Brush Displacement Method Created 18 years ago2005-12-06 23:03:33 UTC by HeAdCrAb KILLA

I've been hearing a lot about a method of manipulating brushes and making them look a lot "rounder." What is this so called "displacement method" and how do I use it? I need to make outdoor areas that aren't blocky so I'd like to figure out how to use it. I already have source indoor architecture mastered (basically the same as is HL1) but now I just need outdoor skillz.

Displacement mapping can be accessed via the Texture Application window: just hit the displacement tab. For some tutorials, try clicking here.

Thanks for the link. I read the tutorial and tried using the tool. I have to say that I wasn't all that impressed with it. It seems to be a little on the "cheap" side and I can't begin to imagine how VALVe pulled off making terrain look so realistic with it. I couldn't seem to make smooth terrain no matter what I did. I just ended up making a bunch of pyramid-like shapes. I couldn't figure out how to make the tops smooth and round. A tutorial here on TWHL would be great!

Well, after playing around with it some more, I figured out a few different techniques. I found that if I raise the radius I can make better looking terrain and smooth out the surfaces cleaner. I guess I'll just have to work with it some more.

[m]Use the [edit] button, don't double-post in quick succession![/m]

Actually it is a handy tool, I have not seen better mountains in any other game, HL2 has good eye candy.

It takes a while to get used to if you haven't worked with terrain-based engines (3D RTS games use them a lot), but they're really usefull. Look at other maps to get inspiration on how to use the tool (mat_wireframe mode is usefull in-game to see how dismaps are done).

you can also use the subdivide tool which smooths everything over