Fountain / pool elements, feedback please.

[eepjr24]

So last night / this morning I decided to try my hand at creating some map elements that are not borrowed or modified from something else I found. These are my first scratch attempts at making artifacts and I would love some critiques or feedback. I did 3 water elements in different shapes and color / materials.

My questions would be... Can you tell what the materials are? Do they look acceptable for map usage? What needs improvement?

I did not add drop shadows because I am never sure where to put the light and figure it is easy to add for yourself. I can add one easily enough if there is a general rule about what angle to use?

First, square, mortared fieldstone.

Fountain_Square.png

Second, octagon, medium marble.

Fountain_Octagon.png

Third, pentagon, light marble.

Fountain_Pentagon.png

[Tiana]

You got a little bit of an outline on the first one right around the edge (solved by cropping the png), they look useable to me. Drop shadows are optional, no general rule of thumb, I kinda prefer when they're not fixed in because I usually manually add shadows. Different opinions. Sometimes I fix them in because the item looks better with it.

[eepjr24]

You got a little bit of an outline on the first one right around the edge (solved by cropping the png), they look useable to me. Drop shadows are optional, no general rule of thumb, I kinda prefer when they're not fixed in because I usually manually add shadows. Different opinions. Sometimes I fix them in because the item looks better with it.

Fixed and updated the image, thanks.

[eepjr24]

Okay, trying something more like an acid pool now. Two versions here, let me know if one or the other looks better.

Without fumes.

Pool_Octagon_Green.png

With fumes.

Pool_Octagon_Green_Fumes.png

[Kier]

Nice.
First set of pools: on the square one I would suggest a more square dark area to show depth, vs. round. The round works great for the circle and pentagram. Regarding drop shadow, always looks better with one, but without allows other users to fit it anywhere. A drop shadow going away shows the pool creates a raised pool above the surface. A a drop shadow on top the rocks shows a sunken pool.

2nd Set: I like the fume one.

[eepjr24]

Hrm. I see what you mean on the square one. Not sure I won't tweak this some more, but here's what I came up with after a couple tries.

Fountain_Square_2.png

- E

[Bogie]

Nice work eepjr24. I feel like the field-stones are out of focus.

[eepjr24]

Nice work eepjr24. I feel like the field-stones are out of focus.

Yeah, I am least happy with that one. I will try a different method for those next time I think. Still trying to figure out both the tool and the technique side of things, so much to learn.

- E

[Bogie]

Yeah, I am least happy with that one. I will try a different method for those next time I think. Still trying to figure out both the tool and the technique side of things, so much to learn.
- E

That is one of the reasons we are here, to learn and improve! (and have fun while doing it)