T-51b re-imagined...

[r4y30n]

Does anyone else think the T-51b could use a more classic Fallout style? Personally, I think it would be wonderful to get a fresh new model and new textures with the interest of making the power armor look like the big intimidating suit of US Army scariness it was depicted as in the original games. While part of the idea would be to get a higher poly, higher resolution version of the suit, the goal is really to re-envision the suit as Interplay/Black Isle would have done it then, given our current state of game technology.

 

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060523215328/fallout/images/f/fd/T51bs.gif

T-51b as depicted in Fallout and Fallout 2

 

A big step toward that goal comes down to classic proportions. For instance, the helmet was only just bigger than the head it was on (and perhaps narrower in proportion to the current one), making the rest of the suit appear slightly bigger in comparison to FO3/NV. The shoulder plates were larger and the chest jutted out more. The legs were bulky, yet mirrored the shape of the wearer underneath, as opposed to the slab metal thighs the current suit has.

 

Another aspect would be to illustrate what could only be implied with the crude graphics of yester year, such as the hydraulic system that moved the suit. Pairs of hydraulic lines could be added snaking out from under the armor plates to the rotary actuators visible on either side of each joint. The T-51b should suggest a high tech future soldier, not a medieval knight. And perhaps a couple subtle, tiny lights could be pulsing away in the side vents of the helmet or in the (missing in the current version) vents above either side of the visor. As an element of realism, there could be features found on military aircraft today such as a refueling cap on the back somewhere, a labeled cover for an external power socket (for jumpstarting the suit if need be) or a labeled diagnostic port and maybe a very small placard on the back detailing the make/model/specs of the power armor or name and rank on the side of the chest plate, maybe even throw in little stenciled notes like "INTAKE" or "LIQUID H₂ ONLY" or unit patches on the shoulder plates for non-Brotherhood armor, hell, you could probably even make the hydraulics drip seeing as the power fist leaks steam! The devil is in the details, as they say...

 

Another trick I experimented with in FO3 was adding a script to the power armor to increase the player's scale to around 1.05 or so while wearing it so that you really are big and imposing when in a suit of power armor. I suppose a better method would be to take the current player scale and add a small amount to it, for those of us using a non-1.0 scale character and, of course, storing the initial player scale for when you take the armor off. Adding the Friend of the Night perk or something similar to the helmet couldn't hurt, either, so that the suit gives the player automatic nightvision when necessary.

 

So what do you say guys? Is restoring the T-51b to its former glory worth the time or am I just crazy?

 

http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20050223192328/fallout/images/d/d6/Paladin.jpg

 

http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20051106121014/fallout/images/e/e2/Rhombus.jpg

 

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090514214704/fallout/images/thumb/4/46/FO1_intro_soldiers.jpg/830px-FO1_intro_soldiers.jpg

 

http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2007/07/dragon.jpg

Killer robot with hydraulic arms, note all of the lines to the actuators.

 

http://www.matronics.com/mattsrv4/NewPanel/FuelCap2.jpg http://www.oberon-performance.co.uk/acatalog/_bmw_fuel_0.jpg

Fuel cap examples.

 

http://cdn.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/3830be5e-cdd1-486f-a4e4-308bac9591c9/a3d7e007-438f-445e-a839-5d100275d290/Image/3fce8da93665d111e0fdc5172e997900.jpg

Data placard example. On the T-51b it could state that it has a HiFlo Hydraulic system of, perhaps, 2000 psi or that it has a TX-28 MicroFusion Pack good for 60 kW or that it has an impact rating of 25 kJ or a max gross weight of... (Details from the Fallout Wikia)

Edited December 11, 2010 by r4y30n

[Lelele5]

I second to this. We really need a more bulky and classic looking T51b. Good points. Edited July 5, 2013 by Lelele5

[devinpatterson]

Does anyone else think the T-51b could use a more classic Fallout style? Personally, I think it would be wonderful to get a fresh new model and new textures with the interest of making the power armor look like the big intimidating suit of US Army scariness it was depicted as in the original games. While part of the idea would be to get a higher poly, higher resolution version of the suit, the goal is really to re-envision the suit as Interplay/Black Isle would have done it then, given our current state of game technology.

