AliceK
Member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2025
- Messages
- 11
- Thread Author
- #1
Hey all, I know you've got conscript models already but I've been working on my own for the last 10 months on and off, if I really wanted to, I could probably use my rest days and grind out finishing them off next week but I can't really be bothered. Anyway, here's a few screenshots with some context.
1. A poster showing off the new camouflage models, both woodland and desert versions.
So the above model set, which I have titled "Rangers", are meant to be a sort of "special forces" within the conscripts. They are primarily former soldiers who have joined, whether voluntarily or not, the combine's armed forces and have been shown to excel above their comrades. These soldiers are given the best equipment, are trained to a higher standard, have greater autonomy in their operations and are incredibly effective in combat. Additionally, they are like a propaganda tool for the combine as well, showing collaborating humans in their forces, as well as just being a useful resource to fight the restistance with.
2. More screenshots of the Rangers and their development.
Left: a screenshot from trialing an urban camouflage pattern, which was eventually dropped, although textures were created for a few pieces. This also shows off the MOLLE gear, although not the presets I have actually created for the models. It further shows off the Safariland holster being included, as well as a duty belt that I couldn't justify keeping. Further screenshots of the urban camouflage are included below
Above: three screenshots showing the Outer Tactical Vest, a hydration pack, and the Digital Desert DPM cmaouflage BDUs. To explain my decision behind keeping woodland gear, I simply ask that you search for pictures of US Army soldiers in the early stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Americans decided that instead of ordering sufficient tri-colour desert sets of body armour, or even uniforms in a lot of cases, that they would look for those pesky WMDs with the equipment they had. I think it is an iconic look, and I wanted to recreate that with my models here.
Below: The actual camouflage textures I use with the models. These are created based on Tounishi's Children of Men Digital DPM texture, which I have edited to have softer colours, and to have a desert version. Are they effective in Source Engine environments? Sometimes, they are, although not to the same extent as my failed V3 conscript models which used CADPAT. The less said about those, the better, but they are a product of overconfidence from myself, and a lack of knowledge or experience with creating models.
3. The Service Uniform.
I always wanted my models to have a dress uniform, or at least a formal version of their uniform. Back when I was in the CCR, I was disappointed that we paraded in our combat uniform and not the specially designed version of it for formal occasions, screenshots below:
I decided to separate out all formal uniform into a separate model entirely, and add some new items too which give it a more policey kind of feel:
Left: The Service uniform, well, a slightly scuffed screenshot - none of this clipping is visible in the real deal, I think it was because I had just imported a model to blender. This version has black trousers, a modified version of the previous formal jacket, the white cuffs and the upper back and collar still present. The duty belt though, that is for conscripts being used on policing duties, or even for some other combine officer. It could be Military Police, or some branch of the Metrocops, or just gate guards. I put it on there to allow people that freedom to use my models how they want, when they release at least.
Having said that, I have faced difficulties realising that my models will not see much use, if any, by RP servers. For posing, they're still good, but that's not their purpose. It is very demotivating to realise that I've poured hours and hours into these models for potentially no servers to ever pick them up and use them, so I will be releasing each model set as a separate addon, these particular ones advertised as Combine Officers more so than conscripts, because they work for that purpose too.
Left: You might be able to see some inspiration for these models here, and if you don't now then it will become very obvious in the next screenshot. I wanted them to be intimidating and authoritarian, and this sleek black design really fits that bill.
Right: the Dress Tunic. Yes, it is indeed a Wehrmacht tunic, recoloured from Feldgrau to a dark black. Why take inspiration from the Nazis? Well, Hugo Boss really did their best to make sure those disgusting people looked good while murdering millions of people, and the uniforms they used, particularly the SS, were designed to look intimidating. This uniform both fits exactly what I wanted, and is obviously meant for officers and the like to wear at events with the upper echelon of Combine society. The original tunic was modified extensively to remove a number of decorations, such as a Knight's Cross medal and a few little bits to reduce the poly count. The texture work for it was a bitch, especially trying to fit about 4 images onto 2 materials and reduce their size down. It took a while, I'll put it that way.
4. The standard Conscripts - an OD green uniform.
I only recently finished this off, today in fact. They use soviet tall boots, made of a synthetic leather called Kirza, and are based heavily on the original conscript designs. The only camouflage I use on these models is from the M65 field jacket, which is still digital woodland DPM because I think it looks cool. I may add more to this section later, and will be happy to answer any questions that people have about my models or give advice to anybody looking to get into it. It's a painful, arduous process, but the finished product is sometimes worth the hassle.
Below: a comparison of my model and the current WN Conscript model, both male_09. Obviously I'm biased in this argument, and I do see the current models you guys use as a step up from what you were using after dropping mine, I do look through them and see a number of issues and oddities, the main one aside from headgear being off is the clothing appearing almost pitch black when not exposed to direct sunlight or artificial light in game. Anyway:
That does it for now, if anybody has bothered reading this far, then I thank you. If you have any feedback for me, I welcome it, as so far it has come from scenebuilders and not RPers. Likewise, suggestions are very welcome. I wish you all the best.
