I'll elaborate; the 'edge' just seems too flat when it's right next to that brighter area where the highlight is. It's just fine when used on the opposite side where it's darker, but I feel like something similar to these sloppy one-minute edits would work better:
Maybe it's just me, so I'd understand if you didn't feel the need to change it.
I know your plan for iron armor is to have it be steel plate, however I do not think you can have a proper skyrim texture pack without the obligatory horned iron helmet. You could perhaps implement this in chainmail however, still keeping inline with ancient nord armor as it includes a horned helmet.
as for stone tools, I suggest making them resemble forsworn weapons. (only stuff I can think of in the game made of stone)
and ideas for endermen (based on the fact that they are tall and skinny) spriggans, hagravens, or maybe dragon priests.
And a final suggestion for using the magic of CTM: make above-ground zombies look like bandits, and below-ground look like draugr.
I know your plan for iron armor is to have it be steel plate, however I do not think you can have a proper skyrim texture pack without the obligatory horned iron helmet. You could perhaps implement this in chainmail however, still keeping inline with ancient nord armor as it includes a horned helmet.
as for stone tools, I suggest making them resemble forsworn weapons. (only stuff I can think of in the game made of stone)
and ideas for endermen (based on the fact that they are tall and skinny) spriggans, hagravens, or maybe dragon priests.
And a final suggestion for using the magic of CTM: make above-ground zombies look like bandits, and below-ground look like draugr.
Excellent! I'd forgotten about forsworn gear, but you're right. Good, now I know what to do for stone tools.
I agree with you about the iron helmet, but the effect will kinda be lost since I can't make anything stick out away from the player's head-- the model is going to be a box no matter what I do.
I don't know if you're allowing more people to beta test ,but I would be honored to test it for you (I have somewhere around 120+ hours in Skyrim as well).
I don't really like the ore. It seems a bit stretched. Skyrim has more of a focus on horizontal lines (horizontal ctm, maybe?) in ores, sometimes with connecters between lines.
Also, malachite has a better color match to emerald than to lapis.
Doors:
The door gives off a very home-ish vibe. It works great in houses. But it also makes my mine feel like a house. Strongholds too.
In my opinion, strongholds should not feel like a house.
Making endermen dragon priests is a pretty good idea. Then ender pearls/ ender eyes could be dragon priest masks, and collecting them to go the end would be like Labyrinthian.
I vote for chiseled stone bricks becoming standing stones when stacked. You couldn't do the beacon though, but most standing stones in Skyrim don't do that beam of light.
I vote for chiseled stone bricks becoming standing stones when stacked. You couldn't do the beacon though, but most standing stones in Skyrim don't do that beam of light.
Cool idea, but I'm not sure how it would work. I can't limit it to just two high (as far as I know).
I know you don't have the wither on your "need ideas for" list but if you did decide to make a texture for it, a mistman might be cool (from the dawnguard DLC).
or even a dragon priest? I remember the first one I encountered, Damn near kicked my butt, managed to get him stuck on some terrain though and plink away at him with my arrows lol.
I vote for chiseled stone bricks becoming standing stones when stacked. You couldn't do the beacon though, but most standing stones in Skyrim don't do that beam of light.
It was my initial thought to use chiseled stone bricks as well. All of the standing stones do emit a beam of light upon accepting the ability, but it fades away shortly after. I just figured that it would be easier to tell what it was if it had the beam passing through it.
I'm liking these mob ideas, and the concept of endermen being dragon priests is pretty much as valid as my suggestion of them being Seekers--who drop Black Books which are used to enter Apocrypha (the End)--though it might be a bit strange to see so many dragon priests in one spot whilst fighting the dragon, especially since they don't start off hostile. And though the endermen being Seekers might make a bit more sense, some people may not even recognize them if they don't have the DLC; so both ideas are about equally good. Either way, I'm sure Steel will make it work.
EDIT: On second thought, I'm still pretty sure that the end being Apocrypha and such would probably fit it best. Looking forward to the next update!
So, steel, are you planning on adding CTM to cobble? As it is now, the bottom row is thicker, stands out in large amounts. I also found it a bit strange that birch planks have the beam overtop the planks on the top-side. I think you could probably ditch it there.
