Ping: Teflon

potatoman · 04-18-2003, 04:33 PM

How do u make these parks? do you ahve instructions for me?

Teflon Skies · 04-18-2003, 07:51 PM

You will need image editing software that lets you work in layers, create transparencies, skew perspectives, adjust hues, midtones, mirror, etc. I use an older version of Paint Shop Pro by Jasc. ($99) You will also need a large catalog of good images such as cityscapes, advertisements, buildings, trees, skies, and, of course stadium parts. There is no quick way to get them. You just have to browse through lots of web pages and keep your eyes open. Hint: the collectibles section on e-bay is a good source for old-time ads. Web Shots is a good source of cityscapes and skies. The stadium parts are mostly screen captures from PC games I have owned over the years including Old Time Baseball, Tony LaRussa 3 Baseball, and the High Heat titles. Having a good screen capture program that lets you save multiple screen captures automatically is nice to have. I use Hyper-Snap ($35) It works on just about every type of game including 3dfx, glide, and video accelerated games unless the game runs completely as an overlay, like this year's High Heat.

There is also some skill required. You have to be able to edit your clips to the correct perspectives and understand how to apply shadows and adjust contrast lighting to make close things look close and backgrounds look not so close. You also want all the parts to look like they're lit from the same direction. If the buldings in the background appear lit from the right side, the field and stadium should appear this way, too. I also draw some things free-hand. Stadium lights I typically do from scratch because it's easier than trying to edit images to work.

Making these parks isn't quick or easy. I've described it before as being similar to putting a model car kit together. It can take hours -sometimes days. There is a lot of trimming unwanted bits of image away which is about the most tedious thing imagineable. I do this as a hobby. I typically tune in a ballgame at MLB.com and do this while I listen.

To summarize, first steps would be getting the software and becoming familiar with it and then going image hunting. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have once you start.

potatoman · 04-18-2003, 09:13 PM

i have photoshop and some experience...i haev high heat for stadiums....hMmMM ill gues ill have to go image hunting...does it have to be certain size?

Teflon Skies · 04-19-2003, 12:08 PM

You can scale any image you use but obviously the results are a lot better looking if you make a big image smaller than if you enlarge a little one. A "sharpen" capability is nice to have if you adjust a perspective or shrink a large image down. Details often get blurry and adding a little sharpness back compensates for this. Also, it's easier to edit a straight-on image to become a perspective view than it is to try to straighten out an angled view. Sometimes you don't have a choice, but when choosing images a nicely lit straight-on view without sharp contrasts is preferred.

I usually start with the field, add a background city or sky scene that has a good perspective match with the field and then build the stands. I do the details - like stadium lights, images for ads and the scoreboards - last. I tend to leave all my layers unmerged until I make my final rendering and then I will revert back to unmerged layers so I can change something down the road if I choose. At times, you will need to merge some layers and edit them together, such as when applying drop shadows or altering brightness.

Carlton · 04-20-2003, 03:08 AM

hey Teflon are you gonna do any historical parks (maybe old 19th century??? hint, hint)

I would to see some of those

04-18-2003, 04:33 PM	#1
potatoman Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,410 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	Ping: Teflon How do u make these parks? do you ahve instructions for me?

04-18-2003, 09:13 PM	#3
potatoman Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,410 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	i have photoshop and some experience...i haev high heat for stadiums....hMmMM ill gues ill have to go image hunting...does it have to be certain size? __________________ GFBL - Storm - 5 seasons - 500 - 310 New Jersey Nighthawks (1227-717) Last 5 seasons 2011: 118-44 2012: 100-62 2013: 111-51 2014: 106-56 2015: 108-54 OTBA Champions: 2008, 2010,2011

04-20-2003, 03:08 AM	#5
Carlton Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,765	hey Teflon are you gonna do any historical parks (maybe old 19th century??? hint, hint) I would to see some of those __________________ "I am at that stage of my life where I keep myself out of arguments. I am 100% self sufficient spiritually, emotionally & financially. Even if you say 1+1=5, you are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. Enjoy!"

04-18-2003, 07:51 PM	#2
Teflon Skies Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 122	You will need image editing software that lets you work in layers, create transparencies, skew perspectives, adjust hues, midtones, mirror, etc. I use an older version of Paint Shop Pro by Jasc. ($99) You will also need a large catalog of good images such as cityscapes, advertisements, buildings, trees, skies, and, of course stadium parts. There is no quick way to get them. You just have to browse through lots of web pages and keep your eyes open. Hint: the collectibles section on e-bay is a good source for old-time ads. Web Shots is a good source of cityscapes and skies. The stadium parts are mostly screen captures from PC games I have owned over the years including Old Time Baseball, Tony LaRussa 3 Baseball, and the High Heat titles. Having a good screen capture program that lets you save multiple screen captures automatically is nice to have. I use Hyper-Snap ($35) It works on just about every type of game including 3dfx, glide, and video accelerated games unless the game runs completely as an overlay, like this year's High Heat. There is also some skill required. You have to be able to edit your clips to the correct perspectives and understand how to apply shadows and adjust contrast lighting to make close things look close and backgrounds look not so close. You also want all the parts to look like they're lit from the same direction. If the buldings in the background appear lit from the right side, the field and stadium should appear this way, too. I also draw some things free-hand. Stadium lights I typically do from scratch because it's easier than trying to edit images to work. Making these parks isn't quick or easy. I've described it before as being similar to putting a model car kit together. It can take hours -sometimes days. There is a lot of trimming unwanted bits of image away which is about the most tedious thing imagineable. I do this as a hobby. I typically tune in a ballgame at MLB.com and do this while I listen. To summarize, first steps would be getting the software and becoming familiar with it and then going image hunting. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have once you start.

04-19-2003, 12:08 PM	#4
Teflon Skies Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 122	You can scale any image you use but obviously the results are a lot better looking if you make a big image smaller than if you enlarge a little one. A "sharpen" capability is nice to have if you adjust a perspective or shrink a large image down. Details often get blurry and adding a little sharpness back compensates for this. Also, it's easier to edit a straight-on image to become a perspective view than it is to try to straighten out an angled view. Sometimes you don't have a choice, but when choosing images a nicely lit straight-on view without sharp contrasts is preferred. I usually start with the field, add a background city or sky scene that has a good perspective match with the field and then build the stands. I do the details - like stadium lights, images for ads and the scoreboards - last. I tend to leave all my layers unmerged until I make my final rendering and then I will revert back to unmerged layers so I can change something down the road if I choose. At times, you will need to merge some layers and edit them together, such as when applying drop shadows or altering brightness.