Fractal Softworks Forum

Starsector => Mods => Modding => Topic started by: zbmott on March 10, 2012, 11:52:42 AM

Title: project modfarer update #1
Post by: zbmott on March 10, 2012, 11:52:42 AM
It's been about a week since I decided to go forward with the Modfarer project, and things have been progressing swimmingly!  See for yourself:

(If the images below don't display, it's because they're locked up in my Google+ account.  You should be able to view the album directly on Google+:
https://plus.google.com/photos/112484727633166785807/albums/5718355027183403873?authkey=CJqLnZqA0_DZNA (https://plus.google.com/photos/112484727633166785807/albums/5718355027183403873?authkey=CJqLnZqA0_DZNA))

The home page:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z1bycpKu8h0/T1utm1k6ioI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/CdkrcL5IQ7A/s1248/modfarer_home_ss.jpg)

The log in page:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rpD0GrWZMIg/T1utmmOKflI/AAAAAAAAAII/iSbQSdKaizc/s1248/modfarer_log_in_ss.jpg)

The search page:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fbsMJ1JmdcM/T1utnO9FzSI/AAAAAAAAAIg/mXYrTEkldaA/s1250/modfarer_search_ss.jpg)

The registration page:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3BYbAkdQjrA/T1utmnwbFdI/AAAAAAAAAIM/L-3iEjLUL6E/s1250/modfarer_register_ss.jpg)

The backgrounds are randomly selected high-resolution images of celestial objects.  I'll try to keep y'all semi-regularly updated on my progress.  I'd like to do weekly updates, but that'll only happen if something noteworthy gets done weekly, and I won't make any promises about that.  Anyways, time to get back to work!

As always, let me know your questions/comments/concerns/suggestions/etc.
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: megal00t on March 10, 2012, 12:20:47 PM
pwetty ;)
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: cp252 on March 10, 2012, 01:01:35 PM
Um... I'm being a bit stupid here, but what's this? :-\
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Upgradecap on March 10, 2012, 01:02:13 PM
pwetty ;)
Either a typo or a new word?
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Upgradecap on March 10, 2012, 01:03:25 PM
And when is this coming out? I know that devs of mods (such as me ;)) will love this. Great work :D
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Psiyon on March 10, 2012, 02:29:00 PM
Looking excellent so far. The Log In and Register pages are somewhat unnecessary though--you could just as easily make a little log in/register widget that sits at the top of all the other pages. Other than that, no significant criticism, though I think a blue color scheme might suit Starfarer a bit better.

Again, if you need art assets, don't hesitate to hit me up. Having users load randomly selected high-rez images every time they go to a new page probably isn't the most efficient use of a server's bandwidth.
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: rada660 on March 10, 2012, 02:31:25 PM
Um... I'm being a bit stupid here, but what's this? :-\

i second that
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Arrath on March 10, 2012, 05:38:11 PM
Um... I'm being a bit stupid here, but what's this? :-\

The Fallout3/NV/Oblivion/Skyrim Nexus of Starfarer mods, I'm guessing.
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: zbmott on March 10, 2012, 07:49:13 PM
Um... I'm being a bit stupid here, but what's this? :-\

i second that

Modfarer is a web design project I've started to support the blossoming Starfarer modding community.  I've posted about it before:

Here
http://fractalsoftworks.com/forum/index.php?topic=1392.0 (http://fractalsoftworks.com/forum/index.php?topic=1392.0)

And here
http://fractalsoftworks.com/forum/index.php?topic=1290.0 (http://fractalsoftworks.com/forum/index.php?topic=1290.0)
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: zbmott on March 10, 2012, 07:50:35 PM
And when is this coming out? I know that devs of mods (such as me ;)) will love this. Great work :D

I'm hoping phase 1 will be done by April, but I'm also a full-time student and a part time intern, so that may be wishful thinking.
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: zbmott on March 10, 2012, 08:04:38 PM
Looking excellent so far. The Log In and Register pages are somewhat unnecessary though--you could just as easily make a little log in/register widget that sits at the top of all the other pages. Other than that, no significant criticism, though I think a blue color scheme might suit Starfarer a bit better.

