New contest proposal

[YM]

Since the first contest is over I suggest we embark on a new contest, perhaps with a shorter time limit, smaller prize and for a less demanding task. My personal recomendation would be to have a texturing contest.

My proposed outlines:

Minimum entry of three textures to form a set (like a wall ceiling and floor texture for the same location)
The textures must be of the TF2 impressionistic style, noise free, visible brush strokes etc
Textures submitted as VTFs with the VMTs as well along with any spec/normal/bump maps
Time limit of 3-6 weeks
Textures must be completely from scratch or from photographic reference either taken by yourself or from the internet (This basicly means no modifying valve textures and submitting those)


By textures forming a set I mean like the 2fort coloured concrete, shiny floor and tile ceiling, or if you were doing a rocky texture you'd do a sandy floor one, a rock wall and a rock ceiling. An alternative would be to to a set of textures that are all slightly different but match up, like the bottom trim, middle generic section and top trim textures valve do for walls.

[Arhurt]

In the words of Paris Hilton: "That's hot!"

[Trypto]

In the words of Paris Hilton: "That's hot!"

Youme!? Where's the facepalm I need right now!?


Anyways... I'm in for this contest, sounds fun.

[R3dRuM]

Well, i suppose it is a good contest.

But there are much more mappers than texturers, it will be interesting.

[YM]

Thats true red, but what have we (as mappers) been wanting for ages and ages? new textures!

And some clarification: its only my suggestion of course, other people might have better ideas and its DJ DP and ID that are calling the shots as far as contests are going

[Arhurt]

I can make a quick tutorial of how to make brushstrokes and use some color blending tools and filters on PS to simulate TF2 textures. Of course not beats having a tablet, but with the mouse you can fake some of the more mechanical ones.

[trainRiderJ]

I would suggest allowing multiple entries, in order to increase the amount of awesome new textures given back to the mapping community :)

[Sgt Frag]

I think it's a pretty good idea. Most likely it would generate at least a few new useable textures for us.

It might also get people into doing more texture work in the future.

I also think if someone whipped up a tut or even just a page of ideas on how to achieve TF2 style tex effects it would not only help in general but might help get more people involved in the contest as they would have an idea of what they need to do.
Otherwise it's asking alot to have people texture and 'do it right' when they have no idea or examples of painting techniques.

I could probably come up with a few textures but it's not my strong suit, I wouldn't mind seeing a better texturer's(?) ideas on how to achieve good tex.

[Vander]

I'm down with it, great idea!

[Snipergen]

BRILLIANT youme! We can have a contest like that every 3 weeks tbh! Than somebody makes a poll with all the entries and than we all vote on the winner!
Like on game artists :p

No prizes!

[YM]

Surely no prizes = no incentive?
unless we start putting "contests won : #" under peoples avatars like DP's "tournaments won: 1"

If such a case is to be the best solution we wouldnt even need proper administration, lesser members like yourself or I could sort everything out.

What do people make of this idea? a contest every few weeks that lasts 2-3 weeks with no prizes other than a huge E-penis boost.

[Snipergen]

Yea that would be great a sign under the avatar of the winner.
If we make an official post and ask an admin for an extra subforum we can start stuff like that =)
Up to you if you want me to help a bit or something let me know but it sounds great.

Just need an assignment, rules and submit date and we have another contest!

[ChronoTriggerFan]

Its a cool idea, but then that means I would have to download some brush stroke type brushes for GIMP.... yes thats right PS users, I use the free alternative. Could also give me an excuse for making some custom textures for perfection :D

[trainRiderJ]

I still think we should have multiple entries to maximize the number of new textures we get. I also think we should have two winners:

1. The person with the single best 3-texture-group contribution

2. The person with the best overall contribution of textures

I guess theoretically these could be the same person.

[YM]

I think that would mean the same person would win twice for each competition, you can annoucne one person as winner but then all the entried are available for donload and use, making the mapper choose which ones they want to use. And in the OP I said minimum of 3 entries, and that may well be for just a specific contest where we want matching sets rather than a contest where we want something different. I definatly don't want to limit people's creativity!
Snipes - I'll wait till I re-enable steam before I set anything up, that of course gives all the proper admins time to come and read this thread....

[Sgt Frag]

Well, a huge Uber-Penis is a prize all its own :)

But seriously...

I also think that multiple entries should be allowed.

Maybe not make such a resctriction as 3 tex pack, maybe more

"At least 3" texture pack. That might help us get more tex without the limit. But maybe have the judging on the 3 best? Or the author can decide which 3 out of his 4 he wants to be judged on?

