Thanks, I did better this time at getting their heights correct in relation to each other.
The EMH is a reward from referring one person to the game who purchases it and pays for at least a month of gameplay. The Breen is the bonus reward from the original run of the Defari weekly episodes for completing them prior to the Devidian series. The Orion (In KDF armor) is the reward for maxing out Diplomacy.
When doing a picture of my Klingon crew I decided I didnt want a nice clean Federation style picture, but wanted to produce a rough, grainy pulp fiction type poster.
Hope you like it: http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/3817/ikssuvchu.jpg
Awesome picture, DopiusFishius.
Not sure though if I would like to be in the place of your admiral: ten pretty girls as a crew is nice, but it also means ten possible mothers-in-law.
(Oh, and you forgot an m in command under your admiral.)
Awesome picture, DopiusFishius.
Not sure though if I would like to be in the place of your admiral: ten pretty girls as a crew is nice, but it also means ten possible mothers-in-law.
(Oh, and you forgot an m in command under your admiral.)
Thanks Wolf68, and double thanks for pointing out my typo. I can't believe I didn't pick up on that!
Definitely right about the mother's in law though, I imagine the Klingon one would be... difficult.
Duayan, or 'Dwayne', as his crewmates tend to call him, was my attempt at creating a member of Saowin's species from the Voyager episode 'Think Tank' - I think it's a really cool look, and it stands out quite a bit in-game.
I am curious to know how people are managing to get such neatly cropped images of their BOs, especially the ones with dark uniforms. Is there a trick to separating them from the dark background in the tailor screen, or just guess work and alot of pixel masking?
I am curious to know how people are managing to get such neatly cropped images of their BOs, especially the ones with dark uniforms. Is there a trick to separating them from the dark background in the tailor screen, or just guess work and alot of pixel masking?
From my knowledge(and experience), it's mostly careful photo editing. If there are other methods, I'd like to know them too!
First, you go to the in-game tailor. That's the best place to take profile-worthy shots of your crew, in my opinion.
Next, you press the print screen button on your keyboard. A screenshot will be taken.
Now, assuming you use a Windows computer, it's time to find the screenshot folder. If you know you don't have a lot of files named "screenshots", searching for a folder named "screenshots" would be the quickest way to find it. You can also do it manually by going to these locations on your PC:
Users > Public > Games > Cryptic Studios > Star Trek Online > Live > screenshots
I am curious to know how people are managing to get such neatly cropped images of their BOs, especially the ones with dark uniforms. Is there a trick to separating them from the dark background in the tailor screen, or just guess work and alot of pixel masking?
I zoom in to about 300-400% and use the polygonal lasso tool, I've found it much more accurate to use than any "magic lassos" or "background removal" filters. Once you get the hang of it, it doesn't take that long anyway, certainly much less than cleaning up mistakes the automatic tools cause.
Yeah, I consider the Hope class to be the "story" ship for my crew. I've liked that design from the moment I saw it: the neckless structure, the yo-yo saucer, the cone-shaped main hull - it's a fascinating ship. My RP justification for it is that Tanic is a Dr. House-like character: although his competence can't be ignored, his abrasive personality and pragmatic approach severely hinders his career progression - he is unlikely to ever be given command of a top-of-the-line vessel.
To those asking how to create clean photos of your crew, here's how I do it:
I use Adobe Fireworks but it can be done in Photoshop, Gimp or Paint Shop Pro or any layering image editor.
As stated by others I go to the tailor to get my screen shots. The hardest part of getting a good picture is getting the characters to look directly at the camera (if you're concerned about that). They constantly look around so it takes some time to get the shot right.
I create layers for each member. This allows you to affect each person individually and place them in front or behind each other easily. I then adjust the brightness and contrast very high, which washes out everything and makes it easy to tell black pants from space background. This is easy to do in Fireworks and can be easily removed later. I'm not as sure with PS or Gimp. I think you would create an adjustment layer and then delete it when you're done editing.
Then, as mentioned above, I use a lasso tool with antialias on and set on "Point-to-Point". That gives a soft edge that slightly blends with the background. I zoom in about 400% and just trace around the figures. Don't forget to get any spaces between their arms, legs, and body where the background shows through.
With everyone on their own layer, you can move them around and find the right positions. I've found that male characters need to be scaled to about 90% or they just look too massive compared to the females. If you're really picky, characters who are "standing in back" should be scaled down a little. Play around with it and remember Undo is your friend.
I usually do the same thing with the ship so I can place it where it looks best.
