Sith Holocron

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Blog Entries posted by Sith Holocron

  1. Sith Holocron
    What I Did For The Community Last Year
     
    Have you wondered . . . what does Sith Holocron do as an administrator on this site?  Wonder no longer!
     
    I’ve summed up what I’ve done this year so you can have an overview. Keep in mind some entries might just list a start date for an ongoing event – or it might take up from an event that took place from last year. There are also other things that I can’t freely talk about such as advice, staff chats, and secret projects that I am not at liberty to discuss.
     
    Do you have some time? You’re going to need some to read through all of this as I've working on this document for most of the year. I originally was going to release this on New Year's Eve but I thought to myself: Why Wait?
     
    Please note that some of these entries may come off like I have a chip on my shoulder. That may or may not be a figment of your imagination.
     
    January 02, 2017
    Received voice lines from voice actor for the characters I1-02 (in M4-78 Enhancement Project.) Paid for actor’s services. (Yeah, some of those lines in the latest version of M4-78 EP that I paid actual real world money for. You know, the mod that isn't on this site?) Provided splicing for Leilukin's "Handmaiden and Female Exile - Disciple and Male Exile Romance" mod.  
    January 04, 2017
    Arranged for voice actor re-record lines to Zbyl’s specifications.
     
    January 05, 2017 (and beyond)
    Continuing the saga from last year, dealing with myriad issues with having the end credit trailers for both the TSLRCM and the M4-78 Enhancement Project redone. Paid for the project out of my funds.
     
    January 11, 2017
    Provided splicing for Leilukin's "Darth Sion and Male Exile Mod"
     
    January 14, 2017
    Taking a cue from Varsity Puppet’s replacement legal screens, created a new legal screen in TGA format for the M4-78 Enhancement Project.
     
    January 20, 2017
    Posted "Blog #43 - Miguel Ferrer passes away"
     
    January 27, 2017
    Posted "Blog #44 - RIP John Hurt"
     
    January 31, 2017
    Continued to moderate between Hassat Hunter and Ndix UR on fixing one of the droid’s eye-lights. (M4-78 EP related)
     
    February 3, 2017
    Received more lines from the voice actor for CS-36 (in M4-78 Enhancement Project) – again, I hired this guy.
     
    February 5, 2017 (an ongoing debate)
    Indicated the read-me for M4-78 Enhancement Project needed to emphasize that the intentional vagueness of the journal entries was supposed to represent “old school” RPG playing. (IMHO: If HH wants to continue to claim that’s intentional, he should claim so in the read-me file.)
     
    February 7, 2017
    Created new video to (eventually) announce that the updated M4-78 Enhancement Project is available for download. Utilized lines from voice-actor for CS-36 specifically for this announcement. (Still waiting on this release.) Posted "Blog #45 - Hangar versus Hanger" as part of my on-going grammar series.  
    February 14, 2017
    Posted "Blog #46 - I Present a SWTOR Question!"
     
    February 15, 2017
    Provided new splicing for Leilukin's "Atton Rand and Male Exile Romance"
     
    February 19, 2017
    Released “TSL Animated Galaxy Map Texture in Canon Positions” mod. Posted "Blog #47 - Preparing for the Stoney Chapter soon" . . . for use in the M4-78 Documentary.  
    February 20, 2017
    Corrected “TSL Animated Galaxy Map Texture in Canon Positions” mod
     
    February 22, 2017
    Sent questions from the general public to Stoney regarding his version of M4-78 for the documentary I’ve been doing with Xuul.
     
    February 23, 2017
    Released “KOTOR1 "Canon" Animated Galaxy Map” mod
     
    March 1, 2017
    Posted "Blog #48 - Design my next computer"
     
    March 16, 2017
    Provided new splicing for Leilukin's "Handmaiden and Female Exile - Disciple and Male Exile Romance" mod. Posted "Blog #49 - I need a WAV file from MOTS"  
    March 24, 2017
    Collaborated with bead-v on the “TSL Galaxy Map Fix Pack” mod
     
    March 31, 2017
    Posted "Blog #50 - Meet ‘Holocron’" – finally officially ending my drought without a functioning home computer by posting the process of putting it together.
     
    April 3, 2017
    Updated “KOTOR1 "Canon" Animated Galaxy Map” mod
     
    April 4, 2017
    Posted "Blog #51 - Who wants to make HD versions of the trailers?" – inspired by folks complaining on Reddit about the old low resolution trailers for KOTOR1 and 2, I decided to see if I could inspire the community to remedy that need.
     
