ebmar

SKIN:[TSL] Animated Computer Panel

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[TSL] Animated Computer Panel


 

TSL_ACPv2_Logo.png.0ed28a0d632ef6c0074a35b4dd18d3cb.png

 

This mod replaces the static computer panel placeables [PLC_comPanel] that found throughout the game; such as one in the Bumani's, Medical Unit, and Czerka's [on Telos] with the animated ones.

 

 -= BACKGROUND =-

It was Sith Holocron's request about his least favorite texture in KotOR2/TSL that makes me work on this mod. But as time goes by curiosity on trying to improve it haunts me, by doing more and looking much better -- hence the born of v2.0.0. On this [as well as the previous one] I have him to help on making the panel screen, hence the sweet result of a movie-like looking ones. You should check out his blog from where the inspiration comes -- 

And then with DarthParametric's handy-hands the panel now have a new symmetrical frame, some 3D buttons, also few TOR-ported bits on the screen. Not stopping there, it now have a new panel board decals -- a copied work from Frank Diorio's downloadable decals [then niubniubsuniverse-dot-com].

 

-= ABOUT THIS MOD =-

Inside this mod are 2 version; transparent screen and a solid-non-transparent version.

Preview:

Specifics:

  • New panel frame trimesh made by @DarthParametric
  • New 3D buttons trimesh made by DarthParametric
  • Panel screen bitmap made by @Sith Holocron
  • Panel board bitmap made by Frank Diorio
  • TOR ported animated bits redistributed by DarthParametric
  • Tools mostly worked on to -- KOTORmax [gmax] by bead-v / Aurora MDL [N++] by Symmetric

The panel texture currently still in vanilla scheme [based on stock PLC_comPanel], albeit upscaled to x1024 from x256 using PS'.

 

-= KNOWN ISSUES =-

With transparent version, some objects will become invisible behind the screen; such as traffics seen from Medical Unit and lightsaber as well with the hilt. There's a workaround for the traffics, but that's beyond the scope of this mod so they're something to live with at the moment. Nothing that I know of though for the lightsabers.

 

-= FINAL REMARKS =-

There's always room for improvements; reviews, critiques, comments, suggestions, questions and feedbacks are much appreciated. PM me here, write them on my feed or leave any on the mod's page as you please. And thank you! for downloading, and using this mod.

 

Hope you enjoy the mod as much as I do!

 

-= INSTALLATION =-

Run the installer and choose INSTALL option. Pick one you choose -- then hit the [Install Mod ->] button!

 

-= UNINSTALLATION =-

  • Choose the UNINSTALL option in the installation menu
  • For a clean uninstallation, remove these files from the Override after proceeding with the main procedure --
  1. eb_plc_commpane1/2.MDL
  2. eb_plc_commpane1/2.MDX
  3. eb_plc_commpane1/2.PWK
  4. eb_companel_btns.TPC
  5. eb_companel_pnel.TPC
  6. eb_companel_wave.TPC
  7. sheb_compnl_scrn.TPC

 

-= COMPATIBILITY =-

  • Not compatible with mods that hard-overwrites placeables.2DA
  • Not compatible with mods that alter the modelname and label setup for RowIndex 292 in placeables.2DA
  • Not compatible with mods which happened to have the same name with the MDL, MDX, PWK, and TPC-s that included with this mod

 

-= REDISTRIBUTION =-

Do not redistribute this mod or re-release it on any websites. I'd love to provide direct support to my work, which wouldn't be possible if they're scattered in the Unknown Regions. If you are to re-use an assets to a project you will be releasing, please be kindly to ask for permission first - that way I know what's up, and if it's interesting enough I might offer to be involved, lol. Or at least we'll talk. Cheers!

 

-= CREDITS =-

  • The Almighty Force
  • Obsidian Entertainment and LucasArts for The Sith Lords
  • Frank Diorio as the creator of panel board bitmap
  • Sith Holocron for feedbacks, ideas and the panel screen
  • DarthParametric for past-present knowledge, his creation that I took learn from, and particularly with this project -- the panel frame, 3D buttons as well the TOR-ported bits [and both endless technical-to-non assistance which makes this mod possible]
  • JCarter426 and Inyri Forge for all their awesome work that I look up to - I learned a lot from their mods and been practicing a lot using their method
  • Fred Tetra for KotOR Tool
  • bead-v for KOTORmax and MDLedit
  • Symmetric for Aurora MDL
  • ndix UR for tga2tpc and tpcview
  • stoffe for TSL Patcher and Fair Strides for the updates
  • VarsityPuppet for 2DA Editor
  • All Tool Makers wasn't mentioned - can't make it without y'all! :respect:
  • All streamers on DeadlyStream
  • All modders either active or inactive
  • DeadlyStream for being a home -- a place to hangout, to discuss and hosting my work
  • DeadlyStream staffs for tirelessly improving and maintaining the site
  • DeadlyStream's #modding [Discord] channel that particularly essential for this project

-eb


  • Submitter
  • Submitted
    10/20/2018
  • Category
  • TSLRCM Compatible
    Yes

 

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[Updated to v1.1.0: October 27, 2018]

So, what's new in v1.1.0?

