A "how to" please!

Hi. I'd like to do some planetary graphics for EV Nova, and was wondering if anybody knew of any guides/articles/runthroughs on how to do it properly. Even some simple instructions will do!

Thanks

Quick and extremely dirty:

You need to create the graphics in some kind of image-editing program. Make a black square around your planet image. Save a a *.tiff or .png file!! (.jpegs and .gifs don't work) then, import your graphic using EVNEW, MC or ResEdit into an rle resource. Finally, create a mask consisting of a white planet-shape on a black background. The mask must be the same size as the planet pic.

Hope this helps.

This post has been edited by darth_vader : 14 February 2006 - 03:00 PM

Lunarcell. If you are not an expert or do not have MattWalker™ time then it is probably the easiest way. Google it. It is a plug for Photoshop. Also what ATMOS used.

Bah, lunarcell....

If you have photoshop, then here.

Some of the techniques work on simpler programs too, but it's aimed at photoshop users.

rmx256, on Feb 14 2006, 11:23 PM, said:

...or do not have MattWalker™...View Post

I don't seem to have that plugin. Where can I get it? :rolleyes:

As long as it produces better-looking planets than Lunarcell.

This post has been edited by tycho61uk : 14 February 2006 - 07:56 PM

LunarCell is usable with practice and especially when using downloaded cloud layers. In general I'd rather be able to just use it than develop an entirely new skill to just make a couple of planets.

Oh, Lunarcell is nice, and yes, with practice it does make nice looking planets, but I prefer personally made planets over generated ones, and I find that in most cases the results are nicer.

Crusader Alpha, on Feb 14 2006, 10:42 PM, said:

Bah, lunarcell....

If you have photoshop, then here.

Some of the techniques work on simpler programs too, but it's aimed at photoshop users.
View Post

Thank you Crusader.

So i don't even need photoshop, since the instructions are pretty clear. I mean, it's literally brush texture on, spherize and then add an effects layer. And voila!

Well, thanks for the advice guys. Though i don't have photoshop, i will manage

rmx256, on Feb 14 2006, 11:23 PM, said:

If you are not an expert or do not have MattWalker™ time..
<snip>
View Post

Please refrain from using my trademark without permission; also, I assure you that MattWalker™ is a perfectly suitable tool for both amateurs and professionals alike. I am implementing a new flat rate of 50USD per arbitrary difficulty/time-consumption unit, meaning that for the first time, such products are available to anyone who wants them. Anyone who wants them enough.

This post has been edited by FluffyWithTeeth : 16 February 2006 - 06:02 PM

I want a MattWalker™! How much and what are the system requirements?

2 mhz 6510, 32k of 120-ns ram.
Serial port to attatch line printer.
4 color monitor, works best with 16.
Joystick or mouse.

Here is another tutorial.

rmx256, on Feb 17 2006, 12:58 PM, said:

2 mhz 6510, 32k of 120-ns ram.
Serial port to attatch line printer.
4 color monitor, works best with 16.
Joystick or mouse.
View Post

Ouch!

Interesting...

Before I throw any tips out there, how about a quiz:
What application, extension, plugin, tutorial, or method did I use to create my planets?

http://adventonegrap...ce/planets.html

This post has been edited by Highway of Life : 17 February 2006 - 10:39 PM

Highway of Life, on Feb 17 2006, 09:39 PM, said:

Before I throw any tips out there, how about a quiz:
What application, extension, plugin, tutorial, or method did I use to create my planets?
View Post

PS+LunarCell.

Highway of Life, on Feb 18 2006, 02:39 AM, said:

Interesting...

Before I throw any tips out there, how about a quiz:
What application, extension, plugin, tutorial, or method did I use to create my planets?

http://adventonegrap...ce/planets.html
View Post

I like the side comments Highway

Highway of Life, on Feb 18 2006, 02:39 AM, said:

Interesting...

Before I throw any tips out there, how about a quiz:
What application, extension, plugin, tutorial, or method did I use to create my planets?

http://adventonegrap...ce/planets.html
View Post

Anax neglected to comment here, but the last one I would hazard a guess was based off of Greg Martin's planet creation tutorial.

Yes, that is correct... did you peek?
I used several layers,
Document size: 1400x1400

1. Land form <-- LunarCell (size = 80)
2. Generated clouds overlay over landform (selective) (upto 3 layers for different color effects -- sphereize)
3. Water <-- LunarCell
4. City lights (if any) rotated light a bit <-- Lunarcell
5. Generated clouds overlay over water (selective) to give it some depth. (sphereize)
6. Clouds (vapor) opacity brought down. <-- LunarCell
7. Clouds (Visible) <-- LunarCell
8. Atmosphere overlay rotated light <-- Lunar Cell

Total layers between 8 and 11 per planet.
I have found this the best method of creating a wide range of planets very quickly.

Who is Greg Martin?

rmx256, on Feb 17 2006, 06:58 AM, said:

2 mhz 6510, 32k of 120-ns ram.
Serial port to attatch line printer.
4 color monitor, works best with 16.
Joystick or mouse.
View Post

sorry if i'm totally ignorant, but what is a MattWalker?

Edwin_again, on Feb 18 2006, 04:08 PM, said:

sorry if i'm totally ignorant, but what is a MattWalker?
View Post

It's a plugin for making great-looking planet graphics.