    April 14, 2017
    Collaborated with Kexikus on the “K1 Galaxy Map Fix Pack” mod
     
    April 19, 2017
    Posted "Blog #52 - Stormtrooper Tutorial" – modernized and amended an old tutorial from another site.
     
    May 19th, 2017
    Posted "Blog #53 - Help me name my next SWTOR Character”
     
    June 8, 2017
    Posted "Blog #54 - Possible Expansion to K1 Portrait Pack?”
     
    Jun 25, 2017
    After working on it since April, I finally received some additional sound files from the voice actress for the next version of M4-78 EP that Zbyl2 and Hassat Hunter requested. Of this effort, I received no thanks from either of the aforementioned persons.
     
    June 28, 2017
    Posted " Blog #55 - Retro Action Figure Space Station”
     
    July 1, 2017
    Posted " Blog #56 - The K1 and TSL Heads”
     
    July 2, 2017
    Posted “Blog #57 - The Steam Workshop”
     
    July 5, 2017
    Posted “Blog #58 - Let's Plays”
     
    July 18, 2017
    Released “Animated Cantina Sign for KotOR 1” to public.
     
    July 25, 2017
    Attempted a behind the scenes initiative to have modders and/or machinima makers remake some - if not all - of the KotOR1 pre-rendered movies for the game.
     
    July and August
    Offered sound files of KOTOR voice actors for machinima directors to use in the future videos. Dealt with questions that came up from the M4-78 EP Beta Team. (Yes, there was actually a beta team!)  
    August 1, 2017
    Posted “Blog #59 - "Name that Gun" Challenge!” Deleted pictures from Screen of the Day section by request of the original poster.  
    August 2, 2017
    Released “Animated Manaan Cantina Sign for KotOR 1” to public.
     
    August 12, 2017
    Posted “Blog #61 - "I Need a tutorial for a G0-To voice filter” both on Deadly Stream and on the KOTOR subreddit.
     
    August 13, 2017
    Posted “Blog #62 - "Mod Ideas that Never Came to Pass”
     
    September 2, 2017
    Posted “Blog #63 - "Got an interesting message on Facebook Messenger”
     
    September 3, 2017
    Posted “Blog #64 - "Not Star Wars Related” Attempted (and failed) to resolve a conflict between two mod makers.  
    September 14, 2017
    Posted “Blog #65 - " A Celebration of Life Day!
    A blog seeking participation for a Holiday themed video.
     
    September 20, 2017
    N-DReW-25 requested changing the gender in the “601saedhe045” line in KOTOR2. First released to him and then to general public on October 2nd.
     
    September 23, 2017
    Posted “Blog #66 - "New Landing and Take Off Videos for M4-78?”
    A blog requesting folks to redo the Landing/Takeoff videos using Quanon’s skyboxes from Stoney’s original M4-78. Superseded shortly afterwards by my thread in the Request section here. (include link)
     
    October 1, 2017
    Posted “Blog #67 - "Font Discussion”
    A blog discussing typefaces for the Star Wars games and the Star Wars universe in general.
     
    October 2, 2017
    LucyTheAlien requested adding a filter to Mandalore’s “503xaart024” line in KOTOR2. Released in the “Bugs and minor inconveniences with TSLRCM 1.8.5” thread.
     
    October 4, 2017
    Deleted multiple threads by ALPHA000102 on his requests.
     
    and so on . . .
    I’ve done other stuff after October 4th, of course. However, I think you might have the idea by now, right?
     
    Throughout the year . . .
    · Run spelling and grammar checks on your posts. (And you thought my blogs on grammar were just for show.)
    Of note: “Nar Shaddaa” is misspelled the most. Count out how many “a’s” and “d’s” you see in those two words and try to remember it.
    · Received numerous insults. (In addition to the above!)
    · Applied infractions and bans where necessary - Possibly but not necessarily related to above. ???? I inquired with other staff members when applying infractions. (It's not done in a vacuum.)
    · Worked on acquiring files for Ndix UR’s “Major Audio Classification” initiative. (You’ll have to ask him about that if you want more details.)
    · Sent numerous birthday messages to Members. (I’m picky about doing this. If I don’t recognize the name because they’re new or because I don’t see that person post (anymore), I often don’t bother.)
    · Provided input on various mods both in the threads or through Private Messages.
    · Work on unannounced projects which I am unable to discuss at the moment.
    · Other things of a personal nature but those involved know of what I speak.
    · Forwarded message traffic to the appropriate staff member.
    · Approved loads of mods. (However, I try to leave a majority of this to the Moderators.)
    · Ensured mod up-loaders have acquired permissions for materials used in their mods if they didn’t make a part of it themselves.
    · So. Many. Avatars. I really should cut down on that this year. (Nah.)
    · So many questions about when M4-78 Enhancement Project will be back on the site. I don’t know and you should stop asking me about it. Ask Zbyl2. Don’t bother asking Hassat Hunter about as I think he’s signed off doing anything with the mod ages ago.
     
