[map] Titanic

Hey guys, Im determined to get this thing done, and so I'll be posting screenshots here of the work in progress. I started work a few days ago and only put in a few hours a day as I can so please bare with me

Note, Im trying to re-create the ship in as accurate a detail as possible. Thus far, I've gotten the measurements for what you see down to the inch, as best as possible.

Looking aft:
http://www.linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic1.jpg

Looking forward:
http://www.linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic2.jpg

Wow, a pretty ambitions endeavor!

Are you making most of it out of brushwork, or do you plan to rely heavily on models as well?

Good luck, I'll be watching :P

I've been out of the mapping game since forever, and I've never really done anything with models in the past. I dont know to what extent models come in to play now-a-days.. So for now, everything is brushwork, but certain items, I'll probably brush up quick in anticipation of model work in the future.

Progress:

Added First Class Elevators and Fore Grand Staircase on E and F deck. Added base of Squash Court.
http://www.linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic3.jpg

Added portion of F deck and Second Class Staircase.
http://www.linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic4.jpg

Detail of the lower Fore Grand Staircase and First Class Elevators.
http://www.linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic5.jpg

The main framework and dimensions of the two Grand Staircases and boiler casings is now complete. Now starting to work on the Second Class staircase:

Fore Grand Staircase and First Class elevators:
http://www.linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic6.jpg

Aft Grand Staircase and Second Class staircase and elevator:
http://www.linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic7.jpg

Wild Card said:
I dont know to what extent models come in to play now-a-days.. So for now, everything is brushwork, but certain items, I'll probably brush up quick in anticipation of model work in the future.

Theres a hard limit on the number of brushes you can have in a level (func_detail included). Titanic is pretty big. If you need a map compiler with the brush limitation raised, let me know. I can send it to you

Also:

https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Propper

Turns regular brush work into model geometry from hammer. Never used it, but it looks pretty cool/

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Posting And You

Also too, as an easy modeling software to learn and use, Google Sketchup is great for adding details from simple shapes. Like moldings or raised wood paneling. Valve developed an easy script file for exporting .vmf and .smd file types. (you can get it through the portal 2 Authoring Tools or L4D 2 Authoring Tools. Or google for it. (It's just some script files, you don't need the actual authoring tools).

Either way you have a lot of spaces to model so good luck.

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Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202

Thanks for the offer omegaslayer. I might do that. My plan was to build the ship as best as possible in one map file, and when it was mostly complete, at least structurally, to break it down into several smaller sections for compiling and playing. Though that might not always be fun.

The main structure of the forward section of the Boat Deck is complete: It houses the officer's quarters, bridge and wheelhouse, Marconi, and a few other crew rooms.
http://www.linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic8.jpg

Most of the basic structure of the Boat Deck (in green) and about half of the A Deck (in blue) is complete.

Here's a look at the view now:
http://www.linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic9.jpg

Based on what I've been able to find from here (https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Dimensions) it seems the player eye level is a mere 4 feet above ground. Is it possible these days to modify this? Most of the decks on Titanic are around the 9 feet tall mark and that makes the layout unusually tall.

Who is only 4 feet at eye level anyways! Gordon is must be rather short!

I've re-posted the pictures in my posts above using external links, the Snarkpit only permits 10 images per map (which is fine) but it also compresses the JPG further and I didnt like that.

Below, are shots of the mostly completed Boat Deck structure, including the addition of flooring and roofing now, as well as doorways (which you cant see though)

Looking aft:
http://www.linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic10.jpg

Looking forward:
http://www.linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic11.jpg

I'll be starting to look for textures soon. Anyone know if there are any sets out there for either an Olympic class of ship (such as Titanic) or any other luxury ship of the era?

Slower progress today. When I initially started the basic dimensions of the ship in VHE I created a virtual X, Y, Z marker of sorts, but it wasn't accurate, and each vertical was 16 units (you can see it protruding out of the ship in earlier pics). I re=measured and redid the dimensions using 1 unit bars. This has had the effect that most of the central components of the ship need to be adjusted slightly.

Thankfully most that is required is a 1 unit extension. This affects the staircases (Fore Grand, Aft Grand, Second Class), First Class Elevators, Boiler Casings, Engine Casings, and all the central rooms on the forward boat deck (ahead of the Fore Grand Staircase).

Some of that has been fixed, some is still left to do.

Aside from that though, I've completed most of the basic structure of A deck aft of the Fore Grand Staircase and corrected several issues as well. The layout for all the bay windows in the First Class Reading and Writing Room, Smoke Room, and Lounge have all been added as well (you'll notice them on the raised room sections of the boat deck)

http://www.linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic12.jpg

Where is the room they locked all the peasants in when the ship was sinking?

