Ok, I hope I'm not being too abusive, but I made this other trhead to comment on Firebrand's latest works, since the other trheads were just getting in a big confusion. First, about the latest DS: all the ones I've seen were great! The Stalker specially was very good, the poor thing really looks like he got his ass kicked pretty badly. The Mage's one is also good, simple and direct. I don't remeber many others, but I'll look for them and then say something. New weapons "review": -Cross-Bow: the mod from the Heretic?s one to the new ?ordinary? version was done successfully. The sprite looks good, and there are no visible flaws. Yet, there are 3 little mistakes I found on it. 1st: the sprites are, in the WAD, attached to the right side of the screen, and not in the botton.; 2nd: in the arrow, you should be able to see the Botton face of the arrow?s metal point. If you don?t put the botton of the metal point, it will appear to be seen from the font, and not in perspective, as it should be; 3rd: the rope is attached to the metal rings in both middle sides of the bow. I think it should be placed in the exact both ends. It?s how it is done normally, to get maximun tension on the shot. <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) --> Overall, it?s looking great, and it?s good to see another weapon set for SE! <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) --> PS: I don?t remember well, but, in the second fire frame, you should draw the arrow mid way through the cross bow, and only in the third/last frame, it would ?disappear? (not shown in the cross-bow sprite itself) and be replaced by it?s own sprite image. -Sword: The new decorations are great, very original. The new metal parts makes it really feel like a different weapon, but as a suggestion, I would use a little less ?hot? colors, and trade them for cold ones, tending more to gray palettes, because that?s the way people see swords. The orange/cooper color of the blade either should completely replace the black one beneath, or be more visible, by adding original flashes or reflexes, or something. The original blade colors were supposed to make up a black metal, and the replacement of colors should be total, or else people will easily see the moddification... What I'm trying to say is: Select the whole original black blade, invert the colors, and it will be almost entirely white - now you can really work on a "new" blade color without much trouble. That's only a suggestion, though. <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> The Books and Maps are also great, very well done. Sicerely, I couldn't have done them so well. Congratulations! Hope this helps. Great job. by the way. <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->

Thank you for this great comments Mago! <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> I like them, because I'm not perfect, and this can help me to get even better <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> (also I think this is part of your work for being the artists lead, heh!) I like the comments you make on the DS, I really like my work on that area it was a bit difficult for me to make some of the frames, but I really think that I made them really cool! About the stalker getting his ass kicked I really was inspired and wanted to create some new effects for that DS, heh! <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> Now about the Crossbow being attached to the right part of the screen it's because the Crossbow was "rotated" 90 (I don't know why, but I thought it looks different, if you want I can return it to it's original way <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> ) and about the arrow thing I will make some "fixes", about rope, you are right, it doesn't look very realistic I will make some "fixes" too <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> , I want to thank you again for your comments, they are important for me and I like it a lot! <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

No need to thank me! I'm glad I didn't sound ofensive or bold in that review. Also, I'm sorry I didn't make more reviews before, but now, when I get the time, I'll make them as detailed as I can, so I can help you with tips and criticism. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) --> <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> PS: Yes, this is part of my job as the Lead Artist (which is a job I didn't won for merit, but mostly because I was the only team's artist at the time!!! <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: --> )

When Mago made the base of the Korax logo (the 3 figures), there were only 3 of us on the team (Janis, Mago, me). So the question is only who's who from the 3 characters. <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->

I have make some "fixing" on the crossbow (I'm not on my home PC), but I will upload the fixes soon (maybe tomorrow or on Tuesday), I will be somewhat busy because I will return to college tomorrow and on Tuesday it's the Independence day here in Mexico, so we have some cool parties <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> , heh heh! (and I can't miss them <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: --> ). Anyway, I have been working a lot with the new sword and I think I have it ready when to upload it with everything else!

Great! Enjoy the parties! <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

OK, I have just uploaded the bishop DS and my 1st texture pack, it mainly contains the town textures that are already in the WAD file, I made some tweaking of them and I'm really happy with the results, give them a check and tell me what do you think, also I made some new textures (some new roof colors and a modified brick wall with some blood and destruction). BTW I really like the smoke effect in the bishop DS... <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

I would apreciate any ideas you can give me to make new textures, also I want to ask if the rooftops should be normal textures or flats (but I think that the should be textures because of the slopes).

Roofs (and all slopes) are flats. I tried to open your texture pack but WinZip said the ZIP file is faulty.

I have sent you the texture pack to your mail box, I also added some more textures there <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> , I will be working on more textures for the town and I'm also thinking for ideas of textures for the maps DarkRaven has uploaded <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> .