    So . . . what did you do this year? Speaking of which . . .
     
    What You Could Do For The Community in 2018 (and Beyond)
    These suggestions are specifically directed at those that don’t mod.
    When you make a request – whether it’s for some new or altered content or a bug fix – remember that the folks answering you aren’t being paid. They’re giving up their time and energy with no financial compensation. So please make sure to do the following:
     
    1) Provide Relevant Information:
    So . . . you have a bug. You want folks to help you. Then you must provide the information the modders need by utilizing the Read Me First threads for Knights of the Old Republic 1 or Knights of the Old Republic II [add links]. You’re most likely using K1R or TSLRCM but even if you’re not, providing the information specifically asked for those threads in vital before any can proceed. Plus . . . it’s in the site rules, ya know? {add links]
     
    Have you made more than one request? You still have to provide the information in those threads. For each request you make, you have to update the information provided.
     
    By the way, if you're mod configuration is so complicated that you have to have a Google Drive document in order to explain how you’ve put it together, you are the likely cause of your issue. That’s because you have too many mods and you have over-complicated your situation. (I wonder if I have someone specific in mind when I say this?)
     
    2) Provide Feedback:
    If you like what you see, let them know what you’ve liked in the modder’s presentation. If you didn’t like what you saw, provide constructive feedback. Modders aren’t mind readers and seeing as you’re already made a request, don’t waste the modder’s time by only providing a two word comment. Provide detail! Consider this your initial down payment for a request - to provide the information that a modder needs.
     
    3) Utilize that Like button:
    Let’s say you weren’t the original requester, but you liked what you saw. A simple way of letting of the mod author/s know he or she is on the right track (in your opinion) is to use that “Like” button.
     
    4) Giving Thanks:
    One of my personal pet peeves is when someone makes a request, is provided with exactly what they asked for, and never makes a comment in the thread again. (I could point out numerous examples of folks not doing this but let’s keep things mostly civil for this blog.) The very least you could do is thank the person that helped you. Assuming you’re better than a person doing “the very least”, you should state how the mod or fix helped you. Yes, that means providing feedback. And like I previously mentioned, hit that Like button!
  2. Sith Holocron
    Snigaroo - one of the administrators over at the KOTOR2 Subreddit - dislikes using M4-78 EP. That's his right. However, when I do my next play-through of KOTOR2, I want to use both the KOTOR2 mod build and the M4-78 EP. Might anyone have any suggestions what the install order would be in this particular situation? You should assume that I am using the 4CD version of KotOR2 and that I am playing on a Windows 7 computer.
     
    I'm leaving this blog open as I have no idea when M4-78 EP will return to Deadly Stream.
     
    I'm also not asking for any additional mod suggestions. When I'm satisfied that I have the Mod Build and M4-78 EP working well together, I'll make a new blog asking for suggestions.
  3. Sith Holocron
    I've been converting the Imperial Agent storyline into a audio drama.  From time to time, I need to have folks do the lines for droids and aliens because - as it's an audio drama - I can't rely on subtitles.  I'm looking for a someone to record the lines below  if they're interested.  British, Irish, Welsh, or Scottish accents preferred but I'll listen to all submissions.  Male or female voices welcome.  Mono or stereo.  MP3 or WAV.
    Lines:
    I request your attention.  I have an urgent message for you from Grand Moff Ilyan Regus. [Editor note: use pronunciation for "Moff Iyan Regus" using attached sound file as a guide line]
    Grand Moff Regus is the commander of Special Forces. I am patching you through now. 
    Ilum is accessible by starship.  I am uploading relevant star maps as directed.
    Operation Dark Ice is of critical importance.  You should proceed to Ilum now. T9 M6 ending transmission.
    Darth Malgus represents a critical threat. Grand Moff Regus and the War Council request your immediate presence.
    Access granted. Removing Darth Malgus from the Galaxy is the top priority.
     
