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Community Load Screens
https://www.amiaworld.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=59469		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  TormakSaber [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:08 PM ]
Post subject:  Community Load Screens
As a not-related-but-slightly-simultaneous update to the server to go along with the hak update, we're also going to be doing custom load screens for the server so that when you zone into, say, Brogendenstein, the loadscreen will actually be a picture of Brogendenstein.

However, as you might imagine, that's a gigantic undertaking, and why should we deprive ourselves of free labor the love of our community and our artistically minded individuals?

And so we come to you guys. We're looking for screenshots of pretty much every area of the entire game. From Actand to Zanshibon, every region is going to need a good looking loadscreen. However, we have standards and requirements for the loadscreens, and if you don't adhere to them we're pretty much just going to toss your submission onto the circular file. So please pay attention to them.

  • Your screenshots need to be taken and cropped to exactly 738x251. These are the dimensions that NWN uses for the Loadscreen image. Your image format should be a .bmp for maximum quality.
  • Your screenshot should focus on the environment and possibly the creatures in the region. Ambiance is a MUST.
  • PC appearances should be kept to an absolute minimum. If it's possible to crop the shot so the PC isn't in it: Do so. We will HEAVILY prefer non PC shots over ones with PCs in them.
  • We're looking, more than likely, for a "Best of" for regions. We don't need 8 screenshots of Cordor, for example, but probably just one good one that will apply to all basic "City" areas of Cordor. Or one good screenshot for the Gulf of Lumorier, one for Bitter Coast, etc. Use your judgement but don't be afraid to send "Too many" good screenshots!
  • Please use default NWN graphics, at maximum. Shiny Water is not a necessity, but all other graphics should be at maximum quality and detail.
  • No overrides! At all, of any sort. We are looking to represent the areas in game as they appear to the average player, who doesn't use overrides. If you use overrides, especially tileset replacements (such as the rural override or the urban override), your screenshot will be immediately disregarded.

Please send the cropped screenshots to my gmail email address (tormaksaber@gmail.com). From there they'll get to the DM and Dev team where we'll go over them and work with them, and select the best ones to make it into the server. Credit will be given where credit is due, of course.

Thanks for everything you do as players and best of luck to the artsy fartsy folk! We'll be chipping in too, of course, but ideally the bulk is player submissions, because that's cooler than us doing it hidden away.
Author:  Day Dreaming [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:12 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
I have gigabyte after gigabyte of artsy-fartsy screenshots on my PC, I will put a few together for some areas and send them your way.

Edit: never mind, all mine have overrides galore. A pity.
Author:  Mobile_Svensk [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:12 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
It shall be done!
Author:  Selvec Darkon [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:13 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Thats outs me. I don't use default NWN graphics, horrible those are.
Author:  Day Dreaming [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:14 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Selvec Darkon wrote:
Thats outs me. I don't use default NWN graphics, horrible those are.

+1
Author:  PaladinOfSune [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:16 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
While I realise there's some nice overrides out there to improve stuff a lot, we want these screenshots to look recognisable as Amia to any player, not just those with the same set-up as you.
Author:  Day Dreaming [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:18 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Fair enough, I can understand that. Best of luck!
Author:  Feonir [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:24 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Cropping them to include details that arent on a wonky perspective by removing the pc being focuss'd upon is going to be a bitch and a half, feel like toss a few of those cutscene invis thingers out to the people more or less dedicated to your pet project so they can take a shot and not have to worry about a glob of pc in the middle?

Since you seem to want this as high class as possible.
Author:  PaladinOfSune [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:27 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
If you unlock the camera, there's no need for stuff like that, really.
Author:  Feonir [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:29 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
PaladinOfSune wrote:
If you unlock the camera, there's no need for stuff like that, really.


Then perhaps a short tutorial on how to do such things because I dont have a goddamn clue what you just said someone might not know how to do this.
Author:  Mobile_Svensk [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:29 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
PaladinOfSune wrote:
If you unlock the camera, there's no need for stuff like that, really.

Tell me how to?!!?
Author:  Jes [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:29 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
On a similar note, I'm pretty good at reconstructing images, so if you already have a really great one that has just a little bit of PC showing or something, I can take it and make it look like you were never there.

Just e-mail it to me if you want and have screenshots for this. I'll send it back to you for inspection before you send it in, of course. :D

mydnite_rondera@hotmail.com
Author:  LetumLux [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:31 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
You can also hide your PC pretty easily in most types of scenery by positioning behind a tree, rock, or using the Fall Backward/Forward emote to get out of the shot. :wink:
Author:  PaladinOfSune [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:41 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Two options.

Type UnlockCamera=1 under [Control Options] into nwnplayer.ini.

