3-D model for DGs?

[Co'yrtesia]

Hi, I'm thinking of a mod (if I ever have the time or resource) that will let me use a different model for the DGs. For instance, perhaps 3-D units shaped like something other than our usual flat DG sprites...is this practical or even possible?

I did give an earnest attempt to find the answer before posting this, including glancing through this forum, searching, and looking into the mod guides. I found these two topics relavent, but not quite answering my question.

http://forums.introversion.co.uk/darwin ... php?t=3564
(unfortunately none appear to be 3D)

http://forums.introversion.co.uk/darwin ... php?t=3356
(I'm not sure if the question is answered, and I don't know how to extract the .dat files)

Sorry if I overlooked anything...again, I did give an earnest attempt to find the answer first. I appreciate any feedback.

[xander]

The DGs are sprites. They are 2D. There is nothing that you can do to change that.

xander

[Co'yrtesia]

If that is the case, if I were to use...say, any one of these sprites from this topic
http://forums.introversion.co.uk/darwin ... php?t=3564

then will the new DGs look the same from front and rear? Obviously there's only one picture per sprite (and not one for front, one for rear), but by looking at how the DGs move, they definitely act as if they have a front face and a back face (or "anterior" "posterior" if we use human anatomy terms), which keeps me in doubt.

Also, do I have to use 3D studio max or other 3D graphic design programs to make my own new DG sprites? If they are really 2D sprites, then I feel like something as simple as Microsoft Paint or Visioneer Professional will suffice.

Again, thanks for the replies.

[xander]

Darwinia's sprites are .bmps . You can use any program that can edit .bmps to edit them. PhotoShop. GIMP. MS Paint. Whatever. And, while DGs have a front and a back, they are identical.

xander

[KingAl]

I seem to recall a mod which used a 3D DG. It was a one-off though - an engineer with a different model, I believe.
Possibly in trickfred's 'Enemy Within'.

[xander]

I seem to recall a mod which used a 3D DG. It was a one-off though - an engineer with a different model, I believe.
Possibly in trickfred's 'Enemy Within'.

You can certainly create a shape that looks like a 3D DG.. In fact, that is what an officer is. However, you cannot create 3D DGs that fill the role of the 2D sprites in the game. DGs are 2D. Period.

xander