<!-- s:o --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_surprised.gif" alt=":o" title="Surprised" /><!-- s:o --> I'm thinking too.. <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> otherwise thanks,Firebrand <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

I've uploaded it to your folder on koraxdev, filename is Tpack1.zip. Did you use the "bin laden" option before putting the file?

I did forget "bin laden", that should be the problem... <!-- s:roll: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" /><!-- s:roll: --> anyway, it's good you have uploaded it for me, thanks!

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.korax-heritage.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1169">http://www.korax-heritage.com/forums/vi ... php?t=1169</a><!-- m --> (uppermost topic when you open the koraxdev forum overview)

Yeah! thank you I will try to follow the instructions next time, also, I'm actually trying some skyboxes for the town map, they might be ready shortly, I'm having a bit of problem with the TGA file format, it seems that the format my PSP version uses it's not compatible with the one used by Vavoom (strange), but I'm using an older version to "convert" between formats and it seems to be the best solution, also, I have been using some time to know which side is which into the game, but finally I made them work, just some more detail on them and I will upload them <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> .

Hey skyboxes sound great! <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) --> BTW something I just thought of, I think everyone who finds out how something is done for the project should write up a quick txt file and put it into /docs on koraxdev.

Good idea. I'll make one for how converting graphic files for Hexen and adding them to a wad, like what I'm doing with the flaming death sequence. (in case someone doesn't know it).

Sure! I'll start writing a text file describing how to make the skyboxes (and mention the small problem with the format), so evryone can have the knowledge of it.

OK, I have uploaded the first of my skyboxes for everyone to check, it has some instructions there to use (instructions.txt), everything should be there, if you have any problem with it please tell me and I will see what to do. <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> BTW Janis, please inform me if you can do something about my problem with the format, OK? <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

(thumbs up) <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) --> Already posted in the news at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.korax-heritage.com/scatteredevil/index.php">http://www.korax-heritage.com/scatteredevil/index.php</a><!-- m --> <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->

I'm happy that you like them! <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> that means that I can keep going with more skyboxes (once Janis tells me what's wrong with the TGA format I use <!-- s:? --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_confused.gif" alt=":?" title="Confused" /><!-- s:? -->), anyway, I have been working on the levels that DarkRaven has been uploading, I have actually made some textures for the Ancient Arena map, I really like the results, I have uploaded 2 WAD files to my directory on the FTP, one is called KArena.zip (sounds cool, eh? <!-- s:lol: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_lol.gif" alt=":lol:" title="Laughing" /><!-- s:lol: --> ), it contains the WAD file with the new textures I made for the map, the other one is AR2.zip it contains the map that uses my textures, I have also added some textures for the Codex map you remade from Unreal, but I sincerely couldn't remap them because the line's mess into it (sorry <!-- s:P --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt=":P" title="Razz" /><!-- s:P --> ), so if you can do it for me DarkRaven you could make me a big favor, Thanks!

Cool. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) --> We'll have to find a way to regularly compile all textures into the same wadfile (AFAIK WadAuthor can use only one external one).

Hmm, I think the only way to make this would be to upload the file every time we modify it, and to tell DarkRaven to use the wad file for the textures he wants to add.

Hey,Fireband, your new textures for AR is pretty strange <!-- s:shock: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_eek.gif" alt=":shock:" title="Shocked" /><!-- s:shock: -->, particularly texture of 3d-floor <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

Do you think so? I don't know, I like how they look, anyway, you can change them if you want <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> , the floor texture is meant to be marble (or something similar), and the brown walls are there because I thought that the level had a lot of grey. Anyway, there's still time for me to make anything you need for this or any other level <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> .

Just saw the new textures for AR. Excellent work, I particularly liked the brown walls along the outer circumference. <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> I got a theme for this one coming up, it's probably going to end up being Speed Metal unless I'm instructed to change it. <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

Oh I'm sorry people but I mean this new texture isn't good, for examle texture karena/kaf_007 is very bad neither my grandma haven't this texture on the floor in kitchen. It's bad! only texture from UT is quite good that's all. I mean actually texture in AR is well coordinates and new texture with old texture isn't good combinate! Floor (kaf_007) look like table cloth. Sorry but I don't give this texture to my map <!-- s:!: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" /><!-- s:!: -->

Firebrand I suggest you make a screenshot of the textures in the map, maybe there is a glitch that makes it look different on DarkRaven's machine.

I think, my used textures in Ancient Arena is quite good. I don't want change these textures <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: --> (not yet)

Perhaps I'll need your help in future, Firebrand <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) --> For my new map.

