Running Lights

Hi all,
I'm new and dumb around here so forgive me if i ask something that is asked billions of times before.
I'm trying to make a plug, but i get stuck with the ships..
They all look so unrealistic, espectialy the running lights.

Can someone tell me how i can make nice ships and lights and stuff like that?
The only program i have is photoshop (old version).

You may want to try making your ship sprites with an actual 3D modeler. I'd suggest Strata3D; it's pretty good, and free - you can find it at (url="http://"http://www.evula.org/ewan/")Jules' website(/url). (That's an old version; but it has some good features the more recent ones don't have. Well, not the more recent free ones, as far as I know; I haven't been following it up lately). It'll take some time to learn, as with all good things, but if you're serious about making plug-ins you won't regret it. I used InfiniD, Bryce and Photoshop to make all my EV/O graphics and I'm currently learning Strata.

Making new stuff from scratch, with just Photoshop... well, it's possible of course, but there are easier ways. Modifying existing sprites with Photoshop is perfectly doable, though. (What version of Photoshop do you have? I'd say version 4 or higher is perfectly OK)

I have little experience with making ships for Nova (so far), but doing running lights with Photoshop should be possible. If you could post an example of what you have at this moment, we might be able to give some tips.

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Do not adjust your mind - there is a fault in reality.

Quote

Originally posted by boot:
**You may want to try making your ship sprites with an actual 3D modeler. I'd suggest Strata3D; it's pretty good, and free - you can find it at Jules' website. (That's an old version; but it has some good features the more recent ones don't have. Well, not the more recent free ones, as far as I know; I haven't been following it up lately). It'll take some time to learn, as with all good things, but if you're serious about making plug-ins you won't regret it. I used InfiniD, Bryce and Photoshop to make all my EV/O graphics and I'm currently learning Strata.

Ok, i downloaded strata but i i have no idea how to use it :redface:

Making new stuff from scratch, with just Photoshop... well, it's possible of course, but there are easier ways. Modifying existing sprites with Photoshop is perfectly doable, though. (What version of Photoshop do you have? I'd say version 4 or higher is perfectly OK)

Yeah ive Photoshop 4 but i have little expirance with it.

I have little experience with making ships for Nova (so far), but doing running lights with Photoshop should be possible. If you could post an example of what you have at this moment, we might be able to give some tips.

Eu... I don't have anything yet on my computer that looks good, it's all on paper and in my head 😄
**

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Some links I found useful:

(url="http://"http://www.stratacafe.com/")http://www.stratacafe.com/(/url) - lots of good stuff here
(url="http://"http://www.jolie.nl/strata3D/")http://www.jolie.nl/strata3D/(/url) - basic tutorial (in Dutch)
Jules' site has some EV-specific tutorials, you probably found those already.

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Do not adjust your mind - there is a fault in reality.

Quote

Originally posted by boot:
**Some links I found useful:

http://www.stratacafe.com/ - lots of good stuff here
http://www.jolie.nl/strata3D/ - basic tutorial (in Dutch)
Jules' site has some EV-specific tutorials, you probably found those already.

**

Thanks, i'll try the Dutch one.
And eu.. do you have expirance with Photoshop?
i tryed to make engine flames but it was terrible :frown:
Could you give me some tips?

thanks.

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so you make all the outft graphics with photoshop right?

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"Saying Windows 95 is equal to Macintosh is like finding a potato that looks like Jesus and believing you've witnessed the second coming." -- Guy Kawasaki
(url="http://"http://www.evula.com/")Mandatory EVula link.(/url)

Quote

Originally posted by Infinate:
**so you make all the outft graphics with photoshop right?

**

I don't know i don't have any graphics that i can use yet, only in my mind and on paper.
I tryed to make some ship graphics in photoshop but it looked terrible.
I downloaded STrata and red the Tutorials, but the second time i tryed to open Strata i got an error message "not istalled properly, try again".
Than i tryed to istall it on my old i mac but it didn't work either.

(

Quote

Originally posted by Solarr:
**
I tryed to make some ship graphics in photoshop but it looked terrible.
**

You might be able to make your engine flames with 'eye candy,' a plugin for Photoshop.

Quote

Originally posted by Solarr:
**
I downloaded STrata and red the Tutorials, but the second time i tryed to open Strata i got an error message "not istalled properly, try again".
Than i tryed to istall it on my old i mac but it didn't work either.
**

Which version of Mac OS?
Try to find out if you've got all the 'system extensions' that you need for Strata3D.

We are moving, so unfortunatly my 'big mac' 😉 is still in a box 😞 Otherwise I could have told you which extensions my Mac OS needs to run Strata3D properly. You can try switching them on and off using your controll panel 'extension manager.'

Greetz,
Jolie