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Thank you! You're right, I do use 3D software. I use Blender. The original game's assets were mostly made by rendering 2D images from 3D models. Some years back I set up a Blender camera and render output setup that would spit me out images that match the original ZT ones at the correct unit scale; others have done similar and have made batch scripts for Blender that let them do conversions of ZT2 animals. Under the hood, this is what the sunken boat tank looks like: Working in 3D opens up a whole world of options that wouldn't be possible to achieve in 2D, although I still use Photoshop plenty. I'm working on a path set right now for example where the assets were built and rendered in Blender but finished in Photoshop to make sure they're pixel-correct and to adjust small details or clean up any edges that don't render perfectly right out of the gate. I model myself, I also grab models from other places online. The sunken motorboat here is actually a 3D scan of a real sunken motorboat off the coast of Vermont that was created using photogrammetry by a diver who took the photos, converted them into a textured model, then uploaded the model online for free. I'm making lots of use of freely available photo-scanned 3D models for this upcoming aquarium set project. The catfish and turtles are models from Animal Crossing: New Horizons, of all things.

You are too cool, thank you so much for sharing some behind-the-scenes. It sounds like a similar process to what we would do in the ZT2 design days, but I love how much more creative you can get in the original, and it absolutely helps that you seem to be quite talented with digital art! I don't think I ever was; I think at some point I made a monstrous chimera by merging a trashcan model with a croc's head in Blender and simply called it "Crocodile Trashcan". That sunken motorboat is brilliant, and that tech is honestly still magic to me--and this is coming from someone who needs to present research that converts a bitmap image into a 3D model tomorrow for a related CompSci research topic (we're trying to stop poachers in Africa!). I honestly feel the design bug coming having followed yours and other folks' threads, but sadly I don't think the game is for sale digitally. I'll have to buy a PC with a CD-ROM drive this Summer! Looking forward to seeing more, Vondell, big fan!

I love a good backstage area! Those medical buildings back there together really sell it. Good stuff all around.

Those tanks look incredible! If you don't mind me asking, what tools do you use to make ZT1 art assets? Even though the game is 2D, I imagine there might be some 3D stuff going on to make them? I think it's super interesting!

Fiji aviary. Animals: Bar-Winged Rail, Crimson Shining Parrot, Maroon Shining Parrot, Barking Imperial Pigeon All compatible together. Enjoy! *** files removed 2023.07.06