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Miscellaneous Forums => Graphical => Topic started by: apz freak on 2010-11-22 19:54:05

Title: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-11-22 19:54:05
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/NewCanonCloudTitle.jpg)

--Hello folks! A long time ago I released a Cloud that was apparently so popular that it's still insanely easy to find using Google search. It was downloaded over 4000 times (on my Filefront Account) and it contained a dirty secret in that the face texture was not painted by me. Lazy I know... Anyways, that was the first time I fully modeled and textured a character. Pretty good track record for a first attempt huh? Now if only everything I did could be that popular! Well... I feel like I owe it to you guys to make a better one. Plus it'll be fun for me!


--The concept or idea is to recreate the Cloud from the PS3 tech demo and Crisis Core's Secret Ending. There are a few images of this Cloud around but we don't get to see all of him at once, so this is my attempt to piece together what a possible remake might look like if they keep this new stylistic continuity. Like this:

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_CloudIdea.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/CloudIdea.jpg)

--Here are some artworks showing my concept and the scale drawing I made to help me get the proportions correct:

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_Cloudart01.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/Cloudart01.jpg)(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_CloudFront-1.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/CloudFront-1.jpg)(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_CloudSide-1.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/CloudSide-1.jpg)
--Here's some completed work:
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New Canon Cloud/th_05_BusterTrophy.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New Canon Cloud/05_BusterTrophy.jpg)

--Can't wait for New Canon Cloud? Here's good old fashion APZ Cloud for your enjoyment!
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/APZCLOUDLOGO1.jpg) (http://www.gamefront.com/files/22158314/apzcloud_FINAL_rar)
click the image to go to the Game Front download link.

Desktop Background 2560X1440

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_Busterbackground.jpg) (http://apz-freak.50webs.com/Macground.jpg)
Title: Re: APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: ultima espio on 2010-11-22 20:00:39
Sounds good, can't wait :P
Title: Re: APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-11-22 20:11:27
I haven't painted the texture yet, but that's my specialty  ;) The hardest part is already done. This time I modeled the high poly version in order to get a perfect normal map and accurate baked lights on the low poly texture.

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_02.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/02.jpg)(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_01.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/01.jpg)
Title: Re: APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: sl1982 on 2010-11-22 20:18:18
Awesome work! Dont forget to keep all your high res stuff around. Aali may work some magic with added effects in the future.
Title: Re: APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: ultima espio on 2010-11-22 20:20:09
Nice ;D

Maybe one day ff7 could support normal maps.
Title: Re: APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Aali on 2010-11-22 20:28:45
The custom driver already supports normal maps. And specular maps.
Title: Re: APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Cloudef on 2010-11-22 20:31:58
The custom driver already supports normal maps. And specular maps.

There we go <_<
Aali, whats next? Ambient Occlusion?
Title: Re: APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-11-22 20:35:28
Can someone point to the information on how to place normal and specular maps into the game...?
Title: Re: APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: sl1982 on 2010-11-22 20:39:14
cloud_t01_normal.png

cloud model, texture 1, normal map

I would assume it would be cloud_t01_specular.png for a spec map.


Must be put into a modpath in the folder battle.
Title: Re: APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Aali on 2010-11-22 20:40:24
No such information has been published because that feature isn't exactly meaningful yet.
Title: Re: APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-11-22 20:43:03
If I may, can someone pm me about this process? If it's too much of a problem, that's okay. Working old school is fun too.

p.s. Pay in mind that I haven't touched FFVIIPC since 2009 I need to brush up on everything again. I'll learn it, just asking for help  ;)
Title: Re: APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: sl1982 on 2010-11-22 21:09:08
Feel free to PM me. I have used normals before.
Title: Re: APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Zerox on 2010-11-23 01:14:06
Ah wonderful this has such great promise! I love what you've done with the Buster Sword so far. Good luck Apz. I could help perhaps a bit in converting it for FF7 like what methods I used but as a rookie I'm sure there are those much more experienced in it.
Title: Re: APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-11-23 04:12:27
Ah wonderful this has such great promise! I love what you've done with the Buster Sword so far. Good luck Apz. I could help perhaps a bit in converting it for FF7 like what methods I used but as a rookie I'm sure there are those much more experienced in it.

Thanks, but I've done it all before  ;D I just need to reteach myself.

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_03.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/03.jpg)

Working on the texture, testing how well the normal map work. This is the low poly sword with normals on top. And the model without the spec and normal maps next to it to see the comparison and how effective it is.
Title: Re: APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Roxas on 2010-11-23 13:04:29
Looks great so far!

I hope the image I found (http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=11042.msg154131#msg154131) for you, was of some use?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-11-23 18:54:02
Yes it did, thanks! I want to nail it exactly this time:

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_cloudhair.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/cloudhair.jpg)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Tenko Kuugen on 2010-11-23 21:15:17
someone give this man a medal for motivation or something. After making an already really good model, he's gonna make an even better one? And he's already done with the hardest part?
Is there a Mod of the Month thing here?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: halkun on 2010-11-23 22:29:58
Not to be "that guy" but let's hope he doesn't rip the face off from another model.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-11-24 02:36:04
I pray that you're joking  ;) Look at these if you are really that put-off about me:

http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/Portfolio/ (http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/Portfolio/)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XxnF5zvXmk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XxnF5zvXmk)

someone give this man a medal for motivation or something. After making an already really good model, he's gonna make an even better one? And he's already done with the hardest part?
Is there a Mod of the Month thing here?

The "Hard" part of making the Buster Sword, I haven't started the Cloud yet. I don't think I deserve mod of the month...
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: pyrozen on 2010-11-24 02:55:36
hmmm, is that floor lamp from E1M1 of DOOM 1? if not, the resemblance is uncanny!

I'm really excited to see what you come up with, your APZ model was the first one i put into FF7.

lee
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-11-24 03:09:51
hmmm, is that floor lamp from E1M1 of DOOM 1? if not, the resemblance is uncanny!

Yes it is, infact... I would not be here if not for the fact that I apparently have so many fans, and I owe it to them. And the fact that remaking a Cloud is related to a project I have in the works that involves Doom. I won't say any more, it'll be a long time in the coming so, there's no need to explain it now. Just know that my Doom stuff is related to my Cloud.

If you like that check out this:
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_imptemp.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/imptemp.jpg)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: FeliX Leonhart on 2010-11-24 04:49:01
Wow, the sword looks great! ^^
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: willis936 on 2010-11-24 06:46:23
I know this project has just begun but do you plan to release field and world versions of this model too?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-11-24 09:16:54
Possibly, I would like to, time will tell...

In the mean by the Buster Sword is mostly finished, Just have to clean up the normals a bit and paint in the edge highlight details and create a Spec map.

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_04.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/04.jpg)

Although also note, that this particular Buster Sword has smaller finer details, but it's for myself. For the download I'll paint the details thicker and broader and simpler so that it's easier to read from a distance.


Apz's log: I never fail to note how obsessively narcissistic and UN-creative this whole project is... and yet... That's precisely why so many people love it. I consider myself a creative person, but I tend to keep that away from this place as there's no real audience for it here, infact I believe it's against the rules. (As far as insertion into the game goes) Nobody bat's an eye when someone stroke for stroke duplicates a painting, or performs someone else's music piece, infact people tend to applaud it. That appears to be happening here as well to an extent. Why? Why do I do it? Because it's fun, it's a work of love, and it's something interesting that takes research, it's very good practice for my career, and I'm using it as a tool to further teach myself. Plus I'll have a few things to show off in my portfolio.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: sl1982 on 2010-11-24 10:39:24
Does it work having the normals in the same map like that apz? From what I understand of the way the driver works it needs to be in its own image file.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: pyrozen on 2010-11-24 11:27:48
judging by your doom models i assume your involved with one of the newer opengl ports. i play skulltag a bit...strange how such and old game is still just as fun as newer multiplayer shooters. which port are you desiging them for?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Cloudef on 2010-11-24 14:05:20
Seriously, how do people learn to UVW map and texture :P I can model pretty well objects that are not humanoid (I've done few human characters but they're not that good, bad poly flow and heads always tend to suck)

Anyways, I recently modeled the swords Shelke uses in Dirge Of Cerberus, I'm quite happy with the model. But when it comes to uvw mapping or texturing, I'll never seem to get it right. Guess I just need to stay in programming.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-11-24 16:49:47
Does it work having the normals in the same map like that apz? From what I understand of the way the driver works it needs to be in its own image file.

They are two separate files silly  :) I just put them there to show off.
judging by your doom models i assume your involved with one of the newer opengl ports. i play skulltag a bit...strange how such and old game is still just as fun as newer multiplayer shooters. which port are you desiging them for?

Ummm... They aren't for a mod. Although I must say I've had more to do in the Doom community than this one in the past. They're for a project that ultimately will result in maybe a 3 minute short video.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: BloodShot on 2010-11-24 19:06:13
So we won't ever be seeing them in doom for the community? That's unfortunate if so because your imp doom model seems pretty faithful to the original, and most custom doom models suck ass horrendously.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-11-24 19:38:02
So we won't ever be seeing them in doom for the community? That's unfortunate if so because your imp doom model seems pretty faithful to the original, and most custom doom models suck ass horrendously.

Don't think I haven't thought about it, but I don't want to make any more promises than I already have.  The easiest way to get it out there is a Doom 3 mod, I've done it before, but... yet again... Probably not. I still have a sour taste in my mouth from those days... Not against the game but the viciousness of the nerd-rage in that community. I'm surprised my transgressions here were handled with humility and calm words. (If you were to ask me why I did it, I don't really have an answer, it just just a quick lazy fix I guess)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-11-25 04:08:45
BUSTER SWORD IS DONE!!!

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New Canon Cloud/th_05_BusterTrophy.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New Canon Cloud/05_BusterTrophy.jpg)

It only took me 3 days of a few hours here and there to make. It's identical in proportion and exact in every tiny detail. Do you guys approve? It's just a Diffuse map, Specular, and Normal. 432 Tri poly's. I could go lower, but I don't have any reason to set a limit.

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New Canon Cloud/th_06.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New Canon Cloud/06.jpg)

There... 100% generated by me! Here's all my materials, 512x512 each, I've got nothing to hide  ;) Learn what you will, comment and tell me what you think I need to improve on. (Come on Timu, I miss your criticism) What ever you like.


edit: Also note that you can see a list of all my progress updates on the first post of this thread.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Nightmarish on 2010-11-25 09:19:46
Sword looks awesome.
Just hope you can reproduce Cloud from that pictures. Love the face he has on those pics but usually people can't reproduce it.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2010-11-27 14:39:33
i modeled clouds face ages ago, never ended up texturing it, but i found i was pretty accurate. As to the sword apz, i'm very impressed. admittedly, i can't really find anything wrong with it. You make great use of your maps, and have great attention to detail.

I do wonder why  you doubled up the texture for both sides of the sword. the differences in detail are rather negligible imo.
When yer done yer cloud model I wanna steal it to animate :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-11-27 18:45:59
Well I only did it originally because I was gonna bake unique shadows. Plus I figured.... eh!? How else am I gonna use up a whole square?

The low poly version will have a 128x256 targa... probably for use in field... if i ever get around to it
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Hellbringer616 on 2010-11-27 19:45:43
sword looks great! keep up the good work ;D
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Tenko Kuugen on 2010-11-28 04:23:18
I'll go and proceed to slice a few pieces of awesome with the sword
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-11-30 09:16:33
i modeled clouds face ages ago, never ended up texturing it
May I see a picture of it? I promise not to steal it  ;) No I've made my own base meshes by now, to cannibalize at will

When yer done yer cloud model I wanna steal it to animate :P
Those are the kinds of thing I like to hear  ;) You see though... I'll be modeling more than one version. A high and low for baking purposes, sure... But another one with edge loops specifically for fast rendering character animation. A static mesh that'll never be deformed only needs contour detail, the rest can be handled with texture. But an animated character needs enough detail to emote properly. I learned that people'll buy the lack of exactness if you can get them to believe the performance. But mimicking reality causes people to examine with the left side of the brain, they can't tell you what's wrong, only that it IS wrong. It's up to us as digital artists to take the right brain information and categorize it into our left brain so that we can spot the differences (Example: Sunlight is yellow and Skylight is blue)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Soul on 2010-12-05 03:16:06
~Bump. Any updates? Sorry if i'm violating any rules right now. It's been year's since i left the world this forums and Final Fantasy VII. But yet again, im going back to play this Epic Game. I deleted all of the files i needed to play it again, including the Apz Cloud. Too bad the download link was remove though. But i'm going to expect alot from this Canon Cloud.  :D

And i have red that the Buster Sword is done right? Is your work going to be released? Or is it for our eyes only? If you will release it, Can i make a suggestion?  :) Can you make Canon Cloud in a 1st Class Suit? The Black One.

Again, I'm happy to be back here in this forums. I see that alot has changed, but i'll try to cope up with everything i've missed.  ;)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-12-05 03:31:35
Yes it will be release!!! I owe to to you guys, people like you Tetsujin  ;) who appreciated my work far more than I ever could have asked, to make a better one with all the knowledge and skills I have acquired in the last 2 years. For you see... I failed you guys by incorporating a texture ripped straight from the Dissidia game... It wasn't against the rules at the time, but still... It was laziness that I used it, and laziness that I couldn't be bothered to change it once the rules came into effect.

Yes I want to do different alternate colors (Like all the SOLDIER class colors and Dark Cloud [Like Dark Link] ) But only if the rules allow such a thing and if the moderators give it a pass.

I even have an altogether alternate Cloud sketched out (The way Dissidia is different) but entirely my own, if I ever get around to it... Doesn't have to be released, just to look at if I do.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: sl1982 on 2010-12-05 03:38:26
I don't see any issue with you making alternate costumes. As long as they are all original of course.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Soul on 2010-12-05 04:23:34
Good News then! :) Coz i had a hard time changing the color of the model you made the last time. I dont even know how to start.  :P Well, Good Luck on your modelling and keep up the good work! The Apz cloud was really really great. Even if you ripped the face from other model, its not only the face thats makes up a good cloud right?  :) More power to you and to this kewl forums!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-12-05 05:33:23
Alright then! Alternate costume is a definite maybe!  ;D I haven't worked on anything yet, school work of course. But I've drawn on pictures of Cloud to find the edge loops and how they flow. I'll post my process so you guys can see what pro's actually do when they study faces!

