Questions and some more questions

Elisabet · Post by **Elisabet** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 3:14 pm

Hello hello!

I've been wandering around the forums now for a couple of hours sucking in any and all information I've found in the FAQ's and various threads, but I have some questions that I haven't found the answer to yet. I apologize if these questions are answered somewhere obscure or if this has been asked numerous times, but I hope I'll get off with a slap on the hand and a link to the answers if that is the case :3

Anyway, to the questions. I also have one question on claims:

What is TR's stand on Normal Maps? Are they used, and if so, how big are they?

Texture maps as well, how big is the norm? 256 or 512? Do you go higher or even lower than that?

Is there a maximum to polygons on each item made? I realize that items that are repeated numerous times should go as low as possible, but what is optimal for, say, a simple tree, or a rock?

If I claim an item that's been revoked before, and the file the previous claimer made is available, is it preferred that I work off that file or make a new one?

I think I had more questions, but I've completely forgotten what they were now (thanks, hangover). I'll just ask them as they come along. I hope I'll get some answers, so that I can start helping out asap

I hope I posted this in the right section too :/ Ahahah, please forgive my confusion!

Katze · Post by **Katze** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 3:30 pm

I can't answer most of your questions because I'm not a modeller, but when working on a claim, you don't have to carry on using a previous modder's work if you don't like it or have a slightly different idea on how to go about making it.

Also, our models are all in the style of the vanilla Morrowind models, so I believe that means no to normal maps.

Hopefully that goes some way to answering your questions

Elisabet · Post by **Elisabet** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 4:18 pm

Thanks Cathartis, that's very helpful

I actually remembered another question for the modelers, should all the models be triangulated? Or are quads okay?

Lady Nerevar · Post by **Lady Nerevar** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:35 pm

No normal maps, since Morrowind does not natively support them. If you were to make them, they should be the same size as the diffuse texture.

The size of the texture depends on the object you're making. Since we're aiming for a look thats cohesive with Morrowind, you probably don't want to go over 512.

No idea on the polygons, but I'd keep it at about a MW level. So a few thousand max? I can look up specifics for you a bit later.

Usually the claim will say whether to use the old models or not. Generally, its up to you. If you see that the models are good and think that it'll be easier for you to work on them rather than starting from scratch, do that. If you think its easier to make all new ones, do that instead.

When exporting into nif, models are automatically triangulated. You might want to triangulate to begin with though to make sure you don't get any weird triangles anywhere.

Elisabet · Post by **Elisabet** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:57 pm

Thanks Lady Nerevar! I think I can dive straight into making something now