6 replies to this topic

[Azkyroth]

1. What type of area artwork are you requesting: Indoor or Outdoor?

Outdoor.

2. Specifically what type of area - city, dungeon, forest, something else?

Building-in-the-wilderness; BG1 style is probably preferable for consistency.

3. Size of area artwork requested? (Remember that the game has size limitations.)

Modest - comparable to BG2 AR6100 or BG2 AR2500 would be fine.

4. Where in the game will this area occur and which areas will it link?

The area is physically located on the coast South of Waterdeep and West of the Ardeep Forest; it is accessible via the Pocket Plane rather than the worldmap and links to a couple levels of building interior and a dungeon of sorts.

5. Should the area artwork have both night and day versions? (The artist will essentially have to create the area twice - think hard if you really need both)

Tentatively no.

6. Describe your vision of the area in detail! Give some backstory to the area, the intended use, a sketch of the intended area artwork...

The area is an estate of sorts with a sizable and comfortable but tasteful house built about a century ago by a wizard who subsequently left its upkeep and that of the surrounding grounds to enchantments, Invisible Servants, and the elements. The land it is located on was once a small farm but has not functioned as one for more than that century, and has been largely overgrown; the crumbled remains of a very humble farmhouse (perhaps just the foundation stones and some boards) should be visible somewhere near the lower right corner. The western edge of the map and the north-west corner end in a sea cliff, with some water visible below at the extreme left. The house itself should use the "mansion" graphic from Beregost (BG1 AR3300, with the door around x3650,y920), optionally with some minor effects and edits to make it seem more weathered (this is not essential), and should be located within about 10-15 character spaces from the cliffside, near the upper left corner (the trees overlapping the mansion should be transplanted but the well-kept garden path up to it should not be); the path to the door is basically nonexistent, being completely overgrown. Two graves with simple headstones should be visible a short distance away from the ruins of the farmhouse, and I will need an overlay tile/"door"/whatever for a third grave (newly dug, to the extent that effect can be achieved - perhaps without grass whereas the others have it) alongside them; an additional grave, with a natural stone rather than a carved headstone, should be located closer to the house but still a moderate distance away from it, in the general direction of the upper right hand corner. The general area should be lightly forested, with trees and grass and brush and such taken from BG1 wilderness areas.

7. Will the artist have some freedom to compose the area, or should the request parameters be followed to the letter?

What's described above is strongly preferred, but I am amenable to suggestions regarding some of the details, and the landscape around what is specified is for the most part up to the artist. There might be an old well about intermediate between the house and the ruins of the farmhouse, if one that looks like it hasn't been used in at least 15 years can be readily made and placed. A small stream somewhere wouldn't be a bad effect either but it's not at all essential.

8. Are there any special features you need? (for example a statue that opens to reveal a secret passageway etc.)

Only as noted in the description: the overlay tile for the third grave and also one for the closed door to the house, also taken from the mansion in Beregost.

9. Any deadlines?

None.

10. What game and what mod is this for?

BG2/TOB, Arkalian.

11. Anything else you'd like to mention?

Nope.

[Azkyroth]

Just poking this in case anyone new is interested or someone who passed over it before has time.

[Azkyroth]

Trying one more time, but realizing I may need to do this myself. >.>

On that note, photoshop is out of the question due to price range and forced circumspection on discussion of alternative pricing. Any suggestions for free programs with a similar relevant feature set?

[Daulmakan]

GIMP?

[Ipsissimus]

Photoshop Elements is considerably cheaper than Photoshop itself, and has many of the same functions, at least. I've heard good things about OpenCanvas and SAI, too, though I haven't used either of them.

[Miloch]

I think you want more of a 3D modelling program to do most of this, unless you are strictly copying and pasting from other areas. Blender and Google SketchUp are both free 3D modellers. Most people who do IE areas seem to use 3DS Max, which isn't typically free, but has a free version for gaming Gmax.

[Azkyroth]

I think you want more of a 3D modelling program to do most of this, unless you are strictly copying and pasting from other areas. Blender and Google SketchUp are both free 3D modellers. Most people who do IE areas seem to use 3DS Max, which isn't typically free, but has a free version for gaming Gmax.

I don't think I have TIME to do most of this in a 3D modeling program, though I've more or less resigned myself to that for certain indoor areas that should be more manageable on several levels. Really, I'm reusing whatever I can without breaking immersion or the feel I'm going for.