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Not sure? lol Probably a lot of places at E deck.

So today's update: I've fixed up all of the centering issues from the other day, and finished the base structure of A Deck. Also spruced up the Bridge area a bit, and now starting on B Deck at the Fore Grand Staircase.

So far the brush count is around 1640. Read up in another thread that the limit may be around the 8200 mark.

http://www.linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic13.jpg

Nice start to what will surely be an epic undertaking

I'm not sure if you are aware of the general 'scaling' rule in Source, where it is taken that 1.3 hammer units = 1 real world unit. This is a rough approximation of course but it explains why a 128-high hallway looks like an 96-inch one in-game, similarly with doors etc.

Where this rules falls down, that I found in my shipbuilding adventure, is that the FOV of whichever game you're running in will most likely distort the real-world distance perspective in an unnatural way. You can try this by making a football field, or a quick airliner or something, and run it in-game; you will find that it feels 'wrong' when sighting the whole distance and walking it. This doesn't occur with short sightlines so much. The ship I built would be a strange animal if i did mathematical translations to put it in real-world numbers.

Other than that I am not sure if you've seen dm_titanic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuROcMpAG8

There are DLs available out there.

I based my measurement on the reference table from here https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Dimensions where 1 unit is 0.75 inches, and 16 units is 1 foot. And for instances where I require only one or two inches at a time, I round up to 1 unit or two units.

I did see a few screens of DM_Titanic, but not the video. Just checked it out quick, it does look good.

Im not planning a deathmatch map or anything of the sorts though. More just a 3D tour, similar to the 3D tour from the Titanic Adventure out of Time game, but a bit more modern and accurate

One thing I did notice about DM_Titanic though from the video, it seems that except for a small portion at the front, there are no interior areas at all.

I did a quick test compile of the ship and things didn't appear to be too huge or out of proportions given the player's short stance. Although this was just a quick compile without having much for textures or architecture in the map yet..

But at least its another milestone forward. I now know the dimensions and scale Im using seem to be fairly accurate!

Started on the forward section of B deck forward of the Fore Grand Staircase:
http://www.linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic14.jpg

Most of the basic walls for B Deck forward of the Fore Grand Staircase is complete, in addition to the positioning of the first three hatches (#1, #2, and #3) on the forward well deck and the forecastle: What I've not yet started doing is calculating at which stations the ship starts to narrow at the bow.

This thread is beginning to load slow. Can you edit the earlier posts and remove the screens to links?
Maybe that will speed up the load time a bit.

If it doesn't speed up you can always put the image tags back in.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Changed all of the previous images from [img] tags to [url] tags. I had noticed the thread was slow to load. Didnt realize it was because of all the images.

Yeah, much faster.
Thanx bud.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Slower progress in the last few days. Havent had as much time (now that the holidays are over heh). Most of the work has been "inside", most of the work on B Deck between the two Grand Staircases is complete, as well as the aft section of B Deck before the Poop Deck. Some things are getting harder now because the blueprints have longitudinal scales, but no lateral scales.

Here's today's shot:
http://linuxfly.net/titanic_pics/Titanic16.jpg

Some of the basic forms of the ship's stern have taken shape: the Poop Deck, Hatches #4, 5, and 6. The Docking Bridge, and aft well deck:

A quick update, I wanted to show off this somewhat hidden portion of the stern section, where parts of third class passengers came aboard and spent their time:

How many textures have you got for this? You gonna have to make them all?

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The best things in life, aren't things.

So far I've not really used any. I dont have any textures that would match either the Titanic or another ship of the era. I havent really been able to find a texture pack either. I'll probably have to make up my own based on images I find, if I can manage that.

Whats a good source of custom textures, is there a particular website I should look up?

I spent some time today giving the sections of the ship a quick texture using default textures, so nothing accurate or authentic. But this will give you a quick tour of the ship thus far.

Only the basic structure is in place now, for the Boat Deck, A, B, and C Deck. Still to go is D, E, F, G, and Orlop Deck and the Tank Top. With all that Im at 2500 brushes already, so if the limit is indeed around the 8200 mark, I'll definitely go beyond it. Likely the ship will need to be split in three different levels.

So, here's the quick tour of the ship, tell me what you think!:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maAJhYHY83g&context=C33fd29cADOEgsToPDskLSTClxAvzWbEMk4odT4_MU

Wild Card said:
So, here's the quick tour of the ship,

13 minutes and 5 seconds of Utube. You definitely have Crono's gift for mis-statements.

I'm about to crash for the night but I will look at it asap bud.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

Wow! -Quite impressive. Just the size of it really. It still sounds like you have a long way to go though.