I don't really have any other issues, disregarding the lack of available building materials. All in due time, though. Perhaps I could contribute with a build later on.
So, steel, are you planning on adding CTM to cobble? As it is now, the bottom row is thicker, stands out in large amounts. I also found it a bit strange that birch planks have the beam overtop the planks on the top-side. I think you could probably ditch it there.
I don't really have any other issues, disregarding the lack of available building materials. All in due time, though. Perhaps I could contribute with a build later on.
No ctm in the works for cobble. I like it just the way it is, and nothing has bothered me about it so far. Although I just might not be seeing what you're seeing.
You're right about lack of building materials. I'll have to release another beta test version later on. (Probably only to the people who make good on their promise to give feedback :P)
As for the birch CTM on the sides....
I think it fits. Adds a little something-something.
It was my initial thought to use chiseled stone bricks as well. All of the standing stones do emit a beam of light upon accepting the ability, but it fades away shortly after. I just figured that it would be easier to tell what it was if it had the beam passing through it.
I'm liking these mob ideas, and the concept of endermen being dragon priests is pretty much as valid as my suggestion of them being Seekers--who drop Black Books which are used to enter Apocrypha (the End)--though it might be a bit strange to see so many dragon priests in one spot whilst fighting the dragon, especially since they don't start off hostile. And though the endermen being Seekers might make a bit more sense, some people may not even recognize them if they don't have the DLC; so both ideas are about equally good. Either way, I'm sure Steel will make it work.
EDIT: On second thought, I'm still pretty sure that the end being Apocrypha and such would probably fit it best. Looking forward to the next update!
I really like the idea of having apocrypha be the End. And seekers just have that creep/lurk factor that goes well with endermen. Too bad they're bulky. Oh well.
Also, do you have any ideas/refs for sand and sandstone to contribute? I really want to do those-- the lack of sand is bothering me.
I know you don't have the wither on your "need ideas for" list but if you did decide to make a texture for it, a mistman might be cool (from the dawnguard DLC).
or even a dragon priest? I remember the first one I encountered, Damn near kicked my butt, managed to get him stuck on some terrain though and plink away at him with my arrows lol.
Oh yeah, I forgot about the wither. That's a good idea, though. (And a good reference! :))
Alright I haven't read every post so forgive me if I am redundant.
First off you are, of course, doing a great job so far. I always like your style of texturing. I do agree with Sheep about the saturation not matching up with Skyrim's feel. However, my problem with packs based on something else is that the creator often stretches the connection between their inspiration and the textures. What I mean by that is, they will force something from their inspiration into a texture, even if it doesn't fit, just to get that connection. So I would like it if you tried to keep your style consistent, more than the Skyrim feel. I'd rather have a good Steel pack than a good Skyrim pack.
Anyway, time for some friendly critiques. Some of the blocks so far feel like they don't have enough contrast. Like in your first screenshot compare the great leaves and cobble texture to the birch planks, the birch looks too flat; Skyrim has a lot of deep black shadows.
The tall grass looks pretty good, but the edges at the top seem random, like there are errant transparent pixels. Only the outer edges should be transparent, any transparent pixels that are completely surrounded by grass pixels should probably just be painted in a dark color.
Your torches my be temporary, but I feel like they should have a base of some kind, or get darker at the bottom, right now they just end.
And just in-case that all sounded to harsh, I will now compliment everything else. The mossy brick is friggen amazing looking, I love the flowers, they look as though they are actually modeled and not flat textures. And I said it above but those leaves are perfect.
Keep it up, I can't wait to see what else you make.
I really like the idea of having apocrypha be the End. And seekers just have that creep/lurk factor that goes well with endermen. Too bad they're bulky. Oh well.
Also, do you have any ideas/refs for sand and sandstone to contribute? I really want to do those-- the lack of sand is bothering me.
Ehh, the only deserts I know of in the Elder Scrolls series are the Alik'r Desert in Hammerfell and Elsweyr, both of which don't have any in-game reference that I know of aside from mods. There are rumors going around that the next Skyrim DLC will somehow involve the Redguard race, so that hopefully means that you'll have something genuine to base those textures on in a couple months. I do have another idea, though! Right above Riften is the hold of Eastmarch, which is a very dry-looking area and would probably do best as a desert without referencing any mods. Here are some screenshots (lots of 'em):
Sandstone Top
Sandstone Side
Sand
...and a view of the area.
