Malkior

To answer your last question on how to insert pictures; If you have screenshots, you must select the "choose this file" button and then attach it via the "attach this file" button, lastly, you select the "add to post" button to add it to your reply. To get screenshots, press the "print screen" (key: prntscrn) while running the Kotor game. Your images should be stored as .tga files in the main Kotor or Kotor 2 folder and need to be converted to .jpg in order to be uploaded to posts. Alternatively, you can also upload your screens to an image sharing site and paste the img or URL link in your post.

Actually human skin can be replicated pretty well even with cm_baremetal, with a few noise filters and a less liberal approach to the shininess. The biggest hurdle for me was to get more reds into the reflective texture to simulate subsurface flesh colors. (Due to our new custom cubemaps, this is no longer an issue) If we can get a good realistic skin pore bump texture (along with added skin folds and creases to replace some of the worse shading details of the diffuse), then I am certain we can achieve a rather realistic skin quality. (Even with the shininess) Incidentally out of curiosity, would someone be able to edit the models of people who have alpha tranparency applied to their hair, such as Mira or Atton, so that we can add a reflective map to them as well?

Well, it's technically galactic slang for "Nuked into the Stone Age". Although, the Stereb cities were sandstone based, so they probably actually turned to glass. (nuclear fission superheated it to the point its sand molecules fused..etc)

We've actually got it here in the download's section too. http://deadlystream.com/forum/topic/1949-downloadkotor-tool/?do=findComment&comment=30269 It also has an included 2da reader that can be quite helpful. :]

Except Serroco was glassed due to the Mandalorians feeling insulted, rather than to goad the Republic.

@SelfInducedComa Excellent! I will test a few contrast tweaks and report my results. I currently have Kotor up, but with no way to run normal map filters ATM, so this is great news.

People have viewed Star Wars as for kids, since the original trilogy. (Probably due to the toys or "action figures" being tied to the license. Which I always thought was funny, since they basically marketed a show that regularly shows dismemberment and numerous on-screen deaths to children) Ironically the movies are actually the least geared toward adults in comparison to most of the EU material. (Yeah there was Droids series and that unnamed wookie special, but they were fairly rare.) Zahn's Novels even started an entire string of adult-centered novels which had some honestly pretty dark, and basically "mature" content which eventually became the Expanded Universe most of us are familiar with. That said, of the EU, the biggest standout of Star Wars for adults was the Dark Horse comics which were the darkest and most mature by far. (Legacy of the Force has a protagonist who abuses drugs as part of the story, for instance.) So basically, as long as the new movie doesn't overtly ommit mature topics or force bad writing, it should remain reasonable for Star Wars to still be inclusive for adults, but since they are abolishing the EU, it will be the defacto standard for Star Wars entertainment, and if it does either of those things, all of the new content may follow suit. (Which I think would be bad) As a semi-sidenote, some of the new "kids" stuff has some pretty adult writing , such as that new Rebels show. It has all of the EU detail properly listed, and even includes the ISB as the antagonists instead of the typical Empire at large. It also broaches topics from each character's point of view, so you can see things from the perspective of the adult characters. In fact, there is only one "young" character in the main character list, and the story doesn't just focus around him, but rather the crew. So I think there is still hope for Star Wars content for adults even if the movie ends up not being designed for them. We just may have to look in unusual places to find it...

For models, 3ds max if you have it. Blender may work,but it didn't for me.

Yep. If done right we could make it capable of competing with current gen games.

Mine was only unstable before I updated my graphic (GPU) drivers. The only other thing I can imagine to cause constant crashes is when multiple mods are conflicting, or if using a save that was made while using a mod that was since removed. Another thing I've seen is that older machines or graphics will experience significant slowdowns in sunlit areas and atmospheric fog, so that can be a consideration too. With my current computer I've run it in full screen and windowed mode, and it's rather stable. (Original 4 cd version)

Just another update. No screens yet, my computer is still awaiting an install disk for its OS (also Photoshop, but I heard that it can be installed from the web, so I may just do that). However, I'm planning on my next string of projects while I'm applying for a new job, among these projects will be the new textures for the Day/Night mod (of which I am quite excited about). Additionally, another mod I am going to continue will be the Holographic face fix. However, since I can't play Kotor all the way through, I request if possible of you guys a tentative list of all of the holographic faces in Kotor 1 and 2 that bother you in-game (if it has visible eyeballs or teeth that are visible in holograms of characters) so that I can address them immediately. Otherwise I appreciate the feedback and hope to continue the joys of modding soon.

Yeah I have ME1 and 2, but have been trying to get 3, but haven't due to it not being available on PC. (To my knowledge) Both are among my favorite for graphic detail, and for me, second only to Halflife2, of which always shows the absolute most detail of nearly every in-game object no matter how innocuous (a real weakness in the Kotor games in my opinion) I will certainly ponder what you said about relaying as much information as you can in your work, as that is a bit of a weakness of mine. As per your second post, I agree with Xedii. Both versions are great, but some may prefer to see the original designs in their game, so it's always better to provide options. Additionally, one texture that has always bothered me is what appears to be comm terminal (the "phone" that rings when you are first detained by the TSF that you talk to Chodo and Jana Lorso with) /aside Czerka has a room filled with them, which leads me to believe that this is their telemarketing division.

