Modding: Character Creation
Posted: 18 Jan 2014, 15:32
My first mod for OpenMW (which I've been planning since around the time that OpenMW was first announced) will be a better character creation system.
This thread demonstrates the engine is at a viable point for my project to begin (at least asset development):
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1931
My plans are as follows:
Add (and rename) sliders to:
Hair Style
Hair Color
Face Shape
Face Features (all shapes would use compatible UVs, features would select a texture for the face)
Eye Color
Warpaint (or Tattoo)
Skin Tone
The actual purpose of the mod is a body/head replacer, but adding additional customization options which were quite limited in vanilla. Hair colors were implemented by modders as seperate hairs - this is not ideal, however, as it slows asset creation and complicates consistency.
The meshes and textures would be based off of some of the great work of the Skyrim community.
First, I am aware that OpenMW (to my understanding) discourages modding at this point, understandably. I don't wish to detract from the focus on getting the core done.
I do have the programming experience to make these changes, but I do have a couple questions:
1.) Is OpenCS intended to allow features such as this eventually (a custom(ized) character creation window), or would that explicitly require a fork? I'm waiting for an answer to this to either begin or place it back on hold, depending. If you have other pertinent notes, please share.
2.) I have yet to figure out how to make mesh colorizable (to implement the hair and skin tone features). Is there a way to do this in OpenMW (or vanilla)? Or will this require separate textures? I feel like there would be a better approach than just a color multiplier renderside.
While technically sufficient, I'm not a "great" modeler. I'll likely be making the mod functional and some example meshes/textures, then contact more qualified mesh makers and texture artists to step in and help polish it up.
Eventually, a new body mod means clothes and armor will need to be updated. However, even with the present mods, I feel there's a lot lacking from Morrowind's characters, and I figure any effort to improve has to start somewhere.
I do hope this is the correct forum - if not, please move it wherever you deem appropriate.
This thread demonstrates the engine is at a viable point for my project to begin (at least asset development):
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1931
My plans are as follows:
Add (and rename) sliders to:
Hair Style
Hair Color
Face Shape
Face Features (all shapes would use compatible UVs, features would select a texture for the face)
Eye Color
Warpaint (or Tattoo)
Skin Tone
The actual purpose of the mod is a body/head replacer, but adding additional customization options which were quite limited in vanilla. Hair colors were implemented by modders as seperate hairs - this is not ideal, however, as it slows asset creation and complicates consistency.
The meshes and textures would be based off of some of the great work of the Skyrim community.
First, I am aware that OpenMW (to my understanding) discourages modding at this point, understandably. I don't wish to detract from the focus on getting the core done.
I do have the programming experience to make these changes, but I do have a couple questions:
1.) Is OpenCS intended to allow features such as this eventually (a custom(ized) character creation window), or would that explicitly require a fork? I'm waiting for an answer to this to either begin or place it back on hold, depending. If you have other pertinent notes, please share.
2.) I have yet to figure out how to make mesh colorizable (to implement the hair and skin tone features). Is there a way to do this in OpenMW (or vanilla)? Or will this require separate textures? I feel like there would be a better approach than just a color multiplier renderside.
While technically sufficient, I'm not a "great" modeler. I'll likely be making the mod functional and some example meshes/textures, then contact more qualified mesh makers and texture artists to step in and help polish it up.
Eventually, a new body mod means clothes and armor will need to be updated. However, even with the present mods, I feel there's a lot lacking from Morrowind's characters, and I figure any effort to improve has to start somewhere.
I do hope this is the correct forum - if not, please move it wherever you deem appropriate.