Experimentation

I've spent most of my free time the last week or two working on several new texturing techniques, mostly using the compositing functions of Max.  Here are a couple of test shots of a new model that will be featured in another Technical Manual in the future.  The bright spot is that, if the numbers hold true as I perfect the technique, I should be able to texture a model in about 20% of the time it has been taking me, with similar if not better results, and much more flexibility.  Yes, it's dirty and beat up, but that's how I tend to like my ships.  The lighting is just a quickie rig, tho.  Wish I had more time tonight to set up a better one, but I must get to bed.  Cheers, all!

Christmas in July

Don't forget, it's Christmas in July over at DriveThruRPG, and DSL Ironworks is participating! Get 25% off our entire product line! This special sale ends next Sunday, so if you've been itching to pick up Quick Decks or our first Technical Manual, now is the time!

http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/rpg_xmas_in_july.php?manufacturers_id=4058&filters=0_0_0_0_0_31815#selectpub

I'm back, and it's CONTEST TIME!

Greetings and salutations from the Ironworks. To celebrate the crazy hot weather lately, we here at DSL Ironworks have decided to have a little fun, occupy some time while sitting around the A/C, and give away some prizes. So, it's contest time - a deckplan contest, to be precise, with a twist. We've put together a relatively simple base 3d model, complete with templates for the deckplan, BUMP map, and texture map. Download the files, stat out the ship, draw up the deckplans, and then give it your very own paintjob! Submit your design files (stats, deckplan, and texture files) to DSLIronworks at Gmail.com to enter. The number of winners will be determined by the number of entries, with a minimum of 5 winners.

1st Place - Digital versions of DSL Ironworks complete line, plus a print copy of TM1 - Reprieve-class Escape Pod. 2nd Place - Digital and print versions of TM1 - Repreive-class Escape Pod. 3rd Place - Digital versions of the Quick Decks line of products. 4th Place - Digital versions of any two Quick Decks products. 5th Place - Digital version of any one Quick Decks products. Now, these are just the basic prizes, and some additional swag may be added. All entries will also be collected into a free PDF to share with the Traveller community at large, with stats, deckplans, and rendered images of your paint job.

The rules are simple - the ship design must be 150 dtons, use the provided deckplan layout, and use the Mongoose rules. Why 150 dtons? It's something different, and creates some interesting design choices. As for what type of ship...well, that's entirely up to you - escort, yacht, trader, whatever you decide to design. And it doesn't need to be a full starship either - it could be a system defense boat, heavy shuttle, interplanetary shuttle, or something else entirely. It's all up to you.

 One last thing - final submission date for entries is August 20th, and the winners will be announced August 31st. You can get the file package from the DSL Ironworks Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/389798864400967/) or the DSL Ironworks Blog (http://dsl-ironworks.blogspot.com/).

Get the File Package here!

Technical Manual 2 progress.

I'm still working through the variations of the 20 ton launch for Technical Manual 2.  This is a progress shot of the Search and Rescue variant; I'm currently working on the cabin interior.  I've also been considering a refinement of a design I did for the Judges Guild Type C cruiser pinnace for Technical Manual 3, with a few variants and interiors as well.

As always, comments are welcome, as are suggestions for future products.

Just something I've been tinkering with...

A WIP shot of a side project I've been tinkering with, a scout ship in the 100 ton range.  I thought it might be fun to play a bit with the standard Type S specifications (2-G, Jump-2, PP-2, Bridge, 4 staterooms, air/raft) and come up with some alternatives to the Sulieman-class.  Pretty much still just a concept at this stage, but I rather like the lines of it.

Kankur-class Deckplans, trimmed and taped.

I finally had a chance to sit down and tidy up the 15 mm plans of the Kankur, getting everything aligned and taped down into poster size, then managed to get a few pictures taken to put up here.  Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the way things turned out; with a little work, it makes a very serviceable play aid for very little money (including printer ink).

The Astoria-class Executive Transport

Just a fun little side project I've been working on, which will appear in a future product.