If that doesn't work, I can always give that Moonpath to Elsweyr mod a try and get some screenshots from that. From a building standpoint, I don't really expect sandstone to be very unique as it gets a lot less useful if a texture pack tries to get fancy with it. On the topic of deserts, could you make clay a reddish color? It really looks nice that way if you use it as stripes in sandy mountains to give a layered look to them.
Dang it steel, how do you get so much rep and especially feedback so fast? I must know your secrets!
On topic: viewing from a non-Skyrim-player's standpoint, I still love it! A lot of packs based around specific games that I normally see around here, look odd if you haven't actually played that game. A lot of these packs also use textures ripped directly from the game, rather than using a texture editor to produce textures that, with a keen eye and fine brush-handling, can be much better. If there is ever any doubt about that, I can just look at this. It doesn't have the blur, noise, or "Rogue Pixels" as I call them, that you get from ripping textures.
What I like about this is that anyone could use it, whether or not they have played Skyrim. The stone brick, stone slabs... Well, everything, is amazing in general, and it's similarity to Skyrim can only make it better to those people who recognize it, without taking away from the people who haven't.
Do you have any CTm plans at the moment? I definitely don't mean to rush you through the process of making the default textures, but if you plan to add CTm in the long run, I think it would fit on the birch wood quite well... Although again, I don't play Skyrim, so the birch as it is may be meant as a reference to something in that game. If it is, then I guess CTm wouldn't really be a good idea. Besides, it looks better than anything I could imagine myself ever doing already!
Just read your reply to Sera, guess that answers my question.
So I would like it if you tried to keep your style consistent, more than the Skyrim feel. I'd rather have a good Steel pack than a good Skyrim pack.
-critique snip-
I agree with this. I have to remember to keep it in mind while I'm texturing. Although, as you can imagine, it gets difficult when I hear people say 'but it doesn't look skyrim enough!'. And then I just want to go back and change everything, haha. But I shall do my best to keep it looking nice, skyrim-ness not withstanding.
Ehh, the only deserts I know of in the Elder Scrolls series are the Alik'r Desert in Hammerfell and Elsweyr, both of which don't have any in-game reference that I know of aside from mods. There are rumors going around that the next Skyrim DLC will somehow involve the Redguard race, so that hopefully means that you'll have something genuine to base those textures on in a couple months. I do have another idea, though! Right above Riften is the hold of Eastmarch, which is a very dry-looking area and would probably do best as a desert without referencing any mods. Here are some screenshots (lots of 'em):
Sandstone Top
Sandstone Side
Sand
...and a view of the area.
If that doesn't work, I can always give that Moonpath to Elsweyr mod a try and get some screenshots from that. From a building standpoint, I don't really expect sandstone to be very unique as it gets a lot less useful if a texture pack tries to get fancy with it. On the topic of deserts, could you make clay a reddish color? It really looks nice that way if you use it as stripes in sandy mountains to give a layered look to them.
Eh, I think the screenshots you guys posted earlier from morrowind would work better. Thanks, though.
If you're willing to give that mod a try, I'd love screenshots from that. Don't feel pressured into it, though. If you don't want it, don't download it. Won't hurt my feelings.
Dang it steel, how do you get so much rep and especially feedback so fast? I must know your secrets!
On topic: viewing from a non-Skyrim-player's standpoint, I still love it! A lot of packs based around specific games that I normally see around here, look odd if you haven't actually played that game. A lot of these packs also use textures ripped directly from the game, rather than using a texture editor to produce textures that, with a keen eye and fine brush-handling, can be much better. If there is ever any doubt about that, I can just look at this. It doesn't have the blur, noise, or "Rogue Pixels" as I call them, that you get from ripping textures.
What I like about this is that anyone could use it, whether or not they have played Skyrim. The stone brick, stone slabs... Well, everything, is amazing in general, and it's similarity to Skyrim can only make it better to those people who recognize it, without taking away from the people who haven't.
That's always my beef with most game texture packs, especially skyrim ones. First, they look awful, and second, the poster didn't make a single one of the textures, just ripped them from the game. Ugh. Rubs my artistic fur the wrong way.