Wild Card said:
Whats a good source of custom textures, is there a particular website I should look up?

My favorite source That I always go to is CG Textures:
http://www.cgtextures.com/
^ Getting a free account on there will let you download really high-res versions. And getting a premium account gets you the super deluxe huge ones. <Not really necessary of course.

There's also:
http://www.mayang.com/textures/index.htm

And then, if you check out the VDC, a fairly comprehensive list:
https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Material_Download_Sites

It'll be really cool to see this get detailed up with models and proper textures. Perhaps commit to a 'proof of detail' for one of the rooms or sections to maybe show the level of detail you're going for. -Or not; that may be more work than is necessary.

Looking good though!

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Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202

Thanks guys

I should have posted the first video I recorded, I was looking down the Fore Grand Staircase and fell down to D Deck, next you hear is "major fracture detected, life signs critical, morphine administered" heh, that was a tad funny.

Sorry for the 13 minutes Orph heh. You'll enjoy it! But it did make me think. In future videos I'll probably have to settle for one video per deck, as that 13 minutes was me running around 3 and a half decks and skipping some rooms. Though its easy now as nothing is detailed or textured properly.

Thanks for the links Riven, I'll check these out later. Im going onsite to a client for the next two weeks so I dont know how much time I'll have in the evenings to work, hopefully I will have some. Hope there's some good stuff in those links

I was considering doing up one area, such as the upper Fore Grand Staircase and a section of the Boat Deck, but I dont have the right textures yet and I didnt want to get into too much detail. I've seen the Crysis video of the guy who did the Grand Staircase, First Class Reading Room, and a few cabins, in amazing detail. I dont think Im going for that exact level of detail, but I do want to get something that looks nice. But more importantly, I want to get all of the nooks and crannies to be player accessible so that people can explore the entire ship, including crew areas that have never really been seen before.

Some more pictures of the progress.

I've completed most of the basic layout of C Deck. Like I did with B Deck, none of the actual passenger cabins have been done yet. I may do them all, or only a few, Im not sure yet. There are many different styles and layouts for each room so later I may add them all.

I'll be starting on D Deck soon and hopefully at the same time I'll be able to start shaping the bow and stern of the ship to a more proper shape (ie: pointed at the bow and rounded at the stern)

When I get back home in a week and a half I'll also work on getting some custom textures setup from the links above and create some sort of pack I can use. I tried signing up for CG Textures but my confirmation email still hasnt arrived 48 hours after registering lol! (and no, its not in my spam )

So, without further ado, here are today's progress shots: (in imageshack for now because I dont have my regular access here)

Area around the forecastle and forward well deck area. Behind the crew hospital is the entrance to the crow's nest (internal ladder in the foremast) as well as other crew rooms, and to the sides, the mess rooms for season (port side) and firemen (starboard side): This shot shows the overall progress of the decks from a forward angle: This shot shows the overall progress of the decks from a rear angle. The labels above the cyclinders in the Reciprocating Engine Room denote the type of cylinder from the tripple expansion steam engines used to power Titanic's outer propellers: HP is for High Pressure, MP is for Medium Pressure, and LP is for Low Pressure. Steam from the boilers entered the engines to the HP cylinder, then went to the MP cylinder, then went to the (I think) forward LP cylinder, then the rear LP cylinder, and finally to the low pressure turbine in the Turbine Engine Room, and finally to condensers on either side of the turbine, before returning to the boilers.

Spent some time today fixing up measurements of the water tight bulkheads (WTB) on the tank top. Most were 1 or 2 units off, since I hadnt fixed them up since re-doing the grid a while back. So that was about two hours of work that didnt really produce anything to show lol.

I also added the water tight doorways (not the doors yet) for all the water tight bulkheads at the tank top level as well, from the Firemen's Passage on the forward end to the tunnels of the propeller shafts on the aft end.

Finally, I started shaping the bow of the ship by measuring WTBs "A", "B", and "C". Then the next step was to measure the same longitudinal points but at the B Deck level where the Forecastle is. You can see the results below. I'll probably get working on shaping the stern soon. The previous plan was to get started on D Deck, and I will eventually, but I cant really start D Deck at either end of the ship (bow or stern) as the documented height of D Deck is 10 feet 6 inches at it's heighest level at the center of the ship, but only 9 feet at the bow and stern. So the question becomes, how do these measure up.

Things are coming along though!

Brush count is now at 2756.

I see the place where the king of the world stood.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Just for you Orph! Riven, I've given thought to what you said again, about sprucing up a room or an area of the ship as a proof of concept. And Im going to work a bit on that. But rather than make something in the maximum level of detail I want to achieve, Im going to focus on going over the sections of the ship I already have and adding detail to it.

