is anyone making new art? - Page 2

SilentThief · 02-16-2005, 03:25 PM

you have to be careful with a commercial games artwork, as some of these companies will not be as nice as WoTC was with granting permission to use their artwork. So if someone posts up the art or a game with the artwork in it they could try some legal stuff with copyrights.

SilentThief

manikus · 02-16-2005, 06:17 PM

True enough- Lucasarts is very proactive about protecting it's copyright. And I know that there were issues in the FRUA world concerning copyright but it's been so long that I can't remember which gaming company it was (but I think maybe it's Id). the important thing is to list where you got it, so that if someone has an issue with our community using the graphics, we will know what they are talking about and can remove it.
But, I think since we are not trying to make any money off of it, most of our transgressions will probably be overlooked. Of course, once 1.0 comes out and DC gets super famous...

-manikus

-manikus

Steve McDonald · 02-17-2005, 08:06 AM

Hivetyrant - I agree that all of your art looks amazing. Even that little beholder - I've wished I could make that pic (which I've seen all over the web) into a combat icon but just don't have the skill to create a convincing attack pose. (For an example of said lack of skill, see the gnoll default icon in DC.) I think the icon is about the right size, too, for a beholder (not 4x human size as they were in frua.)

On the dragon icon: I agree with Manikus' comment that the dragon should not go from sitting to standing. Perhaps a slight change of angle on the wings would make the look more different? Or have the neck arch back, making some room for a breath attack coming from the mouth. (You could recolour the icon and change the head and wing features slightly to allow for multiple dragon types, ie red, green, blue, gold etc.) I would think people shouldn't use five different versions of the same icon all in a single design, but this would allow more flexibility and choice, as currently there are almost no dragon combat icons. The shadow on the dragon looks light grey in the version you posted. I think for use in the game it will look better in black. (I realise you were probably going to do that.)

One comment on DC combat icons generally: I think that you (and most others) should try to fill the 48x48 square (or 96x96 or whatever it is in the particular case) more fully. That is, the monster should come right to the edges of the square, in either the ready or attack pose, or, preferably, in both. If icons are too spaced out, it can be difficult to tell if you will move into the adjacent square or into the square occupied by the monster. This is especially evident in some horse and centaur icons that people did for UA, where practically the whole of one square was blank, but the game counted it as "part of" the monster. Perhaps the dragon icon could be expanded to fill the square and it will look more effective in the game. For the beholder perhaps you could just move it up slightly (the ready pose could go up higher, I think) and place a shadow underneath so it is obvious that it is hovering.

Of course, having said that, there are some monsters that are just too small to fill a square, I suppose. In those cases, I think any gap should ideally be towards the top, unless they're flying monsters like little bats, in which case they should be near the top, gap in the middle and shadow near the bottom.

Those aren't meant as criticisms, just general comments. As I say, everything you (Hivetyrant) have done looks excellent, and I just can't wait to see the other monster icons you do.

BTW, in answer to the earlier question, I'm from the Burnside area (Eastern suburbs). It's great to have a fellow Aussie and (sort of) Adelaidian who is interested in DC.

Oh, and Manikus, I think most of those character icons look really great. I'll DL them all, of course! The style I like best is that of the dwarf in red, the first male halfling and the first male gnome - I think they fill out the square a bit more. Were they converts from Autery's UA icons ? They have that feel about them. I loved his style! Great work guys.

Steve

PS Heh - 2 posts in succession. I'm in business.

manikus · 02-17-2005, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve McDonald:
Were they converts from Autery's UA icons ? They have that feel about them.

Good eye. I'm working on converting all of his icons and should be done in about 40 years.

I guess converting isn't the right word, as I have all of them converted, I'm working on "translating" them to DC.

I'm also working on doing the same for the collected works of kaz-kieth, hans and kheyd.

-manikus

Steve McDonald · 02-20-2005, 01:32 AM

Well, they are very good conversions. I look forward to seeing more.