 

Even though I never played the classic fallout games (just FO3 & NV), I can see where your coming from & understand why you would want the power armor to resemble a personal tank. But unfortunately the chances of someone making a new high poly model are unfortunately, to be realistic, slim :(

 

But I have a proposal if no one wants to go about making a new model (I can edit meshes, but I'm not skilled/knowledgeable enough to make a complicated model from scratch and get it working in game). I can increase the size/bulkiness of the vanilla armor. I'm not sure how much bigger I can make it without clipping, that will probably be a trial and error process, but I'm sure we can get at least some extra mass in there.

 

The new models could be used as a army special mechanized unit, or the 1st Armored Division if you need a story hook and don't want to replace all the vanilla models. Alternately it could be a replacer for all power armor.

 

We could throw in many of the cosmetic suggestions you have made above (labels, proportions etc). But I wouldn't recommend adding the external hydraulic lines, being a weak point and a critical subsystem, they would be far more likely to run under the armor (where they have some protection). Unless it's just an artistic "must".

 

Give me a shout in this thread (no PM please, mailbox is full), if you want me to work up some prototypes).

[Lelele5]

Well my friend, you made my day. I'm also trying to make the current armors bulkier/bigger, but they just end up being fat or ugly. Really looking forward to see your prototypes. especially T51-b, because there are already some edits for Remnants Power Armor and T45-d.

 

If a modder is interested, I have compiled a list of fixes for a classic T51-b. Don't let the list scare you, actually they are just tiny shape and size alterations, but I can't do these since I have no experience in Blender.

Edited July 6, 2013 by Lelele5

[devinpatterson]

especially T51-b, .......If a modder is interested, I have compiled a list of fixes for a classic T51-b. Don't let the list scare you, actually they are just tiny shape and size alterations, but I can't do these since I have no experience in Blender.

 

Sounds good, I'll start with a couple of examples and once we nail down the largest we can get before the clipping becomes irreparable, then we can start on the details. But go ahead and post the list, so I can keep it in mind as I work. I don't get a chance to play much at all (been waiting forever since project brazil, and still havn't had time to get past the first conversation with the coach), so playtesting is pretty much going to be up to you and any volunteers. Screen shots of problems will probably be the most help.

 

Time permitting I'll try to get them out quickly.

[Lelele5]

Okay, I'll get my computer tomorrow (browsing with tablet, my PC is broken), and make a detailed list with screen shots, comparisons, artworks for reference. Thank you very much for your interest.

[Lelele5]

http://s1307.hizliresim.com/1c/8/q0t25.jpg

Picture 1: Notice the wider and larger thighs and shanks. Notice the wider, larger pauldrons with two separate parts. Each part is clearly visible and has more space between them.http://n1307.hizliresim.com/1c/8/q0t3n.jpg

Picture 2: Another view of thighs, shanks and pauldron parts. Notice how large and tall are the legs compared to rest of the body. Notice the breastplate is wider, larger, bulkier and more flat, and shaped to resemble the pectoralis muscles.http://n1307.hizliresim.com/1c/8/q0t45.jpgPicture 3: Overall view of previously mentioned body parts. Notice all parts are bulkier and wider. Notice the arms are larger, wider and have metal plating around them like the medieval knight armors, and chest part is completely metal instead of leather strappings around the lower torso.