Or download this for extra features than simply editing the ini file. Do bear in mind I haven't used that hack before, however, so I'm not responsible for any fires it may cause...
Author:  Valve [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:49 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
I'll be sending some stuff your way. Sounds fun.
Author:  Xaviera [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:50 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
PaladinOfSune wrote:
If you unlock the camera, there's no need for stuff like that, really.

~unlockcamera doesnt work... other than that, I think you need a hak or patch, or so I've heard.
Author:  PaladinOfSune [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:51 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
I'd imagine it would be ~unlockcamera 1, if you were doing it via console commands.
Author:  LetumLux [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:57 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
It doesn't seem to change anything after changing the .ini and using the unlock command.
Author:  Jes [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:58 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Same here. I'll make do!
Author:  LetumLux [ Sun, Jul 24 2011, 23:59 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
I'm fairly certain that players can't affect any changes with the tilde command, anyway. IIRC. You have to be logged in as a DM; we as players get access to only, like, FPS.
Author:  TormakSaber [ Mon, Jul 25 2011, 0:05 AM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
I will happily cutscene invis anyone in game if I'm around and you ask if you need screenshots done.
Author:  PaladinOfSune [ Mon, Jul 25 2011, 0:13 AM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Oh, I see, the console command must have been disabled.

However, that nwvault link works fine.

In fact, it allows you to take pictures such as:

These!
Author:  LetumLux [ Mon, Jul 25 2011, 0:20 AM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
My AVG flipped out about that program. Is that normal?
Author:  TheGoddessOfAmazing© [ Mon, Jul 25 2011, 0:21 AM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
...................
Author:  PaladinOfSune [ Mon, Jul 25 2011, 0:23 AM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
It's an exe file that modifies code, so yeah, it probably would be seen as suspicious. Terra, Mahtan and Grave have all used it without problem, though.
Author:  Selmak [ Mon, Jul 25 2011, 0:50 AM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
You can modify nwnplayer.ini to allow an unlocked camera all the time:

Scroll down to [Control Options].

Then, right before it says [Profile], insert the following line, or change the 0 to a 1 if it's already there.

UnlockCamera=1
Author:  Selvec Darkon [ Mon, Jul 25 2011, 2:57 AM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
I use it, but it doesn't unlock the camera.

Few Examples:

Selvec Darkon - Ruathym, Caraigh, Scath Crann 1
Image

Selvec Darkon - Ruathym, Caraigh, Scath Crann 2
Image
Author:  PaladinOfSune [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 10:45 AM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Those are some cool examples.
Author:  Selvec Darkon [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 11:32 AM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Sent a few more to Tormak.
Author:  Zanthair [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 12:29 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
hm, ill dig around to see if I have anything good in edonil. If not, I'll take one or two.

also, are you looking for screens of every area on the server?
Author:  Jes [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 12:35 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
TormakSaber wrote:
We're looking for screenshots of pretty much every area of the entire game. From Actand to Zanshibon, every region is going to need a good looking loadscreen.


TormakSaber wrote:
We don't need 8 screenshots of Cordor, for example, but probably just one good one that will apply to all basic "City" areas of Cordor. Or one good screenshot for the Gulf of Lumorier, one for Bitter Coast, etc.
Author:  Zanthair [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 15:58 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Jes wrote:
TormakSaber wrote:
We're looking for screenshots of pretty much every area of the entire game. From Actand to Zanshibon, every region is going to need a good looking loadscreen.


TormakSaber wrote:
We don't need 8 screenshots of Cordor, for example, but probably just one good one that will apply to all basic "City" areas of Cordor. Or one good screenshot for the Gulf of Lumorier, one for Bitter Coast, etc.


doh

guess ill take one of every area in edonil.
Author:  Zanthair [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 16:43 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
how do we open .tga to edit?
Author:  Herr Delta Houdini [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 17:04 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Download IRfanview. Also,I think what they said means, one picture for a number of areas. For example, a picture of the centre of Cordor would go to all the Cordorian areas as loading screens. I -think-.
Author:  Jes [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 17:06 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Photoshop! <.<
Author:  Herr Delta Houdini [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 17:08 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Or that. :)
Author:  Zanthair [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 17:15 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Anubis wrote:
Download IRfanview. Also,I think what they said means, one picture for a number of areas. For example, a picture of the centre of Cordor would go to all the Cordorian areas as loading screens. I -think-.


thanks for the program

guess i didnt need pictures of Edonil Proper, Loinar Harolen, and Mull Harolen then....
Author:  Feonir [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 17:18 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Why not worry less on what others are taking and just take shots of whatever you want to personally see go into the mod, the more the better, it lets Tormak be picky as hell and really choosing the best that captures the best points of the zones they are from.

