Message to the whole ALFA community (from Aelred)

[MorbidKate]

I just don't think we should rely on those guys already up to their necks in building to have to show them how. Others can tackle that job.

Consider it an investment. The best tips, tricks, advice and tweaks will come from those with the most Toolset experience. Posting up what has worked for them is ultimately a time saver for everyone. Once up, everyone can refer to it or post questions in an appropriate forum.

There has been a massive dropoff in builders from NWN1 to NWN2 but it's not for lack of wanting to help.

Kate

[indio]

I'll make an article for dummies today and we'll see how much weight the "It's too difficult" theory has got.

I'm sticking with most people don't build until I see evidence otherwise. As I've said earlier in this thread, when we were building NWN1, we had about the same number of active builders.

The real concern is not getting people down about what they're doing Kate, especially if it's helping us. That's my point. I hope it doesn't get lost in the prune next time.

[Aelred]

Nick - that is exactly my idea - to spell out interior projects in detail for any new builders and post where everybody can see and learn from the post. The Green Door was one example. Please also see the thread I made for Mick144 here:

http://www.alandfaraway.org/phpbbforum/ ... hp?t=36352

I can't speak for all the builders but when someone agrees to sign on to help MD with a small project (like an interior) I am going to make it as easy and detailed as possible so that it will:

1) Definitely fit with my vision of the server
and
2) Definitely be used on the server

This is what I plan on including when I describe a project for anyone that wishes to help with Cormanthor interiors:

1) exact floorplan so that it matches the exact exterior I used (doors need to be in the right place, the interior size has to match as close as possible to the exterior buildings footprint, the interior should have the same amount of floors as the exterior building does)
2) canon description from the sourcebooks - not everybody has the books or the time to find the info
3) my description my vision of how the interior should look (definite colors, definite objects that should be included, and any reasoning behind those ideas - such as it having to do with a server quest)
4) my suggestions in RL I am an artist - creativity is the funpart of building for me. I will offer suggestions on how to decorate but I don't want to stifle anyone's creativity - I want to leave room for other's to express themselves
5) Tips and tricks - I will post specific tricks and tips that can be used for the project in question and copy them into the NWN2:Toolsetting main thread that we will hopefully soon have

The individual projects will be posted on the public MD forum and we can have easy dialog there about them. Anyone one else who reads the post will essentially also be learning to build and will be welcome to post questions in the same thread. That way the community can get thru the toolset learning curve together.

[Grand Fromage]

This page lists a bunch of tutorials.

[Aelred]

Guys PLEASE stop the arguing about whether or not anyone wants to help teach or will help teach!!!

I already said I WILL HELP! Now shut your traps and lets get constructive and get going.

(Third time asking)Who do I need to contact to create a new thread header under ALFA projects?

Indio it would be great if you could get going on a tutorial of any sort. In my opinion the first hurdle is the un-intuitiveness of the camera controls. I know you use the Sin Plugin for your camera movement whereas Thangorn and I still use the the standard CTRL + SHFT + Mouse controls.

Perhaps the first "how to" should include be "Standard controls" and include the camera controls (CTRL+SHFT+MOUSE combos), the tile movement controls (arrow keys) and the placeable movement controls (mouse click to place, ALT+RT mouse + scroll to raise vertically, space bar to drop to ground and the rotate). Once that has been said we can offer an alternative to the crazy camera controls thru use of the Sin Plugin and forward people to the second "How to" post.

The second "how to" would logically then be "How to install plug-ins"

[Nyarlathotep]

Well it is more difficult. Is it tremendously more difficult? No. But it is tricky enough to use that the larger mass of people who don't want to deal within anything tricker than an Excel spreadsheet (and to be honest for some even a spreadsheet like that wouldn't be worth the effort) are turned off by it. It is by no means isolated to ALFA, the number of modules created across the board by the NWN community has been much smaller this time around. There are 131 English language mods on NWN vault for NWN 2 right now, compared to 1300 mods that were created during the same time frame for NWN. Even PC Gamer just published an article about the state of the NWN 2 mod community and how it has been lagging.

