Redesign of all HQ and support factories

[BlackYps]

Thank you for that mod! Don't worry about the technical issues, it's fine enough for testing.

I thought some more about the Aeon factories and I think I just dislike changing the design of a factory where it is not needed. The idea is to basically keep the original factory models as support factories. I see that you connected the previously floating arcs, which is a nice change, but raising the platform is not really needed. It significantly changes the overal design and it's a change purely based on personal taste. It also creates the issue that the structures in the back have to be even higher to support the arc shields without units clipping into it.
I do like that you moved the structures in the back further out, this is a good change, it reduces clipping with units and makes the factory look a bit bigger without changing the feel of the design.

I have some more thoughts about the HQ: I generally like the extra elements and animations you added. As I said, I think the shields (purple) should be 1/4 to 1/3 smaller. The pillars (orange) are very nicely designed. I think I would like it better if they supported the raising arc in the front instead of these pure black things (red). I'd remove the extra terraces in the back (green) imo they make it look too bulky.

[Saver]

Phew, that's a lot of adjustments. But that's what this topic is for.

Since the modification to the base plate affects all animations, I would first adjust only the model for T3 and create it as a new unit (luckily, I've stored all the movements as Lua files in the mod for this purpose ^^).

Do you perhaps have a rough idea for how the front arch should be raised?

Then we can discuss the further changes.

@ All If you can, please participate in the discussion so we can achieve a more comprehensive result.

[Katharsas]

I personally like Aeon factories not being flat at the bottom very much. I also like that it is higher. It really looked like the odd one out compared to the other factories before when viewed from the side (what you demonstrated here: https://forum.faforever.com/post/68882 ).

But i agree with BlackYps that some of the black blocks in the HQ do not look good. Aeon is imo generally a "rounded", "organic" looking faction and the black blocks make it too blocky.

[Saver]

Hello,

First of all, thanks @Katharsas for your feedback If you have any suggestions on how I can improve, feel free to write.

The adjustment within the mod version, which also includes the FAF factories, so Rework+FAF - short for the future Re+FAF.

@BlackYps that was a great idea

!!!! Unfortunately, the last version of the T3 factory (UAB030111) can only be created via cheats. Apologies.

• Left Standard FAF T3 (UAB0301)
• In the middle the mod version with flat main platform and smaller front panels (UAB030111)
• on the right is my current version from the original mod (UAB03011)

I also have to say that the front panels need to be made smaller.

I have to disagree with the suggestion for a flat base plate, though. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to fit. Let's put it this way: I'm having a picnic and placing things on a blanket. That's the impression I get.

But the mod is there to help you form your own opinion. So if the picture isn't enough for a review, feel free to check it out in the game. V2 is in the FAF Vault.

[Saver]

Should I replace the block columns with round ones? But keep the black and white texture of the windows?

[Saver]

Hello,

I've tried a couple of changes to the pillars and added them to the Re+FAF mod.

One with a plate-like shape:

and one with a round, white pillar:

Maybe someone else has another opinion on this. However, I like the version with the round pillars best. Unfortunately, I can't say when a particular type will make it into the main mod.

I have adjusted 3 of the 4 points that were agreed upon by BlackYps. Unfortunately, I have to disappoint you with the base plate; it remains raised.

Because I'd like to get started with the Cybrans.

[IndexLibrorum]

@Saver I think the black columns looked best, and the white pillars the least good. They look rather out of place to me, like they've salvaged some old Greek ruins for parts.

[Saver]

@IndexLibrorum
Thanks for your feedback. And I agree, it looks like Greek columns ^^. I wanted to see how it would look in-game.

I would repeat the first attempt with the black columns, this time making them a shape between square and round.

[Nory]

I think this was one of my favorite factory models. While there are some inconsistencies, the model effectively conveyed the visual weight HQs should have, as they are one of the most important units you can build.

[Saver]

Hello,

@Nory I can understand you, though; I liked the old model too.

Unfortunately, I don't see a good way to build from T1 to T3 without clipping or overloading the T1 stage. Therefore, I've distanced myself from the model.

But hey, I can't please everyone

Now, a truly final contribution to the Aeon Land Factory.

I've tried a lot, but due to my limited skills, the black columns remain. However, I've designed them even narrower.

I hope this is a small compromise.
The respective updates will follow on the FAF vault.

[Saver]

@Nory Once I've finished the project, I'll take another look at this version and experiment with it. But I can't say when I'll try it.

[Saver]

Here's my first version, recreating the old Cybran HQ similar to the original model.

This version doesn't contain any stretched textures, but it's also not quite as massive as the original.

Here are a few pictures for comparison.

The current model is now part of the mod Re+FAF.

I'll be working on the subsets in the coming days. I hope to present a playable version next weekend.

[Saver]

Here are the HQ levels T1 - T2 - T3 including comparison pictures from the old mod models.

[Saver]

Hey, as previously announced, the new Cybran Land factories can now be used.

For a better comparison, all models are included in both mods.

In addition to the adjusted components, the height of the mounting arms has also been slightly increased. Especially in the case of the T2, it was so low that units clipped through it. The LOD1 models and the flashing lights have also been adjusted. The flashing lights have been repositioned.

That's the current status for now.

Here are a few pictures, as usual, for easy comparison.

See you soon.

[Katharsas]

Very nice work!

[HotCheeseInRear]

This is amazing

[Saver]

Hey,

Here's the update for the Cybran Air Factory. It's now more massive, but without the radio tower. I think it already looks good for a T3.

In this case, however, I had a good template from the core game. There was a component called Floating, which I used and retextured.

Here are a few more pictures for comparison. I hope you enjoy testing it again.

Thanks for all the positive feedback.

[Saver]

By the way, a little insight for those unfamiliar with mods. Here are all the main files that had to be edited just for the Air Factory.

This is just a fraction of the work that goes into FAF. And now imagine the entire game. So, many thanks again to the FAF team.

[DDDX]

ok but these are just animations and meshes.
The real "fun" starts when you need to add functionality beyond what was originally programmed. I'm thinking the revamp of veterancy gain, from number of units killled to % of unit's mass worth killed. Now THAT's what I call work.
And its result is what, 1 file slightly modified? Nothing to see. But so much work, and such awesome QOL improvement.

[Saver]

^^ I completely agree with you. It was only meant to serve as an example. However, a lot of work went into this project as well. Just think about how much time the creators of these amazing AIs had to put in. But I think every user should just get a hint or a sense of the effort.

By the way, the Cybrans' water factory is also in development. But unfortunately, I can't promise whether there will be another update this weekend.