And Tetsujin... Yes the face  :) But I did not rip the model, merely made my own approximation and copied the texture of the face
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Nightmarish on 2010-12-05 11:35:56
Apz, could you please try to make AC costume for Cloud too?
That would be so full of epicness awesomeness!

http://thelifestream.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/cloud-strife-render-ac.png
http://thelifestream.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/cloud-advent-children.png
http://thelifestream.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/cloud-advent-children-complete.png

I know sword is different but i guess i like more the original one anyway.

And maybe a darker recolor of the suit, in place of the original purple, kinda like:
http://ut3.gamersmafia.com/storage/download/0/79796922nv7.jpg
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Soul on 2010-12-05 11:49:12
@ APZ
My mistake then. Ohh, I cant wait for the new cloud.

@Nightmarish
I think I saw someone completed an Advent Children Cloud here somewhere. The one made by Kula_Wende. I dont know where it is now though. And it also has a battle and field model. The field model needs abit more tweeking coz its rather small. But the battle model's perfect. It has a sword too. Check it here and ask the guys where can you locate the download links. Because its usually on the first page. http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=10022.575
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Tenko Kuugen on 2010-12-05 16:22:30
@ APZ
My mistake then. Ohh, I cant wait for the new cloud.

@Nightmarish
I think I saw someone completed an Advent Children Cloud here somewhere. The one made by Kula_Wende. I dont know where it is now though. And it also has a battle and field model. The field model needs abit more tweeking coz its rather small. But the battle model's perfect. It has a sword too. Check it here and ask the guys where can you locate the download links. Because its usually on the first page. http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=10022.575

Those models were at least partially ripped from other stuff so I'm pretty sure you can't get them anymore. Kula wende was also banned iirc, for his ff7-2 site. The download link was removed for said reason I believe.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Soul on 2010-12-05 16:43:00
Oh, so it was partially ripped eh? He said he made it. Make some updates from scratch to finish. Well, I think he was banned for a reason then.  :)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2010-12-06 02:09:43
This is what i was talking about apz, not quite as exact as i rmmbr, but given the utter lack of textures, could fill in just fine methinks.
(http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/4046/cloudpic.jpg)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-12-06 03:50:25
Nah man that's great! Really awesome, the question is... did you set the edge loops  ;) (Just pickin on ya cause you're awesome and I appreciate ya, you know that! Please excuse me, for the alchohol in me makes me all sappy  :roll: )

And I wonder... Is this based on the KH2 facial proportions or based on Advent Children? The very large eyes seem all the larger without textures I guess
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2010-12-06 13:01:48
I dont have the file on this computer to show a wireframe, but the edgeloops are good, something like this.

(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/Monkey_Knife_Fight/EdgeLoop3.jpg)

The proportions were based on advent children, hence it being somewhat relevant to your canon cloud. (I also used the mesh untextured from advent children - found a magazine scane of it somewhere as major reference)

btw u started clouds mesh yet?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Soul on 2010-12-08 12:09:10
Woah! Looks like Ashisogi Jizo, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's Zanpakuto in bleach.  ;D

@topic:
Any updates about Canon Cloud guys? :)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: dahfa on 2010-12-08 21:12:11
im looking forward to your new cloud!

btw

it's pretty short  i thought it was interesting.

it's in english if you look closely(hint:click the picture to view in original size)


(http://i.imgur.com/UFq2k.jpg)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2010-12-08 23:09:23
yea - thats the one i based the face on :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Soul on 2010-12-09 00:13:33
If thats the base, I bet it would look really cool and awesome. :) Hey timu, I saw some of the models you've been working on, can I ask if they are on the verge of completion? I mean the cait sith, tifa, aeris (or should i say, aerith) and red xiii?  :)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-12-09 00:47:16
Yeah i have that scan too  ;D I haven't done anything yet, but you saw how quickly I put together the buster sword. Working on Doom stuff, the problem with being self motivated is it's inconsistent and depends on serendipity. I go where my immediate reaction flows, otherwise I don't do anything constructive. But I've been working on school...

gotta go, baby awake...
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Nightmarish on 2010-12-09 00:59:15
That cloud body + face on the right look epic  :-o
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: FeliX Leonhart on 2010-12-09 06:35:22
Cloud has an innocent child's face=)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Soul on 2010-12-10 13:41:08
I wonder what will he look like when the young cloud field model (the one with the "promise with tifa" part) mixes up with the AC cloud. He'd be like wearing long black clothes and he's hair has a spiky korean look ponytail fashion.  ;D
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-12-15 18:26:33
I haven't forgotten about yall  ;D This is the final week of the term and I have finals and I've been tutoring allot of fellow students (and getting paid to do it!)

I have the face started already, I'll start up again starting this weekend and have some things to show.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Soul on 2010-12-16 13:41:15
At last! A word from apz himself. Well, goodluck to your final week. Can't wait to see your new cloud.  :)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2010-12-17 02:42:23
Post your face! I wish to see and compare!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: djkoopa on 2010-12-18 02:03:12
Apz - will this Buster sword work with Millenia's weapon pack? I know this was an issue that myself and a few other people had with your last model. I love the style of your new sword (personally Millenia's irritates me due to the non-central materia slots) but I don't want to lose all of his other swords as I think they are fantastic. I get the feeling the answer will be "no", but I thought I would ask anyway. Great to see you back here by the way!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-12-19 23:20:32
The problem would be how the texture is named. But once Aali's driver supported png's I stopped coming and never learned how that all works.

The actual answer is "Of course you can!" but it won't work with just dropping the files in. I'll get back to you once I relearn all of this

And Timu... I'll probably have something to show by tomorrow, hate to keep you guys waiting
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-12-22 08:47:06
Okay, I started over twice. That's the problem when you set up certain loops and somehow just get yourself worked into a "I'd rather start all over again!!!" kinda thing.

So this is all I got, and already I can recognize Cloud in the perspective viewport!
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_07.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/07.jpg)

I've recently become more accepting of 5 and 3 sided polys in my organic modeling, as I've found out where to place them to get a clean all-quad mesh after it's been subdivided. Once you do it a couple of times it eventually becomes natural and avoids a thousand headaches when you're trying to get a perfect all quad edgeflow... Part of the reason for my starting over again... The other reason is that the base face mesh I made isn't suited for Cloud. It could have been made to work, but what I'm doing now is so much easier than trying to bend my face into Cloud's!  ;D

It's not much but I hope it gets someone excited, and I hope it influences some people to learn more about face modeling!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Roxas on 2010-12-22 08:51:31
Looking good so far APZ!

If you happen to need any more source material, I can provide screencaps from the Blu-ray release of Advent Children: Complete.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Soul on 2010-12-22 13:05:12
Well, you got me all fired up now!  ;D The face is looking really great. Keep up the good work. Make them believe that your one of the most talented model maker here. Break your own record for making the coolest cloud ever.  ;)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2010-12-22 14:54:37
Apz... I am dissapoint. 5gons are a thing of the devil! I'll do a paintover tonight, cuz i'm not at home, but to note suggestions. brief outline - inside of occular cavity should come forward a bit, flattening out the bridge of the nose - more asian feature., outside of the brow should come up - giving him that .\/. kind of look :P. the chin bit should be angled in, i.e. the bottom of it pulled back. The forward extremety of clouds face is his nose, with the rest being kind of like an arrow back >. Hope this makes some sense :P I'll get you my paintover later!


EDIT:

Allow me to illustrate my points :P

(http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4212/apzhelp.jpg)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-12-22 18:10:43
Wow Timu! Not that I don't appreciate your critical analyzation skills, but wait until I've actually finished the face before you critique it!  :) (Or maybe I'm just being defensive, although I guess I shot myself in the foot for posting something that's not concrete yet) Just wanna get people excited

At this point I'm designing his face's edge flow rather than getting to the pushmepullyou of making it look really recognizable yet. (Although i can't help but notice that everytime I post a progress I'll look at it and fix a few things immediately after looking at it in the thread. Like the stronger cheek bone  ;) )

Trust me though, a well placed 5gon and tri here and there will subdivide into quads just fine if you know where to place them (Plus I model a thousand times faster when I'm not trying to fix everything into quads, it's like a weight that's been lifted off my shoulders) It's an ongoing debate among the pro's in the industry. Steven Stahlberg has been modeling professionally since I was playing pokemon in middle school, and he's okay with it: http://www.androidblues.com/ (http://www.androidblues.com/)  That's good enough for me!

All that said... I really do appreciate your ability to analyze and always have  ;) I'll ask you when I want you to unload and let me have it!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2010-12-23 01:25:20
kool stuff - thers never a bad part of production to get critique imo, and the notes on characterization come from when i was attempting to do it, so just puttin em out there for ya.

You've succeeded - I'm excited!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-12-23 04:57:27
kool stuff - thers never a bad part of production to get critique imo, and the notes on characterization come from when i was attempting to do it, so just puttin em out there for ya.

You've succeeded - I'm excited!

My imo is that critiques are great at every junction too! Just caught me off guard :) I did take into consideration what you said though, some of it I had already thought about ;) but you know... whatever!

I've been trying to work on it as much as I can, but family, holidays and being a daddy (My squeaker is wiggling in my lap as I type!!!) I WON'T ABANDON THIS UNTIL I'M DONE!

So don't worry, APZ will see this though!

edit:

Can't stay awake any longer... I got at least a half an hour of work in! Mountain Dew has failed me tonight...

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_08.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/08.jpg)

This is shown subdivided to prove that my 5gon on the zygomatic ridge and tri under the nostril subdivided into an all quad mesh. He doesn't look entirely like Cloud yet, but I'll get there  ;)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2010-12-23 14:23:45
very nice, i admit defeat to your polies... i just like working with quads - nicer to deform :P

Keep up the good work - and I'm highly impressed at your ability to persevere whilst fending off the youngster. I doff my cap to you sir!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Nightmarish on 2010-12-23 16:12:50
Omg i love the way this is going  :o
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-12-26 05:57:52
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_09.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/09.jpg)

Well I started over again (a technique I employ over and over again, and each time I do, I do it faster!) and sometimes not better... In my haste to match his face exactly, I kind of modeled fast and loose and ignored any planning. The edge loop system fell apart kind of around the eyes. (But a polygon guideline for eyebrows is something I like to do) I have a few tris that look alright after a subdivide, but I still wanna iron them out. The eyes may change (I might just tear the polys from the last work in progress and bolt them on)

The most important thing here was to get the exact shape and volume of Cloud correct. Now that I have that, I can fix the geometry to make more sense

But Hey! That's definitely Cloud!

Like always, there's still some more pushmepullyou vert pulling to get it exact, and most definitely some heavy line fixing. But over all I think it's basically nailed, just need to be fine tuned and fixed.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: kela51 on 2010-12-26 06:50:33
Wow :o!!! incredible!! nice work  ;)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2010-12-26 14:39:05
Very nice! I won't criticize yer polyflow as you seem to have plenty in mind. again for the face, the inside of the eyes is too far back. also I'd make the flare of the nose a little less pronounced. yours curls in quite strongly, while look at the original - it kind of just pans upwards.


Keep it up - and not too many restarts now!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Tenko Kuugen on 2010-12-26 18:41:36
I really do love where this is going but I wish there was one HQ character beside cloud for every five clouds made
we'd have HQs for everyone now.  :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Cloud Hetfield on 2010-12-28 06:35:56
 You can uploading for now only the Buster Sword? This sword be awesome and i want aply in the game with normal Cloud, can you disponibilize this for download please?

Thanks
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-12-29 07:22:40
I realize that these micro updates aren't quite as exciting. But for only getting to work on this maybe 10-15 minutes at a time it's kinda hard to get any real progress.

I figure I got Cloud's face maybe 95% nailed, so I guess I'll call it a win for now and continue with the rest of him. The rest of him will come along much MUCH faster than just the face.

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_10.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/10.jpg)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: kela51 on 2010-12-29 07:31:03
can't wait your cloud !!! fantastic ;D

kela51.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-12-29 08:42:18
Well... Like music can be, what was frustrating about Cloud is how exceedingly simple, yet specific, his face is. Funny in that my face is the same kind of face, the 'V' from the cheek bones to the chin, we both share the same profile, almost the same eyes, except mine are less almond. And yet, I just couldn't warp the model of my own face onto Cloud's, I'm sure I probably could have if I had enough patience... but that really isn't all that fun. I look at 3D modeling like sculpting, shape form and volume. Cloud is obviously a slightly heightened anime-ish reality, without the protrusions and creases in his face that like... EVERY real person has on their face. The best solution was to iron out as many edge loops as I could to get his face smooth.

I came to the conclusion that Square models their faces purposefully so that the lines that run through those certain anatomical areas (Like the nasal labial sneer crease) remain smooth

edit: I've been editing the face since my last post, I just updated the image.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2010-12-29 16:00:10
i quite like the micro updates - means i can give micro criticism, rather than tl;dr critz! That being said I can't spot any inaccuracies of note. Good job! I look forward to wtvs next. hair? torso?.... feet!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Lord_james on 2010-12-29 16:26:37
I realize that these micro updates aren't quite as exciting. But for only getting to work on this maybe 10-15 minutes at a time it's kinda hard to get any real progress.

I figure I got Cloud's face maybe 95% nailed, so I guess I'll call it a win for now and continue with the rest of him. The rest of him will come along much MUCH faster than just the face.

Uhm... I think heads and faces are hard, but Cloud's hair looks like need a lot of work... (not faster).
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-12-29 17:55:55
I realize that these micro updates aren't quite as exciting. But for only getting to work on this maybe 10-15 minutes at a time it's kinda hard to get any real progress.