Again, if you need art assets, don't hesitate to hit me up. Having users load randomly selected high-rez images every time they go to a new page probably isn't the most efficient use of a server's bandwidth.

Without getting too technical, the way the site is written you only actually get one background image per visit to the site, unless you refresh it a bunch of times.  This doesn't come across in the images because I chose them specifically to show off the better-looking backgrounds I've come up with.

So far I've only used NASA materials, but I'm open to anything.  If you feel like artisting me a galaxy or a nebula or a bitchin' space cruiser, as long as it plays nicely with the starry background, I'll be happy to add it to the rotation.
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Psiyon on March 11, 2012, 10:45:00 AM
Without getting too technical, the way the site is written you only actually get one background image per visit to the site, unless you refresh it a bunch of times.  This doesn't come across in the images because I chose them specifically to show off the better-looking backgrounds I've come up with.

So far I've only used NASA materials, but I'm open to anything.  If you feel like artisting me a galaxy or a nebula or a bitchin' space cruiser, as long as it plays nicely with the starry background, I'll be happy to add it to the rotation.
Personally, I don't think that having pictures of celestial objects as the background to the website works all that well. I imagine something more along the lines of the main Fractal Softworks (http://www.fractalsoftworks.com) website, with a nice looking image at the top while being mostly black everywhere else. Perhaps the blue grid could be incorporated into it, if it seems to be lacking.

If not, I could whip up a large, static background fitting with Starfarer's color scheme that could be used, working similarly to www.space.com 's.
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: zbmott on March 11, 2012, 10:13:01 PM
Yeah, I can see where you're coming from a little bit.  Too much "space" and not enough "space-themed computer game".  I'm hoping that'll change a little bit when there's some actual content on the site, and I start featuring screen shots of things.  Still, there's a certain amount of grandeur (however misplaced?) that the planets 'n things convey.

What do you think of a starship dominating the background?  I have an idea in my head of a big ol' something (maybe similar to a StarCraft battlecruiser?) positioned along the z-axis, maybe fighting something?
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: medikohl on March 12, 2012, 12:00:04 AM
Yeah, I can see where you're coming from a little bit.  Too much "space" and not enough "space-themed computer game".  I'm hoping that'll change a little bit when there's some actual content on the site, and I start featuring screen shots of things.  Still, there's a certain amount of grandeur (however misplaced?) that the planets 'n things convey.

What do you think of a starship dominating the background?  I have an idea in my head of a big ol' something (maybe similar to a StarCraft battlecruiser?) positioned along the z-axis, maybe fighting something?
just grab some impressive battle screen shots. use a few vanilla, use a few from mods, use them as background material.
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Psiyon on March 12, 2012, 10:25:02 AM
Yeah, I can see where you're coming from a little bit.  Too much "space" and not enough "space-themed computer game".  I'm hoping that'll change a little bit when there's some actual content on the site, and I start featuring screen shots of things.  Still, there's a certain amount of grandeur (however misplaced?) that the planets 'n things convey.

What do you think of a starship dominating the background?  I have an idea in my head of a big ol' something (maybe similar to a StarCraft battlecruiser?) positioned along the z-axis, maybe fighting something?
That's something that I could probably do. It might not look extremely amazing as I'm not a pro artist or anything, but a big, decent looking spaceship wouldn't be too difficult. The ship in my signature is one example of what I can do, as well as the ships in this picture:
(http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/759/itogda2.th.jpg) (http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/759/itogda2.jpg)
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: zbmott on March 13, 2012, 08:02:31 PM
That would be pretty awesome.
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Apophis on April 02, 2012, 01:21:15 AM
Still alive?
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: medikohl on April 02, 2012, 01:30:16 AM
Still alive?
*checks pulse*
it's dead jim
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Okim on April 02, 2012, 02:11:46 AM
Oh no, another overloaded modder community site...

I`m more than satisfied with a link from sticky leading to my mod`s thread and some future perspective of getting a link here http://fractalsoftworks.com/2011/06/17/mod-roundup/#more-929 :)

Definitely not going to use modfarer, just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Upgradecap on April 02, 2012, 02:14:19 AM
Still alive?
*checks pulse*
it's dead jim
Real shame. Heh.
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Uomoz on April 02, 2012, 04:37:19 AM
Oh no, another overloaded modder community site...