The "Customize your ship" station at Spacedock is a good place to get clean shots of your ship. If you're really, really picky about it you could use the demorecord feature to get great environment shots without ship or crew in them if you just want a nice background. I don't know anyone that would go to that much trouble, though. :rolleyes:
As a final touch, I'll add just a touch of Gaussian blur to each character. This helps make them look less "pixelated" and smooths out their features.
Once you get the hang of it you can make some great looking images without spending 12 hours on it. And, yes, I agree that I put way too much thought in to this.
Edward Stark, Captain, Science Officer, Human Male
Lorin, Science Officer, Vulcan Male
Carolina Vasquez, Engineering Officer, Human Female
Syenna Garmin, Tactical Officer, Cardassian Female
Annice Banner, Engineering Officer, Liberated Borg Human Female
Chex Zela, Science Officer, Bolian Male
Koras son of Daghat, Tactical Officer, Klingon Male
Verdu, Science Officer, Saurian Male
Tre'sya, Engineering Officer, Kobali Female
Siseri Gokar, Engineering Officer, Rigelian Female
Zel, Tactical Officer, Breen Male
Jaxem, Tactical Officer, Hylasa Male
Vella D'viv, Tactical Officer, Andorian Female (Shen)
Nesille Zanaria, Science Officer, Trill Female
Songa, Science Officer, Deferi Male
Hril, Engineering Officer, Ferengi Male
T'Nala, Visiting Scientist, Vulcan Female
Tomig, Engineering Officer, Pakled Male
Sarina Robinson, Ships Counselor, Betazoid Female
Faas, Science Officer, Tellarite Male
Vranlek, Science Officer, Reman Male
Torath, Engineering Exchange Officer, Gorn Male
Kilobyte, Science Officer, Liberated Borg Human Male
Notes: The Yolani species that created Hemingway are believed to be extinct - wiped out when a comet struck their homeworld. Hemingway was found -in stasis- aboard a derelict ship in deep space, its crew having abandoned the ship when its warp drive went inoperative. Scant records aboard that ship shows the Yolani species to be near albinos - whilst Hemingway is almost completely ebon in color due to its radiation-absorbing skin surfaces and cellular conversion/power enclaves.
Notes: Shirsyea's species evolved from watergoing reptiles, as a result she has webbed feet and hands and is the best swimmer amongst the crew. Good natured and difficult to anger, Shirsyea often carries the heaviest weapons of the away team, as her tall lithe body belies her strength and reflexes.
Notes: While it may seem a strange career choice for a Ferengi in Starfleet, Bis excels at her assignment - having gained the crew's trust and shown to give goodnatured and practical guidance and counseling. Bis is always in any away team dealing with trad agreements and diplomacy. She is also a superb shot with a rifle (cos it seemed too funny not to have the little Ferengi girl lugging the sniper rifle.)
The Nebula Class U.S.S. Woods Hole in orbit around Earth
(Will update later with Malek: the Klingon Flight Officer (Helm) of the Woods Hole - who better than the daring of a Klingon to get the most of a big ship like a Nebula? )
After a lot of uploading and connexion issues, I finally have posted the picture for my main toon's crew. I'm hoping to put together one for one of my alts soon. And when I get a better video card, I'll totally redo this one.
Comments
Nice. How did you make the EMH? And where did you get the Breen-traitor (what's his story)?
The EMH is a reward from referring one person to the game who purchases it and pays for at least a month of gameplay. The Breen is the bonus reward from the original run of the Defari weekly episodes for completing them prior to the Devidian series. The Orion (In KDF armor) is the reward for maxing out Diplomacy.
Hope you like it: http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/3817/ikssuvchu.jpg
my crew roster:
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb204/CapnBludd/STO/UssJDACrew003.jpg
Captain James C. Jexsam (center) preparing to engage hostile ground forces.
From left to right:
Cmdr. Spevak, Chief Engineer
Lt. Keeke, Captain's Escort
Lt. Ch'repa, field medic
Cmdr. Tilyh, 1st Officer/Chief Science Officer
Vice-Admiral Galzea Ohnx (center) visits a distant base
Fromt left to right:
Cptn. Kisal, (awaiting first command)*
Lt. Cmdr. Durok, Chief Engineer
Lt. Cmdr. Anavir Brander, Captain's Escort
Cmdr. Sylix, Chief Science Officer/1st Officer
*Also awaiting Cryptic's crew overhaul and Fleet Admiral features as well as the ability to deck a BOff in Cptn pips...
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/4329/crew01.jpg
http://img43.imageshack.us/i/crew01.jpg/
:cool:
http://fenvar.lima-city.de/StarTrek/KTAR/Ahwahneecrew.png
http://fenvar.lima-city.de/StarTrek/KTAR/USSWeser.png
http://dopiusfishius.deviantart.com/art/The-Crew-of-the-Petimezas-194428224
There's some great crew shots in this thread. Good to see everyone has a slightly different take on it!