    Moff Ilyan Regus.mp3
  4. Sith Holocron
    Hello everybody! I've previously had someone else record a fine version of the line below but as he's also playing a larger role in the chapter, I'd rather not have any viewer confused by one person playing multiple parts. Therefore, I'd like to open the smaller part to the general public.
    If you are interested, record the part below and I'll let you know once I've found what I've needed. This role is not gender specific so anyone can feasibly offer an attempt. It would probably be easiest to record yourself, and then post your entry in the form of a YouTube video here in this blog.
     
    Pronunciations/Direction:
     
    You are reading out an entry on Wookiepedia. In essence, you are the Wookieepedia.
     
    - "M4-78" should be spoken as "M four seven eight."
    - "Vash" rhymes with "Bash" or "Crash"
    - "Kaah" rhymes with the "aaah" you make at the doctor's office.
    - "Ohtok" spoken as"Oh" and "Tock"
    - Try pronouncing "Tourath" as "Too" and "Wrath". As we technically have no known pronunciations of "Tourath" available to us, try to wing it!
     
    Here are the actual lines.
  5. Sith Holocron
    I'm not promoting this on my Status Update this morning as I don't want to divert folks from my assistance to my other blog post where I've trying to get folks to assist a movie maker. In this instance, this request is coming straight from me.
     
    Yes, I know I've asked about requesting folks to remake videos elsewhere. This is a narrower field of vision - and doesn't have to do with dealing with either landing or take-off videos.
     
    I'd like the following videos remade by the talented modders here, recorded and exported in (at the minimum) 1080p resolution.
     
     
     
    (The remaining four videos will follow due to video post limits.)
     
    For the soldiers and attackers, please reuse the same armor types. Switch up the heads if you want if you don't want them to all look like clones. Use whatever skybox and environment texture mods you wish or keep them the same if you want. Keep the same music and sound effects. The object is to have clearer videos than what we have currently and not to entirely remake them.
     
    Upload them here and wherever else you want so people can use them.
     
    You may have seen that DarthVarkor has already redone the Kreia's Fall video - probably to me being annoying. JCarter426 redid the TSL Opening Credits in French mostly due to me paying for it - and I don't even speak French! (Thanks to them both for their awesome efforts.)
     
    Tell me what you need to make this happen.
     

    I have no experience in working with models so therefore running admin on subjects I'm not well versed would seem doomed to failure. However, I might be able to pony up a few bucks to make this happen. I'm not a rich man so don't go into this expecting a fortune here, folks.
     
    PS: If you stop by the thread, please leave a comment - even if it's just to say that you can't do it but appreciate the idea. I'd like to know that I'm not just howling out in to the void.
  6. Sith Holocron
    Are you familiar with the M4-78 documentary series that Xuul and I have done? If so, be aware that I'll eventually have to sit down and work on the next chapter. (A new chapter will be on its way to the
    sometime in the near future - have no fear.)

    The next chapter that's coming to the playlist covers Darth Stoney's version of M4-78. That means the one I'll have to start writing after that is the M4-78 Enhancement Project. If you've played the EP and had any head-scratching moments, what better way is there to get those answers than by posing a question or two that I can present to the makers of the mod to have them answer and/or explain?

    There's lots of material to cover here: the initial version, the 1.2 update, the 1.3 update that's exclusive to Steam (and I've never even played), and the 1.4 update still being worked on right now by zbyl2.

    If you have questions about the past or current versions up to 1.3, would you please let me know by listing them below? I'll credit you in the video as long as it's a family friendly name. (You may also be un-credited, if you so desire.)

    I would suggest holding off on questions about the future version, as I plan to split the M4-78 EP content into more than one part. I might even do a walk through video once the 1.4 material has been covered. (Apparently, I'm a masochist and my work is never done.)

    To our viewers, thanks for your patience in our slow roll out of the content. Your enjoyment is why I do this.
  7. Sith Holocron
    This original version of this tutorial I found ages ago on the Massassi Temple site. It was written by Tobbi Dala and the original version of the tutorial can be found through this link. What I've done here is to do some minor spelling corrections, add new pictures that show the tutorial using the most current version of Goldwave (the main program used in this tutorial) as of 20APR2017, and to provide new permanent links to 2 audio files needed for the tutorial.
     
    After the large tutorial quote, I'll be showing examples in this tutorial in action. I asked Zhaboka to record some lines that would be used to illustrate the tutorial in action and he was kind enough to assist. (Zhaboka's line replaces the line that the original tutorial grabbed from Mysteries of the Sith.)
     

    Now here's what the sound files sound like - so you can hear it for yourself! The lines will first appear without the filter and then with the filter.
     

