Don't you hate only having a handful of signs to work with? All the inns look the same. Wouldn't it be nice if an inn named "The Prancing Pony" could have a sign with a horse on it? How about if the sign could be attached directly to the side of the building?
If you re-skin a model, you are stuck with that model. But if your ‘re-skin' is a VFX, you can use it anywhere.
Gortan's Signs includes 207 images (now updated to 211) which look like they were carved into the surface and outlined in black and another full set in white. There are both black and white sets of .SEF files for Placed Effects, as well as three black sets sized to match the only three of Obsidian's sign placeables which won't malfunction if a VFX is attached to them. There are blueprints to match all of the SEF files.
The add-on HAK includes SEF files & blueprints to match the large sign from Crystal Violet's “Simple Wooden Signposts” pack. I didn't include samples of this in the Demo Module because I didn't want it to be dependent. If you want to use this add-on, it is important for you to remember that I didn't include the models. All I did was to create FX and blueprint files which can be used with them. But you still have to separately download and install the Simple Wooden Signposts HAK.
NEW WITH VERSION 1.1
I have added four new images and replicated them to all the various sub-sections. The new images are: ankh, caduceus, winged scarab, defaced (or blank). I also changed out the old beetle image (which I never liked) for a scarab beetle.
I have also added ground images. They are projections rather than billboards, so they can be used on slightly irregular surfaces.
The drawback to horizontal images of this type is that the orientation of the image cannot be changed simply by rotating the placeable helper. So I set it up so that you can control the orientation of the image by changing the wording of the Appearance name. The eight cardinal compass points are supported (n, ne, e, se, s, sw, w, nw).
The add-on for Crystal Violet's Simple Wooden Signpost has been significantly expanded to include a full set of images in the form of wood parquet. Each appears to be formed of cut & fitted sections of rosewood, mahogany, oak and ash. I have also added a demo module, so you can easily see them all.
INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS
HAK Version
If you are a Player, you need the HAK version (and have no use for the Override files).
1: Extract the .HAK file and copy it into to your HAK directory (%USERPROFILE%/My Documents/Neverwinter Nights 2/hak).
2: If you are a Developer (and want to use the HAK rather than the Override version), then you will also want to import the ERF into your module.
3: If you are using Crystal Violet's "Simple wooden Signposts" pack, then download and install my add-on HAK (and ERF, if required).
OVERRIDE Version
Only Developers might need the Override version (and even then not in all cases).
1: Extract the contents of the ZIP file to some temporary location.
2: Either copy the Gortans_Signs folder into your Override folder (%USERPROFILE%/My Documents/Neverwinter Nights 2/Override).
3: OR, copy the files inside the folder to your custom HAK.
4: If you are using Crystal Violet's “Simple wooden Signposts” pack, then do the same with the add-on Override files.
NAMING CONVENTION
The effect and blueprint files follow a standard naming convention: ax_fx_sign_X_YZ, where X = sign type and YZ = the two-digit code for the particular image graphic. The baseline will give you black images. Adding a “w” before the X will give you a white image. For example, “ax_fx_sign_w3_be” will give you a white eagle sized & positioned to match Obsidian's tall sign placeable. The ReadMe file contains a full list of images and two-digit codes.
Sign Type (Size & Position)
0 = baseline medium size for positioning against walls and such
0gp = ground projected version
1 = sized to match the Sign placeable sign
2 = sized to match the Sign placeable sign (which must be re-sized to 1.28, 1, 0.7)
3 = sized to match the Sign placeable sign
4 = sized to match the VV_Sign_Square_big placeable sign (which must be re-sized to 1, 1, 1.3) from Crystal Violet's “Simple wooden Signposts” pack. This version is single-sided and uses the white version (which I thought looked better because of the dark background, though that is debatable if you choose white tinting).
q1 = sized to match the VV_Sign_Square_big placeable sign (which must be re-sized to 1, 1, 1.256) from Crystal Violet's “Simple wooden Signposts” pack. This is the wood parquet version.
The ground images use a slightly modified naming convention which includes a compass orientation notation after the sign type and before the suffix. The drawback to horizontal images of this type is that the orientation of the image cannot be changed simply by rotating the placeable helper. The only way to rotate the image is to change the wording of the Appearance name. I set all the blueprints to produce North-oriented images. If you want to rotate them, change the _n_ before the image suffix to the compass heading you want. The eight cardinal compass points are supported (n, ne, e, se, s, sw, w, nw). For example, “ax_fx_sign_w0gp_se_be” will give you a white eagle projected on the ground and facing top towards the South-East. For technical reasons there is only a white version (not a black one) of the ground projections.
CREDITS
Camb's Placed FX Factory gave me the idea that signage might be expressed as VFXs rather than by re-skinning models.
Crystal Violet's simple sign model was a perfect addition because it is so adaptable. The sign can be mounted on a single post, between two posts, nailed to a tree or simply hung on a wall.
