Star Wars Blaster/Laser Effect??

NEONecd888 · 10-01-2003, 04:22 PM

I am creating a Star Wars mod for Generals/ZH called "Imperial Assault". The website can be found here: http://www.planetcnc.com/imperialassault

I had assumed that using lasers or something of that sort a coder could be able to create a moving laser type thing, exactly like the blasters, lasers cannons, ion cannons, etc. that are in the Star Wars movies. After I talked to one of my coders, they said that this would not be possible. Is this true?? I hope not-- otherwise I'd have to scratch this whole mod!! Does someone know how to achieve this effect???

If the coding must be done in Zero Hour, that's okay, we're leaning towards making this mod Zero Hour only.

Thanks.

guyee · 10-01-2003, 04:30 PM

just use a tracer, look at the way the quad cannon looks when it's a vet.

SolidSnake · 10-01-2003, 04:39 PM

is it possible to change the texture for a tracer? They do look pretty ugly...

Oldfaq · 10-01-2003, 04:46 PM

tracers are the worst way to go, just contact me and Ill help you out

oldfaq

key0p · 10-01-2003, 05:51 PM

You could use a projectile I guess with a null model and the laser beam could be the projectile exhaust, or its exhaust FX which works like a muzzle flash.

I use the rocket buggys missle model for my mecha automatic cannon, because its models rocket flare is about the right size and kinda looks like a vulcan tracer round.

aladin · 10-02-2003, 12:10 AM

We're also making a mod MechWarrior TC that requires a lot of laserFX. Its really hard to make diff. laserFX. Changing its color and width is easy, but giving it a diff. behavior is another thing.
You should really contact Oldfaq, cause their mod also uses a lot of lasers.

NEONecd888 · 10-05-2003, 12:11 AM

I am trying to contact oldfaq, but am not having much luck. Is anyone else willing to help me out? Aladin, the laser i am looking for is just like the one in your avatar. It would be great also if the glowing color would show-up on the surfaces of nearby objects to make it seem like it is really glowing... not sure if thats possible though.

Thanks.

aladin · 10-05-2003, 06:16 AM

You can use PM to contact Oldfaq, he's a regular visitor here. Anyway, I think zero-hours can give you a lot of laserFX, name from USA units the Avenger, the Laser Tank, Microwave Tank, and I think there's more.

I used the laser of the Avenger for my new model, the Hellhound. It's equipped w/ 4 ERLasers, SRM's and LBX10. Check the pic. below. If thats what you're looking for, its easy to edit the color, width, depends on your needs.

NEONecd888 · 10-05-2003, 09:35 AM

eh... The laser looks nice, but for my purposes would need a white beam straight down the middle, then with the glow of red on the outside. Also, the laser beam can't go from point A to point B-- it needs to shoot pulses of the beam that move towards the target-- just like seen in star wars. It would be more close to the quad cannon than something like the microwave tank.

aladin · 10-05-2003, 10:31 AM

My sugestions:
1) Just use a projectile model, a "rectangular model", add skin that flares/glow similar to my PPC, check pic below. In ZH, try the gunships weapon.
2) Use ordinary machinegunFX, but try using its veterancyFX. Its colors can be change also, but I'm not sure if you can add outer color for it.