Thats not to say it isn't a superior product, what it did do is miss that sweet spot where the average user finds the toolset fun to use rather than a chore. To make a rough metaphor NWN Toolset was the Windows of toolsets while NWN 2 is more analogous to Linux. Great if you know how to use it but many don't try.

Then again NWN 2 is more fun to play than NWN was so I'll probably try the toolset again once i have a rig.

[AcadiusLost]

I'll also throw a plug in here for the IRC channel #alfa-builders - often it's just Marklos and I, sometimes Cipher, Thangorn, Castano, Leareth and others can be found there- it's (currently) spam and distraction-free helpdesk for anyone building (or interested to help building). Often times it's easier to find a productive path (and/or vent frustrations) there than in forum threads.

In terms of contributing interiors- carefully done canon recreations of published areas like the Green Door are probably the best way to capture the imagination and inspiration of new builders- but there is likely a lot of room for "Generic townhouse #12" for waterdeep, for example. A persistent world needs a lot of that sort of thing, and they are the sort of thing a beginner ought to be able to use as a learning tool, without trying to be meticulous from square one. If it gets built, chances are there will be a home for it on one of the servers (maybe more, if it's bits and pieces can be juggled around a bit).

Let's try to keep this constructive- clearly there is at least some frustration on several sides (builders feeling under-supported, players feeling impatient, potential contributors feeling excluded, etc)- but we're not well served by argument along these lines. I'm nearly always in #alfa-builders, and I'll do what I can to help connect anyone interested in helping with something to do, hopefully we can channel some energy into productive outlets.

[Mord]

There are 131 English language mods on NWN vault for NWN 2 right now, compared to 1300 mods that were created during the same time frame for NWN. Even PC Gamer just published an article about the state of the NWN 2 mod community and how it has been lagging.

It just takes a hell of a lot longer to make mods with the new toolset.

[FanaticusIncendi]

I'll also throw a plug in here for the IRC channel #alfa-builders

I didn't even know there was such a channel. See? We're making progress already!

[JaydeMoon]

The best tips, tricks, advice and tweaks will come from those with the most Toolset experience.

Point conceded.

In any case, minor bickering aside (what's an ALFA General Thread without some tension? Unimportant, that's what!), we seem to be moving in a direction here, and it looks like a positive one.

[Nyarlathotep]

For all that has been said the point also has to be made that what can be created with the toolset is really amazing, in ability it far surpasses the original. Word also is that we will be seeing some more wizards with the release of Betrayer which should also help stimulate some folks to build.

One quick technical question(i don't have a system that can do NWN2 at the moment)...have they changed it so you can see armor and stuff change colors while you make the changes or do you still have to switch tabs?

[Grand Fromage]

One quick technical question(i don't have a system that can do NWN2 at the moment)...have they changed it so you can see armor and stuff change colors while you make the changes or do you still have to switch tabs?

It's the same as always, you open two windows and can see all the changes. Armor has always been visible without switching tabs. There are plugins that also add wizards, such as SinPlugin, and presumably the MotB wizards will work much more like NWN.

[Nyarlathotep]

It's the same as always, you open two windows and can see all the changes. Armor has always been visible without switching tabs. There are plugins that also add wizards, such as SinPlugin, and presumably the MotB wizards will work much more like NWN.

Really? Damn. Everytime I clicked on one window to work it always minimized the other on me, bugged the hell out of me cause I'm obsessive over color. Part of that I'll lay down on my own native n00bery and the other on my shite computer.

[ayergo]

Here's an easy one:

I need items suitable for a some religious stores. Weapons, armor, clothes, accessories that are fitting with the deity.

Major (should sell nifty stuff) ones i need:

Gond
Umberlee
Tymora

Minor (less nifty stuff) i need:

Lathander
Ilmater
Helm

Also an assortment of food and beverages available in Taverns/inns.

How to guide found here:

http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NW ... etail&id=9

Pick a deity and post here to claim!

[Nyarlathotep]

If no one has claimed Umberlee by sometime after September 4th or 5th I'd be willing to help out with her, I should have a new machine by then.