Portraits

Jan. 20th, 2009 11:40 pm
orikes: (streaker)
[personal profile] orikes
So, I'm home sick today. It's not major, but I was feeling crappy enough that I decided to call in. After puttering around (watching the inaugural address, finding more cool cc I didn't really need, etc.) I cornered Sarah and asked her to tell me how to do recolors of paintings. She made me an awesome wedding present for Miranda and Dean, so I knew she knew how to do it.

See, with the rebuild, there were a few things lost that I needed to replace. Namely...



... the generational portraits.





The idea to do these generational group portraits came during the third generation. Someone had gotten an art career reward camera and I was playing around with it when I got the pic of Brody, Micah and Persephone together. I decided then I wanted to do one for each generation.

I was really happy with the one I got for the fourth generation and Bon Voyage allowed me to get at least something up there for the second generation. I wasn't completely happy that they didn't match or that they weren't the best layouts ever, but it was nice to have a family picture of each generation's kids.

When I had to do the rebuild, I knew I was going to have to do these at some point. I wouldnt' be able to let it rest until they were done. Since I got to redo them, I decided that I would set some guidelines.

First, the generational picture would be taken before the eldest child left for college. This would set the age point for each group. If there ever happens to be a late life baby after the eldest goes to college, I'll just summon the eldest back when the youngest is a toddler and get a new picture. Depending on how close the ages are, this may mean that Gen Five's portrait will be of the three of them as teenagers. We shall see when we get closer that point.

In the mean time, here's some close ups of the portraits I took.




Everyone got a little makeover. I discovered that I had removed a couple of teen outfits for the kids when I made them in the photoshoot hood, so I said screw it and gave everyone a makeover. Victoria and Persephone both got different hairstyles - Vic because I would have liked to have given her something like this if I'd had it way back when, and Persephone because I'd gotten rid of her other pigtails and the ones I ended up choosing looked cute on her.

It was kind of fun shooting Zoey and Vic as teens again. I wish I'd thrown a little more plot into their earlier years, but I pretty much played from the beginning of the legacy to the birth of generation three in about a month and a half. It wasn't until the Christian and Tamara thing happened that I slowed down and started realizing how much fun it could be to throw meaty plot chunks into the mix.





It was also fun getting to see Gen Three as children again. While Persephone and Micah aren't close to going just yet, it's going to be coming sooner than I really want to deal with. Brody will live on, but it's still going to be hard seeing them go.

The three of them will have been in my game for two years come February.




Even though that's not the hairstyle Miranda has a kid, I'd deleted her old style a long time ago. I was much happier with this look for her. I liked the first picture with Ian looking at Elijah, but I wanted Elijah to be smiling. So, I went with the second picture instead.

The other detail I had to make sure of for Gen Four was that it was an indoor picture and you could see that it was winter outside. Thank goodness for the Batbox. There's an option on that to give MOAR snow. Yay for faking the winter!



I've been working on 4.10, seeing what I have and what I still need as far as pictures go. Right now, it's either going to be a double update or it's going to be split into 4.10 and 4.11 which will go up relatively soon after one another. There's a dozen or so scenes or pictures I need to fill it out, but none of them should be particularly complicated. Hopefully I'll be done with pictures by this weekend and writing by next week. There's still no guarantee I'll have an update out by the end of the month, but I'll certainly be trying.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 05:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] writeraissa.livejournal.com
Even though your sims look fairly different to one another... they're all still so adorable, especially as younglings!

I'm glad you got the pics to work, too--they look great in-game :).

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 09:04 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
I'm so happy I was able to catch you and get a run down on how to do it. It really is dead easy. :) Now to just figure out how to make the quality of the image better.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 10:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] writeraissa.livejournal.com
Found the solution, and it's simple :)

http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=102356

Towards the bottom, instead of using the Import button :).

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 11:00 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
I'm missing something. I don't get the 'Build DXT' option. It's there, but it's not highlighted as available.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 11:13 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
Wait, I think I got it figured out. I still needed to download the dds utilities.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 11:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] writeraissa.livejournal.com
Oh good, you can be the guinea pig and then I can try it myself :). I want to get family pics done at some point too.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 11:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
There is a definite difference in quality between the two ways. The second way isn't completely clear, but it's still MUCH better than the original way. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 05:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fireflower314.livejournal.com
While Persephone and Micah aren't close to going just yet, it's going to be coming sooner than I really want to deal with. Brody will live on, but it's still going to be hard seeing them go.
MICAH'S NOT DYING LA LA LA I CAN'T HEAR YOUUUUUU.

Anyway, lovely pictures! I love setting up shoots like that, especially when they actually turn out right.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 09:04 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
I've missed your picture shoots. :) YOu do some lovely ones.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 09:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fireflower314.livejournal.com
The first thing I'm going to do when Merlin releases me from its thrall and TS2 sucks me back in is a photoshoot. I owe Marina like 35 Christmas and birthday presents, it's kind of ridiculous. ^^;;

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 05:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] leaths.livejournal.com
Those pictures look great. I keep meaning to do the same, but I never remember to snap the pictures before someone leaves for college. Maybe I'll get on the ball next generation.

