overuse of cubemaps? Created 17 years ago2007-03-28 11:23:12 UTC by Tetsu0

Is it possible to go overboard on cubemaps?
How many should i use in which situations?

One in each room or zone.
And no - I think there is no limit, the map will probably start to lag due size before you would reach the cubemap limit.

Place 1 cubemap in each room/zone in player head hight, compile, run the build cubemaps command and you're done

env_cubemap - point entity; Source limits - only 1024 entities of all types per map. On practilce more then 500 env_cubemaps can cause troubles or not compile. Typical amount on map ~50-100 env_cubemaps.

What's a leaf? :S

Do not make a cubemap for every face, or one cubemap and make it target every face.
No targetting needed, just place one in every room/zone in player head height. That's what I've read.

Edit:
50-100? k

Oh. Ok. because right now i have somewhere around 12 and i was just wondering if it makes a visual difference or performance difference. Because i really can't tell what they do. I know it maps the reflectiveness of a texture but i just cant notice the difference after i build them in-game.

Cubemaps...
One for each reflective surface (for example, glass windows, walls and floors with relective textures like the Combine ones) and one for each area with distinct lighting. (for example, one for a hallway with red lights, another one in the center of a room with orange lights at the end of the hallway etc). These last "area cubemaps" are needed if you want a correct reflection in the player's weapon models and NPCs.

I just cant notice the difference after I build them in-game.

Really? If your map has dark areas try walking around without cubemaps and you will see the walls glow silver as does the weapons.

Also make sure it's a reflective texture (most are, even sand, but are very faint. The Combine Citadel wall texture is a good one). Cubemaps won't be all that apparent unless there's a strong source of light in the room. Finally, sometimes, cubemaps won't appear after compilation. Reloading the map should do the trick.

so if thers one in each area or room then what about outdoor areas like on the maps with the buggy or airboat?

i do have reflective surfaces. i know that for a fact.
maybe I'll do a comparative screenshot

One for each reflective surface?
Thought u only needed 1 per room/zone.
But if you're only allowed to have 50-100 cubemaps then wtf?

so if thers one in each area or room then what about outdoor areas like on the maps with the buggy or airboat?

Divide into zones.

i just took the screenshot before and after i built the cubemaps.
does the map need a restart after building?

Let us see the screenshots first. Cubemaps don't always work properly since one of last year?s updates. At least for me.

k i just updated the map again
ill edit this post with the screenshots

before
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b329/tetsuosho/facingworlds0010.jpg

after

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b329/tetsuosho/facingworlds0011.jpg

They didn't work. Change from "mat_bumpmap 0" to "mat_bumpmap 1" a few times until it works (just as it happens when HDR reflections are too bright)

allright. im running a compile now. i'll try it out
Worked. I think.
I did notice a difference this time.