Alpha Centauri 2

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri & Alien Crossfire => The Theory of Everything => Topic started by: luxaster on August 11, 2013, 04:01:11 AM

Title: SVG conversions?
Post by: luxaster on August 11, 2013, 04:01:11 AM

Right, so, I just joined to share these svg files that I have been working on. For some reason I decided that I wanted to vectorize all the SMAC faction logos as svgs for fun (making svgs is very good stress relief for me for some reason) and so I have a complete set of faction logos vectors that are pretty good for the most part, although a few do have a couple of flaws.

 I am also currently converting the logos for all the techs into svg format as well, though that is harder since the tech logos are actually NOT symmetrical or standard in size, but although they are not perfect they are still recognizable.

I was wondering if the wiki or anyone would have any use for them? I've attached a few of the vectors as pngs just so you can see what I mean (I have all of them in the same SVG file).

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: JarlWolf on August 11, 2013, 04:05:28 AM

Welcome to AC2!

As for a need of it, some of us actively make factions and some of us are making patches and mods, etc. One could use these in such operations.

I can tell you right now that if you can also make logo's for custom factions, you'll be hitting a big demand in this community.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: luxaster on August 11, 2013, 04:16:04 AM

If people need me for simple logo design I could probably be of some help, but I do not know how to make the logos in a way that makes them usable in game, I think. Personally I'm not even aware of how images are used in game either ???

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: JarlWolf on August 11, 2013, 06:32:01 AM

If you do the basic gruntwork on actually creating the images, folks like myself and others can do the rest for converting and using it.

There is detailed tutorials, message BUncle for them/look in the graphics thread. That'll set you on the path. If you need anything don't fear to ask me or others.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Geo on August 11, 2013, 07:53:21 AM

If the main feature of .svg files (vectorizing) holds true for images of letters as well, I definitely can make a request then: the words "ALIEN CENTAURI" from the font placing "CENTAURI" in the SMAC opening screen.

On the format the game uses, they're in .pcx format.
I'm surprised you didn't know, or haven't you created your logo's from ingame images?

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 11, 2013, 01:58:50 PM

This is impressive stuff!

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: ete on August 11, 2013, 10:19:04 PM

These are very impressive, and I would like to use them on wiki (and encourage sisko to make them available as mini icons at a size they work at). I'm not totally sure where to use them just yet, but yea, definitely interested.

Also, it would be really cool to have them available for http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=3363.0 (http://alphacentauri2.info/index.php?topic=3363.0) use.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 11, 2013, 10:48:47 PM

Hmmm.  You think I ought to be considering logo smilies?  These would definitely make better-looking avatars than the ones I made if they'll scale down to 80x80 neatly.  Avatars and smilies, I can install myself.

Good catch with the t-shirt thread, ete; I thought the same, but neglected to say anything.  (Not very talkative until I've finished my first coffee of the morning.)

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: ete on August 11, 2013, 10:58:18 PM

SVGs generally scale perfectly (S for scalable), only going to have any trouble if they've got loads of detail and you make them tiny. I'd like to have them available as avatars and smileys too, yea. Perhaps we could have a signup question about favourite faction which gives them a logo in their postbit or something?

And for t-shirts, they're pretty affordable.. I'd consider getting an uni logo one. Even if few people understand it, it looks cool, and I may find a few AC fans.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 11, 2013, 11:06:51 PM

Man, if they scale down even prettier than the attachment I just made from one of the above postings, I will install them on the spot.  What I made is crayons by comparison.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: luxaster on August 12, 2013, 03:30:57 AM

Geo, I am not sure I am able to do that? Mainly because the font used has some shine effects on it that I am afraid are far out of my skill range. Also I just yesterday learned that .pcx files were actually images so I have actually been making the vectors from images I found online (which happen to mostly be from those pcx files).

And ete I would definitely love to give them to the wiki, although I will warn that they are not exact, especially in that I make the logos that look symmetrical but aren't actually symmetrical (for example, I put the in-game logo for Nonlinear Mathematics next to my version in the attachments). I also put the progress I have done on the tech logos. Also

I also attached the Gaian logo sized down to 80x80 with vector scaling, which I can do for all of them.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2013, 03:33:40 AM

Please.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Kilkakon on August 12, 2013, 03:35:32 AM

Nice. :D Welcome to our forum. :)

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: luxaster on August 12, 2013, 03:47:45 AM

Alright here are the 5 after Deirdre.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2013, 03:50:52 AM

Oh man; I suck so hard.  I've been working in crayons.  Crayons, I tell you - by comparison.

Good work man. ;b;

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: luxaster on August 12, 2013, 03:52:06 AM

And the 5 after them

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: luxaster on August 12, 2013, 03:56:02 AM

And the 3 last and coincidentally weirdest factions.

Also just for reference on the Peacekeepers emblem I actually stole its shape from the Wikipedia version of the UN logo because that was much much easier than actually making it.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2013, 04:03:56 AM

 :adore:

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: JarlWolf on August 12, 2013, 04:31:12 AM

Man these are really good quality, these need to be avatars, and possibly used in game for the next patches.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Kilkakon on August 12, 2013, 04:33:18 AM

What about AC2 merchandise? :D Haha~

Seriously, good to see another guy doing cool logo work. :) Logos can be hard to figure out. :O

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: ete on August 12, 2013, 08:52:45 AM

Echoing what others have said, these are quality. I'd like to use tech and faction logos+whatever else you come up with on the wiki.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Geo on August 12, 2013, 02:14:26 PM

Now all ingame logo's an depictions simply must be done.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Sigma on August 12, 2013, 03:05:12 PM

Wow, these are incredibly slick. You are an artist, my friend.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: ete on August 12, 2013, 03:20:59 PM

Could you zip up a package of all the faction logos in SVG format at some point? I won't be on my own computer for a few days, but when I get home I'll add them to the wiki. And let me know when you're ready with the tech logos, will make the pages look much nicer :).