I hope you get to feeling better soon.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 09:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
I've always loved the family shots that Ndainye does and I really missed the generation portraits in the main house, so I figured it was about time to fix that.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 05:30 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] profbutters.livejournal.com
OH MY GOD SO CUTE. I know it's probably awful to say this, but Brody was such an adorable teenager. You just want to reach on in there and pinch his cheeks, which he would probably hate, but oh well. Even Ian looks a bit softer as a teen. I've always loved those rounded features: it makes character who are going to be a bit hard later literally seem a little softer.

I'm sorry you're not feeling well. I stayed home for most of today too, mostly because of my car being in the shop, but also because of something like a cold. I hope you feel better soon.

Also, I love All-About-Style.

PB

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 09:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
Brody would definitely not like that. He'd pull away with a sullen look and then rub his cheek indignantly, but he's outgoing enough that he'd stick around to tell a dirty joke or noogie someone. God he and Micah were always giving each other noogies.

Yes, All-About-Style is love. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 08:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jamdoodle.livejournal.com
Wooah, cool! I especially love Zoey and Vic's outfits. Link?
The portraits look fabulous. I'm so glad you recreated them.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 09:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
Vic's outfit is from All-About-Style. I think Zoey's outfit might be from Fashion Twist. I'm not 100% sure on that one.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 01:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] avidreader7.livejournal.com
I really need to take the time to figure out how to do this myself. I don't even have portraits of the previous generations back yet! I'm far too lazy a Simmer, sometimes.

These look great. I'm glad you got them all reshot and hung back up. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 09:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
It really is dead easy if you've got access to SimPE and a photo editing program. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 02:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ahrubyblue.livejournal.com
Those look great! I just did a whole bunch of painting recolors too. Only I just used pictures I already had. I'm no good at posing sims.

Hope you're feeling better now. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 09:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
You may be no good at posing sims, but your pictures are always so lovely, Ruby.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 03:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] traciandrus.livejournal.com
Those are great in paintings. Would you might sharing what template you used to make these? I've made a couple but most of the templates I have so far, are either way to big, or not square enough for my liking!

Its really nice to see them all again as kids, so innocent. Loving Miranda's outfit. Fits her great! :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 09:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
I used the Bon Voyage collectible travellogue posters. The one where there's a pic for each destination.

I thought Miranda's outfit was great. It's one of the Asian Fusion outfits. I wish it had been available when she was a little squirt.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-22 07:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] traciandrus.livejournal.com
Looking back at the pictures of Miranda again I forgot she was a blonde.? Funny. Blonde just doesn't do it for her.
Is that a base template in SimPE? Or did you find the template somewhere? Sorry to be so nosy, just haven't been able to find many templates I like to recolor yet.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-22 08:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
Huh?

Miranda was never blond. I'm not sure what you're saying.

The picture I recolored is one of the pictures from Bon Voyage.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-22 08:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] traciandrus.livejournal.com
Sorry I'm just off my rocker today. I was looking at the old picture of Persy, my bad.
Also I was thinking you were using the photo studio in Simpe, but your doing a recolor with the object workshop, right?

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 03:46 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dgjamie.livejournal.com
Oh that's wonderful! They all look adorable as youngsters all over again! *goes all gushy*

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 09:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
I felt about the same way when I got over the weirdness of having them all on the same lot at those ages. Persephone and Miranda sat down and started playing Mary Mack and Brody gave his mother a noogie.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 03:53 pm (UTC)
ext_122042: (Default)
From: [identity profile] strange-tomato.livejournal.com
Such lovely photos. ^_^ I love the special touch that custom painting recolours add to the game.

(Also, did you get my PM? I'm thinking not. It was about the [livejournal.com profile] simstorytellers Storytellers Spotlight.)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 09:03 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
I did get the PM, but it seems like my replies aren't going through. I've sent two. I am definitely interested. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 04:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] katrisims.livejournal.com
Really good looking photos you have there! They work very nicely in game, too, it seems.

Sorry to hear you're feeling sick. That sucks. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery!

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 09:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
They're a little grainy when you get up close, but until I figure out how to get a better quality image, they'll work. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 07:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ohturtle.livejournal.com
The poses really suit each sim - great photos!

Where did you get Miranda's hair? Also I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't remember what style she originally had!

Hope you enjoyed your duvet day and feel better tomorrow!

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 09:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
Miranda's hair is from Rissa Sims. I think it's a Rose hair. I definitely know the recolor I have is from Rissa, though.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 10:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ohturtle.livejournal.com
Thanks, I found it :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 07:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dicreasy.livejournal.com
Aww I'm sorry you are feeling ill. I hope you get better soon.

These look great Orikes, I love the poses and the makeovers.

Ooo so there will be a Pseudo update soonish then? YAY!



(no subject)

Date: 2009-01-21 09:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
I'm hoping to get all the pictures I need this week/weekend and then start writing next week. :)

So yes.. Pseudo Update soonish.