http://j1307.hizliresim.com/1c/8/q0t4v.jpgPicture 4: Another view of breastplate, arms and thighs. Breastplate is clearly resembling the pectoralis muscles. Notice arms are shorter than legs when compared to the real life legs/arms ratio. This indicates legs are slighlty larger and taller.http://j1307.hizliresim.com/1c/8/q0t7j.jpgPicture 5: Current NV T-51b. Notice the thigh and shanks are dramatically narrower and smaller. Pauldrons are tiny compared to the rest of the body, narrower and has two parts but less space between them. Arm size is identical to the real life legs/arms ratio. Breastplate is shaped rectangular instead of previous T51-b's flattened chestplate, and lost the resemblance to the pectoralis muscles. Back torso platings are narrower and smaller. Valve is higher than it should be.http://s1307.hizliresim.com/1c/8/q0thv.jpgPicture 6: Van Buren T-51b model. A reference for the chestplate shape and pauldron size. Notice the valve is placed deeper.

http://s1307.hizliresim.com/1c/8/q0tj7.jpg

Picture 7: A concept art from NMA. A reference for overall bulkiness of power armor, especially compared to the head, pauldron and chestplate size. This model has leather strappings around the lower torso like the NV counterpart.

 

Notice classic T51-b's height is slightly more than the tallest NBA players.

Edited July 8, 2013 by Lelele5

[devinpatterson]

OK started some work on it. There are two models T51b110.rar is fairly conservative, I don't expect any terrible clipping on it (didn't get a chance to test it in game, just some mucking around in pose mode in blender). T51b110CusB.rar is more aggressive, especially in re: to the pauldrons & shoulders. Also brought the polyeyn (kneecaps) out further. It may have clipping issues.

Both can be downloaded at this link. I'd like you to play test them since I rarely get time to play lately. It may also be possible to enhance the effect further by scaling the helmet down a bit in blender then increasing the scale of the whole model a tiny bit resulting in something similar to your last pic.

I have to admit though I'm a little confused about the height issue. Even if those sabaton (shoes) had 4 inch platforms I don't think you'r going to get taller than the tallest NBA players for most characters. The armor has to follow the body, the foot can't be in the greave (shin) for instance, so really the only things that can add height are the lower part of the boot and the upper part of the helmet. Might be better to add say 6" inches to the average character height (3 inches of plate armor on end, top and bottom is still pretty massive).

Here are two pics from T51b110.rar with the conservative armor next to the vanilla;

http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u404/devinlpatterson/t51bFront_zps2f625971.jpg

http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u404/devinlpatterson/t-51bProfile_zps03566adf.jpg

Here is some pics of the more aggresive style;

http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u404/devinlpatterson/t51bFrontCustomA_zps0ddaaedf.jpg

http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u404/devinlpatterson/t-51bProfileCustomA_zps49995075.jpg

Although they aren't in the pics, I did a little work on the valve;

http://i1066.photobucket.com/albums/u404/devinlpatterson/T51bValveCustomB_zps54798def.jpg

Both rars have their own bsa so just unrar into your data folder & select in your launcher of choice. They are the infantry power armor only. Code to add them if don't already have them;

player.additem a6f77 1

[devinpatterson]

Just wanted to note that changing the length of the legs as you stated " Notice arms are shorter than legs when compared to the real life legs/arms ratio. This indicates legs are slighlty larger and taller" probably isn't something I can acomplish without having problems with teh skeleton/armature.

[Lelele5]

My hero! LOVE IT!!!

 

:thumbsup: Great work my friend. I can't thank you enough for your work. Well done.

 

I'm getting home soon and let me say I'm eager to test it, will report ASAP.

 

Thought about the height issue, and you are right. We can use the Powered Power Armor mod, since it enables scaling for power armor users, effectively making them taller.

 

And I want to say you did perfect work on the pauldrons and valve, they are just like I wanted. Now there are three things left to resemble the original one:

 

-Making the breastplate more flattened and shaping it like the Pectoralis muscles. And maybe a little bulkier/wider.

-Making the lower torso completely metal and integrated with the upper body.

-Making the upper arms a little more bulky.

 

Again, many, many thanks for your work. It means so much for me.