From the 19th of November 2011, I started doing a series of references from the Mass Effect games. I have made a list (which can be found to the right (or here)) of the references for easier browsing, along with links to each deviation. You can use your browsers' search feature (CTRL+F) to find what you are looking for. The list is in logical alphabetical order (not alpha-numeric, the order of the weapons may confuse some people). The characters will be generic unless otherwise stated (i.e. Garrus is Garrus, but the turian on the list is just a random, nameless turian). Characters will mainly be referenced from Mass Effect 2, and with updates from Mass Effect 3; so, for example, Kaidan and Ashley will be placed under plot characters rather than squadmates and Liara will be placed under both since she is a squadmate via the Shadow Broker DLC. With the arrival of Mass Effect 3, those same squadmates will appear in both sections but their listing will be as their in-game appearance; so Kaidan and Ashley will have their Mass Effect 3 appearance under squadmates, and their Mass Effect 2 appearance will be listed under plot characters.
I have also done some other objects; weapons, ships, etc., objects that I hope people may able to use as an actual reference.
No copyright infringement is or was intended. If you take issue with any of these uploads, please send me a note. All new uploads come with a permission document from BioWare, and all older uploads will get a permission document attached as soon as is possible.
During the course of doing these references, some people have asked questions about them; so consider this a FAQ section:
Q. What tools are you using to do these? (How are you making these references/extracting the assets/are these in-game assets or are you making them yourself/etc.)
A. I am using 3DSMax 2012 to do the rendering. I am using a freely available plugin with which to load/import these models. I am not going to pretend that only I have the ability to do this, numerous people around the internet are doing it, too. The plugin can be found here. To extract the usable files from a particular file in the Mass Effect directory, you need uModel (renamed to UE Viewer), which can be found here. I won't go through the steps, however, since they are remarkably easy (but you really do need some computer know-how), if you wish to learn more about this, then please use Google to find out.
The most basic instruction would be to create a batch file (.bat); start off with Notepad, and use one of the following examples:
To extract the entire contents of the ME3 folder, use this example:
FOR %%f IN ("[drive letter*]:\[Mass Effect 3 installation director*]\BioGame\CookedPCConsole\*.pcc") DO (umodel.exe -export -all "%%f")
Or, if you only want to extract from one file, you can use the following:
umodel.exe -export -all "[drive letter*]\[Mass Effect 3 installation director*]\BIOGame\CookedPCConsole\[file name**].pcc"
*Use your own installation path.
**Use whatever file you want to extract from.
Q. Can I use this reference?
A. Each and every Mass Effect reference that I upload is freely available to use, you do not need to ask, nor do you need to give credit to me for doing up the reference. Though sending me a link, as either a note or to my profile, of a piece that you have done using one of the references would be nice  , though not necessary or obligated in any way (if, however, you do credit me, you'll get a mention on my profile as well as the piece you have credited me in). I do not take any credit for these renders; all these models, animations, and textures belong to BioWare, I do not in any way claim ownership of this material, I am just making them more easily accessible for people to see (some screenshots are hard to come by, and some are too dark or otherwise making it difficult to make out certain aspects). You must (and I can't stress this enough) acknowledge BioWare, a division of EA, as the copyright holders of the species, characters, objects, etc., that you are drawing, or the props or costumes you are making.
Q. Can you send me the model and texture files.
A. First, under the provisions set out by BioWare, I am unsure whether it would be allowed. Second, I don't have sufficient internet access to upload files for everyone. Due to this, I will not upload or send the extracted models to anyone.
Q. I sent you a link to a piece I made, why didn't you reply (also applies to: comment/watch/favourite).
A. Every comment, favourite, and watch is greatly appreciated. If I don't thank you for the support, then I do apologise. Please consider this a thank you for your support.
A huge thank you to Knickerweasels (~kumokyandi) for promoting them, too, as well as all those who reblogged it on tumblr. It's nice to know they are helping people.
The list contains all of the reference sheets that I have done to date. Items which have no link are items that I am currently working on and likely to have up over the coming days or weeks. I have also organised the list into categories to help with browsing.
Note: If you see something missing, or something that you would like to see added to the list, please leave a comment here indicating what. I will get to it as soon as I can.
Note: Some things are also marked as having "Rendered Contours" -- this basically means it has been rendered to look like line art. I won't be doing everything in this manner, but if anyone wishes to have something done like this, then just leave a comment indicating what. Right now, this only things going to be rendered like this are ships and weapons. |
Sta.sh
[link]
AND Thank You even more for providing all these wonderful Refs!
Looking forward to more and the works that come of them.
Thanks again