When I first started, the main thing was getting walls in place at distances and lengths where they were supposed to. I then started adding doorways.

Now Im going back, starting on the forward Boat Deck area to add windows as well as the missing stairs between Boat Deck, A Deck, and B Deck on the forward end. Another thing I havent been doing thus far (except for the Boat Deck) is ceilings. For each of A, B, and C Deck, the only "ceilings" have been the floors of the decks above. They are 4 units high, but now I'll split them; 2 units for the floors, 2 units for the ceilings.

XXXOOOXXX back atchas.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Quick update again. All of the window locations are put in on the Boat Deck level forward of the Fore Grand Staircase, including the staircase and the gymnasium. As well are staircases between the Boat Deck and A Deck, A Deck and B Deck, as well as those from B Deck to the Well Deck, and from the Forecastle to the Well Deck.

Still just very basic brush work but thats all Im aiming for right now. Now the front of the ship really looks like the front of the ship. Now at 3003 brushes, added nearly 300 worth of stairs and windows heh.

Yup looking more and more shipshape :P

Might I suggest you start considering your hull skin, as I remember mine to be a quite a pain to hammer into shape, and having to adjust some things to make it work.

I would consider the hull an ideal candidate for converting to a collection of models, were I to attempt it again.

The hull plating on the real Titanic was so poor that anything WC coats his with will be an improvement.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

:P haha. Actually though, Im not sure how much of the external hull I want to build accurately. The main importance is getting the "guts" built, and then the lower hull sides will come later. Certaily at the bow and the stern, where the hull isnt straight but curved, I'll do as best I can.

All of the window locations on the Boat Deck are now complete, along with those of the aft Second Class Staircase. I've also added the stairs linking the aft Well Deck with the Poop Deck and the middle B Deck. A rough shape of the stern has also been done, this one harder to judge because the blueprints dont measure that far back.

The most notable addition this time around, as seen in the picture below is the addition of the skylight assemblies over the fore and aft Grand Staircases. The aft one is based on the prints, the forward one is based on best guess from what I could find on pictures, but because this one is technically above the Boat Deck, it doesnt show up on the prints.

Quick textured teaser from today's short work, most of which was on railings: Of course, still just using out of the box textures so nothing is valid.

Hey Dillweed. I sent the facebook request. Did it arrive?

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The best things in life, aren't things.

No Sir. Did you send it to the right guy? :P

Dunno if it didn't arrive.
Find me.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Lots of work done today. Not going to post a pic though. All the work was in splitting the floor pieces in two halves, one for the floor of the deck above, and one for the ceiling of the deck below. This for A to B, and B to C decks, and the addition of ceilings at the C Deck level. Next up was doing almost all of the window locations on the A Deck level. That took an aweful long time. I've also added a lot of detail to the outside areas of the ship.

Today was also the first day I started working in textured view as opposed to flat view. So thats progress too.

Brush count is now at 3818. So thats rather funny, I've added almost 1000 brushes to the ship without actually adding any deck architecture. All of it is in window locations, railings, splitting floors and ceilings, and some of the major details.

Finally finished the floor/ceiling separations as well as the window locations on A Deck, along with some of the ones on B Deck. Im not yet doing those that give in to passenger cabins as Im not doing the cabins yet, so for B and C decks there wont be a lot of windows to do. I've added a bit of architecture on the aft B and C Deck around second class areas. Also fixed up the area around the Aft Grand Staircase on A Deck.

The brush count now stands at 3999. I was hoping to make it to 4000 but I came up one short You can see some pictures below that look much better now. The basic textures along with the added detail.

View from the rear: View from the side: View from the front: I've got some stuff on C Deck to finish near the aft end, just forward of the aft Well Deck, thats the aft Second Class staircase and Second Class Library. Then I can start working down to D Deck between around the forward Grand Staircase (the aft Grand Staircase ends on C Deck), that is the First Class Dinning Salon and Reception Room.

Finished up the last areas in the aft section of B and C deck around the Second Class Library and Aft Second Class Staircase.

Then spent the last few hours working on the Fore Grand Staircase, trying to get it as nicely as I could, on a basic level (oxymoron?)

This was the result of the first go at the staircase, only the railings and posts were done, the stairs were modified a bit but by no means finished: From there, I rebuilt the entire railings in a more detailed method, and the end result is this: Its not perfect, but Im quite happy with it. Its something I can use for the ship and re-work at a later time if I want after the ship is finished. Of course, the lower staircase itself still needs to be shaped correctly, and some of the finer framing around the ceiling needs to be done.

I like the stair screens a lot for some reason. Lighting and shadow casting is going to be awesome here.

Which leads me to answer if you have been running any sort of compile versions, and what kind of messages you are getting