Steel Rat, that runs that site is very good about Copyright stuff so if you email or PM him, he'll likely make sure that you are given ownership of those images.Originally Posted by Redrobes
Steel Rat, that runs that site is very good about Copyright stuff so if you email or PM him, he'll likely make sure that you are given ownership of those images.
Bill Stickers is innocent! It isn't Bill's fault that he was hanging out in the wrong place.
Please make an effort to tag all threads. This will greatly enhance the usability of the forums.
It wasn't a knock at him. He's a good chap. Its just that these things tend to happen even with the best of intentions. I have a lot of pencil maps there of old alternative Forgotten Realms towns which I said could be public domain as I see no value to them other than that of interest to other GMs and the others are marked up anyway - mainly because I use tokens which are in themselves CC so I figured that I ought to do the "share alike" bit of the CC agreement. Its probably the content management system he is using where my login has expired and its defaulted the user ownership.
Hmmm it seems as though I am going to need a little more to keep up with the current ante.
I thought I would put some shadows in and liven it up a bit. I have also done a roof but this is not part of the challenge entry. It's just that I am going to need it on my map. To make life easier for VTTs I have made the roof as a clear background PNG. I am also including a microscopic html page to put the two together so if you don't have a VTT then you can still look at the result easily. Just put them all into a folder and click on the html file.
Running out of ideas to progress this further though I could make this about 60Kb and it still looks alright so theres room for more if I can think of it.
### Latest WIP ###
If you're looking for ideas to detail it more, possibly a cloak or overcoat thrown over the back of a pew, maybe a couple books laying on the benches.
Not sure what else could be needed to liven up the scene a bit, maybe some sconces around the entry way for a lightsource on that end of the church? Just thinking something to break up the pattern might be nice.
If you touch up the steps with a thin black line to give more contrast they might be a little more clear. ATM they appear to be kinda fuzzy to me.
If you're not looking for suggestions, well...
Yes, I agree the competition is fierce.
Your floor seems somewhat dark up against the black walls - consider a lighter, perhaps marble looking with maybe carpets here and there to keep the pixel count down.
One of the things that stands out to me about Torq's map is the masterful use of depth in the composition. Jazzing up your altar, especially as it is such a likely fight scene somehow also might be useful.
Alternately, you could layer up your walls suggestive of the grand structure the building must be.
Anyway, just some ruminations from a novice.
I really like this church layout. I had previously only looked at the thumbnail but when I took a proper look I really liked the layout. My favourite feature is the realistic wall and pillar layout hinting at real architecture and immediately giving it a context. I think there is a bit of a consistency issue between two types of art. The first exemplified by the altar, which has a drawn look with outlining, and the second by the sarcophagus and statue which have a photorealistic look. I think the tow could prossibly be brought more in line with each other. For me the layout would look better with a line drawn feel, so I would recommend "arting" up the photorealistic elements like the sarc.
This can be achieved by running them through a filter. I only really know gimp, but usinf that as context I would run a cartoon filter on it (not too strong) and then use the outline selection functions to give it a thin black outline to match the other objects eg. chests, table etc.
If you are going to have a building shadow on the outside, what about shadows on the inside. Churches are always fairly shadowy places. Maybe a few window glass shine throughs like the one attached. It is from the Dunjinni forunms.
Torq
The internet! It\'ll never catch on.
Software Used: Terranoise, Wilbur, Terragen, The Gimp, Inkscape, Mojoworld
Thanks guys I need the ideas. So a lighter floor, some books, cloak, sconces and whatever else I can find, a little more definition on the steps too.
The altar is covered with that blue cloth. I started drawing it and thought - screw this, and got a blue towel out, threw it over a board and took a photo of it. I am so lazy. So there is a mix of photos, art, pen and ink, textures, renders the whole kaboodle. This is probably the reason why my maps never look as good as can be. Maybe I should go for a balls out 3D job next month and forget the 2D entirely.
I like the window idea - actually it was the original reason I started to put the shadows in. The map was a pure 2D job but to get the shadows I made a 3D version from the 2D map and then cut some windows out. You can see the three on the top easily but there are two more lit areas bottom right. Well I think I need to enhance them as its not all that clear and put in some coloured glass too.
Still got a while yet...
I'll sort out some color in due course but heres the window places.
### Latest WIP ###
Last edited by Redrobes; 05-14-2008 at 01:36 PM.
This would be a great church to throw down on an existing map. Perhaps after the challenge is over, you could upload a version where there is no ground, Redrobes? This way we can place the church in our towns and plop the roof over it until needed.
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