I figure I got Cloud's face maybe 95% nailed, so I guess I'll call it a win for now and continue with the rest of him. The rest of him will come along much MUCH faster than just the face.

Uhm... I think heads and faces are hard, but Cloud's hair looks like need a lot of work... (not faster).

Well yes.. and than no. I think the modeling of it will be really fast. I've already analyzed his hair to get it right, Plus I got the Crisis Core model to help as reference. It's the texture UV unwrapping that's not gonna be quick.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2010-12-29 20:39:59
I've found his hair not that bad to unwrap - just isolate the "cones", cut at the base, and one line up to the point, and you get a triangle to texture, not too bad.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2010-12-29 20:58:58
I've found his hair not that bad to unwrap - just isolate the "cones", cut at the base, and one line up to the point, and you get a triangle to texture, not too bad.

Same here honestly, remember... I've unwrapped Cloud's hair twice already. But it's tedious and time consuming. Plus, Old original Cloud has less spikes to unwrap  ;)

Upcoming: I'll compare and contrast this face with all the obtainable Cloud's to prove that I didn't "Swipe UV's" (Whatever that means...) Save you guys a year of curiosity and analyzation.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Giullio on 2010-12-29 21:55:51
Too...
Much...
Quality...
For...
My...
Eyes!

That's so cool! Cloud is looking awesome...
hmm... Apz do you have any plans for the other characters?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: marryjoy on 2011-01-01 13:59:50
Hmmf....APZ is there a feild model on it if its done?  Hmmn... it looks great =)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Soul on 2011-01-02 04:52:28
Well well well. Looks like we have Carmina Topacio in the house. I mean, marryjoy's forum pic.

@topic
Can't wait to see what cloud looks like. :) I am also curious if a field model will be done, if ever, released.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-01-19 07:32:39
Sorry guys, fell off the horse and started and completed Kingdom Hearts 2 and got everything for the secret ending since the last time I worked on Cloud. But now that I've got some playing done, I'm ready to go back to work! The body won't take too long. But i redid the face geometry AGAIN because the edge loops were too close to the Crisis Core Cloud model (which I'm using as my main reference besides AC screen captures) I'd rather not have another wave of people thinking I copied things worse than I actually did, so I purposely changed the geometry again, keeping the exact same proportions.

It's funny, you analyze where the edge loops run, and maybe exactly follow the eye folds, (only making then loops instead of a spiral) and once it was done the verts of the rest of the face lined up too close to the game model, almost as if you just copied and pasted... disappointing, and I really honestly DON'T want that! This time it's unique beyond all analyzation.

Progress pending in a few days, i didn't forget about it!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2011-01-19 17:10:23
was wondering when you'd pop back up! I look forward to the body, and I'll b ready with detail-crazy criticism :P (is workin on a canon - style cosplay)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-01-20 07:10:05
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_11.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/11.jpg)

Well here's a micro-update that shows that I'm actually doing something! Edgeflow accounted for and everything. Nice and clean and will rig nicely.

Incase you're wondering if I'm making him naked or something, no. I just haven't modeled his metal arm things yet. Better to start with the mirrored elements first before breaking the symmetry. And the hands I bolted on something I previously modeled. It isn't cheating!  :P Especially if I made it, and it works! (I have a stock eye, a stock hand, and a stock ear, sort of stock feet... but low poly)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2011-01-20 15:18:54
wewt - only concern is if the shoulder structure isnt ideal for his sweater's armholes, seems like they could easily  get highly warped - could be wrong.

Keep it up!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-01-20 16:30:11
Actually I built a loop for the arm holes, more for reference to myself than actually building it out. Wouldn't be a problem for rigging, trust me  ;) Rigging is all about vertex weights. This screenshot shows the mistake of the fact that it isn't really a loop, I accidentally made it an incomplete spiral  :-o Oops! Geometry can confuse me sometimes. But it works out, it'll clean up those 3 or 4 polys better.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-01-28 08:14:22
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_12.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/12.jpg)

Well I keep waiting until I get more work done, but something always comes up, or I get too tired by the time I have freetime... But this is where he's at right now. I'm going with the motto, as simple as can get away with. So even this model (Which will be the higher rez one) will render light, and function and animate cleanly. I'm not going full-out Advent Children with cloth deformation detail because I'm trying to stay light and smart, and as an exercise in various video game techniques. Even though this version won't be put into the game, I will make an even lighter version using this one to bake normals. (More for my portfolio than anything practical)

I'm actually rather proud at how elegant the edgeflow works. It's simple, effective, and very like following the contours of cross hatching of great artists like Da Vinci. Taking that mind set and applying it to modeling (Don't forget people... I'm an ARTIST first and a modeler second)

p.s. or edit:

I added some base colors for you guys benefit and to quickly get a rough idea of how the colors appear on my geometry. I'm not actually modeling with those materials applied, I took them right off after making these screenshots  ;D Also, for these screenshots I'm subdividing my model with the display set to only show the wireframe from the unsubdivided base. (Otherwise known as isoline display)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Nightmarish on 2011-01-28 09:57:18
I was getting worried that this thread was going to the bottom of the section.
Good to know you still do some work, even if its little per week, it still walks towards completion.

I can't give you any feedback on it since my eyes don't work well on "people" comparison, i'm kinda bad with faces, etc.
I'm sure this model will be a perfect starting point for anybody who wants to do a advent children body later on.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2011-01-28 14:38:39
hard to tell but i think yer pauldron needs more of a lip against the edge near the neck. I think this was an issue with the old one too :P. I could be wrong, its hard to tell from those shots.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-01-28 18:20:26
hard to tell but i think yer pauldron needs more of a lip against the edge near the neck. I think this was an issue with the old one too :P. I could be wrong, its hard to tell from those shots.

You're right (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_CloudIdea.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/CloudIdea.jpg)

(Oh and I got your pm, sorry I haven't gotten around to answering it yet, of course I'll help you  ;) )
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Cloud1000 on 2011-02-22 21:56:38
almost a month gone by. any progress?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: obesebear on 2011-02-23 02:09:06
I'm sure he'll post progress when there is some, just like every other project in the Projects board.  Do not bump topics. Warning issued

To clarify the rule on necro-posting again, there's no problem with it as long as you are contributing something to the thread.  If a thread looks like it is dying, but you were interested in the project, either let it die or PM the author about it's status.  No reason to keep a dead/dying thread on page 1.   Unwarned because I'm in a good mood.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-02-23 15:23:38
Nothing worth getting excited about  :'( I've been worked to the bone... This is the first quarter in school that's truly challenged me to the max. I also have an official paid advertisement that I'm working on that'll be on TV and at the venue for SXSW at the Austin Music Festival (Though nothing really all that exciting) I'm at the frayed ends of my productivity and the assignments have been sucking up all my time. I apologize, and truly feel bad about it.

If you guys are interested, I've done some pretty neat things, and once I have some spare time I can show it.

Ah... Cloud, how I regret not touching you for a while... Well I suppose for curiosity's sake, I can post my face poly's submitted for your approval  ;) That YES... I used the Crisis Core Cloud head model as a guide. But NO it's neither the exact geometry or edge loops, and I definitely did NOT copy and paste anything. Given the accusations in the past, I feel like I owe it to you guys to make sure there's no way to say I copied anything.

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_13.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/13.jpg)

There it is folks! I DIDN'T RIP OFF ANYTHING!!!! Plus I discovered the Crisis core model is slightly more rounded and 'younger' than the Advent Children one, I can't believe they actually took that into subtle consideration! But there you go. I'm studying edgeflow with vengeance. I think my model has a nice facial flow, and it deforms with expressions quite better than I thought! Although I can't see myself using these face polys as a template for anything else... Maybe other anime-type characters, but that's it really.

and thanks just the same obesebear  ;) You obviously know I won't let this die
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-02-24 07:20:10
Progress! However little of it there is... it's still something!

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_14.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/14.jpg)

The boots will be simple, the belts will be modeled out next. Luckily for you guys, I'm really really fast and good at texture painting! (And I've only gotten better since the last Cloud by the way)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Jaitsu on 2011-02-24 14:51:52
nerdgasm
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2011-02-24 17:21:35
nice nice, the crotch looks a bit low, i'd pull it up a couple inches. also the shoulder pad - the outside edge, near the tip of the deltoid, should curve inwards, in that when the arm is against his side, the outside of the pad should be somewhat flat/verticle, yours goes out quite  abit, more like the AC shoulder pad. If you dont get what i mean i can do a mockup for ye.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Nightmarish on 2011-02-24 17:49:40
Mouth seems a tad off, but maybe it's just me.
Wouldn't it be better to finish the head/hair, all to the end with textures and whatsoever and then go for the body? One step at a time.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: sithlord48 on 2011-02-24 19:16:24
Very Nice Work!!!!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-02-24 22:49:28
Mouth seems a tad off, but maybe it's just me.
Wouldn't it be better to finish the head/hair, all to the end with textures and whatsoever and then go for the body? One step at a time.

Of course since these are works in progress, it's not even close to finalized in my eyes yet. The mouth only needs to come in a bit in the corners. Lot's of fine detail type work, I'm mostly just getting it made first.

On finishing the head first...

I would, but with my hit and miss schedule it'd never get done! I have the "I run into something that doesn't work, try again, nope, don't like it... So I work on something else for now, and when i come back to it i have fresh eyes and better ideas" kinda thing going on. When i focus on one specific portion i have less productivity. Need to keep moving forward.

and Timu  ;) As always you are right, and as always it's something i agree with. But trust me, even though I'm still playing with the verts on the pelvis, it will look less weird when i model the belts.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2011-02-25 05:48:37
i forget, are yer arms stock, or do u intend to modify them - looking at the image, the arms seem kinda frail for cloud. he has epic arms, particularly in the deltoid region. (his deltoids seem to overlap his shoulder joint :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Castiel107 on 2011-03-03 23:51:04
AMAZING!!!!! :D I can't wait!!!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Shuffle on 2011-03-27 07:22:03
Um, any news?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: yarLson on 2011-03-27 17:59:45
Um, any news?

Modelling is a very time consuming process, not to mention the authors and artists here on this forum have lives of their own. Just be patient my friend. I am sure we would all rather have him take his time and give us a quality release.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-03-27 19:17:09
In between being a dad and a full-time student with a full-time job, I tend not to have very much free time lately  :) Well.. when I get it I tend to sleep! That is... when he's not slappin me in the face and pulling on my mustache while I'm laying there  ;D

<Off topc>

But, if you want to see what I look like as a low poly and badly rigged model, that's just one of the projects I've been working on for school: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-t9_kmQi-Y (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-t9_kmQi-Y)

Rigged and animated in less than an hour! (I know I can do better) The better version will follow eventually, but I'm gonna shelf this particular project for now. And yes... That's exactly what I look like ;)

</Off topic>

I plan on tackling Cloud real soon, and now that I know Zbrush real good, I can sculpt some pretty sweet normal maps, it'll add a new flavor overall to Cloud, and hopefully for the better. We'll see.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: sl1982 on 2011-03-27 19:24:18
Nice video. Glad to see you are still planning to work on the cloud model, especially since the driver handles normal maps now.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-03-27 19:39:41
Thanks bud  ;) Also be sure that once Cloud is done I'll have more to show than just the model in game, I plan on all kinds of animations for youtube, and high quality renders.

Plus that's my song I wrote and recorded in the video in my last post, I do that too  ;)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-04-01 07:10:02
Nice video. Glad to see you are still planning to work on the cloud model, especially since the driver handles normal maps now.

Do we have any screen shots of the normals working in-game on Aali's driver? I'm more than used to working with and generating them, but I'm curious as to how and where they work in the game. Battle mode I would assume. Wouldn't be worth it too much in the field. Well... I'm sure the dramatically lit scenes would be interesting...

Also... I forget  ;D Are spec maps implemented as well?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Aali on 2011-04-01 12:48:22
Here's a video of normal and specular mapping in action:

http://85.24.185.102/share/normal_map_hires.avi (http://85.24.185.102/share/normal_map_hires.avi)

Millenia made those maps for me to test with.

The video was recorded on a crappy builtin intel card so the quality is pretty bad but you get the idea.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-07-06 23:40:27
Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 30 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.


Well it's my thread darnit! and I suppose this is kinda news...

Since the last time I even open my project files I've learned dynamic clothing and hair simulation and I've also 70% mastered zbrush and it's handy (Do what used to take me days and now it takes me minutes) techniques that zbrush allows me to do. This I believe will create a better more accurate product for your fanboy delight!

Here's just one of the things I've done with this new knowledge:

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_256842_178682735518358_100001298993726_398803_703335_o.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/256842_178682735518358_100001298993726_398803_703335_o.jpg)


I'll try to work on this TONIGHT!!!! Let's see how much I get done.


Plus my inbox is full of messages like these:
Quote
Hi, plix video youtube cloud: dirge of cerberus battle mod?

I don't know what to say about most of these, sorry that I don't reply guys!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: sl1982 on 2011-07-06 23:54:52
Wow impressive work apz. Glad to see you back.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Tekkie.X on 2011-07-07 00:12:51
It's alive, IT'S ALIVE, good to see you haven't forgotten about us.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-07-07 00:33:40
No just that feeling that I broke a promise :(  But I haven't forgot. I want this done as much as you do I swear! But I'm in the last year of art school and it's intense, plus having a less-than-1 year old doesn't help my productivity much! I have less time than ever for personal projects
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Nightmarish on 2011-07-07 09:19:35
Here's just one of the things I've done with this new knowledge:

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_256842_178682735518358_100001298993726_398803_703335_o.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/256842_178682735518358_100001298993726_398803_703335_o.jpg)

Tyler Durden?  :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-07-07 12:01:35
Yes Tyler Durden  :D Although I never got around to the hair. Duplicating Edward Norton and Brad Pitt circa 1999 and building their clothes, rigging and carving blends shapes based on their expressions is allot of work! It never came close to completion and I'll sit on it until I get the nerve to tackle them again... At least now I'm a matchmoving genius! And I've even discovered a way to use Autodesks Matchmover and two camera's to make a very VERY cheap motion capture. Particularly I'm interested in using this for rapidly fast facial motion capture, Cause having a face rig is just easier than blend shaping it all... But blendshapes can be more accurate, it all depends on who built the rig and who's animating them on which is easier.

