Museum:Source

Beta 1 Released!

2008-01-09T17:32:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to announce that beta 1 of Museum:Source has been released! Download it now from lanmaniax.com.

Remember this is a beta. Please provide feedback here in the comments.

Still plugging along

2008-01-02T16:45:00.000-08:00

Hi all! Well, I see now why id software is famous for saying their projects will be released "when they're done." I'm sorry this project has taken so much longer than I originally planned. Then again, I'm not sorry for taking the time to do it right. I'm trying to do something special here. Still, I know you're anxious, so here's a little update.

Nearly all the modeling is done. Most of the texturing is done. The last "big" thing to finish is the exhibits. I'm talking with paleontologists and other natural history associates to make sure I get these right. I want this map to not just look like a museum but actually contain original and interesting exhibits.

This is the last step, but it's not really what's holding things up. Life--and work--have kept me away from mapping, but I'm back at work and I never really stopped completely. I'm not going to set a date, but I am hoping Museum:Source will be released to beta very soon.

Two New Models. On The Home Stretch...

2007-08-19T02:46:00.001-07:00

This weekend I've put two new models into the museum. These were the last two complex models on my list. I have a bunch of exhibits and informational signs, etc. and more textures and "polish." I'm on track for a beta in a couple of weeks or so.

I've actually added two other models in the last few days. One is a new base for the columns you can see in one of the shots.

Man, this project is kicking my butt! But it's forced me to learn how to 3D model. I'm still not perfect but feel like I can model any object now given the time.

Here's the new screens--straight out of CS:

Climbable Long-Neck Dinosaur

2007-08-06T02:06:00.001-07:00

I think I mentioned early on that both skeletons (T. rex and Brachiosaur) would be climbable, but just FYI, this is now active in the map. Also, the Brach. neck and one leg blows off during the bomb explosion. Pretty sweet stuff. The T. rex animation was done a long time ago. More soon!

New Screens

2007-08-06T01:52:00.000-07:00

I made you all wait too for my last screenshots so here's a little update showing how far I've come through this weekend. Having fun with FOV.

Content Requests

2007-08-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

I've already had a few requests for models and textures from the map. I'm sorry but I don't have time to reply to all requests so the answer has to be: wait until it's done. Once the map is released, you can feel free to extract and use models and textures. (NOTE: for non-commercial, Source game use only. Please credit me when you do use them.)

Slowly but Surely

2007-08-04T12:37:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to report the Museum project is not dead. I had to take almost 3 months off to devote time to my business. But, I've been back at work on the museum now for several weeks and I'm definitely over the hump with this thing. Adding lots of textures now and taking the rough rooms to polished, realistic spaces. I need to add a bunch more smaller exhibits and lighting, but we're in the home stretch now! Here's a couple recent screens:

Mini Update

2007-03-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can't believe it's been over a month since my last post! I wasn't really ready to show off updates, but I gotta give you something. So, here's a few low-res pics of various areas that have been updated. None of these areas are finished--please don't be too critical yet. Hopefully you get the idea that things are progressing. Much more to do, but it's over halfway done now.

Brachiosaurus Skeleton Finished!

2007-02-21T01:41:00.000-08:00

These links lead to 100% un-retouched, original size screen captures:

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5

The good news: I finished modeling the long-neck dinosaur. The bad news, I've got to take a break from mapping for a while. My business is suffering right now, in part because I've been too distracted with this map. I'll get back the museum as soon as I can, but I've got to concentrate on my huge workload. Any donations are greatly appreciated, as always, and they really do help justify my efforts on this huge mapping project.

Note as you view the screens above that the room as a whole is only about 80% finished. Lots more details to come (textures, etc.). And a couple of things to look for:

-Does that tail look climbable?
-Could those be sniper windows?

Long-Neck Dinosaur Under Development

2007-02-13T00:37:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update: I've finally finished the basic layout and texturing of the large room that will house the Brachiosaurus. The rest of the map is untextured and barren, but I'm moving on to the Brach. skeleton so I can get this room 90% done. This means in a few days I'll be able to share screens of a nearly finished room with a spectacular dinosaur exhibit. I want to show the room now (looking much better than those early screens below), but I think I'll wait until the skeleton is finished to show the full glory of the room.

By the way, here's some tools I'm using for my models:

Silo 3D - Modeling
Ultimate Unwrap 3D - UV Mapping
Corel Photo-Paint - Texturing
XSI Foundation 5 - Finishing/Exporting SMDs (with the Mod Tool Add-On)
GUI StudioMDL - Compiling models

And that's the basic flowchart of how each model is made as well. Each model progresses from app to app until it's ready for the game. There are gaps in the workflow though (like compiling/editing texture files), but those are the major apps I use.

Sneak Preview of Museum:Source Architecture

2007-02-07T02:05:00.000-08:00

Okay, I hesitate to show in-progress shots, but here you go. These are early, but I've made enough headway I'm hoping you can get an idea of what's in store for the big room. This is the space that will hold the long-neck (sauropod) dinosaur.

And, what the heck--another T. rex pic! You can never have too many.

These are all resized to 800/640 but I gotta save on bandwidth and don't want to give too big a view of early builds.

(Click images for the larger view)

Map layout finished

2007-02-05T16:00:00.000-08:00

Well, it took some time, but the basic layout is finished. Of course, things can always change in beta, but through several playtesting sessions I think we finally have a winning level design. It's got some similarities and dissimilarities to the old map. This version is definitely tighter. Fewer spots to get lost in and every area of the map is useful depending on your strategy.

CS gamers will judge for themselves, but for me (and a few lucky friends) it's actually a blast to play--even just with bots. So with the basic layout done, I'm back to modeling and texturing. I'm working on architectural elements now (arches, columns, etc) and will then build the brachiosaurus model. Pixelman is helping with a couple special models too...some fun stuff going into this version. More soon!

T. rex Model Screens!

2007-01-31T00:47:00.000-08:00

Here's a look at the T. rex model in-game. Yes, it's normal mapped. Yes, you can climb on the skeleton. Yes, bones blow in random directions when the bomb detonates. Oh, and if you look closely at the background, you'll see there's a grate above the skeleton. But don't look too closely at the background—the layout is very early/rough and subject to change.

Want to Play DE_Museum Sooner? Donate!

2007-01-31T00:43:00.000-08:00

The last de_museum took a year to complete in my spare time. Roughly 300 hours total. This time around, I'm more knowledgeable about the process, but with all the model-building and the new engine, the process will be more complex. Still, I expect to complete the map within a few months.

That said, I'm self-employed now and busier than ever keeping my new business alive and growing. If you loved de_museum, or love the teasers on this site and want to see the real de_museum:source, send me a few bucks. Click the paypal link on the upper-right. Any anything you can spare will be greatly appreciated and will help speed completion of the map!

DE_MUSEUM Being Rebuilt for Counter-Strike:Source

2007-01-30T22:33:00.003-08:00

I'm happy to announce I am hard at work on a totally new version of my popular CS map de_museum. This is not a conversion of the old CS map. This is a ground-up, from scratch recreation for the source engine.

Of course, key to the first map was the dinosaur skeletons, and they will return—this time as richly detailed models. In fact, the T. rex skeleton is already done (see the banner above for an in-game view).

This project will be a monumental task on an already full schedule, so I won't be able to post frequently. When I do, I'll try to make it good. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check back soon for updates.