Model request challenge!

[NOCTVRNVS]

Hey guys! Some of you here I have noticed are very good at designing and creating 3D models for the Source engine. For example I noticed someone uploaded a very nicely-done model of a helicopter.

Well, I have a challenge for you modellers out there. My next mapping project will be an antarctica map taking place during night. I want this map to be absolutely spectacular, aesthetically, my finest-looking map yet. But for this to be done, I need a certain model.

The Northern Lights, aka Aurora Borealis, has been a thing of fascination for me the past few years. And in the arctic, they say you can witness it almost every night. I have a 2D-skybox I found on a texture site a long time ago, but while very pretty, it doesn't quite cut it. What I need is a model of the Northern Lights, now this would be a HUGE model, but since it's so high up in the sky, I request that it would be smaller as to fit inside a 3D skybox. It would look BEAUTIFUL. Now I'd prefer if this were done by someone who has actually witnessed the aurora, but if you haven't (I'm not sure if many of you have), that's just fine, model it after some pictures. It could be made of gradient textures of blue, green and red, etc. It would look breathtaking if done correctly.

Now I'm not sure about many things regarding models for Source, but is it possible that this could even be animated? I mean the Northern Lights are, for the most part, fairly static generally, but if they could be animated it would add extreme realism. Just subtle movements.

So, the challenge:

-A (possibly animated?) model of the Aurora Borealis overhead
-Scaled to fit inside a 3D Skybox
-Textured with transparent gradients, should be very simple.

Anyone up to this challenge? I'm not sure how I could reward people, I guess the finished map could be reward enough

Modellers with spare time, please consider! I just can't model, at all, I can't even grasp the basics so it's out of the question for me to attempt. O and of course there WILL be much credit for the model, and if there's more than 1 submission I'll still credit those which I did not use in the map if any.

Thanks guys!!

[Spas12]

Too much to read, shorten it up next time people have things to do. For the helicopter here: http://www.interlopers.net/forum/viewto ... 26&forum=4

[ZenMunky]

Just me being picky, but doesnt the aurora move? So your looking for an animated model?

Texture overlay would be easier....

[NonStopableForce]

Just me being picky, but doesnt the aurora move? So your looking for an animated model?

Texture overlay would be easier....

Yes, sounds much more like some werid animated texutres then a model.. and i have saw them...

-NSF

[Athlete{UK}]

Just me being picky, but doesnt the aurora move? So your looking for an animated model?

Texture overlay would be easier....

Yes, sounds much more like some werid animated texutres then a model.. and i have saw them...

-NSF

You know i wish the HL2 partical system was a bit better. That's probably what would be best suited for this.

Unfortantly you will find most of the Artists round here already have a lot of work on their sholders. for instance i would like to help but i have a ton of stuff for badge of blood to do.

Farles is a good artist but i'm pretty sure he works for a mod as well.

A model of this could well be feasable. I should imagine it would be a similar technique to the combine portal. Alpha transparancy map some nice flowing portals and maybe just a lateral noise animation.

Unfortunatly like i said it might be hard to find someone with enough time to do this. But i wish you the best of luck and hope you find someone .

[BaRRaKID]

Farles works for us god bless him and his models

[ZybeR | NoT]

easier just to make a car tho or a prop, a car can be a prop also :/ a pyramid is not in HL2 also so we can make a car

greets ZybeR

[Wilko]

-A (possibly animated?) model of the Aurora Borealis overhead
-Scaled to fit inside a 3D Skybox
-Textured with transparent gradients, should be very simple.

Textured transparency gradients? God, I don't even want to try that one with source. Probably would have to tinker with some alpha junk. I spent an entire hour just getting a stupid transparent texture to work.

[ZenMunky]

easier just to make a car tho or a prop, a car can be a prop also :/ a pyramid is not in HL2 also so we can make a car

greets ZybeR

Zyber gets sidetracked...

[im.thatoneguy]

Yeah this doesn't sound like a problem that needs, or would benefit from a 3d solution. My guess is a 3d solution would just come out really nasty looking. Besides your movement would cause parallax artifacts inside the borealis, something that most definetely doesn't happen in real life.

[ZenMunky]

Strange thought... Could you not put the "dust fog" in above the rooftops and shine different coloured spotlights through it at varying angles and tones?

Althought I imagine that would take a long time to make it look spot on...

[NOCTVRNVS]

I'm not sure what you mean, although it sounds like a plausible theory.

[NOCTVRNVS]

So...no one can help?

[Orion]

In my opinion there aren't enough modellers in this community to start a challenge. It sounds more like a request to me.

[NOCTVRNVS]

Well so be it a request, then.