Not AK get to texturing GMNS model.

[Noruas]

We would appreciate a better model from the puny xta community.

[Warlord Zsinj]

@ otherside: Please note that I was not purely saying that it didn't look like the AK, but also that, just like the spherebot, I don't think it fits the role of the AK as a nimble, cheap and light bot. To me it's boxy shape makes it look slower and bulkier. The AK is succesful in it's role because it's centre of gravity appears to be forward and higher (see the pic of it running), and it uses more angles and tapering elements - this makes it seem more like a unit that has been designed for speed and nimbleness.

I also think that when people post things here it is the only sort of 'design accountability' process that is applied in the creation of this stuff (I mean, except for obviously the mod makers discretion) - which is really the only thing stopping mods from becoming a hodgepodge of units - which, arguably, they are already (or perhaps, considering we started from an AA base for the popular spring mod, always were). It's harsh opening yourself up to flames and criticism, especially to people who don't actually do any work themselves, and have no idea how much time, effort and passion goes into the production of something. But it's also necessary if we're going to have a collective process that needs to have a cohesive result.

[Machiosabre]

did some posts get deleted? cause I don't see any hate.

[Gota]

[1v0ry_k1ng]

reflective shiny texture ftw

[[Krogoth86]]

Hmmm - how did you come up with that concept for the guns and how should they work? They look more like some kind of melee claws like Hydralisks have for me...

I also think you should be a bit more generous polywise for the unit's top because this is what you're going to see most of the time ingame and here the main body imo is a bit too angular and plain flat...

[Gota]

I agree wiht the above and also the feet need to be bigger and wider.

[Snipawolf]

Hmmm - how did you come up with that concept for the guns and how should they work?

A laser is merely a power source wrapped around something that when filled with energy emits light. This emitted light is put into a cylinder (probably of the same material that emitted the light) and on the ends of this cylinder are two reflective surfaces. The light waves bounce and create more and more waves, with their only release being a 1% transparency through one side of the cylinder through a reflective surface. It can be held in a cube, such as smoth's is.

[Pxtl]

Have any of you seen what an actual large laser looks like? Here's a hint: anything. Beams can be redirected any way you like, and the laser itself is physically a big tube of an excitment medium. In the real world, most large lasers are just a black box with a teeny-little-window on them.

Lasers are razor-thin, so there is no gun-barrel or big gaping maw - just a teeny little window. So Smoths laser design is quite nice - a big cylinder with a little flat aperture, and some boxes around it for the power-supply and everything else.

Now, obviously, we all have our own ideas of how it could look. Personally, I'd have broken from the Cavedog mould and made it look scrawnier - a pair of big laser cannons on a skinny little stick-insect of a mech, like a Battletech Locust. Remember that this is Core's weakest, wimpiest little mech, and also one of the fastest. But Smoth's design is very, nice.

[[Krogoth86]]

Thanks I've seen enough lasers in different dimensions and know how they work...

My question was about that strange design the guns have with those hook-like things put on the cylindric barrels. I spontaneously know of no sci-fi design where I ever have seen something like this and so I wanted to know why that is and how it shall work (in a way that hook-like shape makes sense)...

You of course could texture a tiny lens at the front of those arm but still the hook makes no sense to me and well - it's about sci-fi and not realism - there you have thick energy beams which about always are visible to human sight so arguing with realism is a bad idea - it's about a game...

[Crayfish]

It'd be cool if this was made nearly-all-terrain, but it had to use the hooks on the guns like climbing axes to climb steep gradients and so couldn't fire while it was climbing...

This looks to me more like an upgrade to an AK than an AK (ala golden morty), it's a bit too cool/powerful looking.

Alternately the 'hook' part could be a mechanism to protect the fragile laser aperture, and these could flick out to align with the rest of the gun only when it's aiming and firing.

I reckon a touch or two like this could make this a really characterful addition to CA. Still favour it as a new unit or AK upgrade rather than AK replacement though, just due to its appearance.

[Pxtl]

The claw thing is a mirror assembly, linear filter-sliders for frequency selection, and galvonometers for high-precision aiming.

There, everybody happy now? They look cool to me.

/wow, this is the first time I've applied my knowledge of scientific optical equipment to gaming. And yes, a galvo and a linear filter selector would probably make a box that protrudes out like that, particularly after you add the mirrors to run the light-path through all that hardware.

[smoth]

I did it because I wanted to have a bit more protection on the tip should the mech fall over. That way it could use the tip to support it's self to get up and move. as a fast moving mech I suposed that it could be tripped up and go crashing down trex style so rather then it destroying the tip where the laser is, it woud be able to stop it's self on that hook, pull it's self up and run. so think primitive hand to catch it's fall, get up with, probe(on scouting) etc.