OK, I respect your opinion on the textures for your map, let's leave it as it is, I'll be happy to help you in your next map! <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->. About the glitch in the texture, I don't know if there's any glitch, anyway if you want I can get that screenshot, so you can see it and tell me if you like the texture work I made (I accept it, I'm not very good to make the map themes myself <!-- s:( --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" title="Sad" /><!-- s:( --> ).

ok <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> There's no need <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

The textures look very good, and are very apreciated, since I can't make textures and we have few new ones for Scattered Evil and Serpent power. Keep up the good work Firebrand. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

I have seen the effort that mago has started creating new enemies and I remember one I wanted to do sometime ago, do you remember a smaller minotaur sprite I put in the old FTP? Well, I have just found it again laying on some pretty old backups and I started editing it to make a stone minotaur (like a statue moving), I really like the results, but please judge them for me too. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) --> Here is the preview of the first complete frame in all directions: [img:1a6lewb2]http://downloads.orcishweb.com/koraxdev/Firebrand/Stone_Minotaur.jpg[/img:1a6lewb2] Hope you all like it!

How tall is it compared to other monsters?

I should make some test on that, let me see if I can find something to check it out. UPDATE: Done, here's a small picture that describes it a bit. [img:3ly4avze]http://downloads.orcishweb.com/koraxdev/Firebrand/Compare.bmp[/img:3ly4avze] I think that size is allright, but if you think it would need to be taller it's OK by me. <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=":wink:" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

BTW, sorry for my IMG attachment it seems not to be shown because of the image format (BMP) <!-- s:?: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_question.gif" alt=":?:" title="Question" /><!-- s:?: --> anyway if you copy and paste that adress there into your adress bar in IE you can see the image. So, should I make it bigger or what??

No idea, right this moment I have no arguments neither for nor against a bigger size.

It's like I say: the more enemies the better. If we can manage a new frame of the maulotar in standing position only, arranged like a real stature, we could make it come alive in key moments (when an item is picked up), adding to the living statue idea. <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) --> I would go for a bigger size, by the way.

IMO, I think the size of the maulotaur now is fine.

I also think this size is allright, doing the sprite bigger would make the enemy to look thougher (and make it less common), I think the size makes the enemy able to appear not too much in the levels but also makes it not to be forgotten for much time, I mean, it makes it more like a normal monster in the Hexen world which is good as it could be a "not so difficult" enemy. Again, this is my thinking, if you want we could have different sized versions of it.

I have uploaded the completed version of the stone minotaur, I have thought how to make it different from the other monsters, I think the best way to do it might be to reduce it's "pain chance" in the source code. Tell me what you all think of it.

What about disabling his fire attacks and instead having him only the charging with the horn, smiting you at melee range with the hammer and as 3rd form when he smashes his hammer to the ground there is a small-scale earthquake or similar (or that might be reserved for a double-size special version of the stone maulotaur)?

I think disabling the long range weapons is a good idea. Also, disabling completely the "stunned" pause is a MUST if this is a real statue/gargoyle, that should be solid stone and only stop when destroyed. A good test would be to reduce the weapon's impact on it (making it "feel" heavier than a normal enemy when a weapon can't throw it back with the impact), could be interesting to have different physices for the monsters.

I have updated the zip file with the big version of the Stone Maulotaur (it's the same size as the original one).

I'm actually working in the process of converting the remaining spritesheets we currently have, I'll be updating them on the SVN repository as they are finished. I also remember that you told me about some corrections of the skyboxes, could you please specify what those corrections were?

If you mean the Vavoom versions of the original Hexen skies, it's two things: 1) the original bottom of the sky texture needs to be the middle of the skybox side texture 2) the skybox top texture needs to be redone using some other technique so as not to look this ugly (the one they used in ZDOOM isn't that great either but already a step up)

Firebrand, just a note for you -- when you see this. I remember a year or more ago when I was reviewing old sprites I made a warning against using duplicates of same sprites of fire deaths......... <!-- s:P --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/orc4.gif" alt=":P" title="Razz" /><!-- s:P --> well, my warning was not heard; there are still numerous duplicates, since most ground-walking monsters use same burning animation. This isn't critical, but important if people around care about package size. Also, it's easier to make any fixes when there's only one shared copy of a sprite (isn't it?).

Yes, thanks for mentioning it again! Once I have finished the new sprite sheets (which are coming along slowly but well <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/orc9.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->), I'll remove the duplicate sprites and create some kind of generalized sprite for this, this hasn't been added to code (as far as I know), so it's not a big problem to solve this for now. BTW, it's really nice to see things moving <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/orc6.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->.

I've almost done with fixing the sprite sheets to individual sprites, tomorrow, I'll try to finish the renaming of sprites, the sprites that are finished will begin to be updated on the SVN repository, so that coding of new enemies/npcs can begin. After this process is finished I'll get back to finishing the arsenal screens, with the fixes Ramborc posted about <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/orc2.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->.