New plasma model in progress

[hulk]

With textures and some more polygons it could look really good. I think it looks good, except the whole muzzle part.

[Rabidbutton]

With textures and some more polygons it could look really good. I think it looks good, except the whole muzzle part.

Well, as you may know I was having a little creative block, so I figured the best thing for it was to go on a creative rampage(Update 4)

[arand]

Well, as you may know I was having a little creative block, so I figured the best thing for it was to go on a creative rampage(Update 4)

version 4 looks really really good I think Would be nice with some rounding here and there (front "button" and side "pipes/cables") but I'd say it's really coming along well.

What is the intent of the "hoop" on the back top? I'm thinking it is an opening lever for replacing "ammo", and maybe in that case it should connect to the gun with a pivot? Also, in that case, is the intention to animate this "lever" on reload?

Or if it's intended as a handle, it doesn't look particularly ergonomic to hold with a hand, maybe it would fit with a cylindrical grip on the end of it?

[Ulukai]

What a difference between update 4 and the previous models. I'm glad the uzi-like magazine is gone again. Keep 'em coming, hopefully it turns out to something great.

[raiden]

Indeed, the progress looks much better than before. Not all things are clear for me, how to handle the gun later, but it's worth to keep it up.

[Dratz-_C]

Rabidbutton,
I generally like your progress so far. Could you please supply me with a front, up the barrel view? I would like to know what it how it will appear when I am getting shot at with it.
Cheers

[wowie]

I can't quite describe it, but, the newest version looks more "mean" and "aggressive" than previous versions.
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This is definitely a good thing. >:)

[hulk]

You have improved it a lot with this version, i like all the new additional detail. The muzzle shape is much better too. This already looks better than the current plasma model. I can't wait to see how it will look with the texturing applied.

Rabidbutton,
I generally like your progress so far. Could you please supply me with a front, up the barrel view? I would like to know what it how it will appear when I am getting shot at with it.
Cheers

I agree with this, it would be great to see how it looks from a first person angle.

[Rabidbutton]

Rabidbutton,
I generally like your progress so far. Could you please supply me with a front, up the barrel view? I would like to know what it how it will appear when I am getting shot at with it.
Cheers

Here you go, sorry it took so long...

)
version 4 looks really really good I think Would be nice with some rounding here and there (front "button" and side "pipes/cables") but I'd say it's really coming along well.

What is the intent of the "hoop" on the back top? I'm thinking it is an opening lever for replacing "ammo", and maybe in that case it should connect to the gun with a pivot? Also, in that case, is the intention to animate this "lever" on reload?

Or if it's intended as a handle, it doesn't look particularly ergonomic to hold with a hand, maybe it would fit with a cylindrical grip on the end of it?

Thank you
I'm not entirely sure what is going on with the "hoop" just yet, right now I'm thinking it will either be a decoration/detail, or like you say a lever for ammo replacement, it will be interesting to see what happens with it.

[ZeroKnight]

Woah! The latest update looks awesome, Rabid! I grow more and more excited to see the finished product. Keep it up man, you're doing awesome.

[ballist1c]

Latest update is much better, but it still can be improved. Here are my suggestions:



For inspiration with a similar weapon, here is Xonotic's Electro:



Good luck

EDIT: I correct myself, gun is wide enough as it is :P

EDIT 2: I know how to use lever for reload! Have the player use their other arm to flip the lever forward - doing so will spin the circle, light it up again (like the pistol), and lever will snap back. I will make a new reloading sound for this too, similar to railgun charging.

[Ulukai]

Some good suggestions from Ballistic here, but I don't agree with deleting so much stuff from the model. You'd want some detail to make it look attractive. Some things could be tweaked a little, but don't revert it to a basic model...

[D.A.M.I.E.N.]

I agree with Ulukai. Especially the bottom part makes it look very attractive, so why remove it and make it so commonly looking? Some parts look a bit strange and so, but otherwise it's really promissing. Depends a lot on texturing as well. I think the muzzle and that area around needs most of improvements and probably wider.

[Rabidbutton]

Ok, update 5, there is a light description with the image file, though I wanted to explain something interesting about the battery:
it is now locked in the lever at the back of the gun, and what happens is when the lever is pushed down it unlocks for replacement ect...

[D.A.M.I.E.N.]

I just took a look at update 5. In my opinion the new part is useless. It's overcombinated (possibly a new word? o.o). The basic design looks better on update 4 and the small thing before the wires looked better too.

[Rabidbutton]

I just took a look at update 5. In my opinion is the part for baterry useless. It's an overcombinated (possibly a new word? o.o). The main design looks better on update 4. Maybe try to find another solution for the battery?

Are you thinking of the grip? the battery holder was also there in update 4, I'm doing a lot of experimenting as you can see, I think that the grip might add some character/uniqueness and I feel like it could be useful, but as you say it might be over combining...

[D.A.M.I.E.N.]

Not that it would look too bad the new part, but I guess that then you need completely rework the muzzle part, because it doesn't fit to the rest.

[Rabidbutton]

Not that it would look too bad the new part, but I guess that then you need completely rework the muzzle part, because it doesn't fit to the rest.

Doesn't fit?...

That is a really cool new word "Overcombinated"

[Evropi]

It's very good, I just don't like the retro sci-fi tubes at the side. They remind me too much of Alien Arena, LOL.

If the tubes can go this would look brilliant, but of course, it's up to you. The most important thing is to maintain a good field of vision (i.e. don't take up the whole screen, make the gun look and feel cool and powerful (e.g. the rocket is massive, you can guess it's OP even before you fire it) and fit in with the art direction. With all due respect, this looks a bit too retro.

It's up to you, but if I were you, I'd remove those tubes and add buttons there or something for what would be a much better look IMO.

[Rabidbutton]

Thanks I appreciate the feedback!, I believe the tubes shall stay, they have been there since square one and I have grown attached to them...

[S.E.S]

Model looks better and better. It would be desirable to observe that the form second handle (holder) does not look logical in terms of ergonomics. May not be worth it to connects with the main handle (pistol) grip?

In general, "plasma" is a "heavy weapon"-like, you may want to make do a other version of the additional handle? As it is done in some chainsaws and machine guns ... placing it to sidepiece of model...

Rabidbutton: Very glad that you work with this model!

[ballist1c]

Thanks I appreciate the feedback!, I believe the tubes shall stay, they have been there since square one and I have grown attached to them...

YAY!

I never said to revert it to a basic model, take my suggestions with a grain of salt Ulukai
And please consider removing the part attached to the handle that I described, damien might think it looks weird, but try it out, it is done in real life weapons; also, practically, that would make the gun a little awkward to hold under the arm.
I wanted you to delete the front bit as it would leave a bigger opening for the big plasma balls to come out, like this from the front:

And I just thought the staggered slope was a bit odd-looking, that's all.

I agree with S.E.S here actually, either let the weapon be mounted on shoulder, or have a grip, it is not ergonomical or practical to have both, no reason to leave it in for aesthetics.

I just took a look at update 5. In my opinion the new part is useless. It's overcombinated (possibly a new word? o.o). The basic design looks better on update 4 and the small thing before the wires looked better too.

I support this actually, not much has changed but in my opinion it's not very good; I liked it better with less wires as well.

Are you thinking of the grip? the battery holder was also there in update 4, I'm doing a lot of experimenting as you can see, I think that the grip might add some character/uniqueness and I feel like it could be useful, but as you say it might be over combining...

How can we tell which part is which until you start texturing?

[wowie]

I like the newest update, but my only complaint is that the placement of the battery doesn't look very streamlined.
It's just kind of "out there" and doesn't really look like it's secured in place. Imagining that this were a real weapon,
why would the battery be there? If you can come up with some technobabble explanation I'll be fine with it.
The lever sticking up into my cheek (assuming it's aimed like a rifle) was questionable in update 4, (I just never said anything because I liked how the model looked overall)
but now it looks downright silly to me since the power cell was put in it. If the battery were merged with the handle instead of right next to my face I'd be happier.

I added an image, showing the 3 locations that I think would look the best (IMO) for the battery.

PlasmaPreview50001.jpg (44.53 KiB) Viewed 14313 times

The red location is basically the same spot and setup it's in right now but integrated/streamlined with the handle more, and is the location I think it would look the best in.

The rest of it still looks absolutely amazing and will only be even more amazing as the model gets closer to completion.

[Rabidbutton]

You are quite right, it was pretty over the top, I was also trying to make sense of how all of that could work and came up with a pretty decent explanation but really I think it just needs to be straight forward, the place that you have outlined in red is where I think would be perfect for the battery and I have thought that for a long time now, it might be a little awkward when it comes to reloading though...I'll sort something out

also when you say handle are you meaning stock?

[wowie]

Stock, yes. My mistake. Silly me. I know a lot of this stuff. Why am I using such a word like "handle" ... I must be dumb today.
Reminds me of the time when someone I knew confused a friend of hers by repeatedly referring to the spacebar as the "space button."

As for getting a way for it to work, I like to imagine what it would look like if an average John Doe were holding it. Not everyone is a supersoldier that may or may not be a robot. For energy weapons I also like to imagine where the energy is going... In this case it looks like it starts at the very back then goes to the business end in a (mostly) straight line. Seems simple enough.

I was thinking something like this could be adapted into an animation for the reload (but supersoldiers could do it quickly every single time while simultaneously kicking someone in the face):

youtu.be/jX2Y18V7ceE