I propose an Arctic Theme Pack

[Fantaboi]

OK FIRST CONTRIBUTION:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/d8qoxyar071c6nq/Improved Snow Particles.zip?dl=0

THE NEW AND IMPROVED SNOW PARTICLES (beta)

WHY USE THESE?
A multitude of magnificent reasons!
-The origin is fixed to be at center top
-LOADS of sizes, from 64 -> 1024
-You can make it double or half dense

Best of all, it works in a hierarchy!
Size 128 is just 4 Sixty-Four sizes put side by side! This means by changing the properties of the original, it changes for multiple sizes!

Why post here not it's own thread?
Bug testing

Is it safe?
Excess use is known to cause crashes, e.g two 1024's at the same time (This bug occured in the test lab which is in the pack, i'm going to look into it)

What now?
Give me your suggestions! Do you want the snow to be faster? Do you want snow effects like them bouncing off the ground? All I have to do is change one and BAM multiple sizes changed!

But yeah, please try it out, and get back to me with your thoughts and suggestions! If I hear nothing in a week, it's gonna be uploaded!

Limit study:
2x 1024 at any density is the limit, odd that this is at ALL densities


(WebM's coming soon)

 

[Kraken]

What we need is frozen version of the halloween stone spikes.

 

[Kube]

I'm happy about this - particles on the way! Yet in the grand scheme of things (and this going to sound a bit odd), we're going to have to think about the small things that make the Arctic theme the Arctic theme. Just look at this:

This is an image of snow blowing across a road. In a map, when extreme wind becomes a factor, everything about the map's detailing should support that idea. A problem with implementing this would be the visibility of stickies on the ground being tough to see, but really, most effects in moderation made to fit the general art style should be able to fit the TF2 gameplay style.

This is more of a reminder than anything that pressed-in snow tracks and the like are going to need some form of shading or bump maps.

Just a thought to add appropriate snowcards/skybox props/skybox textures.

The thought of simply standing in the snow and looking up holds a lot of dear memories for many people. Let's do our best bring this beautiful thing to the warfields of a video game!

 

[Moonrat]

Ugh, I wish I could join all of this, but I have no idea how to make VMTs or anything else......

I think Imma try to learn, so that I don't end up on the outside of the fun....

 

[Moonrat]

Okay guys! I am going to attempt to make various textures and such for this pack, I love snow too much to miss out.

I am going to start with a night snow skybox!

 

[Kraken]

A payload snow truck, could be cool.
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/vintage-old-truck-cattle-ranch-winter-snow-12352716.jpg

 

[Muddy]

I can't model to save my life, so someone else please make a hot chocolate stand.

 

[takabuschik]

I put here some reference pictures, hope it'll help someone. If I find the time I might make some textures or overlays.
WARNING: lots of pics. Sadly the [spoiler.] doesn't work w/ pictures.

Check out Palmer Station- it looks very tf2-themed

And this site I found has some great photography. Andthis one, which is more snow-vehicle oriented.
Here are some other pics I found: ~

 

[PyroDevil]

Cause it's would be a crime to not have an Ice Breaker Ship in an Arctic Theme Pack. (Probably better to have a red and blu hull instead of the entire ship)

I may try to model, just need to get to know the program

More pics

 

[Kraken]

I can't model to save my life, so someone else please make a hot chocolate stand.

Here is a reference picture to tf like chocolate stand.
https://slm-assets0.secondlife.com/assets/8875543/view_large/hcs_mp_4_99l.jpg?1386568114

 

[Pocket]

This is more of a reminder than anything that pressed-in snow tracks and the like are going to need some form of shading or bump maps.

Well, that's gonna be a problem, because it turns out Source doesn't support overlays with bump maps. At least not without custom shaders.

 

[Zed]

What we really need is Narwhals.

 

[Kube]

Well, that's gonna be a problem, because it turns out Source doesn't support overlays with bump maps. At least not without custom shaders.

Once again, the formalities of Source bring an idea down. Thanks, Newell! However, I doubt that with some cleverness, some ingenuity, and a pinch of creativity, the community can't come up with something that looks more-than-decent for the effect. Off the top of my head, to achieve this specific effect, we could a) Make a custom texture, specifically made for a displacement that could be included in a .vmf with the resource pack (I find this to be the interesting but less feasible approach), or b) a small prop/collection of props dedicated to providing the track and the appropriate shading (the reference picture below really supports this approach). I really do just like that slushy look...

What we really need is Narwhals.

 

[BigBros]

I will try to play around getting a similar effect with texturing. Pretty surprising how much depth you can make with textures. Especially when you have time, photoshop and a lot of energy drinks...

 

[Grizzly Berry]

I would love for some snow covered versions of more popular props. Similar to the barrels and crates from EOTL. I also think some trees with snow on the branches would be really cool. Unable to really help with any of the assets, but I be happy to help with promo and that sort of thing once the ball gets rolling.

 

[Fantaboi]

Ok, so I figured the fundamental flaw in my particle system hierarchy thing

It quadruples the sizes instead of doubles them.

Naturally, this can't be fixed, but metroid man was nice enough to edit original viaduct particles into a much more easier to edit system, which I will be uploading tonight!

Ugh, I wish I could join all of this, but I have no idea how to make VMTs or anything else......

I think Imma try to learn, so that I don't end up on the outside of the fun....

I'll be willing to whip up VMT's for ya if you supply the textures

 

[FissionMetroid101]

Just got showed this thread and I would be more than happy to pitch in some particles for y'all! I would definitely kill to make some Auroras or some snowy effects of the sort. I could also make some water splashing and snowy explosions if people would want'em. I'm open to any ideas if someone's got something in mind. I'm very preoccupied at the moment, but I can try to start this weekend.

I do hope to see a wooden cut-out of a polar bear outta this though

 

[Kraken]

Wow, the fifth page has so much stuff in it my potato phone can't access it.

 

[iiboharz]

Just got showed this thread and I would be more than happy to pitch in some particles for y'all! I would definitely kill to make some Auroras or some snowy effects of the sort. I could also make some water splashing and snowy explosions if people would want'em. I'm open to any ideas if someone's got something in mind. I'm very preoccupied at the moment, but I can try to start this weekend.

I do hope to see a wooden cut-out of a polar bear outta this though

When the ball gets rolling I'll be sure to contact you!

 

[BigBros]

I am just playing around with some blends and textures at the moment to show you what I can do - am happy to help as long as you like my content