Okay champs. He's THIS close to being ready to port into zbrush to do it's impossible magic. It's a thousand time easier to paint the detail on after laying out the uv's on it's simpler mesh. And the ability to just... PAINT on the model its self!? (Okay 3DS Max 2011 had a baddass feature that does this too, like photoshop in your modeler, but zbrush can do it even if you don't have your uv's laid yet!) And well... You guys want normal maps, I'll give ya normals maps, Freakin badd@$$ ones! Even so, I'll bake some Ambient Occlusion and some simple shadows cause it'll add a layer of believability and style. A normal map alone doesn't replicate dynamic shadows, or reflective properties.

Yes guys I know what I'm doing, it just takes... time to do!  ;) And I'm so stretched!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Nightmarish on 2011-07-09 02:41:02
We waited this long, we can wait a bit more. We just need it finished, if it's in 2015  :roll:
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-07-12 11:33:26
My base mesh with base colors before any sculpting, with additional ornaments that'll be used to bake normals.

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_15.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/15.jpg)

I'm keepin the head a surprise until it's textured  ;)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Nightmarish on 2011-07-12 11:47:53
Looking sexy. Judging by the hair spikes, it'll be a nice head :P
Hopefully you can get a good face (eyes, mouth, nose), Cloud version from TA was nice but i didnt like the face much or the colours, there was too much saturation in the hair for example  :| (imo).
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: sl1982 on 2011-07-12 12:30:18
Very nice. I would be interested in seeing if a high poly version would work in game. I know many people have the hardware to run it.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Tekkie.X on 2011-07-12 12:42:28
The real question, is could the game engine handle a model with potentially hundreds of thousands of polygons.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: sl1982 on 2011-07-12 14:12:19
Nobody really knows until it is tried. I remember hearing something about the engine handling 32000 ish polys per object. I believe an object is for example a leg. I would imagine aali could give a better answer then I can though.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Aali on 2011-07-12 16:38:37
65535 vertices per group is the hard limit, a single .p file can have *alot* of groups though so if whichever tool you use is smart enough to create more groups when you go over the limit that wont be a problem.

Performance all depends on where and how your model is used. Reasonably high-poly models would use up alot of CPU time in worldmap and field, while in battle it would be no problem at all, for example. Semi-transparency is also really expensive in some cases and could easily slow the game to a crawl if the model is too complex.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-07-12 18:07:27
I have no plans to release the high poly version. Once I finish him I'll combine the sculpting detail and ornamental polygon detail into normal maps for one combined and slightly retopo'd mesh (ex: The suspender straps will be just a raised portion of the chest mesh) I'm shooting for a final that'll be roughly less than 4000 polys, or 7 to 8 thousand tri polys.

@Nightmarish check the various posts I've made, I have several shots of the working of the face. I'll add them to the WIP links on the first post of this thread
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: zoostation on 2011-07-12 20:05:29
If it isn't any trouble, you should release the hi-poly and lo-poly versions, so people who want hi-poly can get it but people who can't use it (or aren't interested for some reason) have an option too. If you make both of them, why not release them?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: sl1982 on 2011-07-12 20:06:14
He's an awesomesauce hoarder :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-07-12 20:31:21
If it isn't any trouble, you should release the hi-poly and lo-poly versions, so people who want hi-poly can get it but people who can't use it (or aren't interested for some reason) have an option too. If you make both of them, why not release them?

Because it wouldn't really look THAT much different honestly! The camera doesn't get close enough for those tiny details to really pop out. And Trust in me  ;) I model smart to get as much detail with as little polys. Takes less time to render.

And as far as I'm concerned the "high poly" is only a stand-in/mid-step to my full render model to use in one of my projects. And that and converting it to the games files would be more trouble than it's worth, and the different only slightly noticeable. As an smart animator, you only model out the finite details you'll see up close.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-07-13 04:46:52
Here's what I've used as my background for the last couple of months, thought you guys might like it as well:

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_Busterbackground.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/Busterbackground.jpg)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: dkma841 on 2011-07-22 21:37:57
.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: aznkiller on 2011-07-28 18:28:36
just wondering how to i insert that image ^^ into my start screen?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: DarkFang on 2011-07-28 21:19:21
just wondering how to i insert that image ^^ into my start screen?

Install Aali's OpenGL driver.
Open the ff7_opengl.cfg file using notepad.
Go to the line that says "mod_path =" and set it to "mod_path = avalanche".
Download the image and rename it to buster_00 and place it in mods\avalanche\menu.
     32-bit: C:\Program Files\Square Soft, Inc.\Final Fantasy VII\mods\avalanche\menu
     64-bit: C:\Program Files (x86)\Square Soft, Inc.\Final Fantasy VII\mods\avalanche\menu
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: aznkiller on 2011-07-28 23:20:51
Install Aali's OpenGL driver.
Open the ff7_opengl.cfg file using notepad.
Go to the line that says "mod_path =" and set it to "mod_path = avalanche".
Download the image and rename it to buster_00 and place it in mods\avalanche\menu.
     32-bit: C:\Program Files\Square Soft, Inc.\Final Fantasy VII\mods\avalanche\menu
     64-bit: C:\Program Files (x86)\Square Soft, Inc.\Final Fantasy VII\mods\avalanche\menu

THANKYOU xD
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Stan The FF7 Fan on 2011-08-13 01:40:33
Wow. The sword looks incredible, can't wait for a release, or is there a way to use the image? :)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Vegadawg2 on 2011-08-13 02:51:30
Wow. The sword looks incredible, can't wait for a release, or is there a way to use the image? :)


Please read the post above yours Stan.  Download the image and convert to a .png file then rename the pic and place it in the correct folder.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-08-13 09:09:02
Sorry guys :) school's beating me to a pulp! I got Production Team where a team of 7 students make an animated short film in 3 months... and I'm the art lead and most of my team isn't very skilled... So I'm kind of teaching everyone what we've already learned for the last year (Sigh inducing disappointment)... It'll be great though! Me and the Production Team leader are decent enough and I'm sure that with enough grinding we'll make something cool! Also Advanced Rigging (which is more like advanced round about way of making things more complicated for animators  ;) but seriously I'm learning a TON) and lastly I got Animation Studio V Which is a 3 month long project dedicated to the area of cg that I'm most interested in (Character Concept/Creation/and Animation) the whole purpose is that I make something polished to put on my demo reel.

I'll include my version of the opening screen (made to look more like the original but with the new sword of course) when I finally get around to releasing Cloud.

Have faith guys  :) I'm sorry, it'll be worth it! I won't let you down
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: burkey0307 on 2011-08-14 02:12:00
No worries. School is important.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Immortal Damyn on 2011-08-17 00:59:58
No worries. School is important.

School is very unimportant :P people learn more on their own than most schools could ever hope to teach.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: pacito-ex on 2011-08-17 01:06:05
I agree, I went to a self paced charter school and finished 2 years in 2 months :P. I had to wait one more month so that the teachers had enough time to finish grading my papers lol.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Vgr on 2011-08-17 02:23:11
School is very unimportant :P people learn more on their own than most schools could ever hope to teach.

True story.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Tekkie.X on 2011-08-17 12:27:47
when is the apz new cloud going to be released?

Nice to see you actually read the thread...
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: AshamanZack on 2011-08-19 19:51:13
I can't wait to see this cloud when he's finished. With all the practice your school is putting you through, its going to be amazing. I know it.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: fantasycloud on 2011-08-23 11:12:28
can't wait to see this in action
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-08-23 15:24:02
Quote
when is the apz new cloud going to be released?

Well that's the question isn't it?  :) Right now I'm suffering through severe financial crunch in my life and school's beating the crap outta my every free moment. I barely sleep as it is, and I need to get another job just to climb out of this predicament. I'm not asking for any sympathy, as frustrating as my position may be I still count myself a lucky man.

But in the mean by that means that I need to focus all my energy into keeping my head above water. And as much as I'd like to tear into Cloud and get him done tomorrow... I have priorities that demand my immediate and constant attention.

The only promise I can make is that I haven't forgotten, and I haven't abandoned this yet. I have no intention of dropping this project. I just have to wait until I haven enough freetime/motivation to achieve it.

So bear with me  ;) Have a little patience and faith. I really don't want to let you guys down
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Vgr on 2011-08-23 15:28:17
I'm not asking for any sympathy

Well, in any ways, you've got mine. I hope you'll get better anytime soon.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Vegadawg2 on 2011-08-23 17:23:08
Sounds like a struggle APZ...  You don't need to worry cause we'll be very patient.  Take care of the top priorities first and we'll be here waiting when you make your triumphant return.  Take care and keep that chin above water!  :-)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: fantasycloud on 2011-08-25 00:59:18
Just settle your top priorities first,,, and we will be waiting for the return of the new hero....cloud strife.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-08-25 03:29:41
Thanks guys  ;) Those kind words mean more to me than "dude how I pwned your cloud modl and download that sh*%, why its not werkin?" kinda things that fill my pm inbox to full every month or so. I prefer to communicate in complete and whole language.


This is, I kid you not, an actual quote:

Quote
Yo clouds a shizNIT mutha F. LOL shut-up u freak crazy- plses after seeing my ashey legs in the morn they would NOT like dat il git my neighbor do it as well we did it last year the dent come out 4 the rest of the year- well they did they jus practiced on the ohger side of the school hahaa

 :o It makes me wonder if they were trying to talk to me and accidentally pasted something they accidentally copied...?

I believe this is the reason the more sane and novice members who try to ask me something sometimes don't get an answer from me. I'm sorry you few innocent guys!


To make this post less off topic. I promise you members and floaters that I will NOT give up on Cloud! And he will be awesome
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Vgr on 2011-08-25 03:34:33
...

Those kind of people don't deserve the rights to be on Qhimm. Read the rules n00bs. Mind sharing a list (even if not complete) of people who sent you those kind of messages? Here or by PM, whatever.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: fantasycloud on 2011-08-25 05:39:04
ei mr APZ do you have a plan to do also the field model of new cloud?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-08-30 09:14:54
ei mr APZ do you have a plan to do also the field model of new cloud?
That correct answer is... a definite MAYBE. I don't know where my head space will be by the time I finally get this project done. I may or may not have the stamina or the drive to make the field model.

(p.s. I'm tickled that everyone in my pm box calls me polite names like "Sir" and "Mr Freak"  ;D )

Don't get me wrong... I totally want to make the field model! I really do! But I'm not sure yet if it's in the cards. But in the mean by guys... No more pm's about it please. It's one of the most asked questions. I'm sure I've said this several times (I'm not sure I haven't checked  :P ) But please no more.

But to answer yet another possible question: IF I DO make a field model IT WILL BE the chibi version like in the original game. I do not personally care for the regular size conversion mods. No offense! But it's not my cup of tea. I prefer it the way was.

And no, I'm sorry. But I won't answer any questions referring to my older "APZ CLOUD". Sorry. The customer service has run out on that one  ;) Besides... Wouldn't you want the better one I'm cooking up!? Just wait, it's not like FFVIIPC's getting any more outdated than it already is  ;D

Of course, I was wondering if I should do an anime face counterpart in addition to the current one!?!?! Just the face. So that it'll fit in more with the game. Basically what I mean is to recreate the "APZ CLOUD" with my new model. To make the populous happy, as well as myself. It'll fit in more with the other characters to have him be more anime like, and also using the same colors from the original one. That's the philosophy behind the design of APZ CLOUD.

<COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT>

(It's funny because I made APZ CLOUD '08-'09-ish and my memories are a bit hazy about it. When everyone dissected the texture file, I couldn't remember honestly if I used the face texture from Dissidia or not! To this day is the 80% painted face texture layer in the photoshop file turned off over the dreaded copied texture from Dissidia. You know the one what broke everyone's heart and lost the respect for me from a lot of people  :-[ ) I exaggerate But it seemed that way  8)

But that's the reason why I'm doing THIS Cloud! Not only will it be BETTER, with the new knowledge and skills I've acquired. But it's there as a peace offering to those who were upset and disappointed by my (dishonesty...?) um I dunno... My failure to create the entirety of my textures from scratch I guess!? (I still don't know exactly what "swiping UV's" means...? You can't easily copy the uv layout off of another model that has a different vertex order! My polys were hand crafted, I followed the structure of the Dissidia one, but I didn't just "Copy and Paste") Of course, everyone's entitled to their own opinions. But I was THERE!

It's funny to me because I wondered at the time if anyone might look at the polys of the head and compare it to the Dissidia model and call me out on it. I had APZ CLOUD's head with the Dissidia head right next to it when modeling it. It isn't exactly the same, but yes, I basically recreated it. I knew for my self that I didn't just "Copy and Paste" I wondered if I'd be accused of it. And well... I was!

Hilarity ensues! And I look back at my past self and I laugh at him, because he somehow knew.  :-D

</COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT>
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Vegadawg2 on 2011-08-30 18:38:25
yeah it's too bad copyright exists or else all the mods for this game would probably be complete by now and the game would be looking PS3 worthy....  but alas.. copyright laws slow progress down and stop the amazing things from happening.  Look at all the amazing things that come out of Japan and China.... they have no copyright laws and how is it hurting them?  it's only helping.. period.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2011-08-30 19:07:36
Apz, I wouldn't do an anime face. Though it might help meld your art with the rest of the game, I doubt it would truly fit even with the rest of the model. between highly detailed hair, and fairly realistic body proportions, it would stand out. The anime face needs an anime body too - tiny torso, long legs, oversized forarms, etc.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-08-30 19:13:35
Apz, I wouldn't do an anime face. Though it might help meld your art with the rest of the game, I doubt it would truly fit even with the rest of the model. between highly detailed hair, and fairly realistic body proportions, it would stand out. The anime face needs an anime body too - tiny torso, long legs, oversized forarms, etc.

