Contest

Interesting idea. The vast majority of the questions in here deal with unit models. Anyone interested in the possiblity of a contest for designing a special effect? For example, we could try to make an mdl firework model, or a "flame spell" effect. Something like this could come in pretty handy for mapmakers, and could be kinda fun to do.

I've always considered special effects (or spell effects) to have extremely high bang:buck ratio, especially now that I have some experience under my belt, and making something original looking is (imho) easier than it is in the case of unit models. Even better, all you really need is notepad to get started on effects (I shamelessly use blizzard models for base effects before modifying them). Better still, I'll be even if you merely use oinkerwinkle's emitter tool and nothing else, you can create some pretty interesting things.

If some mod-type person wants to suggest a theme, and we have some interest, perhaps we could get the ball rolling.


Edit: fun with emitters. This one actually took several hours, but only because modifying the billboarded plane at the top proved to be a pain in the ass.

well it is interesting ARI to bad i have no time to participate, but why not also spawn effects in this contests?

anyway i think it is nice idea, i will surelly help once i got time, but what could be the price to the winner?

I certainly wouldn't mind participating. If enough people want to, it would probably be a perfectly workable contest. I don't know exactly what could be given as a prize, since there's no material thing of value that can really be given through a forum (maybe a signature image? :P ). I'd suggest having a three or four different catagories for effects, to make it a little more interesting/varied yet still vaugely judgable.

Spawned effects would be fine too. I guess the only thing I was getting at was distinguishing these models from those of things (doodads or units, say). In other words, these models wouldn't have to be exclusively emitters by any means. They could even have NO emitters, and still be special effects. Certainly many blizzard spell effects are mostly oddly shaped geosets, with minimal emitter use (for example, the flame strike model is mostly created using a skinned geoset for the fire, and many blizzard lightning effects have no emitters).

I can't really think of anything that would work as a prize either. Recognition, mostly, I guess.

I can brainstorm some categories:

"elemental" magic - either a large scale, lengthy version that would work in a turn based rpg, or a smaller 1-3 second version that would be appropriate for a unit of hero spell in a normal game.

a defensive buff effect of any sort

fireworks

a healing spell - as with the elemental magic, this could be either a huge long-running effect that you'd see in a turn based rpg (or cinematic!) OR a shorter smaller spell that could substitue for, say, 'heal.'

a magical explosion

a new model for any blizzard ability