Erm.. This does seem to be a common trend. Though I may agree with those who aren't fond of the story changes (somewhat vehemently), there's no reason to ruin others' fun by bashing them unecesarily. We can try to focus either on the positive that comes from these current choices of entertainment, or we can find some other aspect of the Star wars franchise that still brings us joy.

"Ambitious" is a severe understatement for what you consistently show. I'm so impressed. I can only ask, where do you get the inspiration for your designs/details? Also I see SH rockin' the new sig. Is that a solar flare or nova?

Ah so I see. I was actually stuck on how I'd make my own normal map to work with the engine. I only have a very basic understanding of making bumpmaps (IE make a texture with black for lower areas and white for higher areas, then run the "normal map" filter over it) I just don't know if that's the right way to do it, or if it'll work. Also I can't state enough how astounding this work is that everyone in this thread is doing. I'm confident that soon we will be able to add a feature into Kotor that was in early development when it first came out Next up is ray-trace lighting and ambient occlusion ;p

@Darth Sapiens Could you tell me what mode/filter in Photoshop to use in order to change it into a valid bumpmap, or is there a specific process? I would like to do some experiments, but can't connect to the internet with my home computer to compare your files.

Awesome! Well, I guess you can disregard my previous statement. I'll be busy getting my computer ready. Still have to acquire a new OS disk (since I don't have my original disk), and then I'll be ready to work on more slides

I'll tell him you said that... '-' Seriously though, the scripting alone would require a tech guru the likes of which are virtually unseen. I'd talk to FS if interested, but essentially, the biggest hurdle we have to pass is getting a reliable method to actually make the frames change and to ensure the timing is independent of each time an area is loaded. (This is so that the skies don't change back to the default time of day every time an area is loaded) We also noticed that the frames were changing at different intervals for each side of the sky, so that has to be addressed as well. If someone can do that, we can move forward with it. I also drafted up an entire day/night for Dantooine, so experimentation can proceed once the timing is properly done. I'm not sure how Fair Strides feels about someone helping with the project, but I personally don't even know where to begin on the timing/coding portion. Edit___ I see Jorak Uln has my back.. Anyway that's the gist of it.

First thing I thought of.. (Not exactly spaceships, but still..)

I agree with Santa. I'm interested to hear what everyone else thinks about the trailer. It is indeed intriguing (for either good or ill) if at least in concept.

@HK In regards to your aside, while I respect your opinion of having a positive environment, it is simply a logical misstep to assume that all negative feedback is an indicator of a negative one. It is perfectly healthy for people to disagree, and it is in fact better for the community as a whole to have contrasting beliefs or conclusions. Secondly, I feel I must correct you in that the EU is not a "fanbase" exclusively nor is it ever created exclusively by the fans. It is LICENSED by lucasarts/publishing, and whether George likes it or not, he reviewed and consented to all of their story decisions before they were published.. The people he insulted and offended were primarily followers of his company's published work which after years of (admittedly grudgingly) allowing it to exist, he just decided to go against his own word because he could. Yes, he may have had the right, but his ethics were less than admirable. So yeah folks are a bit ticked because first of all, frankly some of the EU stuff is worlds better, and Disney/Hollywood is just running roughshod over a really cool universe to make more money off of us, the fans who actually care about it..

You know, as an aside, conversely, I'm actually looking forward to Jurassic world based on their trailer, though.. It looks to not only ask the question of whether Hammond's idea was the right one, but also whether trying to commercialize it would inevitably lead to the results of the first film. Also the soundtrack pays homage to its predecessor while still keeping its own identity. Lastly, seeing a coalcanth in a JP film is abundantly cool. I do so hope that the level of acting and writing are at least on par with the first.. If so it could actually be the sequel the series deserves.. /aside

It's no understatement that there are a lot of changes in this version. However, some seemed both unnecessary and illogical. The speeder/skiff may be the best example of this. It certainly has an otherworldly look to it, but that look is still is that of a floating cereal box. So, then I have to ask, what practical purpose would something with maximum wind resistance, minumum visibility, and severely challenging maneuverability serve? My hugest problem with this approach is that Star Wars was founded almost entirely on technologically feasible and at least at some level logical principals. That artoo-ish unit.. just..how could something like that be mass produced? How in any universe would that be a logical or economical step? Even if this takes place thousands of years in the future, there is still a question of why there are x-wings and the millennium falcon in use. For me, to change things like this without actually thinking through your decisions is just change for change's sake. While obviously this is just a quick glance at what we're in store for and may not indicate what the final movie will be, this teaser has achieved the opposite of its intended effect for me. Obviously we shall see what happens when it's released..

You do realize many of our dreams can now be reality.. Basically Kotor's one big weakness graphically is how flat it looks. That is now quite likely a thing of the past. I've a million ideas, but first I think fixing most of the clothes is in order. Also, you know, Sion...

Whoa! Yeah, water could be made to look extremely good! Also, the grass could get either a bumpmap or cubemap texture added to it for a pseudo-3d effect. A quick question (well actually two) First, have you experimented with opacity/alpha yet? And second, would it be feasible to have both alpha and bumps for the same texture? (I'm basically thinking smoke-explosions could get their own 3d bump to add up to a pretty cool effect if done right)