Ice covered skins.

[Greebo]

Just to be clear, I am not suggesting you or anyone else at HTC review each skin and alter it. The suggestion is that the game auto-detects those skins that do not have a bump map and instead of turning them chrome applies some stock blank maps to give them a reasonable look. Yes it won't be ideal to have the same stock files for a NMF skin and a painted skin, but it would be 50 times better than what the game is doing now.

[Skuzzy]

Wish it was that easy Greebo.  For the normal maps, they have to exist.  We either use the default one or we have to generate one for the skin.  It is not something we can do on the fly.

Until the skins can be reviewed, we will not be able to make any determination as to a proper course of action.  I am not a fan of a flat normal map as they would make the skin look like something from AH1, but I do not have a feel for how many are in that state yet.

It is going to take some time.

[Vraciu]

Wish it was that easy Greebo.  For the normal maps, they have to exist.  We either use the default one or we have to generate one for the skin.  It is not something we can do on the fly.

Until the skins can be reviewed, we will not be able to make any determination as to a proper course of action.  I am not a fan of a flat normal map as they would make the skin look like something from AH1, but I do not have a feel for how many are in that state yet.

It is going to take some time.

A flat normal map looks better than one that doesn't fit.  No disrespect here but this has been demonstrated many times.   

I think you are hurting your cause by forcing maps onto a skin that don't match the skin's details in virtually every instance. 

[Greebo]

A flat normal map skin would looks 50 times better than a chrome-plated skin.

[Vraciu]

A flat normal map skin would looks 50 times better than a chrome-plated skin.

Or one that's offset from panel lines, doors, hatches, etc.   Nevermind the pixel squaring due to Normal Map compression.   


It detracts a bit from what AH3 is trying to accomplish graphically. 


Going neutral at least puts you back on par with AH2 as opposed to walking back a step where these skins are concerned.   

[Skuzzy]

Okay, let me try another tack.

A normal map, which is not the default map, would have to be generated for each skin impacted by the lack of a normal map, or one that does not match the skin.  Theoretically, the default normal map should fit all skins for each plane, but, that does not appear to be the case.

Now, who has a complete list of skins which the normal map does not fit the skin?  I don't.  Until I do, which is going to require a skin review of every skin in the game, then we cannot do anything.

I am not going to blindly create a normal map for every skin in the game which may or may not need it.

Pretty sure the "chrome" look would be the fault of the specular map, but, again, I need to review the skins to see what is going on.

[Vraciu]

I will update all the orphaned P-51s and 190s with neutral Normal Maps.

[Devil 505]

I will update all the orphaned P-51s and 190s with neutral Normal Maps.

Not so fast...

There are a few 190's I plan on adopting for complete replacement skins.

[Skuzzy]

Not so fast...

There are a few 190's I plan on adopting for complete replacement skins.

It's okay.  You can only adopt one at a time.

[Vraciu]

Not so fast...

There are a few 190's I plan on adopting for complete replacement skins.

I'm just volunteering.  I almost volunteered YOU since you are the 190 guru.  Lol

[Vraciu]

Skuzzy,

I will send you a PM with the a skin I want to try shortly.   Is the list of orphaned skins current?

[Skuzzy]

Skuzzy,

I will send you a PM with the a skin I want to try shortly.   Is the list of orphaned skins current?

No, it is not.  The ones listed as orphans are orphans, with more to be added.

[Vraciu]

No, it is not.  The ones listed as orphans are orphans, with more to be added.

Understood.  Thank you.

I sent you a PM for adoption.   I don't intend to do anything dramatic, just update.