Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 24

Thread: Issues with 3d terrains

  1. #1

    Post Issues with 3d terrains

    For some reason it's very hard to get the camera angles etc. just right so the terrain is usable as a map. Sometimes the top view doesn't work and you have to tilt the camera angle to get the mountain shape to show. The problem here is how to make a 3d mountain that has the shape feel to it, and still be able to have that overview type of map.

    Just to demonstrate it (or atleast trying to demonstrate), I've rendered few images of the same terrain from couple of different angles.

    First one is the side view (mountain profile)
    Second one is the top view
    Third one is the tilted view

    Any thoughts on this issue? :S
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	v1.jpg 
Views:	111 
Size:	217.7 KB 
ID:	16066   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	v2.jpg 
Views:	75 
Size:	290.8 KB 
ID:	16067   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	v3.jpg 
Views:	87 
Size:	438.9 KB 
ID:	16068  
    Last edited by Jykke; 08-20-2009 at 04:31 AM.

  2. #2

    Post

    Oh, and I must post the lyrics of the song I listened while doing this

    Amorphis - Skyforger


    Inside this nonexistence
    I know very clearly
    The directions, all the points
    Of every potential quarter

    I forge my wisdom
    Into an arc surrounding all
    I forge my heartbeat
    To a dome all heavens wide

    I know the sun and the moon
    The names of stars
    Their movement and purpose
    I mark the place of polaris on these impossible heights

    I forge the horizons
    I craft them for flowing blood
    I forge the places
    Precise for silver, precise for gold

    In solitude, I measure out
    The range of barren lands
    I drain unto the nothingness
    The intersecting curves
    I look at all directions
    I look at one clear point
    I see them all come together
    I see into the heart

    This here is my place, it is my work
    I was made the maker of the sky

    I am the maker of the sky
    I am the forger of the arc

  3. #3
    Professional Artist Facebook Connected Coyotemax's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1,945

    Default

    top isn't bad, but I kind of like the 3rd one. it's enough of an angle you can see the mountain shape and the shadow brings it out, but not so low you can't see things in behind it, as a proper map if that's the steepest it gets, you wouldn't find much in the way of mappable features on that section anyhow (unless you're mapping out ski areas, then i'd go for the first view anyhow)

    My finished maps
    "...sometimes the most efficient way to make something look drawn by hand is to simply draw it by hand..."

  4. #4

    Default

    yeah, tilting the camera makes it look better, though it brings the issues of perspective. Isolike perspective might solve almost all the issues, but I'm not totally sure how to get it work with vue.. Maybe zooming the camera all the way back might produce this kind of effect?
    Last edited by Jykke; 08-20-2009 at 04:48 AM.

  5. #5
    Community Leader Facebook Connected Steel General's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Ft. Wayne, IN
    Posts
    9,530

    Default

    They are all neat images.

    I know little to nothing about 3d terrain programs, but I think the problem with the second one is more of a lighting issue than anything else. *shrugs*
    My Finished Maps | My Challenge Maps | Still poking around occasionally...

    Unless otherwise stated by me in the post, all work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.



  6. #6

    Post

    Quote Originally Posted by Steel General View Post
    They are all neat images.

    I know little to nothing about 3d terrain programs, but I think the problem with the second one is more of a lighting issue than anything else. *shrugs*
    Thanks for the input I'll look into it and maybe even solve the issue. The problem with the lighting is that if it is adjusted in the wrong way, then the mountain might get flattened, or it just might look odd. Well, I hope I find just the right settings.. then I'll be able to do a whole map based on the results.

  7. #7
    Guild Expert Greason Wolfe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Tigard (and Florence) Oregon
    Posts
    1,739

    Post

    One thing you might try, and this is what I do with some of my Terragen renders, is pull the camera waaaaay back then, set my target as dead center of the map while the camera position is slightly south of dead center. This still gives a fairly good "top-down" view, but also adds just a tiny bit of isometric view as well, but, usually, not too much to grossly hide things.

    As I don't know anything about Vue, I'm not sure if this is a possibility for you or not, but when I have my settings right, I've got a bit of space to work with as far as cropping things out to be nice and square.

    GW
    GW

    One's worth is not measured by stature, alone. By heart and honor is One's true value weighed.

    Current Non-challenge WIP : Beyond Sosnasib
    Current Lite Challenge WIP : None
    Current Main Challenge WIP : None
    Completed Maps : Various Challenges

  8. #8

    Post

    same terrain, no trees, and a viewpoint similar to Greason Wolfe suggested.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	v4.jpg 
Views:	370 
Size:	120.3 KB 
ID:	16072  

  9. #9
    Community Leader Facebook Connected Ascension's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    St. Charles, Missouri, United States
    Posts
    8,392

    Post

    I think that you've got it there. Looks pretty good.
    If the radiance of a thousand suns was to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the Mighty One...I am become Death, the Shatterer of worlds.
    -J. Robert Oppenheimer (father of the atom bomb) alluding to The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 11, Verse 32)


    My Maps ~ My Brushes ~ My Tutorials ~ My Challenge Maps

  10. #10

    Post

    Quote Originally Posted by Ascension View Post
    I think that you've got it there. Looks pretty good.
    I hope this is it . It might be fun to be able to use this in an actual map. Thanks for the feedback!

    Oh, and here's a final render with some trees (actually if I render the whole scene, there would be ~900 000 of them).

    If there is more suggestions etc, I'll hear them gladly!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	v5.jpg 
Views:	74 
Size:	765.1 KB 
ID:	16077  

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •