Alpha Centauri 2

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri & Alien Crossfire => The Theory of Everything => Topic started by: Dio on August 10, 2013, 02:29:51 AM

Title: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Dio on August 10, 2013, 02:29:51 AM

I was wondering if anyone has made or found a complete set of the unused logos for the original seven factions?

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 10, 2013, 02:34:48 AM

All that comes to my mind offhand is the wrench logo for the proto-University and a different version of the Hive logo.  There's a LOT of pre-release art collected in a stickied art thread here in Theory of Everything, http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=2199.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=2199.0) if you want to look for yourself...

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Dio on August 10, 2013, 02:50:56 AM

I was wondering if someone would be willing to take a look and perhaps improve the designs that I have created of these logos? I have found and made completely different logos for the hive, morganites, university and peacekeepers based from various reliable sources. In addition, I have found slightly different rough versions of the Believers and Spartan Logos. If anyone is interested, I can post them.

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 10, 2013, 03:04:46 AM

Do, please.  I'm sure a lot of people will be interested, and we've got multiple accomplished artists working the Modding folder...

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Dio on August 10, 2013, 03:19:59 AM

Some of the files are attached to this post and rest will be on the next post.

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Dio on August 10, 2013, 03:27:48 AM

The rest of them are here. Unfortunately I have not finished making the logos for either the second or third pcx files. If you need some reference for these designs, I can suggest that you look in the newicons.pcx file that comes with the game.

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 10, 2013, 04:32:19 AM

Hey these are pretty neat.  You have made yourself useful, sir. :)

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Geo on August 10, 2013, 11:16:13 AM

The Archon, Morgan, and Labyrinth logo's are definitely worth pursuing (and expanding upon). Although, on the Morgan file, I'd change the three yellow squares/'dots' on the top of the log into those ingame energy diamond-style icons if the size of the logo permits it.

The rest resemble the existing SMAC logo's enough as not to bother too much with it, except perhaps for a close-clone faction set.

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Dio on August 10, 2013, 06:14:28 PM

Is this closer to what you were thinking for the Morgan logo? Also, I have re-made the Peacekeepers logo because it was taken directly from the council_sm.pcx file.

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Geo on August 10, 2013, 08:20:49 PM

Quote from: Dio on August 10, 2013, 06:14:28 PM

Is this closer to what you were thinking for the Morgan logo? Also, I have re-made the Peacekeepers logo because it was taken directly from the council_sm.pcx file.

On the Morgan logo, a resounding "Yes".  ;b;

Personally, I never minded both the council -and peacekeeper logo's were the same. It is after all the most important purpose of good ol' ;lal; to go with it.
Other factions are never forced to comply if they really don't want to...

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Dio on August 10, 2013, 09:37:00 PM

Does anyone have a good method for applying new logos to the second and third .pcx faction files without it looking odd?

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 10, 2013, 09:49:29 PM

Looking odd?  Tell me more about the sort of problems you're encountering...

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Dio on August 10, 2013, 10:00:25 PM

The reason they would look odd is because the second and parts of the third faction files have a special color/effect layer that was applied to them during their creation. This is important when putting a new logo over the old one, because you have to remove any parts of the old logo that are showing while still duplicating this effect. Otherwise it looks very odd when playing the game. In other words, I am having difficulty replicating that effect after applying the new logo.

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 10, 2013, 10:03:54 PM

That's more Kilkakon's line than mine.  I'll send him a heads-up.

I wonder if this thread wouldn't do better in Modding...

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 10, 2013, 10:06:09 PM

Are you saying that you could really use logo-less blanks of .pcxs 2 & 3 to work with?  Let me see if I can find those...

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Dio on August 10, 2013, 10:37:56 PM

Your guess would be correct, BUncle. In response to Geo, I plan to make a full set of pictures for each faction because the originals and my logos vary greatly in, I guess, art style. This difference makes them look very unusual when placed next to each other.

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 10, 2013, 10:56:03 PM

Okay...  I'm not finding the  files.

What do you do graphics with?  I ask because there's a problem with GIMP, which is what I use; erasing stuff ruins the transparent background color for some reason.  I have a blank of the primary faction .pcx to use in the workaround, but haven't found the others yet, if I ever had them.  I think Kil does, which is another reason to wait for sunup in Australia in a couple hours.

I'm still looking, though...

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Geo on August 10, 2013, 10:57:58 PM

Quote from: Dio on August 10, 2013, 10:37:56 PM

..., I plan to make a full set of pictures for each faction because the originals and my logos vary greatly in, I guess, art style. This difference makes them look very unusual when placed next to each other.

Well, that's quite spot on. :D

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Dio on August 10, 2013, 11:06:01 PM

Unfortunately, I make the graphics with GIMP.

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Geo on August 11, 2013, 08:13:44 AM

Looks like these days there's no other program capable of converting workable .pcx files back to SMAC(X).

In the olden days I could do it with Paint and some other program/trick I forgot about.

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 11, 2013, 01:55:52 PM

PhotoShop and a lot of the high-end graphics programs that cost real money can do it, of course. 

One of these days, I'm going to have to look into a W98 emulator; I'd really like to be able to run PhotoShop5 and Acedit again...

Title: Re: The unused logos for the original seven factions?
Post by: Dio on August 11, 2013, 04:34:44 PM

Yesterday, I was working on the second pcx files for the labyrinth, spartans, and archons. I have done what I can to remove any part of the logo that is still showing in these files.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 11, 2013, 05:22:21 PM

If it was me, I'd select the lightened circle of background around the Archon logo and try to blend it in better, but that's a very nice job, and the other two are pretty perfect.

The same sort of work should be more than adequate for .pcx3, except for the transparent background bit.  Unfortunately, last night was Sunday morning for Kilkakon, but he'll probably be on and see this in 8-10 hours.

I'm looking into making a couple of .jpgs I found of those files work as SMAC(X) .pcxs, so sit tight...

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 11, 2013, 05:41:17 PM

Okay, I hope that the attached (female version) 2.pcx will work fine.  Test the transparent part of 3.pcx in-game, if you don't mind - the background didn't turn purple (which works fine in plain SMAC, no worry there) when I imported the SMAX palette I made from angels3.pcx, so I'm pretty sure that one's broke.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Dio on August 11, 2013, 06:18:39 PM

Thank you BUncle for helping me. These files will work fine for my logos.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 11, 2013, 06:26:37 PM

S'nothin', man.  We're all in this together, and I'd help even if you weren't doing something useful, which you really are.

You tested 3.pcx?

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Geo on August 11, 2013, 07:00:03 PM

Artists often seem to forget the leader in the punishment sphere is female. Often have to grit my teeth when seeing the inevitable male leader having undergone a gender transformation by the time he's defeated.  :-*

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 11, 2013, 07:06:54 PM

...Really, a truly useful/complete set of blanks would have to include four versions, I think; they should come in male and female, bluish and reddish versions.  That applies to 3.pcx, too, as it includes the same image...

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Kilkakon on August 12, 2013, 02:24:18 AM

I might take up that challenge.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2013, 02:25:24 AM

Please?

This is something that has to wait until you're home again, isn't it?

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Kilkakon on August 12, 2013, 02:28:52 AM

And several days at that, as I'm out until like 11 PM today :D

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2013, 02:30:19 AM

I need to make an impatient smilie...

Title: Re: Update
Post by: Dio on August 13, 2013, 12:54:47 AM

I have finished the Gaian logo set. In addition, I have made all 300 x 300 logo's for each faction. Attached to this post will be the second and third .pcxs' along with a slightly modified first file for the gaian's.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Dio on August 13, 2013, 08:09:40 PM

I am hoping to get other users' opinions on the poll topic that I have started.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Geo on August 13, 2013, 09:13:54 PM

There's a poll now? Can't see it when I'm surfing on my tablet.
Will have to check tomorrow at my desktop.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 09:17:20 PM

Is it there now?  Somehow the vote got locked, which I have fixed.