    Special Thanks to:
     
    Tobbi Dala (of Massassi Temple), the original creator of the tutorial.
    Zhaboka: For recording new lines.
    HK-47: To extracting the line as it appeared on the original tutorial. Though it wasn't used here - as I used Zhaboka's new lines instead - the effort was and is most appreciated.
  8. Sith Holocron
    RAGEQUIT!
     
    Well, this project at least.
     
    Here's what I wanted to do. The Landing Video would have covered all three areas of the mod preceded by an orbit shot.
     

     

     

     
    The pan would have been quick but the EH green screen would have only shown up after the pan stopped moving.
     
    (I even had a skybox set up for the fountain module - no one ever pointed out that there's a blue Dantooine sky above that room but I sure as hell noticed it.)
     

     
    On to Part 4 though . . .
     

     
    (The takeoff video would have been much shorter - going straight from a take off (part 4) to leaving Coruscant's orbit (part 1).)
     
    The problem was even after acquiring 3DS MAX, Adobe After Effects (for the engine glow) and having NWN MAX, I could NOT get the buildings to load up. The frustration is extreme. It's too much work for a mod that I wasn't ever really crazy about in the first place. Not having something to release at least saving me the pain having the release be either outright ignored or nitpicked.
     
    Hopefully, one of you have loads more talent than I do because I'm tossing in the towel on this one.
  9. Sith Holocron
    Going through various Star Wars video games, I've found numerous other sound files performed by Kristoffer Tabori. He voices our favorite homicidal droid from the KOTOR series, HK-47 (and his various "family members".)
     
    I'd like to listen to these various sound files and have them sound like HK-47. To be specific: I don't want to hear a filter used in HK-50 or HK-51 lines - just HK-47's filter. I just need to figure what the closest filter settings to the ones used by Bioware and Obsidian are.
     
    I have two programs which I use to do sound editing: Goldwave and Audacity. Though I'm more familiar with Goldwave, I'm perfectly willing to use Audacity to achieve my stated goal.
     
    Can anyone provide a tutorial to teach me - and likely others that actually read this blog - how to create such a filter?
     
    Off-topic: I never thought I would've created 30 entries in this blog. Huh!
     
    PS: If you visit this thread, why not post a note of some length explaining what you thought of this entry as well? I always wonder who reads my blathering.
  10. Sith Holocron
    As folks tend not to see these things, I decided to document at least for myself Star Wars related Christmas gifts I received this year.  So here we go...
    1. The Star Wars Logo Advent Calendar
    Though we had this at the start of the month (obviously), I thought I'd include it as it did cover most of December and it was a gift . . .
    Avert your eyes if a few New Trilogy characters will irreparably harm your soul

    2. Mandalorian series Tiki Mugs
    I have a number of Star Wars tiki migs but these I received today: IG-11 and two different version of Baby Yoda. (I did receive the Mandalorian himself on my birthday but that's a different day so he ain't included here.)

    3. ESB action figures

    4. Pin: Mandalorian and (original version of) Basilisk Droid
    Is it the droid we know and love from KotOR2? No but it's a Basilisk droid and that counts!

    5. Pin: Revan, Malak, Star Forge, and Leviathan
    The Dark Side of KotOR - in pin form!

    6. Lil' Baby Yoda
    The Mrs got this so we can put it in a manger for the Christmas display next year. You may not be able to tell from the picture but it is in scale with the other figures.

    7. I think you know what this is.
    Even the Mrs knows what this is, which is why she got it for me.  I've been checking for over a year to see if it would come back in stock.  She saw it when I didn't.  Hoo-rah!

  11. Sith Holocron
    I've been working on something and talking about it in private channels. I thought I'd ramble about it a bit more publicly now.  As you've guessed from the blog's title, I'll be chatting about the Ebon Hawk light fixture. (Exciting, I know.)
    You most likely know which texture that I'm referring to but for clarity's sake, it's this one:


    BioWare back in day seemed to like to source their designs from real world things and I think I've figured out where they got this design from. I think it was from this:

    It's an un-produced design for a Luxfer Prism designed by Frank Lloyd Wright..  Those that follow this blog probably remember that I made a mod that replaced the BioWare texture with another (produced) glass tile design.  But since I didn't have a real world object to take a snapshot of or Google for an image, I had to start from scratch.
    And this is what I came up with.

    Granted, I took some liberties with the design.  Those hooks on the corners of the central sqaure aren't here.  But I think I came pretty close to the design. Luckily, I have saved the individual parts separately as well, so I can easily change out colors if needed.
    And here's what you get if you tile the texture...

    Thanks for reading my rambling.