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 12, 2013, 04:41:49 PM

I'm sorta waiting on some avatars Jarl has in the works, so I may or may not add these beauties to the official ones available for the forum today...

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: JarlWolf on August 12, 2013, 11:53:00 PM

The base avatars are going to take a while BUncle, so add these if you wish. I have lots of projects going, some AC related and some more of actual construction projects/home improvements. So don't hold your breathe for them. The base ones will probably be done within the next 2 or so days: I still have to update my post for Varshavianka, plus work on my secret custom faction more.

Edit: Nevermind, I'll just get some cranked out and out of the way now. I'll use my new colour killing technique, that should do it.
2nd Edit: Done. Check that thread, and I apologize for derailing this one.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 13, 2013, 12:54:34 AM

No sweat, and I understand about getting way committed with forum-related projects...

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: luxaster on August 13, 2013, 08:00:16 AM

I have attached a ZIP with the svgs of the logos and, as an added bonus, large effect-less pictures of the leaders that I stole from the Planetfall mod (only about 4 of them are converted to PNGs from bitmaps, though) and large pictures of the bases that I cropped from official desktops that I found in some web archive.

As for tech logos I am currently on tech tier 3 with only 2 logos left till tier 4!

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: ete on August 13, 2013, 09:43:58 AM

Thanks, when I'm home with my proper setup I'll get them on wiki :)

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: luxaster on September 13, 2013, 05:29:49 PM

UPDATE:

Of the 86 technologies, I have currently completed 68 of them. I got hung up on one of the logos and then for personal reasons was unable to work on them the rest of the summer, and now that I have started school again I will be somewhat pressed for time, but I should be able to resume work soon. Hopefully once I get past these ones that are very... annoying, the rest look much simpler.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 13, 2013, 05:38:54 PM

 ;b; I'm still having technical problems with uploading to the server, but your avatars make the ones I made look like child's crayon scrawls, and are totally going to be replacing some stuff as soon as I can.  ;b;

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 14, 2013, 08:38:55 PM

Quote from: BUncle on September 14, 2013, 08:38:28 PM

Okay; I just got my server access fixed, and I have uploaded the beautiful official faction logos luxaster made, and the custom faction avatars Jarl supplied.  Take a look.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: luxaster on September 21, 2013, 03:15:21 PM

AND I JUST FINISHED THE TECHS WOOHOO

Now, for uploading to the wiki, are you able to upload pure svgs or do they need to become pngs or something else? I don't want to make all of these into their own svgs and then find out I can't upload them.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: ete on September 21, 2013, 03:36:00 PM

SVGs should work fine, but test it with one or two to confirm it's working on this installation. Also, uploads are now working direct to wiki thanks to t_ras.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Kilkakon on September 21, 2013, 03:41:43 PM

Ah good to know. :D

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: luxaster on September 21, 2013, 04:03:06 PM

I attempted to upload biogenetics as an svg, but I first had to change the filetype in the text edit of the page to svg for it not to give me a "MIME is not matching" error, but now it is telling me that svg is not an accepted filetype.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on September 21, 2013, 04:40:18 PM

Quote from: luxaster on September 21, 2013, 03:15:21 PM

AND I JUST FINISHED THE TECHS WOOHOO

Would you be interested in supplying avatar versions?  I think you'll find a lot of proprietary pride in seeing people wearing your work...

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: ete on September 22, 2013, 12:29:54 AM

Quote from: luxaster on September 21, 2013, 04:03:06 PM

I attempted to upload biogenetics as an svg, but I first had to change the filetype in the text edit of the page to svg for it not to give me a "MIME is not matching" error, but now it is telling me that svg is not an accepted filetype.

Okay, try again, I got my access back and added .svg to accepted filetype list.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: luxaster on September 22, 2013, 01:00:00 AM

It has uploaded, however I cannot tell if it showing up on the page or not (it is not for me, its giving me a broken image icon), although it does work once I click through to the image page and then to the image itself.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: ete on September 22, 2013, 11:18:49 PM

Likely the same issue as with image scaling.. I can maybe debug it, but I'm away fro a week starting tomorrow, then low activity for another week.. t_ras may take a look while I'm away.

Alternatively, if you post a zip of them all I can add it via FTP which should work fine.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: luxaster on September 27, 2013, 07:37:14 AM

I'll try to put them all in a zip whenever I muster the willpower to actually do so >.< (I always make them all on one svg file so its fairly tedious copying and resizing but I will get to it in spurts)

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: I)arkness Falls on October 18, 2013, 09:27:38 PM

Can you make a high res version that would look good on a t shirt? ;zak;<--of him

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 18, 2013, 09:29:32 PM

You want a headshot of Zak?

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: I)arkness Falls on October 19, 2013, 01:03:17 AM

Of the university logo

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 19, 2013, 01:34:33 AM

Okay - you do want lux, then.

Title: Re: SVG conversions?
Post by: I)arkness Falls on October 22, 2013, 06:40:15 PM

Yes. Please point me in the correct direction.