UPDATENew screens:
After discussing it with my... uhh... dev team last night, the map's going to undergo another visual makeover shortly. The main focus of that will be the vegetation and possibly a new skybox texture (this one is causing problems). The tree's are ports, so they really should go, and they don't look 'tf2' enough for our liking, so hopefully some new trees and plants will come. The skybox on the other hand, while I do like it, is causing some HDR problems and the best solution would be a new custom sky, which I like the sound of. More on all that later.
/update
ctf_volcano has gone through a bit of a visual overhaul today. My goal from the start was for the look of the outside to basically oppose the look of the volcano interior. Before I reworked it, it sort of did do that, but not nearly the way I had planned at the start. So I got sick of the exterior's appearance and started reworking it. Starting with the lighting and the skybox, which was a sort of twilight, I deepened the lighting up, added much more contrast, and changed the time of day to a late evening. Secondly, the textures of the outside were a little.. flat. The grass and the dirt were too dark and like the lighting, lacked contrast. Playing with Lumberyard's nice grass texture, and some new dirt textures fixed that too.
Before:
After:
I am VERY pleased with these results so far. This map has gone through so many changes throughout it's development cycle it makes me really glad when I finally nail the look I'm going for.
Still, development is very slow. I am definately not going to rush this, but I do think that I'm on the final stretch. Check how long it's taken me to make it this far if you want to guess how long that means it has left. You'll be just as clueless as me.
The Before image looks awesome tho D:
Edit: THERE! Now I can see it.
I like the old sky better too! But perhaps the new sky fits better than the other sky on different parts of the map?
I like what I see anyways. :>
You should finish this until the next Valve update
Madcow: Thanks. About that sky though, there is more to that sky than you can see in the image, and I really do think it is much more suitable.
Clicky
There's a shot from a higher perspective, should give you an idea how the sky looks. Should also show you just how much it needs a skybox.
I prefer the new skybox, good job.
GET IT NOW BEFORE...BRB FBI!
Nice.
Or are you trying to shame him into giving you stuff?
...
I like that idea.
Use the Compilator, and Muzzleflash will give me cake!
I also do prefer the new look. Good stuff.
Captain Terror: I already use it, lawd.
Everyone else: :>
I should have some new screens up tonight, if all goes well. I did a surprising amount of work on this yesterday, considering my usual effort.
GET IT NOW! = )
W/E, Do what you want, I suppose I can't really talk, I can't see the interior of the volcano, which you are trying to provide contrast to.
One
Two
Better get it finished before the final class update to ensure maximum probability of it becoming official. And it will.
looks amazing!
Hunter: I still doubt we'll ever see it in TF2 'officially'.
Completely unplayable.