CompuServe Thread

Mirrors of mirrors?

4 messages in this thread
#96480From: Doug GlasgowApr 11, 1994 2:34 AM
Is it possible to use flat mirrors and reflect another flat mirror? I have two mirrors at right angles to each other, but the reflections of each other is black, while all else is mirrored ok. Also, suggestions on creating a sky that can be mirrored well. I was using a hemisphere with a mapped cloud bitmap (both spherical and planar mapping), however, both gave very distorted mapping. Any hints? Thanks. Doug
#96555From: ALAN IGLESIASApr 11, 1994 1:02 PM
Multiple reflections of reflections is only supported for non-flat automatic reflections, Doug. Although, you could probably fake it for a still. You may try taking a 2D rectangle, tesselating it, and add just a little curve to it. Then you could apply a automatic cubic environment map which will support multiple levels (when the NONFLAT-AUTOREFLECT-LEVELS switch is set higher than 1 in the 3ds.set file), and the reflections will retain some of the detail. A very slightly curved (very large, compared to your scene) piece of geomerty mapped with a large sky pic and planar coordinates should give you a sky that doesn't distort too much. I've actually used the old standard Clouds.tga with a flat reflected water many times with no apparent distortion. Experiment with adjusting the position of the sphere, also. You may be able to find a range where the distortion is not so apparent. Hope this helps, -Alan iglesias
#96627From: Doug GlasgowApr 11, 1994 8:54 PM
Thanks, I think those suggestions will work well, as I am just doing stills. I appreciate your help. Doug
#96691From: ALAN IGLESIASApr 12, 1994 10:17 AM
You're welcome, Doug. -Alan