That's the point really. To put it into the game AT ALL yo have to go by the game's unrealistic proportions. I'm talking anime for the game only, not outside of it.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2011-08-30 19:26:24
And I'm saying either go all in, not just the face, or don't :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-08-30 20:44:11
And I'm saying either go all in, not just the face, or don't :P

We'll see :) If I ever get around to it.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: therock17024 on 2011-08-30 21:49:59
Hi guys, im looking to convert APZ's CLoud model into a field model, has APZ ever relased one on this site, or has he ever allowed someone to release it ? I really want to know how to convert it to a field since I think its the absolute best model for Cloud. Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Kίпg Ģµяµ on 2011-08-30 23:14:43
Um I think you should for his permission first lol. Besides, he said if he wanted to make a field cloud model, it's gonna be a chibi version  :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: therock17024 on 2011-08-30 23:40:52
I said I wanted to learn how to make it first, can't release something if you dont know how to do it. I already know asking the creators for permission is part of the rules. Can anyone else provide the steps for it ? Im sure I cant just extract them from battle.lgp and save them into field.lgp by renaming the files ? Or can i ?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Vgr on 2011-08-30 23:53:17
You need advanced skills to do that. You can ask in the PRP thread.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-08-31 05:44:13
Yes, please check the PRP Thread (http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=7422.0). And use that as a starting point to branch off of. I have no interest in it. I understand that you want to take my old APZ Cloud and turn him into a field model and not release it, just for yourself. But that requires a lot more than just renaming files.

Unfortunately no, I can't really help you there. I have enough trouble explaining animation and 3DS Max and Maya and After Effects to the students I tutor. I'm pretty booked. And besides... I honestly haven't even opened ANY of the FFVIIPC tools since 2009. I'm bound to have forgotten nearly all of it! I'll have to relearn all over again.

(and the only reason I've been posting more than usual is because it keeps my mind active on as little sleep as I get. So I can keep working on my school projects without passing out!)

I wish I had a screenshot to keep this thread focused, but I don't have anything that's any more than the last post:


(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_15.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/15.jpg)

That's NOT the final head... The file with that hair model got corrupted or something when I opened it in 3DS Max 2012 and tried to save it to 2011. No worries, I wasn't 100% on it, and it wasn't final anyways...

I work iteratively, (as in cloudv01.max, cloudv02.max, cloudv03.max) So we're SAFE! and there was no monitor screaming like in the old days  ;) Just a quick sigh and a shrug. Nothing was lost that was gold.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2011-08-31 16:50:52
i think i mentioned this way back, but the crotch/butt is too low.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-08-31 20:04:41
Yeah, it must have happened when I was doing whatever with the belts. Soft selection type stuff. Didn't get around the raising his in-seam when I made the screenshot. I was trying to match the belts and the bangle to rendered pictures of Zack and Cloud as best as possible, wasn't paying attention to his crotch  ;)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: ferruz96 on 2011-09-11 16:51:42
the buster sword looks impressive!!! awesome work apz!!! and the cloud model too!!!!!!! you are the best men
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Skopin on 2011-12-22 03:16:54
Just wondering if you've made any more progress on this model? I recently started playing FF7 again with a lot of the newest mods out, and from what I've seen, this is by far the best looking Cloud model ever made. Not to bump the thread with a simple progress report request, but I'm really looking forward to this one. I loved the last one you did, and this one looks even better.

Also, out of curiosity, do you have any plans to do any other character models?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2011-12-23 21:29:19
I would love to do different character models! But my free time has gone out the window. I'm still in school, I have a 1 year old, I'm interning at Sony, and I'm developing a music video for a musician. I'm just straight up SWAMPED! But don't give up hope yet, I REALLY want to finish this project. And I AM NOT ABANDONING THIS PROJECT

This Cloud will be completed and I also want to do the dlc different versions of him. In the same vein as the different Batmans for Arkham City.

As far as other characters...? I might make a few if for no other reason than for my art portfolio. And I'll leave it to the community to chop them up and code them into the game, I just don't think I'll have the time.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Skopin on 2011-12-31 17:00:51
Ah, good stuff. Congrats on interning with Sony! Hard work pays off.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Kyo13 on 2012-01-14 10:18:06
I wasn't aware about story behind your first APZ Cloud, I didn't understood why it wasn't here anymore ! And anyway I found it a moment ago...

All that I want to say, it's I'm an addicted about your APZ Cloud (and after all, you know it's used by many people), I'm a beginner, and trying to make other HQ models, but I consider Cloud/Barret  perfect as it.

Now I understand why you are doing it, and just want to say, go for it, you have all needed skills and I know your model will be really great ! I will take a look back later, even if I really like the one I'm using !

Edit : I would not be that joyfull concerning Sony... and their policy ^^ Open Source isn't really what Sony like ... Maybe Microsoft was better ^^ I'm not sure they'll appreciate your models, they are more like to sue every Open Source code on court (they work like that lol) and they won (big wallets allways won, it must be justice ^^) ! So if they can made it with Open Source code, I wouldn't imagine about this kind of stuff :/ Anyway, congratulations XD
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-06-11 08:49:31
Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 20 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.

I would love to post a new reply thank you  ;)

OKAY The thing you guys have all been waiting to hear IS>>>>>>

That I still want to do this! PLUS~ When I finally get around to it, I have 10 times the talent that I had even 1 year ago (which means... about the last time I actually checked this board)

THE BAD NEWS. I'm the intrepid father who's trying to graduate and work a full time job to keep my wife and kid fed and I'm kinda REALLY busy!!!  :(

I don't wanna be that guy. Well... I DO  ;) But I don't like to abandon things that I want to do.

I WANT TO DO THIS CLOUD THING FOR YOU GUYS But life is hard man!  :P I pull about 2 all nighters a week.

<off topic>And for those of you who've read my inane ramblings about how dramatic my life is... IT GOT WORSE!!!! Last January some serious life changing bullmoore happened that threatened my sanity and family. TWO separate and equally soul crushing things happened within 2 days. I can't talk about it obviously... Let's just say the damage is pretty permanent, and a man I used to respect will be in jail for the rest of his life, a family member of mine will need counseling... And a person I love very much will never speak to me again... But no more elaboration is needed. I live in a soap opera is what I'm trying to say</off topic>

ANYWAYS! You can't keep a good dog down, and I'm still kicking!

All the work on this page that you've seen so far...? Scrapped!

But no worries. I can pump this guy out in a week with the talent I've accrued (Which involved working at Sony Online Entertainment for 3 months) And with my new fangled ZBrush skills, he'll be pretty and accurate and retopo'd with a nice clean simple mesh. I'll even bake out a normals and spec map for you people with the Aali's custom driver.

I'll take screenshots to track my progress and explain what I'm doing in each step, it could be used as a how-to of sorts for those that are interested in learning these skills. (Time tracking is VERY important in the video game field! GET USED TO TRACKING YOUR TIME if you want to be a part of that kind of work!!!)

AAAAAAAAAAND... FUDGE IT!  :P I'll go ahead and rerelease my old APZ Cloud Model with a brand new painted face so no one can complain! (Hey, it's better than waiting for my life to slow down again right!?)

I'll post about it later in the week after my finals on Tuesday... I'll quickly repaint the face (with that shiggity one I still have half completed on a layer in the photoshop file) And make the post so you people can finally be happy about it being back  ::)

--(Why didn't I do this earlier? Cause I really wanted to make a Cloud that blew it out of the water! But after FOUR ALMOST FIVE YEARS people are STILL emailing me about my APZ Cloud... THAT MEANS SOMETHING!!! That means people loved it more than most big budget summer movies! Granted it's not my intellectual property... but folks loved my work ferociously regardless)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: LeonhartGR on 2012-06-11 13:07:59
+1000000...0!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: dkma841 on 2012-06-11 16:39:35
Yippie-Kai-Yay Mother f!... gosh im excited lol, btw dude you should fix up your life first y'know but meh depends on the situation hope you get things settled again and good to see you spend your critical time on this cloud model, good luck! :)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: obesebear on 2012-06-11 17:26:26
Glad to hear it
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-06-12 03:47:31
Glad to hear it

On Wednesday I'll paint something up, and convert it to the proper format within all my old files and re-upload it. Considering The old thread has a negative heading on it... I suppose it will warrant a new thread in the releases section. And everyone can be happy and stop e-mailing me at least once a week  :) (Seriously... 3 years later and I still get asked about it, that's freakin awesome!)

It'll be the battle model only unfortunately... But it's better than nothing!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Magicbob on 2012-06-12 10:23:31
I'm a huge fan of your previous Cloud Battle Model, which I unfortunately lost when my little brother got me a virus and I had to re-format... If this new one is really as awesome as you say it is then you sir, are even more awesome than I thought so before! I'm definitely looking forward to it's release! Cheers to the champ once again!  :-D
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: archerxtreme on 2012-06-15 16:01:31
Good show. May be someday i'll be as good....maybe
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-06-15 19:47:01
Good show. May be someday i'll be as good....maybe
I only got that way by not letting anything stop me! And if you think what you've seen so far was good... That was only me learning how to do these things in the first place. Developing your spacial reasoning through observation is the key. After that you have to familiarize yourself with the software. But the software doesn't think for you! The best work comes from those who truly have an understanding of thinking of an objects volume and shape in their own minds. OBSERVATIONAL DRAWING is absolutely the fastest way to get that skill. And sculpting clay and such helps enormously.



As far as the New face for the Cloud model... I painted one up, but I have to quickly re-teach myself how to do all this stuff. I might have it ready tonight if my son goes to sleep and nobody else needs my attention tonight  ;)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Livesey on 2012-06-15 20:23:24
Bow chicka bow wow!

/offtopic

looking forward to your Cloud.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: jinrok on 2012-06-22 21:51:14
Good luck for the future cloud model, and thank you so much for us :)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Glacier106 on 2012-06-23 04:15:47
APZ,
 When I read your posts, I can not help but read them with the fervor of someone hyped up on several cups of coffee. That does make me lol... Ah, good times. Anyways, five years and the messages are going strong because your work is amazing. It is with great pride I say (with many yelling the same), your first model is remembered and cherished as much as the game itself. This my good sir is why we know you will not let us down. I am getting on in years (24,lol) and know there is more to a game than the way it plays. It is called atmosphere! Your art is part of the Great atmosphere this game provides. You interned at Sony? Hopefully they learned something from you!

Good Day.... I said GOOD DAY!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-07-27 04:07:46
APZ,
 When I read your posts, I can not help but read them with the fervor of someone hyped up on several cups of coffee. That does make me lol... Ah, good times. Anyways, five years and the messages are going strong because your work is amazing. It is with great pride I say (with many yelling the same), your first model is remembered and cherished as much as the game itself. This my good sir is why we know you will not let us down. I am getting on in years (24,lol) and know there is more to a game than the way it plays. It is called atmosphere! Your art is part of the Great atmosphere this game provides. You interned at Sony? Hopefully they learned something from you!

Good Day.... I said GOOD DAY!

Thank you buddy!  And believe me when I say it warms my heart to hear that someone loved a work of art of mine  :D Quite honestly... works of love and passion are my most treasured of any kind of art. I understand what it means to love something someone else made, even if it wasn't their idea. Much like the song covers I love to listen to on youtube.

Let me also say that I don't believe I deserve such glorious praise (although I'm prone to doing the same from time to time to other internet artists) I merely studied closely the style of Kingdom Hearts and did my best to replicate it. That's more or less it, but I can definitely see a bit of a commonality with my other work. (I wouldn't go so far to say my style, more like my preferences)

My laziest part was replicating the same facial polygons (I DID NOT copy and paste!) In the same way you'd draw from a photograph sitting next to your paper without tracing (There's no use arguing with some folks, they won't believe me BECAUSE===>) I literally just dropped in the face texture from Dissidia's Cloud. Honestly it's been so long I can't remember if I did it on purpose or if I just never finished painting my own with the Dissidia texture as a reference (There's a partially completed painted face to this day still in the photoshop file)

Once that truth got out, there were many here who lost respect for me... and right or wrong, justified or not... I deserved it  :o In my humble opinion. I let folks down (Really? Over this silly model I made for zero profit?) Yes indeed :) But no matter. If I can rub two days together when I'm not busy as all hell I'll crank out a better Cloud!

IN THE MEAN BY! I might as well finish painting that face tonight so yall folks can have the Classic APZ Cloud I still get e-mails for to this day!  ;)

edit: I passed out after typing this  ;D (What can I say? I haven't graduated college yet)

So! Without further ado... I painted this up real quick from scratch. Submitted for your approval, I present to you the repainted head. If it pleases the court... I'll process and repackage the old Cloud for download again and all can be right in the world. (Bear in mind that the face texture is the sole part of my Cloud that wasn't my own work!)

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/cloudcomparison.gif)

This gif was upscaled 200% nearest neighbor (which means no smoothing) I deliberately pushed the shadows around so that no one can call any laziness on my part. I painted this new face from scratch, it is not a smudge tooled copy of the old face. (Although the eyes are scaled copies of the FFVII Final Battle model's, keep it closer to the source material) It's different but produces the same feeling. And fits into the uv's the same way. The only different is when you zoom in all the way. Other than that... it's unique and 100% my work.

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/cloudcomparison-1.jpg)

If we can all agree upon this... I'll make APZ Cloud available again. Deal? Mods, this is up to you. I'll do the rest, with your blessing (and another draft to tighten things up a bit, I need to sleep)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: obesebear on 2012-07-27 13:47:05
Nice work dude!  He looks a few years younger now.  Intentional?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-07-27 18:52:08
Not quite  ;) Part of that "tightening up" I spoke of at the end of my long dialogue. It's not as sharp, one of those things you don't see as glaring until you take a step back and see it objectively. But I'm also on the fence because the slightly less sharp face matches the style of the rest of the texture
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Nightmarish on 2012-07-27 19:15:14
Don't like the fact he looks younger, a face closer to the videos ingame would be better but.. this model is better than no new model.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: BloodShot on 2012-07-27 19:23:29
lol, I was just thinking about the APZ cloud model, and how "couldn't he just redo the face texture?" And I come here and he did!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Fischkopf on 2012-07-28 09:18:54
Doesn't look younger to me...  :o

Just better especially the mouth.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-07-28 13:05:07
He has a "perdy mouth" does he?  :P Well... I went ahead and straightened it out a bit more keeping closer to the way yall are used to seeing APZ Cloud.

