The Seriousness of Requesting

[sethgunit]

This is a question/request for modders. I want to request a mod, but at the same time I'm very apprehensive to. I understand that I'm the one requesting, so I'm at the mercy of the modding community and it's never my place to get mad or be a jerk when and if I don't get a response. I know that modders take their own valuable time at little to no expense to make mods for ppl who most of the time just go "thanks" and are never heard of again or proceed to flood the forums with mod requests and I never want to be that guy. I want to request mods such and races, weapons and armor, but I also want to be appreciative whether it be sincere gratitude or a small payment. So my question is, what do modders like to see as far as requests go, such as pictures, written details, etc. I want to know what will attract or entice a modder to make a requested idea? I know first off I need to check if it exists, but what if it DOES exist but the quality is less than desirable and I would like it done in high res textures? How can I make my request accommodate the modder, but also attain what I'm looking for. I know with the release of skyrim on the 11th of nov, a lot of ppl will migrate over to that system, but I don't think I'll ever stop playing this game or morrowind. So I'm just looking to add some new things to keep oblivion fresh and personalized. I've never made a mod request for, but I am looking for specific things. So if anyone could help me, I would greatly appreciate the time spent aiding me.

[alonsomartinez]

I like to model swords/armor, but I will only do requests if pictures are provided. If there are no pictures, then I don't take up that request. So pictures are a must have :) http://www.thenexusforums.com/public/style_emoticons/dark/thumbsup.gif Edited October 28, 2011 by alonsomartinez

[sethgunit]

just out of curiosity, how long does it take to make an original weapon and/or armor from the ground up? and what programs do you use?

[alonsomartinez]

The amount of time depends on my homework/ studying load :P But normally, when I am not busy, it takes anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour to model a sword, depending on the complexity of it. Armor takes a lot more time, mainly because you have to rig it and play test it to make sure there is no clipping. I use Blender, which is a free program. (and in many ways, just as good as 3ds Max)

Edited October 28, 2011 by alonsomartinez

[sethgunit]

I would have thought a sword would take much longer to make, that's really cool. How long have you been modding for?

 

I wonder do you have any mods of your own posted on here?

Edited October 28, 2011 by sethgunit

[alonsomartinez]

Not very long. I have been modeling for a year I think?

 

If you want a sword modeled, PM me :)

[Matth85]

A good sword takes houres, a plain/old school weapons ( No bake) takes 15 minutes.

A god texture for the sword takes an hour itself, a plain one takes 5 minutes.

 

It all depends on the model itself and the time the modeller spends on it. I've spent half a day on a very basic model, I've also spent half an hour on a complicated one. The quality different was huge.

 

A little checklist to make a good request:

 

1) Reference pictures. A picture at 50x50 pixels and shows 1 side of a armor, is not good. 3 images of a sword at 1024x1024 pixels would be magical.

2) Do your research. If you want something made, know exactly what. Don't get a picture of armor set, and call it a day. Do you want it exactly as that? Do you want it changed in some places? Doesn't it matter?

3) Be aviliable and active. If I make a model, I will ask what the requestor want. I then want Him/her to be able to answer as soon as possible, so it moves a long. The bigger the project is, the more I 'demand' him/her to be able to answer fast.

4) Remember that the longer a modeller works on a model, the bigger the chance is he will leave it. This is because 'we' usually got hundreds of projects planned, and if the motivation goes down, we want to change the project. Why does this happen? Well, modellers are rarely proffesional artist who are amazing. We are usually people who wants to learn. So if I want to learn anatomy and make a human. making a sword for somebody will really not be fun for too long.

5) Know that this takes TIME. People like to go "Yeah, can you make a super high tech model with some ornamented thingies, OH, and a laser in the middle?". It is a hobby, so it takes no priority over other things. If I got to do homework, go to work, be with friends or simply want to game Nintento, I will.

6) The modeller is in NO WAY bound to finish/do any requests. We do not get paid, so we do not need to finish it. I can work on a model for haf a year, and send you a message "Sorry, can't be arsed", and it's all fine. The only time this is not OK, is if you'd pay for it. But of course, no right modeller for Oblivion takes payment for a model.

7) Lastly, and quite important, If you want a model - DON'T PM the modeller after a day and say "nvm, somebody else did it", "Found somethig similar on tesnexus" or "You know what, I don't want it after all". I swear, this has happened so many times for me. It is disrespectfull and rude.

 

Following these 7 steps, and you'll be any modellers best friend.

