Hi Folks! Does anybody of you know a tutorial how to create f.e. buildings or creatures for a 2d strategy game. Or perhaps you know some tips and tricks how to do that. I use Corel Photo Paint 7 and Paint ShopPro 4.12 -> is this the right stuff to do things like that? Thanks for answers;-)

Are you asking how to use softwares to do this, or are you asking for resources ?
Personally, I would advise you to go to your local Library and read some nice things about architecture, anatomy, biology, etc.
There is no such thing as reading NON computing related material to get real ideas...

youpla :-P

In Fact i want to know both!
With wich graphic program can i create creatures or buildings like f.e. in war craft2 or starcraft? And the other question is how to do that!

well it really depends on how you want to go about it. Starcraft used 3d modeld graphics that were prerendered withing certain lighting conditions. As for the maps, same thing. The scrolling engine is nothing new really but the 3 quarter view does help to add depth .
I would personally use 3d models (ms3d comes to mind readily)and use a basic 3d engine.who knows.

Why does my life have to be so hard in every world?

Oh well, then if you don''t know where to begin and don''t have any idea jsut do as everybody and use a 3D graphics package (3DSMA comes to mind )
The good thing about using 3D is the reusability. you do your 3D models and then render in specific light conditions (otherwise the different buildings will not look consistent), with a specific camera view (usually a non perspective view, isometric), and there you go. After that you can reuse the models to do animation sequence where you can even more show off how good a modeller you are And lastly, if you really wanna play it pro, you can do a less detailed version if the game is to be in 3D... as for the "how do I learn 3D graphics ?". The best thing would be to start with a good book, and go for something simple, say a chrome sphere over water with a heightfield in the background (LMAO ) and some nice sky, then move on to other more complicated things, keeping animation for when you know how to model. When you start with animation, do it with simple square boxes at first ... this is a good training, as you won''t be confused with all the vertex linking stuff.

But anyway, ALWAYS try to find a good non computing book on the topics you want to do. Again : architecture seems obvious, anatomy, for animations of human beings and modelisation, possibly art books on the subject as well.
Books on picture composition, lighting, and all those things a lot of beginners seem to totally dismiss...

And a bit of originality can help.

youpla :-P

Silly question, but what is:
-MS3D = MilkShape 3D ?
-3DSMA = 3D StudioMax ?
If yes, wher get this programs ?
Thanks for your time ;-)

uh uh uh . I assume that indeed, MS3D is for Milkshape 3D, because it seems to be quite popular those days, and much less expensive than 3DSMAX. And yes 3DS stands for 3D studio max.
As for where you can find them, the real problem is not how to find them, it''s how to pay them. Usually, if you are in a university, the best thing is to use it there (which is what I do with most of my programs). If you are doing stuff as a non professional, and only for practice/discovery, I can tell you that most professional do understand that a student doesn''t have to money to pay such a program. A friend of mine is working as a graphist now, but if he hadn''t got a warez version of 3DSMAX before, he would have never got there. Now he is using a very legally paid license of the software and a happy camper thanks.

Am I saying you should go on the web, on the IRC, and get a nice warez verison of the above softwares ?? No ! Of course not ! This is illegal

But in life, you have to make choices ...

youpla :-P

I know your going to kill me after this question, but what is *IRC*?

excuse me. did you say what is IRC...
...
... Ok. its a simple chat program much like the one on this site.You install it like ICQ and can join a large multitude of rooms. the community if vast and infinite. AS for the soft ware, I have a compromise.
get a copy of the software you want to learn. when you are good with it, buy it and attain a lisence. See im not about to pay 3 grand for a toy. Ms3d is like 20 bucks but it has a time limited shareware period. as for a "learning" copy of max.............


*pst*its possible i could get you version 1 but you better buy it later since it is my lagit copy.*

Fantasy edge : well, basically, that''s what I was trying to say without sounding too much of a pirate
The guy I know in the industry talked with a lot of otehr professionals, and they all had the same story "how the f!ck do you want to get a hand at a program that''s so expensive without either the school buying it or getting a warez copy of it ?".

So I say, warez it, and when you get a position because of your skillZ in that software, or if you make money in any way thanks to that prog, then PAY IT !
But come one, are you really gonna put several grands in a program you might come to hate for its interface ??? I think not

youpla :-P