Not sure though if I would like to be in the place of your admiral: ten pretty girls as a crew is nice, but it also means ten possible mothers-in-law.
(Oh, and you forgot an m in command under your admiral.)
Thanks Wolf68, and double thanks for pointing out my typo. I can't believe I didn't pick up on that!
Definitely right about the mother's in law though, I imagine the Klingon one would be... difficult.
And here I would like to show you the crew of the U.S.S. Insomnia II:
http://www.sto-center.de/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3391&d=1295945787
I think it's an almost "classical" compilation of characters.
Cpt. Parker (Human), official rank Vice Admiral,
Cmd. Crem (Bolian),
Cmd. Sotis and Lt.Cmd. Hume (Vulcan),
Cmd. Karen Jiliz (Betazoid),
Cmd. Teesge Jeff (Bajoran)
and Eight-of-Eight (Borg).
There are actual more crew members, but this is my main crew.
but I really do need to make a new pic...that one is quite old.
Glad I'm not the only one...
http://sonaos.webs.com/STO/Deltacross.htm
Not much to read yet, and still much work to do, but it'll suffice.
That guy is super rad! Good work Sonaos!
Cheers,
Matt
Hey, thanks! I recently redesigned him too, so the new look is beginning to grow on me.
Say "cheese"!
Duayan, or 'Dwayne', as his crewmates tend to call him, was my attempt at creating a member of Saowin's species from the Voyager episode 'Think Tank' - I think it's a really cool look, and it stands out quite a bit in-game.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Meanwhile, here's my other Federation crew (well, some of them, anyway!):
Quick - everyone strike a pose!
From left to right:
Crewman Sisek (Vulcan) - Operations Manager
Lt. Commander Shepherd (Human) - Commanding Officer
Ensign Jezor (Trill) - Flight Controller
Lieutenant Darin (Human) - Chief Medical Officer
From my knowledge(and experience), it's mostly careful photo editing. If there are other methods, I'd like to know them too!
First, you go to the in-game tailor. That's the best place to take profile-worthy shots of your crew, in my opinion.
Next, you press the print screen button on your keyboard. A screenshot will be taken.
Now, assuming you use a Windows computer, it's time to find the screenshot folder. If you know you don't have a lot of files named "screenshots", searching for a folder named "screenshots" would be the quickest way to find it. You can also do it manually by going to these locations on your PC:
Users > Public > Games > Cryptic Studios > Star Trek Online > Live > screenshots
Hope that helps.
I zoom in to about 300-400% and use the polygonal lasso tool, I've found it much more accurate to use than any "magic lassos" or "background removal" filters. Once you get the hang of it, it doesn't take that long anyway, certainly much less than cleaning up mistakes the automatic tools cause.
the officers of the science vessel U.S.S. Volition
Yeah, I consider the Hope class to be the "story" ship for my crew. I've liked that design from the moment I saw it: the neckless structure, the yo-yo saucer, the cone-shaped main hull - it's a fascinating ship. My RP justification for it is that Tanic is a Dr. House-like character: although his competence can't be ignored, his abrasive personality and pragmatic approach severely hinders his career progression - he is unlikely to ever be given command of a top-of-the-line vessel.
My current ship, the USS Olympus Mons
(L-R) Ship's counselor Nicole Crystal Evans, Chief Science Officer Roland Hart, Executive Officer Vashanya Otaris, Commanding Officer Arioch Rakhohl, Chief Medical Officer Rachel Greenlee, Chief Tactical Officer T'Rea, and Chief Engineer Namiri Razira.
The crew while on diplomatic missions aboard the USS Cydonia, all gussied up
My alternate crew, the USS Nimbus
(L-R) Chief Science Officer Fok, Chief Tactical Officer Tarah, Commanding Officer S'Rokk, Executive Officer Aliri Razira (sister of Cydonia's CEO), and Chief Engineer Elrich Azor.
To those asking how to create clean photos of your crew, here's how I do it:
I use Adobe Fireworks but it can be done in Photoshop, Gimp or Paint Shop Pro or any layering image editor.
As stated by others I go to the tailor to get my screen shots. The hardest part of getting a good picture is getting the characters to look directly at the camera (if you're concerned about that). They constantly look around so it takes some time to get the shot right.
I create layers for each member. This allows you to affect each person individually and place them in front or behind each other easily. I then adjust the brightness and contrast very high, which washes out everything and makes it easy to tell black pants from space background. This is easy to do in Fireworks and can be easily removed later. I'm not as sure with PS or Gimp. I think you would create an adjustment layer and then delete it when you're done editing.