This is the final pass on him. With the mods approval I'll hook it up and make it available to download again.

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_NewCloudFace.gif) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/NewCloudFace.gif) -Click to see larger

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_OldandNewCloudFace.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/OldandNewCloudFace.jpg) -Click to see larger
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: LeonhartGR on 2012-07-28 13:14:37
Great!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: KaidenJames on 2012-07-28 13:23:41
Looks awesome! Great stuff apz!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: kela51 on 2012-07-30 19:25:16
great work apz!! Have you planned to put your new buster sword?  ;)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-07-31 04:12:49
Only packaged with the "New Canon Cloud" I haven't made yet  :P

Although it IS an awesome model. I made it from the Crisis Core rendered poses of Zack and I'm pretty proud of how it came out. (It only took me... what... Like a couple of hours over the course of a few days?)

The Cloud I'm going to Zbrush sculpt the model, and then retopo him and bake in the details. It'll be higher poly than APZ Cloud. But there's no need for him to be current gen detailed, he won't have dynamic cloth or facial animation, more polys is just a waste (ESPECIALLY without any skin weights) But don't worry, just because I'm not giving him a million polys doesn't mean he won't look awesome. (More isn't better if you can't see the difference)

On the other note... I guess I'll message the mods? I won't release the fixed APZ Cloud unless everyone's cool with it
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: obesebear on 2012-07-31 07:28:52
Release it whenever you're ready dude.  If anyone has a problem with it they can bring it up with me.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: omega res novae on 2012-07-31 10:47:40
RAH
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-07-31 14:49:25
Release it whenever you're ready dude.  If anyone has a problem with it they can bring it up with me.

Righteous. And while we're at it... It'd be nice to remove that ugly "Original Content means not swiping UVs either." From the release page? http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=8035.0

Seeing as how I can't edit that page (Or insert the new download link once it's uploaded)

School's outright killing me at the moment...  :oops: sigh... But I'll have it up asap
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Zackwell on 2012-08-01 08:00:18
The anticipation for this model's release is palpable. I'd love to be able to use a Cloud that isn't AC based for a change. >_>
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: archerxtreme on 2012-08-01 16:48:37
New face looks good. It gives him more expression. I know he's supposed to be like "Whatever" or "I'm not interested"...but this replaces that robotic blank face that is akin to FF7 advent children
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: salib2 on 2012-08-02 00:11:26
Look's great cannot wait till u finish it
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: jeffdamann on 2012-08-02 01:13:15
Im not digging the chubby young face, but great work nonetheless!

Glad I have original Apz Cloud :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Corigne on 2012-08-02 09:13:29
Hey APZ, I've been gone a long time and I'm glad to hear you've been making progress.  Cheers mate.

Shoot me a message some time, I'm trying to get back in touch with the community since my move put me out of touch with everyone.

Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-02 12:33:04
Yall are entertaining  ;D He's chubby? Making progress on wha?

I haven't done anything actually. All I did was repaint the face and I'm not editing APZ Cloud otherwise. Zero progress has been made on New Canon Cloud. All previous work is scrapped. But when I do work on him it'll be fairly fast. Work in progress will shown in this thread. And I'll get APZ Cloud up here soon in a day or so, all I'll do is copy the texture over, otherwise it's the same download it always was.

I'd rather keep APZ Cloud the same, people loved him the way he was. It's charming to hear folks discussing the differences a few pixels makes (I rounded the shading differently on purpose) Mis-en-scene it actually fits his overall style (Which I'd call "I wasn't great at photoshop painting back then" style  ;D ) But I don't see a point in 100% recreating it. Trust me, you won't be able to see the differences except in closeup.

edit:

Im not digging the chubby young face, but great work nonetheless!

Glad I have original Apz Cloud :P

You mean the one everyone knows about or the first version that was out for about a month (I think) before I made a new head with the dissidia face
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_APZCloudWIP18.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/APZCloudWIP18.jpg)(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_APZCloudScreenshot3.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/APZCloudScreenshot3.jpg)click to see larger

THAT APZ Cloud was 100% original. But since that's not the one folks fell in love with I didn't see the point in sharing it again. (I still have the upload files for this one, just not the source texture and model)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: LeonhartGR on 2012-08-02 14:15:19
But since that's not the one folks fell in love with I didn't see the point in sharing it again.

Please do not say that :P I also like the CC secret ending Cloud.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Corigne on 2012-08-03 05:52:21
Well, you have to consider APZ that I have in fact not seen any of the WIP since you started this in the first part (the one you just announced the scrapping of.) Also, if you can get the original APZ Cloud (the one that is 100% original) online, let us know. I very much like the screens you dropped in the thread.

Cheers,

Corigne
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: ProtoX on 2012-08-03 22:31:13
You mean the one everyone knows about or the first version that was out for about a month (I think) before I made a new head with the dissidia face

you mean the face of The Onion Knight
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-03 22:48:09
you mean the face of The Onion Knight

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_APZCloudWIP22.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/APZCloudWIP22.jpg)(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_Newhair.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/Newhair.jpg)

If that's a joke then right on! Otherwise, there's the first head on the right of the first picture here, and under the red X on the second picture. I did not rip it from anything.


And Corigne, It's all good man!  :D


I've had a long day today and it ends at 10 pm (then maybe some beer and Star Wars with my buddies after that) But I wanna get that APZ Cloud packaged up for you guys tonight  ;)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: jeffdamann on 2012-08-04 10:34:55
I really enjoy the original cloud you did much better, with original hairrstyle.

Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Fischkopf on 2012-08-04 11:26:31
I really enjoy the original cloud you did much better, with original hairrstyle.

I agree. Old hair style + new face would be perfect imo.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-04 12:54:59
Sorry guys  :oops: Can't do that for ya, don't have the files or the motivation to. More stylish or better or not, I simply can't...

**sigh** Didn't get to it tonight ran out of time. Got the files converted but can't get FFVIIPC to run on my new PC yet to test (Never release anything without testing it!!!)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: magochocobo on 2012-08-04 21:58:39
Its a wonderful model!!
I like the first and the new model!!
I hope view the finish version!!!
;)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-07 05:55:17
Good news everyone! I'm using my phone right now because a bittorrent of "The Phantom Edit" a star wars fan re-edit carried a trojn virus onto my computer that currupted my antivirus! Yus!

Don't worry, I immediately unplugged my internet and backed up my work files on my external in safe mode. APZ Cloud WILL be back online soon and no one can stop me!

I wanted to do it tonight because I can time  :| Oh well... No surprise to you guys with me, if I was a fan I'd call b.s. but unfortunately it's true.

Hang tight folks! I'll get'r done!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-20 02:11:55
Okay. I finally got my computer up and running and all of my programs reinstalled. I'll try to get this out tonight if I can get FFVIIPC running. I've never gotten it running on Windows 7 yet... I'll figure it out somehow, I mean... I figured out how to do all this in the first place so it shouldn't be so hard.

(Sigh... I hate having to go back on my promises... But I have a month and a half until school starts again, a first, so I'll have some free time that I'll spend filling my art portfolio. And New Canon Cloud is a part of that)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Mendelevium on 2012-08-20 02:31:37
If you're running the 1997 PC disks, you just open up the disk contents and run an application titled "FF7inst" in administrator mode. It bypasses something that made installing it from the setup.exe not work for some reason. -shrugs-

Well that's what worked for me. I hope it helps :).
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-20 05:34:23
Thanks allot! I'll look it up  ;D I haven't gotten my boy asleep yet... I'll start to get this done after everyone's asleep
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Mendelevium on 2012-08-20 10:10:02
I wish you a fond good luck in your efforts. Your cloud models are iconic, it'd be a shame not to have a working model floating about anymore.

Also your new texture likes rather nice, next to some of the other high-res models that are floating about, I think it'll compliment the game quite nicely.

I also rather liked the model you showed with just polygon coloring; it seemed to fit the FF7 current style quite nicely o.o;; Just lots of details in the mesh itself. As it is now all these high-res details kind of clash with all the other battle models. It's a shame really. I suppose that is what team avalanche's goal is to rectify though. ^_^.

Anyways, again good luck!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-20 11:37:17
Alright folks... It was a pain to get FFVIIPC running on Windows 7... And it was a pain to figure this stuff out again with some of my old tools inoperable now...

The new texture keeps coming out solid white... Sheesh! I'm giving up tonight folks, sorry, I need some sleep. What's a new modern way you guys are getting the .tex files into the game? A new program perhaps? I'm still using biturn to convert a bitmap. I'm sure there's something along the line I'm doing that's screwing it up. Last time I ran Photoshop 7 and Windows XP... Now CS5 on W7 so a few things are bound to be different (Not to mention the agonizing placement of everything in local/virtualstore/blah blah blah...)

I'm out tonight! I'll butt my head against it tomorrow... I hate to letcha down.. but I've been crackin my head against it for hours... Trial and error. Figure it out, that's how I got through to get him up the first time (I remember this problem plaguing me over and over again last time too, too bad I never left notes for myself)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: omega res novae on 2012-08-20 12:29:46
open the model in kimera. on the right column theres a button that says show texture options. then add texture. and save the model. just make sure youre tex id from pcreator matches the tex id in kimera default is 0
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-20 23:20:56
Thanks bro. I'm totally a noob again!  ::) Kinda always good to be knocked down a peg or two every now and then.

Took forever to get mscomct2.ocx and msstdfmt.dll registered since it's way more complicated in Windows 7 then it was on XP... I couldn't run Kimera without those.

Alright! Got the texture converted (FREKKING FINALLY) Just give me an hour or so, I'll rewrite the readme to include the newer tools and a bit explaining the history. Then I suppose a screenshot or 2 to make the package complete. Upload it and provide the link for all... I didn't forget you guys... and it took allot of staring at my monitor in frustration to get this done  ;) Just for you guys
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: omega res novae on 2012-08-20 23:29:01
no problem.  we all have things to learn from each other. if you look at my cait sith weaopons and my dragon buster theyd probably give you a seizure due to how poorly they were modeled and textured. cant wait to see this in action
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-21 00:08:40
Times up... My son woke up from his nap  :) I'll upload it tonight. I wanna do it now, but he's already in my lap. (There were some issues and I just figured it out... something wasn't copying or something and it kept looking like the files never got written over)

I'm a noob again at all this FFVIIPC modding stuff, but I'm on top form with my art skills, I'll show off once I make some more portfolio pieces and get my web-site up

Whatever. The new face is in proper format and ready to be implanted into ffVIIpc, I just need to make the download package

edit:

AHHHHRGH FOR CRYI OUT LOUD

After running Aali's driver Kimera won't open because: "Component 'comdlg32.ocx' or one of its dependencies not correctly registered: a file is missing or invalid"

And I can't get it working again... Maybe running everything on the portable Windows XP would solve allot of these issues... This has been one huge battle with Windows 7...
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: xenokain on 2012-08-21 01:54:40
The only 2 solutions to those ocx/dll files not being registered i found are to put all ocx/dll files into c:\windows\syswow64 then create a .bat file with this inside( 2 examples)

@ECHO OFF
ECHO.
regsvr32 C:\windows\SysWOW64\COMCTL32.OCX

regsvr32 C:\windows\SysWOW64\COMDLG32.OCX

ECHO.
PAUSE
CLS
EXIT


then click ur namegoeshere.bat file and it will register those files.

The alternate method is a gui program that will install ocx/dll files simply by browsing for them and clicking install/register called RegDllView v1.45.Works for 7 and xp.There may be more programs like this but i havent bothered to look.Great work on you're cloud model.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-21 04:55:21
Edit: Figured out the transparency issue... Used imgtotex to make the textures... Now I gotta make it into a package. I'M REALLY TRYING FOLKS! I'm doing my best to make sure it works, and yall can get to it

Thank you all again! I have everything working again finally... BUT the texture has black keyed to transparent... and there's black in my texture, the new Kimera's texture process turns that transparency on...

I tried using photoshop to swap out the black for off black and that didn't work

If anyone can help me out with fixing that before I figure it out myself, that'd be a great help! (I seem to remember using a hex editor to turn that on and off, and I still have that editor... but I don't remember which value to change from 1 to 0 or 0 to 1... Don't remember at all)

I tried using the forum search and and turn anything up. Any help, awesome... otherwise I'll keep hammering at it til I get it (Don't want to upload a Cloud that looks like he's disintegrating!)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: ProtoX on 2012-08-21 05:37:28
apz incase if have more problems with the dll isuse i recomend using this  http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=4194.msg83572#msg83572 (http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=4194.msg83572#msg83572)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-21 07:55:32
FINALLY!!!

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/APZCLOUDLOGO.jpg) (http://www.gamefront.com/files/22153628/apzcloud_zip)

click the image to go to the Game Front download link.

or go to the new thread for it:
http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=13476.0 (http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=13476.0)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: xenokain on 2012-08-21 08:03:47
That is an awesome looking cloud.WOW  ;)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Sancez on 2012-08-21 08:30:16
Great!! Thanks a lot man!!  ;D
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: freshness82 on 2012-08-21 17:12:15
Great to see the re-release of this awesome model! Can't wait for the release of the canon model...keep up the amazing work good sir!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Asmodean on 2012-08-21 19:35:10
Respect for your determination, getting this out again updated. Well done mate.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-22 21:55:35
Thanks for unlocking the thread  ;)

I promise I'll get to work on New Canon Cloud as soon as I can. (I have a website to build and some portfolio art pieces to make first)

And I'll let yall in on the work in progress goodness
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: obesebear on 2012-08-23 02:42:39
That was my bad,  with all the new threads popping up I sometimes only glance at a thread to see if it needs to be moved or deleted (or locked in this case).  It seemed this was the thread for the upcoming release, so I locked it once I saw your new thread pop up. 
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-23 06:09:38
That was my bad,  with all the new threads popping up I sometimes only glance at a thread to see if it needs to be moved or deleted (or locked in this case).  It seemed this was the thread for the upcoming release, so I locked it once I saw your new thread pop up.