The chest is flat because everyone BAAAAAAAAAAWED when I did the morty chest based on a tank chest.

Does that answer your questions?

this makes it seem more like a unit that has been designed for speed and nimbleness.

Which is why I opted to have the laser more open and exposed rather then encased in that idiotically unbalancing prism.

I also think that when people post things here it is the only sort of 'design accountability' process that is applied in the creation of this stuff

I have always ever posted just because I figure it helps people see how I work and hopefully in a way share my techniques and workflow without writing an idiot's guide to modeling. I am confident enough in my abilities to not truly need any feedback. there are times when I do ask for feedback but most of the jackoffs on this forum cannot offer relevant feedback or suggestions.

It's harsh opening yourself up to flames and criticism, especially to people who don't actually do any work themselves, and have no idea how much time, effort and passion goes into the production of something. But it's also necessary if we're going to have a collective process that needs to have a cohesive result.

There is nothing stoping mr. D from retexturing the morty or modifying the model, the files are there in a format that does not require a comercial product to use. Any of these models are just tossed out there for people to MAYBE use.

However, I do not want to subject myself to the peanut gallery and have to deal with being lambasted for every design decision I make. IF this is a model I am going to do, I am going to do it my way and enjoy doing it. No one has to use it but people act like I violated their first born. In the end I feel no point in making the model if all I am going to do is catch flak, it makes me feel bad and my time is worth too much to give to these assholes. Oh and apparently I am a jerk.

Recently I have come to the realization that my kindness is being taken for weakness. Well this site wants to see a colder more heartless smoth, you guys are getting it.

oh and crayfish picked up on the claws.

[Crayfish]

Much as I hate to say it (because I love trying to scramble ideas that I have no hope of ever achieving myself into the mix on works in progress), you're totally right - just finish things off and say 'this is the new AK'.

You'll never please everyone, people will still whine, I can't promise not to be one, but screw 'em. If your models are good enough (and so far they are) they'll be included and people will get used to them.

In a year it'll be 'that's not an AK where are its claws?!'.

[Elkvis]

My question was about that strange design the guns have with those hook-like things put on the cylindric barrels. I spontaneously know of no sci-fi design where I ever have seen something like this and so I wanted to know why that is and how it shall work (in a way that hook-like shape makes sense)...

Innovation. That can only be good.

I am liking the constructive criticism in this thread now.

Personally, I like the model.

It has a strong Jaw, and a flat head. Giving it aggression, but a sense of intellectual simplicity. It has a lot of character, a lot of primal animal character. It has a strong upper body, like a heavy weight boxer crossed with a football player. But is nimble in the legs, like a runner.

When I first saw it, I thought it was off balanced, like it could tumble any direction at any moment. but now I am not so sure.

[GBscientist]

It looks really good, but I have issue with the legs. They look rather flimsy and I'm not sure the reverse-joint knee fits with the AK.

The AK is a light kbot with skinny little chicken legs and reverse knees.

My apologies. From my viewings of the AK in-game it did not appear to be reverse-jointed.

[Cabbage]

Smoth do you not think you might be over reacting a bit?

personaly im not that keen on the model, although ofc it isnt textured at the moment, however i do like the morty you did, i put it in two of my videos i think..

a few people have said they arnt that keen on the new model, i dont think anyone is being rude or anything, its just criticism, which is to be expected as everyones tastes vary.. i wouldnt worry about it if i was you - storm in a teacup ^^

calm down!

[rcdraco]

Recently I have come to the realization that my kindness is being taken for weakness. Well this site wants to see a colder more heartless smoth, you guys are getting it.

Wow, you're proving your worth here, more people like the model then those that hate it, with less then 20% of spring players on the forums, why does it matter what they say. If you want to do exactly what everyone else here does and not release it, go ahead. You're only proving that people should hate you. You made a beautiful model, I love it, but taking every negative comment as an "OH MAH GOSH THEY HATE ME", is not the way to go. How about you come back later and actually release something, rather then constantly getting into a fit over any criticism, nonetheless from people who won't hate it once it's textured. Everyone in the world hates change, but we all need to accept it at some point, build yourself a bridge, and get over it.

[smoth]

How about you come back later and actually release something, rather then constantly getting into a fit over any criticism.

LOL GUNDAM!

If you think it is just this thread that is pissing me off then you can't see the forest for the trees.

[Forboding Angel]

How about you come back later and actually release something, rather then constantly getting into a fit over any criticism.

lolwut?

You're kidding right?

PROTIP: It's awfully hard to see with your eyes closed... At least Confucius thought so anyway.