Then, as mentioned above, I use a lasso tool with antialias on and set on "Point-to-Point". That gives a soft edge that slightly blends with the background. I zoom in about 400% and just trace around the figures. Don't forget to get any spaces between their arms, legs, and body where the background shows through.
With everyone on their own layer, you can move them around and find the right positions. I've found that male characters need to be scaled to about 90% or they just look too massive compared to the females. If you're really picky, characters who are "standing in back" should be scaled down a little. Play around with it and remember Undo is your friend.
I usually do the same thing with the ship so I can place it where it looks best.
The "Customize your ship" station at Spacedock is a good place to get clean shots of your ship. If you're really, really picky about it you could use the demorecord feature to get great environment shots without ship or crew in them if you just want a nice background. I don't know anyone that would go to that much trouble, though. :rolleyes:
As a final touch, I'll add just a touch of Gaussian blur to each character. This helps make them look less "pixelated" and smooths out their features.
Once you get the hang of it you can make some great looking images without spending 12 hours on it. And, yes, I agree that I put way too much thought in to this.
Updated bridge officer manifest:
http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/581/crewmanifest4bcopyadjbr.png
Edward Stark, Captain, Science Officer, Human Male
Lorin, Science Officer, Vulcan Male
Carolina Vasquez, Engineering Officer, Human Female
Syenna Garmin, Tactical Officer, Cardassian Female
Annice Banner, Engineering Officer, Liberated Borg Human Female
Chex Zela, Science Officer, Bolian Male
Koras son of Daghat, Tactical Officer, Klingon Male
Verdu, Science Officer, Saurian Male
Tre'sya, Engineering Officer, Kobali Female
Siseri Gokar, Engineering Officer, Rigelian Female
Zel, Tactical Officer, Breen Male
Jaxem, Tactical Officer, Hylasa Male
Vella D'viv, Tactical Officer, Andorian Female (Shen)
Nesille Zanaria, Science Officer, Trill Female
Songa, Science Officer, Deferi Male
Hril, Engineering Officer, Ferengi Male
T'Nala, Visiting Scientist, Vulcan Female
Tomig, Engineering Officer, Pakled Male
Sarina Robinson, Ships Counselor, Betazoid Female
Faas, Science Officer, Tellarite Male
Vranlek, Science Officer, Reman Male
Torath, Engineering Exchange Officer, Gorn Male
Kilobyte, Science Officer, Liberated Borg Human Male
Commander Hemingway: Commanding Officer - Yolani Species (now extinct) Artificial Synthezoid - No Gender Applicable:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/arkadyfolkner/Hemingway.gif
Notes: The Yolani species that created Hemingway are believed to be extinct - wiped out when a comet struck their homeworld. Hemingway was found -in stasis- aboard a derelict ship in deep space, its crew having abandoned the ship when its warp drive went inoperative. Scant records aboard that ship shows the Yolani species to be near albinos - whilst Hemingway is almost completely ebon in color due to its radiation-absorbing skin surfaces and cellular conversion/power enclaves.
Lt. Commander Cassiopeia Sutomi: Tactical Officer: Human/Vulcan Hybrid - Female.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/arkadyfolkner/Sutomi.gif
Lt. Commander Shirsyea: Operations Manager: Gorzan Species - Female.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/arkadyfolkner/Shirsyea.gif
Notes: Shirsyea's species evolved from watergoing reptiles, as a result she has webbed feet and hands and is the best swimmer amongst the crew. Good natured and difficult to anger, Shirsyea often carries the heaviest weapons of the away team, as her tall lithe body belies her strength and reflexes.
Lt. Commander Sabin: Science Officer: Vulcan Male.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/arkadyfolkner/Sabin.gif
Lt. Bis: Ships Counselor: Ferengi Female:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/arkadyfolkner/Bis.gif
Notes: While it may seem a strange career choice for a Ferengi in Starfleet, Bis excels at her assignment - having gained the crew's trust and shown to give goodnatured and practical guidance and counseling. Bis is always in any away team dealing with trad agreements and diplomacy. She is also a superb shot with a rifle (cos it seemed too funny not to have the little Ferengi girl lugging the sniper rifle.)
The Nebula Class U.S.S. Woods Hole in orbit around Earth
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v629/arkadyfolkner/Woodshole.jpg
(Will update later with Malek: the Klingon Flight Officer (Helm) of the Woods Hole - who better than the daring of a Klingon to get the most of a big ship like a Nebula? )
http://s604.photobucket.com/albums/tt121/whittierstrong/?action=view¤t=ParmenidesCrew1.png