In any case thank you buddy!  ;)



On another note... I just uploaded a desktop background render of the Buster Sword I made for New Canon Cloud on my website domain (The site isn't up yet...)

Desktop Background 2560X1440

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/th_Busterbackground.jpg) (http://apz-freak.50webs.com/Macground.jpg)


Not a bad render for a model that uses a 512x512 texture map! (Although I did slightly tool the edges here and there for this picture, nothing too dramatic)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: freshness82 on 2012-08-24 05:02:06
yay for hi-rez version!! Love this render..
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-24 08:21:16
Here's what I call research...  ;D  When you need someone to pose for ya...  and no one's around... what do you do? Take pictures of yourself!

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_research.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/research.jpg)

Yes that's me. Thankfully I'm built similarly to Cloud (Except he has long legs and I have short legs...) But you get the idea. I'm drawing some Cloud concept art to see what my ideas look like. I'll have those up soon.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Tenko Kuugen on 2012-08-24 08:23:26
Forget the new canon cloud, I want a model of Apz to play as Apz.
Maybe with some leveled up fashion sense.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: xenokain on 2012-08-24 09:10:53
If we cant get Apz as a model ingame at least we know whos playing the role of wolverine in the next xmen movie  ;)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Tenko Kuugen on 2012-08-24 09:15:30
I think he needs to be shorter and way more buff to be THE WOLVERINE
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-24 10:04:17
HAHAHAHAHA!  ;D

You guys make me laugh  :P

I'll spare you guys any more pictures of myself because it's awfully vain, and I do that enough as it is to my friends and family on facebook already  :roll:

But yes it'd be hilarious to do an APZ battle model (Don't think I haven't thought of it... I AM awfully vain after all!  :evil: )

I'll stick to the point, and that's making a realistic and fully realized Cloud. Basically This:

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_NewCanonGoal.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/NewCanonGoal.jpg)

Basically what I want to do is to recreate this exact Cloud. And I've searched on the net and haven't found ANYONE who's exactly nailed it... So... That'll be me who does  :D Of course.

My other (less important) goal is to take that Cloud as a base and see what the original details would look like. With the original bangle design and no belts, and original metal gauntlet thingy on his left arm. (It's quite different if you really look) The closest I've seen to that is the Cloud in Dissidia's fully rendered cutscenes. But THAT's a different style all together!

and THEN! I wanna see how that looks... "Cosmos Cloud" and "Chaos Cloud" (the two different styles in Dissidia Duodecim) standing next to the "New Canonical Cloud", standing next to the "Classic Cloud"... standing next to "Kingdom Hearts Cloud"

And I'll most likely never do all of this... But I CAN draw it!  ;) THAT'S 5 DIFFERENT OFFICIAL CLOUDS!!!

We got to see a whole frontal realistic render of Tifa, and an entire classic looking modernly proportioned Tifa in Dissidia. I've yet to see a realistic modern render of classic Barret... So that'll be interesting. There's a modern render of classic Yuffie. We've all seen RedXIII, Cid isn't hard to imagine, Vincent had a whole game to himself (Albeit a new style... But it's still close enough it isn't hard to imagine)

I'd love to do all the characters! Perhaps someday I'll have the speed and efficiency and TIME that I'll be able to... But why bother??? There's still so much I wanna do of MY OWN ART!!!!  ;) And my animations that I wanna get done. So there's only so much one man can do when he obsesses over something (You guys don't even KNOW about my obsession with classic Doom!) But that's a story for another time...  :-)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-24 10:58:48
While we're at it... Has anyone found the PS3 FFVII tech demo in ANY HD...? Anything higher than less than standard def (But obviously saved in higher formats despite being a crappy lo rez video to begin with...)

If Anyone can find that it'll help me out a bit...

edit: Scratch that... I found one that's Standard Def interlaced... Best I'll probably find... But good enough to glint the details in it
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: obesebear on 2012-08-24 14:53:56
Everyone's been remodeled with their classic looks. Even if it was only for a few seconds...


(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd138/obesebear/Fight2.png)
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd138/obesebear/Fight.png)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-08-25 04:22:30
Ah of course... How could I forget!?

I'll have a drawing up soon of a buncha Clouds standing next to each other. I took inspiration from this set of Batman's:

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/batmen.jpg)

Why!? Because no one's ever lined em all up next to each other before... That and I'm a madman and I'm exhausting my fan-ness so that it won't effect my personal stuff (It's like a release... So it doesn't overtly influence anything else I do that's creatively mine)

I think it'd be interesting to see them next to eachother in the same context.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: LeonhartGR on 2012-08-31 12:51:31


(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_research.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/research.jpg)



Embrace You Dreams And Protect You Honor As Soldier!!! :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: archerxtreme on 2012-09-08 19:31:15
Embrace You Dreams And Protect You Honnor As Soldier!!! :P
rather "Embrace Your Dreams And Whatever Happens Protect Your Honour As JANITOR" :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-09-09 03:44:14
rather "Embrace Your Dreams And Whatever Happens Protect Your Honour As JANITOR" :P

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

As a matter of fact I'm a loader at Home Depot (hence the muscles... 80lb bags of concrete all day make you feel the burn hardcore) And I also clean the front of the store at store close... Which means I'm a master of all brooms. Seriously! Not many people can get as much done as I can with a broom. I got mad skillz yo  ;)

I'll have my web-site up soon, and I'll finish the Multi-Cloud drawing as soon as I can finish getting the site running  :P Also I've made some observations about the new modern Buster Sword that means I have to edit the model I made, since that's a quick fix (for a whole new model...) I'll have the pictures of that soon, and a post describing my observations as to why I changed it
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: LeonhartGR on 2012-09-09 11:31:51
You are such a talented man Sir APZ :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: archerxtreme on 2012-09-13 17:22:31
Seriously! All i can do so far i modify the existing models and that too failing miserably many times at those. i'm trying to get my field cloud to have all the swords of the disassembled First Tsurugi/ultima weapon....but it ends up looking terrible and textures get messed up
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Datapack on 2012-09-17 15:55:00
When do think it'll be done?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: cirellio on 2012-09-17 16:43:47
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_research.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/research.jpg)
Whoa, you should be unlockable in DustForce!
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd138/obesebear/Fight.png)
I remember that scene. ... It's really cool but Barret's gun arm seemed oddly short to me.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2012-09-17 19:56:44
Here you go apz:

(http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg708/scaled.php?server=708&filename=proggy5.png&res=landing)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: LeonhartGR on 2012-09-17 23:37:15
Is this the head from Dissidia?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-09-18 04:01:56
That looks like a modified Crisis Core model
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2012-09-18 12:40:42
Indeed. and I believe its got all the details you want... given I put in all the details /I/ want :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Calone on 2012-09-18 23:10:59
It's useless to both him, and the rest of the community, considering we cant use any of Square-Enix's stuff. It's a rule violation. Unless you are just putting it on there for reference.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: omega res novae on 2012-09-19 01:10:02
one does not become a respected member of the community by posting useless things. of course it was for reference
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2012-09-19 03:12:19
I do not believe a jpeg of a highly edited model (I spent lots of time trying to get my original textures to match the CC style!) is a rule infringement. If it is moderators will be sure to let me know and I will remove it.

As to useful to the community I originally made it with the intent of using it as a prank, but alas, full time work + university is... time consuming. If you guys want other shots of it, let me know, but otherwise it is not for release at any time.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: LeonhartGR on 2012-09-19 04:22:39
I'd love to see a little more living color in this face... but not too much. I have the CC face too somewhere in my backup folder but as I remember I didn't prefer to use it because it looked too pale. I also prefer the black uniform like he appears in the end of CC.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-09-19 06:09:57
Ah! My dear old friend Timu  :D

I tell you what though Timu! I'd be more than happy to have your in-depth critiques once I get this ball rolling again  ;) That was definitely some of the better memories I have with this place.

I already got a good handle on just which Cloud I'm doing, but yes that's the one. I hear ya though, bro... I'm a college student with a wife a kid and an almost full time job (30-40 hrs a week) Plus I just got another job cutting video for this corporate gig.

There is NO time what-so-ever right now. But I'm filling my portfolio currently, once it's got a good chunk of it I'll try to squeeze Cloud in.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2012-09-19 12:46:46
Cheers, and good luck to ye! I used all the details I scrounged up when making a cosplay of that particular version.

As to the pale face yes - crisis core textures are a bit flat, which they attempt to make up for with inconsistently glowing eyes for SOLDIER members... (It always seems zacks eyes glow extra bright when aeris points them out). I put this together to make it look as if it was some hidden model in crisis core or a direct psp sequel/remake of ff7, so I wanted consistency. Tried my best to make the custom work match square's style and stuff.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: LeonhartGR on 2012-09-19 13:29:11
I always use the glowing eyes texture :P Tried it with APZ's and looks awesome ;D
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: whitERaven on 2012-09-20 05:18:57
Glowing eyes.. sounds cool, so where can we get this glowing eyes texture?? I'd like to try it..
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-09-20 06:46:30
Glowing eyes.. sounds cool, so where can we get this glowing eyes texture?? I'd like to try it..

You'd have to make one  :P But my next Cloud I plan on adding a slight green around his pupil just like it does in Advent Children and Zack's eyes in the cutscenes of Crisis Core
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Calone on 2012-09-20 07:49:58
one does not become a respected member of the community by posting useless things. of course it was for reference

I won't lose sleep over it.

I do not believe a jpeg of a highly edited model (I spent lots of time trying to get my original textures to match the CC style!) is a rule infringement. If it is moderators will be sure to let me know and I will remove it.

As to useful to the community I originally made it with the intent of using it as a prank, but alas, full time work + university is... time consuming. If you guys want other shots of it, let me know, but otherwise it is not for release at any time.

When you post a pic and say something like "Here you go", it's vague enough to know what you are doing. All I saw is a picture of a Crisis Core model, and various comments saying "that's from Dissidia", so i connected the dots on my own.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: whitERaven on 2012-09-20 08:10:43
You'd have to make one  :P But my next Cloud I plan on adding a slight green around his pupil just like it does in Advent Children and Zack's eyes in the cutscenes of Crisis Core

Ah, ok I'll try doing it on all my characters, hehe.. got to do some research I havent tried making something like glowing textures.. mind if anyone can post an in-game screenshots of models with glowing eyes?? 
I won't lose sleep over it.

When you post a pic and say something like "Here you go", it's vague enough to know what you are doing. All I saw is a picture of a Crisis Core model, and various comments saying "that's from Dissidia", so i connected the dots on my own.


The pic was addressed to APZ may be they've discussed it already thus explaining the lack of explaination in posting that pic..
But that aside, the model sure awesome, good enough to be mistaken as ripped, to bad its not released, well at least we can be sure that APZ will make something even better.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-09-20 12:02:34
Timu didn't do anything wrong. Nothing more wrong than I did here:

Kingdom Hearts Cloud model modified -  http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=7451.0 (http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=7451.0)
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_CloudPose.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/CloudPose.jpg)

Raziel from Soul Reaver Ripped and put into FFVIIPC - http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=7379.0 (http://forums.qhimm.com/index.php?topic=7379.0)
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_fsfrTheSoulReaver.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/fsfrTheSoulReaver.jpg)

If it's just a picture that no one can have then it's alright if you did it for your own personal enjoyment. Besides... Timu's awesome! He made his own darn good Cloud model (Here (http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/1374/cloudbattle.jpg)), and he helped to point out everything I was doing wrong when I built APZ Cloud  ;D It was fun.

And I hope to do it all over again once I roll the new one out. It'll be allot... ALLOT faster than before because APZ Cloud was the first full character model I've ever made. Not to mention I think in volume not polygons, so ZBrush sculpting allows me the freedom to think in terms of it's shape first, and the topology later. I love perfect edge loops, I'm an all quad kinda guy, and redrawing the topology AFTER sculpting the model is just... Like a dream come true after years of hammering away at polygons slowing my brain down. And the edgeflow is always cleaner as a result.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: LeonhartGR on 2012-09-20 14:22:51
My fetish for ff7 is to see every model and texture as much realistic, but also close to the original, as possible ;)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Datapack on 2012-09-20 19:38:59
Totally agree with Leon.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Datapack on 2012-09-21 21:55:54
Does anyone have the old APZ cloud?
I personally like the older face better cause its "rougher" and less babyface cloud. (I know im bad at explaining things, so theres no need to point that out ^^)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: omega res novae on 2012-09-21 21:57:46
The old apz’s face was ripped. So no go.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-09-22 01:12:47
Does anyone have the old APZ cloud?
I personally like the older face better cause its "rougher" and less babyface cloud. (I know im bad at explaining things, so theres no need to point that out ^^)

I don't know if you mean the ripped one or version 1 that was out for like 2 weeks I think before I gave him a new head with the ripped texture. The first first release was 100% original.

This is version 1.0:
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_APZCloudWIP18.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/APZCloudWIP18.jpg)(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_DissidiaComparison.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/DissidiaComparison.jpg)(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_APZCloudScreenshot1.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/APZCloudScreenshot1.jpg)

In all honesty just look at it. Version 1.0 had even MORE of a baby-face  :P THEN I released the one everybody came to know with the new head that had the plagarized face texture.

AND IF you mean the plagarized texture before the re-release... Just take a close look:

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/Comparison-1.gif)(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/BattleSheet.jpg)(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/th_OldandNewCloudFace.jpg) (http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/OldandNewCloudFace.jpg)

And I addressed all the issues folks were complaining about, even the percieved "baby-faced-ness" with the shape of the shadow on his cheeks and what-not while making it different enough and slightly more crappy to match up with the sloppiness of the rest of the texture. The ONLY thing changed here was the face texture. So I don't see any reason to discount it  ;)


EITHER WAY the answer is probably no... I don't have the files of the first version, and I think this last final re-release of APZ Cloud was the definitive version. Also this time the quality of the texture map is equal to the psd master file, instead of the slightly degraded version out before.