Demo module showing all the signs in version 1.1. Does not include the demo for the Add-on for Crystal Violet's Simple Wooden Signpost models or wood parquet signs.
Override version of Gortan's Signs Add-On 1.1 for Crystal Violet's Simple Wooden Signpost models, for developers only. Does not include the models, so you still have to download her HAK. Also includes the wood parquet sign effects.
HAK version of Gortan's Signs Add-On 1.1 for Crystal Violet's Simple Wooden Signpost models, for players and developers. Does not include the models, so you still have to download her HAK. Includes the wood parquet sign effects.
It is funny that you should mention that because I've been thinking for a while about two issues related to his banners.
First, how do I put an image on a flexible object with a VFX? Unfortunately this appears to be impossible as long as I can't do a projection onto a vertical surface (unfortunately not yet supported by the NWN2 engine). I tried simply hovering a billboard just in front of the point of greatest reach. That looked OK as long as you were viewing it from across the battlefield. But once you get close it looks goofy because you can see that it isn't in contact with the surface.
Second, all those wonderful Forgotten Realms images would make very cool additions. It would become possible to mark the temple for a specific deity by carving his symbol into the stone on the side of the building. Unfortunately, my artistic methodology requires simple black & white line drawings at a resolution of at least 256x256, so I can do things like carvings and the wood parquet effect (in addition to some even more outrageous things that I haven't published yet). I'm a good graphic artist technically, but I can't do illustrations to save my life.
Posted by Cladius at 2007-12-08 09:08:47 Voted 9.25 on 12/08/07
This is fantastic, I only noticed it once it became part of 3C.
The detail is great and the variety amazing, you really have extended the poor base offering of signs in the retail pack to everything one needs !
I still haven't figured out how to do a really good mosaic effect without having the resolution get out-of-hand. So the next addition will probably be decorative cut-stone, using full face coverage on Crystal Violet's model (like the parquet).
Posted by Camb at 2007-11-23 02:12:20 Voted 9.75 on 11/23/07
Nice work! Very good implimentation :) Letters would be a great addition, definitely. Probably at least 2 alphabets...Old English and then Runic maybe, as mentioned before.
PS: the other great thing about VFX is that you don't need to post 2DA files, instruct people on how to edit their 2DA's if they use other haks, and in general the package sizes are much smaller. Of course the (slight) con is how VFX are less affected by shadow and fog and sometimes stick out because of that, but the black/white theme you chose helps with that :). _________________________ - Camb: Developer for Avlis 2 and Rogue Dao Studios Submissions: | [COMBAT Splat] | [Dynamic Monster Races ( ...models submitted!)] | [Texture Factory] | [Placed FX Factory] | [NEW: Wild Hair for More Races] | [NEW: Dragonkin Creatures!] Please remember to vote...content developers crave attention :)
Posted by Simon05 at 2007-11-16 17:32:41 Voted 9.50 on 11/16/07
I just posted the newest version which includes wood parquet effects for Crystal Violet's simple sign model. I also created a Demo module for it but haven't published that yet because I noticed a flaw in it just as I was about to upload it. I'll fix that and post it in a day or so.
Very cool. Any modeler want to take a shot at better blank signs for these? The VFX symbols are great, but ruined by that terrible sign that looks straight out the Build engine or something.
Actually the floor version is in-process at the moment, but on 'hold'. It got delayed because I side-tracked when I suddenly realized that Crystal Violet's square sign model had made it practical for me to do a wooden parquet version, rather than the see-through carvings which were necessary for irregular shapes.
Anhks are useful for several different purposes. That makes them ideal. Silly to have forgotten such an obvious classic icon.
I already did short gibberish phrases in several runic scripts but you are suggesting large single letters. I decided not to do that because there could only ever be one per sign. Now that you mention it... I can see that that would still be useful. If you had a full set, you couldn't fit them on a sign. But you could carve the name of a city into the masonry of the walls. Or, maybe vulgar orcish insults...
Posted by MokahTGS at 2007-11-02 11:42:41 Voted 10.00
In the documentation I think I forgot to mention that the Add-On will only work if you have the base installed, because it references the main .DDS library there. I suppose that is obvious but I should have said it anyway.
Posted by mwmdragon at 2007-11-02 08:32:12 Voted 9.50 on 11/02/07
MWM Weapon Exspansion Pack NWN2: Link
Neverwinter Nights 2 Persistent World Server Balance Guidelines: Link
NWN2 - Battlegrounds: Link
NWN - NeverQuest: Link
Posted by Crimson Enigma at 2007-11-02 06:00:24 Voted 10.00 on 11/02/07
Much needed, and well executed! :D _________________________ My Ebay store for mens/womens jewelry! Link
Posted by dandosama at 2007-11-02 05:13:52 Voted 9.50 on 11/02/07
Outstanding! Not only is this a great idea, it is well executed as well. I can't wait to use it on my PW. Thanks for the great work, Gortan. (I am surprised more people have not downloaded it yet).
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