[YM]

It seems like everyone has forgotten the meaning of minimum, I even clarified that I wouldn't want to put a limit on how much people want to make.

And its E-penis, not uber-penis..... ;)

[Ace]

People should do step-by-step guides. I know there are already tutorials, but if you did a guide as well it would really help people like me out (who don't have a clue), as different people have different methods. It wouldn't be hard to take a screenie every few mins and write a sentance underneath.

[YM]

heh my problem with doing that is I'll spend an hour on something then decide its pants and scrap it so I'll be making HUGE amounts of wasted screenshots.

[Axii]

Well, I know how to make textures and stuff (Since I had to On my last mapping game), But I would need a Tut Or something On how to make them into the "Tf2 Style", And if I get that, I can start making some n_n.

[Nineaxis]

Yeah, I'd love to take part and contribute something, but I have no clue how to do anything, so some tutorials would be nice. Or just some links. Some direction.

[Sgt Frag]

Oh, no Uber-penis eh? I don't know, I need some kindof of motivation. I don't know if an E-penis is enough :)-

[dirtyminuth]

I would participate in this, and actually get an entry done on time.

[ChronoTriggerFan]

Yeah, I'd love to take part and contribute something, but I have no clue how to do anything, so some tutorials would be nice. Or just some links. Some direction.
Well, for the TF2 style of texturing... I present you the ultimate guide to TF2 style (http://www.valvesoftware.com/publications/2007/NPAR07_IllustrativeRenderingInTeamFortress2.pdf)

But if you mean how to work your average (GNU) Image Manipulation Program, I suggest you download GIMP (http://www.gimp.org) (because it's FREE) and learn how to use it. Just for heavens sake don't enter something made in ms paint, pleeeeease.

[joshman]

Do Signs count as Textures? like Overlays?

I May be able to enter this contest.

(No not the Texture pack i was talking about in the Clan Chat...)

\\\^'
[|]^l
Mmm... The Fragrencre of dark coffee.

[trainRiderJ]

It seems like everyone has forgotten the meaning of minimum, I even clarified that I wouldn't want to put a limit on how much people want to make.

My bad Youme, I didn't want to make it sound like I wasn't listening to you. I just didn't see anybody say something one way or the other after me, so I wanted to reiterate my point.

[Snipergen]

Do Signs count as Textures? like Overlays?

I May be able to enter this contest.

(No not the Texture pack i was talking about in the Clan Chat...)

\^'
[|]^l
Mmm... The Fragrencre of dark coffee.

Maybe for next contests, now I think youme wants normal tileable textures.

[YM]

Overlays definatly count as textures, however I think we'll do a competition for normal wall/ceiling/floor textures and then at a later time one just for signs.

What file types does VTF edit accept when it turns them into VTFs? I don't use it as I have PS and the plugin for it but if that only accepts .TGA files like I think then by asking for VTF files only we can eliminate anything made with paint, because lets face it, if it was made in paint its not going to be very good.

If and when I get a proper contest thread up I will include as many links to existing tutorials/references/useful programs/etc as posible to make it extra easy for you lot.
Those with graphics tablets like myself have a big advantage with the painterly effect but I'm sure its posible without splashing out on a tablet, I'll and find a tutorial on paintbrush stokes if I can, if not I'll try and patch something together myself (It won't be fantastic if I do though)

Watch this space I'm 95% certain we'll at least set up a texturing competition in the next week or so

[AWESOME-O]

or you should make an competition every 3 weeks orso, but always a different theme,

Theme 1, create a rock texture

Theme 2, create a concrete texture

something like that

[YM]

some stuff
http://images.wikia.com/uncyclopedia/images/1/15/CaptainobviousChooseOption.jpg

Its not that bad really, at least you've got a toned body :lol:

[AWESOME-O]

http://images.wikia.com/uncyclopedia/images/1/15/CaptainobviousChooseOption.jpg

Its not that bad really, at least you've got a toned body :lol:

:boo:

[ChronoTriggerFan]

What file types does VTF edit accept when it turns them into VTFs? I don't use it as I have PS and the plugin for it but if that only accepts .TGA files like I think then by asking for VTF files only we can eliminate anything made with paint, because lets face it, if it was made in paint its not going to be very good.



Unfortunately, VTFEdit can import png and jpg (to my knowledge, I think there's more.)

[YM]

Well its not so bad, you can submit something made with MS paint, just don't expect us to like it or for it to win ;)