I`m more than satisfied with a link from sticky leading to my mod`s thread and some future perspective of getting a link here http://fractalsoftworks.com/2011/06/17/mod-roundup/#more-929 :)

Definitely not going to use modfarer, just my 2 cents.

I think it would be quite useful. The real problem with this Modding board is that a few shamelessly bumped threads overshadow many smaller (and undeservedly forgotten) mods.
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Vandala on April 02, 2012, 04:46:03 AM
I see what you did there.
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Upgradecap on April 02, 2012, 04:46:31 AM
Oh no, another overloaded modder community site...

I`m more than satisfied with a link from sticky leading to my mod`s thread and some future perspective of getting a link here http://fractalsoftworks.com/2011/06/17/mod-roundup/#more-929 :)

Definitely not going to use modfarer, just my 2 cents.

I think it would be quite useful. The real problem with this Modding board is that a few shamelessly bumped threads overshadow many smaller (and undeservedly forgotten) mods.

I Totally agree with you there, sir :)
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Boreece on April 02, 2012, 11:32:55 AM

That's something that I could probably do. It might not look extremely amazing as I'm not a pro artist or anything, but a big, decent looking spaceship wouldn't be too difficult. The ship in my signature is one example of what Bioware can do for the Mass Effect series

Not to be a buzzkill here, but I fixed your mistake for you ;P
The Normandy is still a nice ship, though :)

The second pic is nice, what's it for? :o

BTT: I'd like a "centralized" Mod-Site for Starfarer where people can upload and share/promote their stuff so others can enjoy it. So +1 from me ;)
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Psiyon on April 02, 2012, 12:07:05 PM

That's something that I could probably do. It might not look extremely amazing as I'm not a pro artist or anything, but a big, decent looking spaceship wouldn't be too difficult. The ship in my signature is one example of what Bioware can do for the Mass Effect series

Not to be a buzzkill here, but I fixed your mistake for you ;P
The Normandy is still a nice ship, though :)

The second pic is nice, what's it for? :o
I had a different signature image at the time that was posted; I wasn't claiming the Normandy as my own:
(http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/5865/signatureie.jpg)

The second picture is for my mod: http://fractalsoftworks.com/forum/index.php?topic=642.0


I still hope this project continues though. Having a Starfarer community site specifically for modding would be excellent.
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Uomoz on April 02, 2012, 12:11:56 PM
I contacted a friend of mine that program sites as a job (not like my half assed mods on SF.. xD). I will bring up StarfarerNexus no matter what. Not sure about the server hosting fee though.
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Boreece on April 02, 2012, 12:16:18 PM
I had a different signature image at the time that was posted; I wasn't claiming the Normandy as my own

I still hope this project continues though. Having a Starfarer community site specifically for modding would be excellent.

Oh, I see, nevermind then, it wasn't my intention accusing you of anything, just wanted to point something out ;)
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Vandala on April 02, 2012, 12:23:53 PM
I contacted a friend of mine that program sites as a job (not like my half assed mods on SF.. xD). I will bring up StarfarerNexus no matter what. Not sure about the server hosting fee though.
How much/little would something like that cost?
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Uomoz on April 02, 2012, 12:25:30 PM
I contacted a friend of mine that program sites as a job (not like my half assed mods on SF.. xD). I will bring up StarfarerNexus no matter what. Not sure about the server hosting fee though.
How much/little would something like that cost?
I'll be updating on that during the week-end (as this friend comes here to help ^^)
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Nori on April 02, 2012, 01:15:35 PM
I have a reseller hosting account (with a good hosting company) with a lot of spare bandwidth and server space. Since most starfarer mods are rather small I'd be very willing and happy to host a mod site if wanted. I can offer 3GBs of storage and 70GBs of bandwidth...
Title: Re: project modfarer update #1
Post by: Vandala on April 02, 2012, 01:19:52 PM
Hmm, I'm not familiar with running a server but I got a spare PC thats going to be used for something like that anyway.

I can't promise anything but maybe we can do something with it? I'll get quite the connection for both up and download in a month or so.

I've also got a friend who knows a little bit about this stuff, I'll ask him about this.