But anyway, I'm glad you enjoy what I've made so far. And thanks for taking the time as a non-skyrim player to review it.
Actually steel, I liked the sides of birch, it was the top I had an issue with. Having the plank lay over top two parallel planks with no real purpose.
I know you don't have the wither on your "need ideas for" list but if you did decide to make a texture for it, a mistman might be cool (from the dawnguard DLC).
I agree with Levaunt, I would prefer a pack by you than something that's not as good as it could be because you tried to make it 'Skyrim'.
This is INSPIRED by Skyrim after all, not copying it, so don't worry if there's something that doesn't look like its from Skyrim exactly, just as long as it matches the other textures.
Sure. I'll send you the link in a minute.
I think I'll keep it the way it is. But thanks.
How about a few types of atronachs with Random Mobs?
as for stone tools, I suggest making them resemble forsworn weapons. (only stuff I can think of in the game made of stone)
and ideas for endermen (based on the fact that they are tall and skinny) spriggans, hagravens, or maybe dragon priests.
And a final suggestion for using the magic of CTM: make above-ground zombies look like bandits, and below-ground look like draugr.
There are people who call themselves "#1 fan of the beatles"
We are ALL those people.
Steelfeathers is our beatles.
Definitely going to have blaze atronachs. Too good to pass up.
Excellent! I'd forgotten about forsworn gear, but you're right. Good, now I know what to do for stone tools.
I agree with you about the iron helmet, but the effect will kinda be lost since I can't make anything stick out away from the player's head-- the model is going to be a box no matter what I do.
Also, malachite has a better color match to emerald than to lapis.
Doors:
In my opinion, strongholds should not feel like a house.
Making endermen dragon priests is a pretty good idea. Then ender pearls/ ender eyes could be dragon priest masks, and collecting them to go the end would be like Labyrinthian.
I vote for chiseled stone bricks becoming standing stones when stacked. You couldn't do the beacon though, but most standing stones in Skyrim don't do that beam of light.
Cool idea, but I'm not sure how it would work. I can't limit it to just two high (as far as I know).
Oh, that's because I accidentally deleted my response to your post.
I meant to also say that I can have wooden doors change alongside iron doors at very deep down.
or even a dragon priest? I remember the first one I encountered, Damn near kicked my butt, managed to get him stuck on some terrain though and plink away at him with my arrows lol.
It was my initial thought to use chiseled stone bricks as well. All of the standing stones do emit a beam of light upon accepting the ability, but it fades away shortly after. I just figured that it would be easier to tell what it was if it had the beam passing through it.
I'm liking these mob ideas, and the concept of endermen being dragon priests is pretty much as valid as my suggestion of them being Seekers--who drop Black Books which are used to enter Apocrypha (the End)--though it might be a bit strange to see so many dragon priests in one spot whilst fighting the dragon, especially since they don't start off hostile. And though the endermen being Seekers might make a bit more sense, some people may not even recognize them if they don't have the DLC; so both ideas are about equally good. Either way, I'm sure Steel will make it work.
EDIT: On second thought, I'm still pretty sure that the end being Apocrypha and such would probably fit it best. Looking forward to the next update!
I don't really have any other issues, disregarding the lack of available building materials. All in due time, though. Perhaps I could contribute with a build later on.
No ctm in the works for cobble. I like it just the way it is, and nothing has bothered me about it so far. Although I just might not be seeing what you're seeing.
You're right about lack of building materials. I'll have to release another beta test version later on. (Probably only to the people who make good on their promise to give feedback :P)
As for the birch CTM on the sides....
I think it fits. Adds a little something-something.
I really like the idea of having apocrypha be the End. And seekers just have that creep/lurk factor that goes well with endermen. Too bad they're bulky. Oh well.
Also, do you have any ideas/refs for sand and sandstone to contribute? I really want to do those-- the lack of sand is bothering me.
Oh yeah, I forgot about the wither. That's a good idea, though. (And a good reference! :))
First off you are, of course, doing a great job so far. I always like your style of texturing. I do agree with Sheep about the saturation not matching up with Skyrim's feel. However, my problem with packs based on something else is that the creator often stretches the connection between their inspiration and the textures. What I mean by that is, they will force something from their inspiration into a texture, even if it doesn't fit, just to get that connection. So I would like it if you tried to keep your style consistent, more than the Skyrim feel. I'd rather have a good Steel pack than a good Skyrim pack.