  • Added an additional transparent version for the monitor
  • The transparent version will have its Cubemaps removed as a result of using the alpha for translucency, so there will be no glowing parts with it

With the transparent version, some meshes will become invisible behind the monitor only IF looking at the monitor using the first look camera. One instance is the moving ships seen through the windows of Citadel Station. I have tried with changing either the semantic used in the TXI or altered the alpha-blend value but still can't get rid of the issue.

 

ACPTransparentVersion.gif.f37025f708be30fe25ba1933d0ad63f5.gif

Edited by ebmar
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[Update: 11/25/2018]

Development has been going for v1.2.0. What's new in the upcoming version?

  • A fresh and new computer panel with animated transparent screen; which pattern is more Star Wars-y and its whole texture will pretty much be done from scratch. Hope I can pull this off lol. 🤞
Spoiler

TSL_ACPv1_2_WIP.thumb.png.1a9387a40ca2cef2f85433e38f819669.png

This will be my first ever done from scratch texture work so, keep the expectations low

Essentially, I'm looking to have the panel look more similar to what they seen in the movies of late but at the same time want it blend nicely with the vanilla state of the game. I hope the rest of its UV's won't play tricks on me lol.

Edit: This awesome entry by Sith Holocron is one of the inspiration on working with this update. Those awesome panels there is amazingly inspiring.

Edited by ebmar
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[Update: 08/24/2020]

Development still going for v1.2.0. So stuffs been changed quite a lot lately. And for a quick brief -- the setup that's in the post above/[Update: 11/25/2018] has one big flaw [from what I see], that any creatures rendered behind the monitor will be invisible. I can't figure out how to fix that using texture-shaders or any degree of alpha-masking -- even using every value of # alphablending with the TXI [and all possible parameters] doesn't seem to helped. I can't/won't go on with that cons, and this is where the new update plays it part.

What's new in the upcoming version?

Spoiler

TSL_AnimatedComPanel_v12_Test.jpg.9cffe2b442c5405c25e9b4e680402777.jpg

Now, creatures are rendered as well as the ships behind. With this one I had to edit the model, and separate the monitor's mesh with the panel. The monitor then will have blending additive which makes it possible for proper behind-objects rendering [with trade of glow-overlay, but I guess it wouldn't hurt. Intended to have as a matter of fact], and then the panel can have its shiny parts. The looks also been changed as we can see -- new face for the animated-monitor as well as the panel. One may have guessed where did I get the idea of the monitor's from, hahah. Yeah, that's right -- Peragus' medical one.

I'm looking to fit the monitor with the frame [though I didn't really bothered with it -- I mean, it could have just been projected with the panel, right? Hence the floating. 😛]. But with my skillset right now, I wasn't sure -- we'll see. As for overall looks I think I'm confident to go with it. Still, can't say this one's a final -- subject's still prone to changes.

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[Update: 09/15/2020]

On 8/24/2020 at 8:03 PM, ebmar said:

...can't say this one's a final -- subject's still prone to changes.

Indeed it is. So, after long hours of development; trial-and-errors, stress-and-joy, and not to forget the heart-warming assistance yet deadly-constructive-critics both from @DarthParametric and @Sith Holocron -- I got a Release Candidate for the now v2.0.0 [too much stuff changed for a v1.2.0, lol].

What's new in the upcoming version?

Some technicals:

  • # node trimesh DP_commPanel by DarthParametric // New frame of the panel made by DP
  • # bitmap sheb_compnl_scrn by Sith Holocron // Screen base/layout made by SH
  • Diffuses that animated on screen were ported from TOR by DP, and kindly redistributed towards me to use with
  • The buttons and its layout were downloaded from niubniubsuniverse[dot]com -- then/now https://dioramaworkshop.com/decals/ // ©FrankDiorio. Available to use but not for resale. Few edits here and there to blend with the game-world more suitably
  • The panel texture/PLC_comPanel currently still in vanilla scheme, albeit upscaled to x1024 from x256 using PS'. To be honest I'm comfy with how it looks, because I can't think [or made one just to be fair, lol] of anything that suited for

To-be expected issues:

  • With current transparency setup, traffics seen from one of the room inside the Medical Unit will not be rendered, though they are from the Bumani office --
    Spoiler

    TSL_ACP_v2_RC_KnownIssues_01.jpg.c91824ce05a8c0f13ae9b959e4e17730.jpg

  • Lightsaber planes as well with the hilt also --
    Spoiler

    TSL_ACP_v2_RC_KnownIssues_02.jpg.cbc114b4c268850e75022137905cd1f0.jpg

There's a workaround for the traffics, but that's beyond the scope of this mod so they're something to live with at the moment. As an option will be included the solid-non-transparent version of the screen so, those issues would not be known. Something to be argue, perhaps -- but I have always wanted the screen to be a little bit transparent, despite of the issues. So for preferences' sake the option is there. Cheers.

That's all for an update -- if it's released I'll do an update with this post, but if anything changes then there will be another one, lol. Catch you later!

Edited by ebmar
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[Updated to v2.0.0: September 24, 2020]

What's new?

  • 2 version of the panel -- transparent screen and solid-non-transparent version
  • New panel frame trimesh made by DarthParametric
  • New 3D buttons trimesh made by DarthParametric
  • Panel screen bitmap made by Sith Holocron
  • Panel board bitmap made by ©FrankDiorio, as shown on his website [then niubniubsuniverse-dot-com]. Available to use but not for resale
  • TOR-ported animated bits redistributed by DarthParametric
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