Official APZ support has run out on APZ Cloud if you will  ;) I have no more interest in ever opening these files ever again. Have fun with it, use it, whatever you want. But the previous versions aren't available, and I honestly don't think the difference is really all that worth it to hunt and find  :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2012-09-22 02:47:18
The first one was actually my favourite :P, it was a baby face, but edgy - fitting for Cloud's character
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: ZL325 on 2012-09-22 04:09:08
I have the same personal opinion as Timu. I myself really like the 1st version. Wish I would have known about Qhimm way before, then I'd have downloaded and used that version. lol
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Datapack on 2012-09-23 16:00:48
APZ,( or anyone for that matter) could you name the specific files for that buster sword in the rerelease of APZCloud?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: JLOUTLAW on 2012-09-23 21:47:01
you need rtad and rtck.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Datapack on 2012-09-24 05:57:51
Are you 100% sure about that? Cause when i try that the sword and the hilt are invincible
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: whitERaven on 2012-09-24 10:08:23
maybe you can try using biturn to view the files and find what you're looking for..
 if some tex files cant be opened use img2tex..
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: JLOUTLAW on 2012-09-25 03:05:40
Sorry, typo. rtaf and rtck
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: LeonhartGR on 2012-09-30 19:54:52
I would be glad to watch an Aeris model from you Sir! Similar to CC's face but close to the original clothes. I believe it would come out awesome with your texturing skills!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-10-09 07:37:04
We'll see buddy  ;)

And to the rest of you, if you feel the need to pm me... Please use clear complete adult sentences.

I'm cleaning it out and it's full of pm's like this:

Quote
Hi, plix video youtube cloud: dirge of cerberus battle mod?

So if you please, thanks  :)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Tyrany on 2012-10-10 22:03:23
I know what he mean but it wasnt you the author, im not sure if it is mike striffe but a user named ff7freak im not sure thats the full name posted a video no youtube of that summon reborn pack and another one with a texture of one of the limits from vicent, maybe from doc and this guy maybe when he saw freak thought it was you
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: whitERaven on 2012-10-10 22:29:57
LoL you sure got skills to decode that message, (I'm starting to have this funny idea but I dont't think it's worth mentioning).
Anyway if "this guy" mentioning a specific model in a specific video, it's better to post a link to the said video first, It's easier that way since there's a lot of ff7 vid in you tube nowadays.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-10-10 22:31:51
OH oh... lol

Sorry, that was just an example of the types of pms I get. I'm saying please be clearer when messaging me please  8)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Tyrany on 2012-10-11 08:55:18
Sorry for the huge link, youtube blocked here, so this is the best i can do now raven but take a look here http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=video&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CEAQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DSAG09wb2Hzk%26feature%3Dyoutube_gdata&ei=Doh2UJu0Da7Y0QWs1YGoCA&usg=AFQjCNEdzQt5W5OZCC8FtEtFtRXru6qEIw

I found this when i was looking for some mods for summons (only found phoenix), this kind of videos bring lots of headaches as lots of people come here looking for ripped models they saw on youtube
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: ProtoX on 2012-10-11 18:10:00
Sorry for the huge link, youtube blocked here, so this is the best i can do now raven but take a look here http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=video&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CEAQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DSAG09wb2Hzk%26feature%3Dyoutube_gdata&ei=Doh2UJu0Da7Y0QWs1YGoCA&usg=AFQjCNEdzQt5W5OZCC8FtEtFtRXru6qEIw (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=video&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CEAQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DSAG09wb2Hzk%26feature%3Dyoutube_gdata&ei=Doh2UJu0Da7Y0QWs1YGoCA&usg=AFQjCNEdzQt5W5OZCC8FtEtFtRXru6qEIw)

I found this when i was looking for some mods for summons (only found phoenix), this kind of videos bring lots of headaches as lots of people come here looking for ripped models they saw on youtube
the dissidia chaos model is illegal
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Tyrany on 2012-10-11 20:59:30
Im not asking for it, raven asked for the vid of the mod and i just posted it nothing more better keep on track we are spamming apz thread :-D
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: whitERaven on 2012-10-11 22:07:31
easy.. I think you misunderstood, I never asked for the video.
I just gave a tip/advice on how to ask for information in a much clear and easy to uderstand method, you can always post this in PM's or new thread.

I think that's case closed no need to go into this too much, we just got sidetracked because of the PM issue..LoL  :) :) :)

sorry APZ for the off topic discussion. :)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Datapack on 2012-10-14 21:16:58
Any updates?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-10-15 07:05:33
Zip!  :(

I'm putting a portfolio together, and taking my final round quarter of school for my bachelors.  Perhaps after I graduate in December
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: tysonrss on 2012-12-08 03:27:49
Im so very sorry for posting in this topic but its been a long time since I played FF7 with all the nice textures and models and I want to use the Cloud model however I forgot how to implement models...(Barret is the only model edited battle wise I forgot how I did it)could someone assit me? Thanks.

EDIT: I'm getting pissed. I unpacked the LGP and repacked with the files in the archive and then replaced the LGP in the battle folder and the model will not show...
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Datapack on 2012-12-17 20:35:38
So... how's it going?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2012-12-24 07:14:52
Enjoying a well earned break. I'm going to finish a few characters I have, release my Doom 3 mod (it's done, just not packed for the internet yet) THEN! I'll start on New Canon Cloud again :)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Corigne on 2012-12-24 17:58:50
Enjoying a well earned break. I'm going to finish a few characters I have, release my Doom 3 mod (it's done, just not packed for the internet yet) THEN! I'll start on New Canon Cloud again :)
Oh the excitement. :)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Datapack on 2013-01-04 15:37:47
Enjoying a well earned break. I'm going to finish a few characters I have, release my Doom 3 mod (it's done, just not packed for the internet yet) THEN! I'll start on New Canon Cloud again :)
Great! Looking forward to it!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2013-06-07 06:19:01
Well guys, I haven't forgotten about you! Things didn't go the way I wanted... But here we are, and I'm now finally gainfully employed doing this kind of stuff for a living Huzzah!

I hope to soon resume this project. Empty promises I know  :-\ I've said it all before and life forged ahead anyways. But now I have a career in the industry, and allot more talent. I hope to match that Sephiroth I saw posted here a while ago. My model will be awesome, and readily available for you all.

I can't promise when I can begin, but I do know that it won't take long once I start. Honestly I don't even know how many folks will care  :P There's no way he'll be as popular as APZ Cloud (Which, I might add, I haven't gotten any e-mails about in a long time... re-releasing him seemed to have been a smart move!) But it'll be cool, and there will be genuine folks who like it. All that I know for a fact. How many there are isn't a concern. As long as one person enjoys it... Then I did my job  :)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Template on 2013-06-07 06:39:19
Big fan of your work, man. Seems only fitting you should be a graphic artist for a living after the ride you took with your cloud model. I am definitely eagerly hoping for (it's a selfish thing) any further material you could imagine donating to the ff7 modders. I wish you would allow people to continue to alter your cloud model and make releases of changed versions, but I can definitely understand why you would get to the point where enough is enough and the issue of being beaten down over the use of other work to augment one's own. Would be kinda about impossible to take all that redtape BS you musta went through and then turn around and say here now rip my mod all you want.

I just wanna change his belt to match the common style like on the Avalanche release lol. I bet you are so tired of that kinda request about Cloud...

   
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: dkma841 on 2013-06-07 10:54:45
With your talents do you think you could try another model instead of Cloud? There's loads of cloud models available now and Avalanche's Cloud is just awesome, meh just a suggestion
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2013-06-07 13:41:46
Just post some random wireframe wouldja!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: archerxtreme on 2013-06-07 14:29:12
With your talents do you think you could try another model instead of Cloud? There's loads of cloud models available now and Avalanche's Cloud is just awesome, meh just a suggestion
ya. surprisingly i'm finding only few tifa models compared to most others. Barrett seems to be a favorite besides cloud. I love what they did with Vincent with the Vincent Project.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2013-06-09 00:16:48
I'd like to do everyone, but I can't spend too much time on separate project like this if I want to build a career...  :P It takes time to hone skills and master a craft, and it helps when you're getting paid to do it in the mean-by  ;D
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2015-12-06 01:32:30
I can only assume you folks have seen the footage from the FFVII Remake. I suppose that might prompt me to do a Remake version, which was, more or less, the version I built but never finished :P

Would anyone like that?

I still have this:

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/New%20Canon%20Cloud/15.jpg)

And years more experience and now professional industry work under my belt.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: obesebear on 2015-12-06 01:46:11
Do it, you magnificent bastard.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Kaldarasha on 2015-12-06 07:58:44
I made an altered version of  your model with a head from another (ripped) model. I even found a way to  make the eyes to  blink correctly. It would help if you would use for the eyes another texture. Because the Npc's use the same textures for closed eyes.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Fischkopf on 2015-12-06 09:44:20
I'm not really into AC style characters, but I'm still eager to see how it turns out. :)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2015-12-06 23:24:41
I made an altered version of  your model with a head from another (ripped) model. I even found a way to  make the eyes to  blink correctly. It would help if you would use for the eyes another texture. Because the Npc's use the same textures for closed eyes.

I figured that one out a long time ago!. I never really dug the "realistic proportion" mods, but I did figure out how to get it to blink ;)

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/APZCloudScreenshot7.jpg)

Never got around to putting together a field model, I may or may not for this new one. We'll see... I'm a vfx artist now, close to finishing a contract, and really close to closing a deal in LA for a movie I co wrote. Exciting stuff! (Then why am I so poor...) It's the work life man... It's hard! (and yet I still have a fascination with these... non career related interests)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2015-12-06 23:27:52
I'm not really into AC style characters, but I'm still eager to see how it turns out. :)

I'll make it as a solid ps3 era style Character first, THEN chop him up for this. And as for style... I'm aiming for the Remake's style, whatever it's called. In a way it's the same as APZ CLoud, just... not made by a newb :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Mirrorman95 on 2015-12-07 04:18:54
I'd like to see the trailer Cloud too. I never finished my first run of FF7, and I'd like to finish the most comprehensive and hires modded version of it that I can before the PS4 release.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Kaldarasha on 2015-12-07 05:04:27
I figured that one out a long time ago!. I never really dug the "realistic proportion" mods, but I did figure out how to get it to blink ;)

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/APZCloudScreenshot7.jpg)

Never got around to putting together a field model, I may or may not for this new one. We'll see... I'm a vfx artist now, close to finishing a contract, and really close to closing a deal in LA for a movie I co wrote. Exciting stuff! (Then why am I so poor...) It's the work life man... It's hard! (and yet I still have a fascination with these... non career related interests)

Nope. I did it a bit different. I use only one mesh instead two where one dissapear and you see the other with the closed eye. My way also supports to close only one eye or change only the mouth. It also looks much better when the model is in blend mode.

What i die was to  seperate the model into four pieces (eye left, eye right, mouth and the rest of the face) and merged them with pCreator (first eye left, then eye right, after that the mouth and at the end the rest). The closed eye texture have I replaced in the flevel.lgp.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2015-12-07 08:53:26
Word. I might talk to you about that when I get around to doing it. I'm all for simplicity, so we'll see what happens.

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/Cloud%20WIP_zpsxvunsvcq.jpg)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Kaldarasha on 2015-12-07 09:40:07
Holy strawbarries your model looks better as the original.
You have made a much better nose. I would say he looks more aggressive.
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2015-12-07 11:51:37
This is reassuringly the most accurate Cloud I've ever made. He lines up with this new Remake Cloud (Which has been tweaked) and also still recognizable as the AC Cloud as well as Crisis Core (Even though he had baby-face in that one) The remake Cloud look like me, huge dark circles under his eyes, and cheeks withdrawn. He must be an animator!

The only hard part will be figuring out the hair... It's never easy to do the hair... (Like that time I was accused of "stealing UV's" for APZ Cloud's hair) Thinking I'll just make it simple and polygonal and airtight so I don't have to deal with any complications. Just gotta... Lay it out, and that's the hard part, then welding it all, and matching it...

(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i59/apz_freak/Cloud%20WIP2_zpsqcdxhpyr.jpg)
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: The Berserker on 2015-12-09 11:36:41
amazing work man :D
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: ZL325 on 2015-12-13 19:23:53
I love you Apz... Just thought I'd let ya know. :P
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: LeonhartGR on 2015-12-14 04:45:27
« Last Edit: 2015-12-07 12:01:36 by apz freak »

Yeah!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Leet on 2015-12-19 09:17:56
Impressive!!
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: Bryan244 on 2015-12-29 01:17:31
It does look good, but the face features are too soft for my taste. The current version you are working with is amazing , but will it have a working model on world map?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: cloudsmash on 2016-01-05 02:51:08
I'm new here but have been lurking for a couple months.  APZ, you do amazing work and I am *REALLY* looking forward to this model!!  Super pumped!! Do you accept donations?
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: apz freak on 2016-01-16 02:04:21
Hey guys, I've made some progress, forgive me for not having a screenshot ready. (I'm at the tail end of a VFX contract and that 5 grand is badly needed)

SPEAKING OF dear Cloudsmash, I do accept donations, but it's been a while, let me get back to you once I've set all that up again. ;)

I have everything ready for some surgical ZBrush work (Which for lack of normal maps, will spice up the low poly for here)

ALSO... My old APZ Cloud has been ripped and shared all throughout the net, and that amuses me greatly! I am no great master artist, far from it. How about I just share the not broken up model? I'd rather people have access to that. I'll get back to you guys once I'm able to breathe. (Wife and kid and making movies) but this is a fun little project for me that hopefully will make some folks happy :)

That's all I could ever ask for
Title: Re: [WIP] APZ's New Canon Cloud
Post by: DarkDemon on 2016-01-17 20:11:43
Great work APZ :D