Anyway, time for some friendly critiques. Some of the blocks so far feel like they don't have enough contrast. Like in your first screenshot compare the great leaves and cobble texture to the birch planks, the birch looks too flat; Skyrim has a lot of deep black shadows.
The tall grass looks pretty good, but the edges at the top seem random, like there are errant transparent pixels. Only the outer edges should be transparent, any transparent pixels that are completely surrounded by grass pixels should probably just be painted in a dark color.
Your torches my be temporary, but I feel like they should have a base of some kind, or get darker at the bottom, right now they just end.
And just in-case that all sounded to harsh, I will now compliment everything else. The mossy brick is friggen amazing looking, I love the flowers, they look as though they are actually modeled and not flat textures. And I said it above but those leaves are perfect.
Keep it up, I can't wait to see what else you make.
Twitter: @Levaunt
Ehh, the only deserts I know of in the Elder Scrolls series are the Alik'r Desert in Hammerfell and Elsweyr, both of which don't have any in-game reference that I know of aside from mods. There are rumors going around that the next Skyrim DLC will somehow involve the Redguard race, so that hopefully means that you'll have something genuine to base those textures on in a couple months. I do have another idea, though! Right above Riften is the hold of Eastmarch, which is a very dry-looking area and would probably do best as a desert without referencing any mods. Here are some screenshots (lots of 'em):
Sandstone Side
Sand
...and a view of the area.
If that doesn't work, I can always give that Moonpath to Elsweyr mod a try and get some screenshots from that. From a building standpoint, I don't really expect sandstone to be very unique as it gets a lot less useful if a texture pack tries to get fancy with it. On the topic of deserts, could you make clay a reddish color? It really looks nice that way if you use it as stripes in sandy mountains to give a layered look to them.
On topic: viewing from a non-Skyrim-player's standpoint, I still love it! A lot of packs based around specific games that I normally see around here, look odd if you haven't actually played that game. A lot of these packs also use textures ripped directly from the game, rather than using a texture editor to produce textures that, with a keen eye and fine brush-handling, can be much better. If there is ever any doubt about that, I can just look at this. It doesn't have the blur, noise, or "Rogue Pixels" as I call them, that you get from ripping textures.
What I like about this is that anyone could use it, whether or not they have played Skyrim. The stone brick, stone slabs... Well, everything, is amazing in general, and it's similarity to Skyrim can only make it better to those people who recognize it, without taking away from the people who haven't.
Do you have any CTm plans at the moment?
I definitely don't mean to rush you through the process of making the default textures, but if you plan to add CTm in the long run, I think it would fit on the birch wood quite well... Although again, I don't play Skyrim, so the birch as it is may be meant as a reference to something in that game. If it is, then I guess CTm wouldn't really be a good idea. Besides, it looks better than anything I could imagine myself ever doing already!Just read your reply to Sera, guess that answers my question.
"And with that, POW! I'm gone." ---Lord Crump
I agree with this. I have to remember to keep it in mind while I'm texturing. Although, as you can imagine, it gets difficult when I hear people say 'but it doesn't look skyrim enough!'. And then I just want to go back and change everything, haha. But I shall do my best to keep it looking nice, skyrim-ness not withstanding.
I'll also revisit the bush.
Eh, I think the screenshots you guys posted earlier from morrowind would work better. Thanks, though.
If you're willing to give that mod a try, I'd love screenshots from that. Don't feel pressured into it, though. If you don't want it, don't download it. Won't hurt my feelings.
That's always my beef with most game texture packs, especially skyrim ones. First, they look awful, and second, the poster didn't make a single one of the textures, just ripped them from the game. Ugh. Rubs my artistic fur the wrong way.
But anyway, I'm glad you enjoy what I've made so far. And thanks for taking the time as a non-skyrim player to review it.
Oh my god yes.
That would be awesome.
This is INSPIRED by Skyrim after all, not copying it, so don't worry if there's something that doesn't look like its from Skyrim exactly, just as long as it matches the other textures.