 

By the way, some insight into the industry and how people would work:

 

A Sword, or a simple prop, would be given a day to finish. A work day, so 8 houres. Most people would be able to ut out 2 decent models in 1 work day.

An armor, or other big humanid creations, is given a work week. That's 8x5 houres. This is because it is big, and usually goes through the 3ds max --> Zbrush --> 3ds max -- > photoshop --> game transformation.

A gun is given a few work days. This is because they are comlicated, but not as complicated as something organic.

 

So you see, 15 minut models is something we, modders, do because we are not good enough, we don't want to perfect it, or we simply can't be bothered sitting through a 2h procces of painting a good texture, and having a good bake.

 

 

Hope this helps somewhat

Cheers,

Matth

[alonsomartinez]

So you see, 15 minut models is something we, modders, do because we are not good enough, we don't want to perfect it, or we simply can't be bothered sitting through a 2h procces of painting a good texture, and having a good bake.

 

Lol. Some modders throw together awesome models in 15 minutes. Maybe its just you then?

 

Just because someone makes something quickly does not mean they aren't good or lazy. If you have seen some of the things that modders can do in short amounts of time, you would be amazed.

 

 

Edited October 29, 2011 by alonsomartinez

[Matth85]

Jesus, can you give me 1 comment, at one point, that is not offensive in some way? ... What's your problem?

 

And no: Nobody can throw down a awesome model in 15 minutes. Why? It takes at least 20 minutes to model a model, using both 3ds max and Zbrush/any other combo of softwares. Then it takes another 5 minutes to render out the bakes. Then it takes another half an hour to get a detailed texture. Slapping on a base texture is not awesome. You need subtle details, painted scratches, logical bumps. Then it takes some more minutes to get a good specularity, which most people forget, and to take your time to get out a decent normal detail map.

 

If you can do all that in 15 minutes, I salute you. Because I know of none.

 

I believe you and me got a different opinion on amazing. Amazing for me is stuff that is on portfolios of industry experts. Stuff that takes months to make, where every detail is planned out. You might think a flashy sword with a base texture, and the chrome shader on, is awesome.

Of course, you can make DECENT things in 15 minutes. Even that is limited. Most speed MODELLING competitio is set for an hour. Then the texture one is set for 1-2 houres. Yes, this is the competition freelancers and experienced modellers take.

 

If you have seen some of the things that modders can do in short amounts of time, you would be amazed.

I've seen amazing models people SAY they spend 10 minutes on, while they spent a week. I've seen the most awesome armor set they say they spent an hour to make, whilst they used a month.

 

If you really think the good models is made in 15 minutes, I want a video of it. Where the whole procces is done, and the texture is detailed. No bopy/paste - finish kind of thing. I talk about real texturing.

 

Maybe its just you then?

Yeah. It's totally "me". Because this disussion is relevant to what you, and me, can do. That's totally the topic. Right? Stop going personal, please. This is the second time you've manage to do that to me. >.<

 

So, I dare you, show me a video of you, or anybody, making something really planned out and well done, in less than 20 minutes. I want the whoe proccess of 3ds max/blender --> Zbrush --> 3d package --> Photoshop --> final render. The render time can be cutted out, since I feel nice today.

 

Now, can we please get a discussion going on, not offensive or personal? Or are you leaving me hanging yet again, without replying?

 

P.S. Yes, this is off topic. Yes, I/we are done. Yes, I am annoyed by Alonsomartinez attitude towards me. No, my personal 3d skills is not relevant.

 

Cheers,

Matth

[bben46]

Some tips on asking for mods.

There is no problem asking. If someone is interested, they may or may not answer. They may just make it without consulting with you and present it as a done thing.

If nobody answers or makes it, they are probably just not interested in that specific idea right now.

The artist gets the credit, not the idea.

We see hundreds of requests. Most have already been done. Search to see if yours has.

Don't bother with a total makeover type request - It ain't gonna happen.

Forget about multiplayer or co op - it ain't gonna happen

If you ask for a mod, and it piques someone's interest enough to actually do it. Don't be surprised when it doesn't come out exactly like you envisioned it.

If you want a new object, be it weapon, armor clothing or what - be specific and give as much detail as you can. pics are a big help.

Please don't ask for copyrighted stuff from other games as they are not allowed. However, a completely new object that looks like the copyrighted object is - we do look at meshes if there is a question.

 

Again, what you get may not be exactly what you wanted. Please don't complain as the artist did their best. :thumbsup: