Topic: Empire Seafaring Graphics
chuckw Topic Opener |
Posted at: 2012-01-14, 18:35
Seafaring has arrived in WL for ALL of the tribes and is no longer the sole realm of the Atlanteans. :) This thread is intended to be exclusively for the discussion of the development of graphics for the Empire seafaring objects, (i.e. ships, harbors, shipwrights, etc.) I see little people. Top Quote |
chuckw Topic Opener |
Posted at: 2012-01-14, 18:57
Like the Barbarians, the Empire tribe is often associated with a real historic people. In the Empire's case, the Roman Empire. As such, I think it is logical to pattern their vessels after craft contemporary to that period of history. I'm talking about biremes, triremes, galleys, grain ships, etc. If we are to limit ourselves to just one design, at least initially, I would favor the more militaristic vessels because of their well known and easily identifiable characteristic painted eyes and the ram on the prow. They were propelled by both oars and sails and came in various sizes. Sound logical? Let's hear your ideas. I see little people. Top Quote |
chuckw Topic Opener |
Posted at: 2012-02-19, 23:15
Here are the plans that I am going to use as a reference for the Empire ship. This portrays a BiReme (two rows of oars). My model may or may not have two rows. We'll see. Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I see little people. Top Quote |
chuckw Topic Opener |
Posted at: 2012-02-19, 23:25
The Roman Empire lasted for many years and over that time styles warships and different types of vessels used in trade came and went. I was going to do a military ship like #2, but is there a preference for the trading vessel in light of the focus of WL? You can only have ONE type (for now). Which should I do? I see little people. Top Quote |
PkK |
Posted at: 2012-02-19, 23:52
AFAIK, many widelands developers are from Germany, so some might want to have a lookt at the "Museum für antike Schifffahrt" in Mainz. AFAIK they have 5 Roman ships discovered in the early 1980s there (and many models based on reconstructions of more Roman ships). Philipp Top Quote |
chuckw Topic Opener |
Posted at: 2012-02-20, 00:49
Thanks for the reference to the "Museum für antike Schifffahrt" in Mainz,PkK. I came across a number of images of the recreations and models that are there, like this one While the galleys and bi/triremes would be readily recognizable as Roman ships, I have some reservations. 1) They were predominantly used in warfare and 2) At a distance certain models resemble our ships for the atlanteans and barbarians. But I guess ships designed for the same purpose WOULD have similarities. Take a look at these images of Roman merchant vessels like the one in the illustration above. Personally, I am growing rather fond of the vessel with the swan's head on its stern and unless I hear a loud preference for the galley, I just may take a try at that. What do the rest of you think? I see little people. Top Quote |
SirVer |
Posted at: 2012-02-20, 10:28
Please keep in mind that the Empire is the Empire. They are not the Romans :). That said, I love the stern (is that the right word? I am neither english native nor navally inclined. I mean the front part of the ship) in the second picture chuck posted. Looks mighty to me. I am not too fond of the round shields - imho they are reserved for the barbarians in our world. I'd suggest sticking with the rectangular that the soldiers are carrying. Ps: great work on the build sequences of the ships, chuck! Top Quote |
chuckw Topic Opener |
Posted at: 2012-02-20, 13:53
The most effective biremes and triremes, etc. had bronze rams just below the water line on their prow which were used to sink enemy vessels, well..., by RAMMING them. I have no nautical experience myself (other than modeling ships) but here is a brief English nautical jargon primer:
My thought exactly. Keep things consistent.
Thanks! I hope I can do the empire ship as finely. So, here, I guess, is +1 for the galley/bireme? I see little people. Top Quote |
Astuur |
Posted at: 2012-02-20, 17:31
My favourite would be the one with the swan's head.
Not because of that, but the bireme just doesn't look like it can carry wares. Being no programmer, I apologize for all my suggestions that imply undue workload and for other misjudgements due to lack of expertise or relevant skills. |
chuckw Topic Opener |
Posted at: 2012-02-20, 21:13
@Astuur: You echo my thoughts about storage capacity for wares. So now the vote is galley +1, merchant +1 Let's hear from the rest of you. and QUICKLY please. 15 March is speeding toward us!! I see little people. Top Quote |