#Terrain
11 messages in this thread
First of all, has anyone seen Comanche Maximum Overkill? I just got it and have
to say that it's the best flight simulation I've ever seen. I have noticed
something strange with it though. I have a Gateway 2000 486/66, ISA, (overdrive
processor), 32Mb, and a Diamond Speedstar 24. I put the game on a machine at
work, a Compaq 486/66 EISA machine (overdrive also). It has 16Mb, and is using
a Compaq Q-Vision EISA card. My machine plays this game _much_ faster than the
Compaq. Either the Q-Vision board sucks or somethings goofy. Any replies? Oh –
by the way I do have a 3DS question. I was wondering if Yost's Fractalize IPAS
routine would allow terrain generation similair to that seen in the above game?
It is great terrain – nice mountains and lots of detail. Complete with rivers.
Would AutoCAD be a better choice for terrain generation. I know there's a LISP
routine to do something like that.
BTW – both video cards have 1MB of DRAM.
Dave Mennenoh
Dave,
I've done a LOT of terrains in 3D. I've come up with a couple of
techniques that you might find useful.
Basically they involve the use of:
1. A fractal generator to create the basic terrain.
(Fractint)
2. A paint program to create landmarks, rivers, roads, etc.
(Animator Pro)
3. A program to convert images to triangles.
(GifDxf)
4. 3D Studio IPAS routines.
(either standard like wave, or add on like fractalize).
Let me know if you'd like more details, or better yet, give me a call and
I can tell you exactly how to go about it. I know it sounds like a lot of
work but the effect you get is definately worth it!
Anyhow, if you're interested:
Danny Mercurio
Details
(416) 265-4484
Regards,
Danny…
Danny,
I am not familiar with the image to triangle program you mentioned
(GIFDXF). Can you tell me more? I have several students that would be
intrested in this program to aid in terrain generation. Thanks in advance,
PAT
Pat,
Basically, GIFDXF converts GIF images into a DXF file consisting of
triangles that 3D Studio can understand. It does this by subdividing the image
into a grid and then placing trianlges along this grid based on the colour or
luminosity of the image.
For example, you could create a 256 colour, 320×200 plasma fractal gif using
Fractint. You then process this image using GIFDXF and set up a grid of 40×40
(1600 triangles). GIFDXF looks at these grid positions one at a time, left to
right, top to bottom and checks the colour or luminosity (you choose which). It
then creates triangles which are "elevated" according to either the position of
the colour of the current grid position in the palette or the luminosity of the
current grid position.
Whew! Did that make sense? <g> Actually, this process is pretty flexible.
You can create DXF files consisting of up to 64000 triangles from a given GIF
file. (3D Studio only allows a maximum of 64000 faces per object so there's no
sense making more.)
The effect is really enhanced if you process the gif in a paint program and
add landmarks like roads and rivers before using GIFDXF. You must choose your
colours carefully in order to get the right effect so practice is in order
here.
Anyhow, GIFDXF should be available here in the forum or in the GRAPHDEV
forum.
Let me know if you would like more info about creating terrains this way, or
if you would like some sample files.
Regards,
Danny…
Danny:
Did you know that newest version of Fractint has a file format that saves as
triangles? Dunno if they are compatible with 3DS. Also I heard that Commanche
Max Kill is not a fractal technique, even tho it appears that way, but some
kind of radiosity mapping. The terrain is all predefined. I admit its the
hottest game I have played yet. Up there with Falcon 3. If you are interested
we just came out with a book called Flights of Fantasy: Writing a 3D Flight
Simulator in C++. Its got a chapter on Fractal terrain, but unfortunately the
author did not add real code. The entire source for the flight sim is in the
book on a disk. They are talking about it in GAMERS, and updates to the code
are appearing there. They are looking for someone to help with the terrain too.
Mitch
Hi Mitch!
Yes, I did know about Fractint's ability to export triangles. However, 3D
Studio can't handle them in that format. I wasn't aware that Maximum Overkill
used radiosity mapping to create their terrains. Hmmm… That's certainly a
novel approach…
> "They are talking about it in GAMERS, and updates to the code are appearing
there. They are looking for someone to help with the terrain too."
Where should I look for more information about this "project" in GAMERS? I
poked around the message base but I didn't find anything. I'd like to hear more
about this and maybe get involved.
Thanks in advance,
Danny…
GMAERS Section 11 Game Design is where the authors live, Mark Betz and Chris
Lampton. Occasionally you'll see comments like FOF: locks up, or Flights..great
book, etc. Or you can send mail to the author Chris Lampton, 76711,301. The
book is in all fine bookstores.
Thanks, I'll go take a look…
Regards,
Danny…
Danny,
Thanks much for the reply. I have Fractint and should have AniPRO within a
week. Otherwise I have Photo styler which should work I assume. I have tries
using Fractint but could never get it to do what I wanted. Also, I haven't
heard of GifDXF and maybe thats what I need. If you could go into more depth,
otherwise I will give you a call. When is the best time?
Dave Mennenoh
David,
I'm playing softball tonightso you can give me a call Tuesday or Wednesday
evening anytime after 6pm Eastern Time.
I'd go into detail here but I think things would get pretty long-winded and
I'm not sure anyone else is interested.
Talk to you soon,
Danny…
(416) 265-4484
David,
Is Comanche a Windows or Dos game? If Windows, the Speedstar 24 is probably
faster than the Q-vision in Windows. If Dos, I don't know what's going on.