Or on the other side of that coin you can go the dick route and realise the better shots he has to choose from the harder the decision will be and it will eventually drive him insane having to sort through piles of well done screen shots where in his only relief is the sweet embrace of unconciousness or death. Thats how im thinkin of it anyway. Muahaha.
Author:  hendrack [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 17:32 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
I'll be doing the Khem region this weekend.
Author:  Dwagin [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 20:45 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Do what you have a desire to do most!

If there's places you love, submitsubmitsubmit.

Think of it as a submission contest.
Author:  wiggedi2 [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 20:46 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
TIP!!!

When you take screenshots, make your cha invis and use the emote wand "Fall backwards". WOrks pretty well.!
Author:  Dwagin [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 21:26 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Can we also get some sort of 'Must be in by' date?
Author:  TormakSaber [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 22:33 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Feonir wrote:
Why not worry less on what others are taking and just take shots of whatever you want to personally see go into the mod, the more the better, it lets Tormak be picky as hell and really choosing the best that captures the best points of the zones they are from.

Or on the other side of that coin you can go the dick route and realise the better shots he has to choose from the harder the decision will be and it will eventually drive him insane having to sort through piles of well done screen shots where in his only relief is the sweet embrace of unconciousness or death. Thats how im thinkin of it anyway. Muahaha.


Yups, don't worry about "Oh, well, hendrack is doing Khem so I won't."

If you likeKhem, take pictures of Khem!
Author:  TormakSaber [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 22:33 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Dwagin wrote:
Can we also get some sort of 'Must be in by' date?


Ummm... ask Suney.
Author:  PaladinOfSune [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 23:13 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
The 31st.
Author:  MoshingChris [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 23:31 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Thats the 31st in Amia time so he meant the 43rd.
Author:  Zanthair [ Tue, Jul 26 2011, 23:54 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
jeeze, its tough to crop to that size while keeping things looking good.
Author:  Brenin [ Wed, Jul 27 2011, 4:47 AM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
For those editing that do not have Photoshop, might I suggest GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) :D (it is free - as in beer) It also compares if not exceeds Photoshop for image editing, in my opinion.

edit: you can find GIMP here: http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html

Using GIMP and its rectangle select tool you can follow these simple instructions (hopefully simple) to select what you like and then bring it to the right size. If you just use the straight-up 738x251 size your load screen will heavily suffer from "hyper focus syndrome". This will fix that problem. I can't really help you beyond this though, because the program is pretty advanced.

All settings in the GIMP "Toolbox" left side of the screen.
    1 . select the "Fixed" checkbox and then select "Size" in the drop down
    2. type in "738x251" in the text box below the dropdown you just used for fixing the size (make sure the landscape button is clicked to the right of where you put "738x251")
    3. now put the select box in the center of where you would like to capture your load screen (don't worry, we will fix the hyper focus next :shock:)
    4. change the drop down next to the "Fixed" checkbox to drop down to "Aspect ratio" (leave fixed checked!)
    5. now use the guides to expand your fixed box to what you want in the picture (make sure not to select off the edge of your picture) (sometimes the checkbox "Expand from center" is useful here)
    6. after you have what you want, go to the "Image" menu and select the "Crop to Selection" option (you are almost done)
    7. go to the "Image" menu and select the "Scale Image" option
    8. in the dialog that opens type "738" in the "Width" field and then just click into the height field and by default it should change to 251 if you did everything correct (if it doesn't change automagically, make sure the little link symbol is together and not broken apart just to the right of the width and height fields)
    9. last step is to go to the "File" menu and select the "Save As" option and change the name in the top to something appropriate with .bmp at the end and hit save - a dialog will pop up confirming to "Save as BMP", just accept the defaults unless you are brave or maybe willing to annoy Tormak.

ALL DONE!!!

Hopefully this is quite helpful to someone and it gets the job done. Now I'm off to wander into each area possible and grab about 10 shots for a good selection :twisted:.

P.S. I also suggest using 7zip to compress your load screens into a single pack for submission, but I'm not going further than this....cause it's out of the scope of this helpful post.
Author:  Selvec Darkon [ Wed, Jul 27 2011, 6:42 AM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Zanthair wrote:
jeeze, its tough to crop to that size while keeping things looking good.

Not really, just gotta keep the ratio in mind when taking screenies.
Author:  Zanthair [ Wed, Jul 27 2011, 13:10 PM ]
Post subject:  Re: Community Load Screens
Selvec Darkon wrote:
Zanthair wrote:
jeeze, its tough to crop to that size while keeping things looking good.

Not really, just gotta keep the ratio in mind when taking screenies.


well my monitor is 1600x900, which is what i play nwn in. Im reducing to the 738, which gives me about 450 pixels to play with, and finding a good cut out of them is the problem im having.
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