- ThomasK, 2025
1. A poster showing off the new camouflage models, both woodland and desert versions.
So the above model set, which I have titled "Rangers", are meant to be a sort of "special forces" within the conscripts. They are primarily former soldiers who have joined, whether voluntarily or not, the combine's armed forces and have been shown to excel above their comrades. These soldiers are given the best equipment, are trained to a higher standard, have greater autonomy in their operations and are incredibly effective in combat. Additionally, they are like a propaganda tool for the combine as well, showing collaborating humans in their forces, as well as just being a useful resource to fight the restistance with.
2. More screenshots of the Rangers and their development.
Left: a screenshot from trialing an urban camouflage pattern, which was eventually dropped, although textures were created for a few pieces. This also shows off the MOLLE gear, although not the presets I have actually created for the models. It further shows off the Safariland holster being included, as well as a duty belt that I couldn't justify keeping. Further screenshots of the urban camouflage are included below
Above: three screenshots showing the Outer Tactical Vest, a hydration pack, and the Digital Desert DPM cmaouflage BDUs. To explain my decision behind keeping woodland gear, I simply ask that you search for pictures of US Army soldiers in the early stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Americans decided that instead of ordering sufficient tri-colour desert sets of body armour, or even uniforms in a lot of cases, that they would look for those pesky WMDs with the equipment they had. I think it is an iconic look, and I wanted to recreate that with my models here.
Below: The actual camouflage textures I use with the models. These are created based on Tounishi's Children of Men Digital DPM texture, which I have edited to have softer colours, and to have a desert version. Are they effective in Source Engine environments? Sometimes, they are, although not to the same extent as my failed V3 conscript models which used CADPAT. The less said about those, the better, but they are a product of overconfidence from myself, and a lack of knowledge or experience with creating models.
3. The Service Uniform.
I always wanted my models to have a dress uniform, or at least a formal version of their uniform. Back when I was in the CCR, I was disappointed that we paraded in our combat uniform and not the specially designed version of it for formal occasions, screenshots below:
I decided to separate out all formal uniform into a separate model entirely, and add some new items too which give it a more policey kind of feel:
Left: The Service uniform, well, a slightly scuffed screenshot - none of this clipping is visible in the real deal, I think it was because I had just imported a model to blender. This version has black trousers, a modified version of the previous formal jacket, the white cuffs and the upper back and collar still present. The duty belt though, that is for conscripts being used on policing duties, or even for some other combine officer. It could be Military Police, or some branch of the Metrocops, or just gate guards. I put it on there to allow people that freedom to use my models how they want, when they release at least.
Having said that, I have faced difficulties realising that my models will not see much use, if any, by RP servers. For posing, they're still good, but that's not their purpose. It is very demotivating to realise that I've poured hours and hours into these models for potentially no servers to ever pick them up and use them, so I will be releasing each model set as a separate addon, these particular ones advertised as Combine Officers more so than conscripts, because they work for that purpose too.
Left: You might be able to see some inspiration for these models here, and if you don't now then it will become very obvious in the next screenshot. I wanted them to be intimidating and authoritarian, and this sleek black design really fits that bill.
Right: the Dress Tunic. Yes, it is indeed a Wehrmacht tunic, recoloured from Feldgrau to a dark black. Why take inspiration from the Nazis? Well, Hugo Boss really did their best to make sure those disgusting people looked good while murdering millions of people, and the uniforms they used, particularly the SS, were designed to look intimidating. This uniform both fits exactly what I wanted, and is obviously meant for officers and the like to wear at events with the upper echelon of Combine society. The original tunic was modified extensively to remove a number of decorations, such as a Knight's Cross medal and a few little bits to reduce the poly count. The texture work for it was a bitch, especially trying to fit about 4 images onto 2 materials and reduce their size down. It took a while, I'll put it that way.
4. The standard Conscripts - an OD green uniform.
I only recently finished this off, today in fact. They use soviet tall boots, made of a synthetic leather called Kirza, and are based heavily on the original conscript designs. The only camouflage I use on these models is from the M65 field jacket, which is still digital woodland DPM because I think it looks cool. I may add more to this section later, and will be happy to answer any questions that people have about my models or give advice to anybody looking to get into it. It's a painful, arduous process, but the finished product is sometimes worth the hassle.
Below: a comparison of my model and the current WN Conscript model, both male_09. Obviously I'm biased in this argument, and I do see the current models you guys use as a step up from what you were using after dropping mine, I do look through them and see a number of issues and oddities, the main one aside from headgear being off is the clothing appearing almost pitch black when not exposed to direct sunlight or artificial light in game. Anyway:
That does it for now, if anybody has bothered reading this far, then I thank you. If you have any feedback for me, I welcome it, as so far it has come from scenebuilders and not RPers. Likewise, suggestions are very welcome. I wish you all the best.
- ThomasK, 2025
