I have been looking at the workshop and most of the popular stuff has good detail - even if you wouldn't see it in game play.
BTW, your set of Beastmaster is amazing. I'll have to study how you were able to get the animals rigged and in game. It looks like a lot of work - but definitely worth it.
I've reached a point where I am more familiar with the character and with the DOTA 2 import and shaders but the deadline is approaching and I need to settle into an idea pretty quick. I guess that's why I see some teams of concept/3d guys - it's not a bad idea for a guy like me with 1,000 mediocre ideas to partner with someone with 1 good one. For now I'm going to settle and push myself as a concept guy.
The new Beastmaster concept is 1/2 complete and I pretty much know where I want to go with the belt. I liked the long braid following the last helmet I did, so I'm going to go with that idea but not the helmet. There is a bunch of animated pony tail bones on the rig that don't appear to be driving anything atm. I'm going to shave him bald and have this big pony tail coming off his bald head making use of those bones. The shoulders and arms are roughed in and for the horn on his side I'm thinking of switching it out for a sword. The weapon is more scythe than axe but I think it will make the silhouette interesting. That's it for my weekend - blah. How do they pass so quickly?
any question you have just let me know, i like to help =]
and your weapons are really good, why i cant create things like that? hahaha
Here is the 2nd concept weapon. Haven't tried it in game yet.
Painted with a mouse because my wacom pen is MIA. My infant son is the prime suspect but I have no idea what he did with it. He does frequently put things in the recycling bin and garbage bag so fingers crossed that it is still in the house somewhere.
LOL at the shades nice touch.
nice weapon!
The wacom pen is gone. I picked up a Hanvon for $60 with a 8x6 work surface which is pretty great. My wacom was a 5x4. Support for the Hanvon is hit and miss - with a lot of miss, but $60 is in my price range.
I'm thinking about leaving the standard belt...
Not sure yet. Maybe I can try a different hair style if the shades ruin it. I downloaded the new Beastmaster mesh from Valve and I have to say it is much improved. Here is a quick screen grab of my items on the new mesh.
Here is a possible face mask? It's based on Beastmasters bird.
hope to see it in the dota store too
So no normal maps on this just straight texturing? either way it is looking good.
Yeah, it is just a straight diffuse. I'm going to try and work with the built in shaders to compensate for the lack of a proper normal map.
If some one could walk me through the process of viewing all of the objects in game simultaneously I would be eternally grateful. I know the basic idea is to pack the files in the DOTA2 format and then put them in the game directory. My biggest question right now is how to strip the old files out using DOTA2SLASHER. I don't even know where to find this utility. My next question is how to pack the texture files and finally a question about how to set up the folders so Dota can find the new files. I can probably work this out given enough time but if someone can help me out that would be even better.