Journal #5641

Posted 15 years ago2009-02-21 08:29:34 UTC
Strider StriderTuned to a dead channel.
UPDATE
New screens:
User posted image
User posted image
User posted image
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:
User posted image
After:
User posted image
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. :P

23 Comments

Commented 15 years ago2009-02-21 08:46:16 UTC Comment #39534
Awesome stuff, though I'd say stick with the skybox in that previous screenie. I know it isn't as contrasty, yet that soft violet tone works so much better with your time of day.
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-21 09:00:46 UTC Comment #39521
I'm afraid I'm going to leave it with the darker one, Daubster. I feel like it suits the deep lighting a lot more. When you see the whole outside area, you'll notice there's a lot of industrial light sources around with give the area just enough light, but where they don't provide light it gets pretty dark. Plus the blue just contrasts the hot red interior so much more, gives it a nice cool feeling.
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-21 10:36:06 UTC Comment #39541
pretty nice looking for as much as i know about critiquing source maps. how do you get the glow off the "arrow" sign?
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-21 11:01:23 UTC Comment #39531
For some reason I can't see the After image. :<
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 :o
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-21 11:42:41 UTC Comment #39522
Captain Terror: It's just compiled with HDR (Episode One engine and upwards).

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. :P
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-21 11:58:26 UTC Comment #39533
Wow, looks great.
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-21 12:32:51 UTC Comment #39536
Yeah I was gunna mention that, you need to throw something in the background since it looks a little bare, but apart from that I think it looks awesome.

I prefer the new skybox, good job.
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-21 12:49:35 UTC Comment #39542
Twister Is an almost-brand-new utility for Goldsource and Source that does things!

GET IT NOW BEFORE...BRB FBI!
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-21 12:51:01 UTC Comment #39532
Yeah I see it now, the dark sky does fit better!
Nice.
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-21 15:41:38 UTC Comment #39529
Post that new pic. I loved the old sky before seeing the stuff below. Good stuff.
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-21 16:03:23 UTC Comment #39537
How much is Penguinboy paying you Captain Terror?
Or are you trying to shame him into giving you stuff?
...

I like that idea.
Use the Compilator, and Muzzleflash will give me cake!
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-21 16:05:30 UTC Comment #39527
What's the new skybox name?

I also do prefer the new look. Good stuff.
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-21 17:41:19 UTC Comment #39538
Had I remembered to comment on the map itself, I would have said that the second sky looks nice, but it would be a good idea to let the player see it from good vantage points, like in the second screenshot, lest it go unappreciated.
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-22 02:18:30 UTC Comment #39539
TJB, Tetsu0 already beat you on Compilator advertising. He knows what I'm talking about.
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-22 20:38:40 UTC Comment #39523
TJB: There should be plenty of opportunity for that. The level has some pretty varied heights, and you can always depend on people double-jumping and explosive jumping around.

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.
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-23 07:12:29 UTC Comment #39543
Compilator is the best front-end GUI for your Goldsource (and soon-to-be Source) compiling!
GET IT NOW! = )
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-23 08:12:00 UTC Comment #39540
Interesting, I thought the old skybox, would go better with the new visual adjustments. The lighter looking grass looks better with the lighter skybox.

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.
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-24 05:28:04 UTC Comment #39524
ATDestroy: Here are some pretty much final shots of the interior, taken just yesterday. ;)

One
Two
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-24 11:15:18 UTC Comment #39530
god dayum.

Better get it finished before the final class update to ensure maximum probability of it becoming official. And it will.
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-24 13:54:25 UTC Comment #39535
lol, i'm not even going to try to figure out when it was that I saw this for the first time. my head hurts.

looks amazing!
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-24 21:13:52 UTC Comment #39525
Haha, yes it has been in development quite a while. And thanks. :>

Hunter: I still doubt we'll ever see it in TF2 'officially'.
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-24 22:47:54 UTC Comment #39528
It's stupidly epic. I mean, come on. Anyone who plays it is gonna just stand there in awe.

Completely unplayable.
Commented 15 years ago2009-02-24 23:36:20 UTC Comment #39526
:P

You must log in to post a comment. You can login or register a new account.