02-16-2005, 03:25 PM	#11
SilentThief Symbol of Cyric Join Date: September 10, 2001 Location: USA Age: 48 Posts: 1,301	you have to be careful with a commercial games artwork, as some of these companies will not be as nice as WoTC was with granting permission to use their artwork. So if someone posts up the art or a game with the artwork in it they could try some legal stuff with copyrights. SilentThief __________________ http://www.wilhelmscream.net/

02-16-2005, 06:17 PM	#12
manikus Jack Burton Join Date: July 13, 2001 Location: Stumptown Age: 53 Posts: 5,444	True enough- Lucasarts is very proactive about protecting it's copyright. And I know that there were issues in the FRUA world concerning copyright but it's been so long that I can't remember which gaming company it was (but I think maybe it's Id). the important thing is to list where you got it, so that if someone has an issue with our community using the graphics, we will know what they are talking about and can remove it. But, I think since we are not trying to make any money off of it, most of our transgressions will probably be overlooked. Of course, once 1.0 comes out and DC gets super famous... -manikus -manikus __________________ manikus Official Site \| DC Wiki \| DC Bug Tracker

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02-17-2005, 08:06 AM	#13
Steve McDonald The Magister Join Date: January 29, 2002 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 130	Hivetyrant - I agree that all of your art looks amazing. Even that little beholder - I've wished I could make that pic (which I've seen all over the web) into a combat icon but just don't have the skill to create a convincing attack pose. (For an example of said lack of skill, see the gnoll default icon in DC.) I think the icon is about the right size, too, for a beholder (not 4x human size as they were in frua.) On the dragon icon: I agree with Manikus' comment that the dragon should not go from sitting to standing. Perhaps a slight change of angle on the wings would make the look more different? Or have the neck arch back, making some room for a breath attack coming from the mouth. (You could recolour the icon and change the head and wing features slightly to allow for multiple dragon types, ie red, green, blue, gold etc.) I would think people shouldn't use five different versions of the same icon all in a single design, but this would allow more flexibility and choice, as currently there are almost no dragon combat icons. The shadow on the dragon looks light grey in the version you posted. I think for use in the game it will look better in black. (I realise you were probably going to do that.) One comment on DC combat icons generally: I think that you (and most others) should try to fill the 48x48 square (or 96x96 or whatever it is in the particular case) more fully. That is, the monster should come right to the edges of the square, in either the ready or attack pose, or, preferably, in both. If icons are too spaced out, it can be difficult to tell if you will move into the adjacent square or into the square occupied by the monster. This is especially evident in some horse and centaur icons that people did for UA, where practically the whole of one square was blank, but the game counted it as "part of" the monster. Perhaps the dragon icon could be expanded to fill the square and it will look more effective in the game. For the beholder perhaps you could just move it up slightly (the ready pose could go up higher, I think) and place a shadow underneath so it is obvious that it is hovering. Of course, having said that, there are some monsters that are just too small to fill a square, I suppose. In those cases, I think any gap should ideally be towards the top, unless they're flying monsters like little bats, in which case they should be near the top, gap in the middle and shadow near the bottom. Those aren't meant as criticisms, just general comments. As I say, everything you (Hivetyrant) have done looks excellent, and I just can't wait to see the other monster icons you do. BTW, in answer to the earlier question, I'm from the Burnside area (Eastern suburbs). It's great to have a fellow Aussie and (sort of) Adelaidian who is interested in DC. Oh, and Manikus, I think most of those character icons look really great. I'll DL them all, of course! The style I like best is that of the dwarf in red, the first male halfling and the first male gnome - I think they fill out the square a bit more. Were they converts from Autery's UA icons ? They have that feel about them. I loved his style! Great work guys. Steve PS Heh - 2 posts in succession. I'm in business.

02-20-2005, 01:32 AM	#15
Steve McDonald The Magister Join Date: January 29, 2002 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 130	Well, they are very good conversions. I look forward to seeing more.

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