Title: Re: Another Update
Post by: Dio on August 14, 2013, 05:58:53 AM

I have finally finished making faction files for the Peace Keepers and Morgans. Also, sorry to anyone who wanted to vote on this poll. I must have accidently locked it after looking for results earlier. In addition, I will take into consideration any input, feedback, suggestions, or improvements people have on the faction logos. Onward to the next faction.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Dio on August 14, 2013, 06:01:00 AM

This post contains a completed version of Morgan's pcx files.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 14, 2013, 01:40:08 PM

I might have accidentally locked the poll when I corrected a misspelling -were to where.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Geo on August 14, 2013, 02:00:40 PM

Definitely the wider Morgan logo as shown in the latest batch of Morgan files on the third page.  ;b;

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Dio on August 14, 2013, 10:47:07 PM

Finished assembling the Archon's faction files. Also, I hope you like the re-made logos for the Archon's :D.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Geo on August 14, 2013, 10:50:35 PM

Nice.  ;b;

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Dio on August 15, 2013, 03:59:56 AM

I have finished assembling the Spartan's faction files. I wonder if anyone will notice the difference between this version and the one I originally posted  ::)?

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Dio on August 15, 2013, 07:55:31 PM

I just finished assembling the Conclave's and Labyrinth's faction files. Also, I decided to continue using the "ugly" version of  ;miriam; in the Conclave file :P. Attached to this post is the Conclave faction files.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 15, 2013, 08:02:09 PM

Ugly version?  Say on, please.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Dio on August 15, 2013, 08:02:39 PM

I hope most people liked the full set of unused logos I made for the University, Hive, Morgan and Keepers. Also, the Labyrinth faction files are attached to this post. Finally, one goal I had while doing this project was to re-new some interest in the original seven factions. This goal will be furthered in another topic.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Dio on August 15, 2013, 08:05:57 PM

What I meant when I said ugly, BUncle, is the original unchanged version of Miriam's portrait.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 15, 2013, 08:07:02 PM

You've seen the versions I did, then?

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Dio on August 15, 2013, 08:42:24 PM

Yes I have and personally like the original better.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 15, 2013, 08:46:15 PM

Okydoke.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 16, 2013, 02:05:00 AM

Say, I notice no scanlines in your stuff - I can hook you up with how to do easy scanlines in GIMP, if you like.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Dio on September 18, 2013, 03:59:03 AM

Posts on this topic have been moved to the thread "Alternate original seven factions mod (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=4102.0)" under the modding board.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 07, 2014, 11:10:20 PM

Why and how is this thread locked?

Dio, do you want it locked?

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Dio on March 07, 2014, 11:33:39 PM

I originally locked it because I thought the topic was more appropriate for the Modding Board.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 07, 2014, 11:35:48 PM

Is that a Shop feature, or can anyone lock their own thread?  I didn't see it in the Shop.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Dio on March 08, 2014, 12:29:04 AM

This is not a shop feature. Any user can lock a thread they started by entering the topic and then scrolling down to the bottom of the screen and selecting "Lock Topic". This button is to the left of the link to calender button and below the directory showing your location inside the various forums/sub forums.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 08, 2014, 12:32:57 AM

Can you unlock at will to answer me?

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 28, 2014, 02:52:00 AM

Say Dio, are you married to this thread being stickied?  I don't want to undo what you paid for fair and square, but if I also sticky Draz' Hamachi thread with all the installation info, the first unstickied thread won't show on my monitor w/o scrolling, which is a pain - and I expect same for others.

Could I at least move this to modding, where there's no subforums taking up the top of the screen?

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Dio on April 28, 2014, 02:57:11 AM

Quote from: BUncle on April 28, 2014, 02:52:00 AM

Say Dio, are you married to this thread being stickied?  I don't want to undo what you paid for fair and square, but if I also sticky Draz' Hamachi thread with all the installation info, the first unstickied thread won't show on my monitor w/o scrolling, which is a pain - and I expect same for others.

Could I at least move this to modding, where there's no subforums taking up the top of the screen?

Sure. I have no issues with this thread being moved to the modding board.

Title: Re: Variations of the original seven faction logos.
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 28, 2014, 02:58:32 AM

Thank you, sir.