IGC 2004 Synapse Gaming Lighting Pack Announcements (Part 1)
by John Kabus (BobTheCBuilder) · in General Discussion · 10/13/2004 (8:32 pm) · 39 replies
IGC 2004 Synapse Gaming Lighting Pack Announcements (Part 1)
Hello fellow Garage Gamers!
Last weekend at IGC 2004, Synapse Gaming made several exciting new Lighting Pack announcements and demonstrated a lot of cool new technology. I'll be releasing the full details of these announcements over the next few weeks. Now, on to the goodies... :)
Lighting Pack for TGE 1.2
Synapse Gaming is proud to announce version 1.2 of the Lighting Pack, which simplifies integration, adds TGE 1.3 and full DirectX support, and introduces new lighting tools for rapid and efficient level design. The powerful new tools allow faster mission re-lighting when tweaking light properties by creating advanced light groups and adding flexible interior light map options.
Lighting Pack for TSE Tech Demo
Harnessing the power of TSE's shader engine, the Lighting Pack for TSE adds realtime lighting and shadows, true volumetric lighting and fog, and the new Lighting Pack Shader Library for fast and easy development of custom lighting shaders. The Synapse Gaming Lighting Pack for TSE builds on the current Lighting Pack's visually dynamic lighting models, powerful modeling tools, and high performance rendering.
Some of the Awesome Games and Products using the Lighting Pack
Today's cutting edge indie games and products are developed with the Synapse Gaming Lighting Pack. By providing powerful and innovative new tools, the Lighting Pack puts the resources necessary to succeed in your hands.
Many of the games and products on display at IGC use the Lighting Pack, such as GravRally, Lore, Extreme Dodge Ball, Micro Warrior, Kill All Robots, Tim Aste's Interior Packs, and Looking Glass, to name a few.
Take advantage of the opportunity to enhance your products and pickup the Lighting Pack today!
John Kabus
Synapse Gaming
A few more Lighting Pack for TSE Tech Demo shots:
Hello fellow Garage Gamers!
Last weekend at IGC 2004, Synapse Gaming made several exciting new Lighting Pack announcements and demonstrated a lot of cool new technology. I'll be releasing the full details of these announcements over the next few weeks. Now, on to the goodies... :)
Lighting Pack for TGE 1.2
Synapse Gaming is proud to announce version 1.2 of the Lighting Pack, which simplifies integration, adds TGE 1.3 and full DirectX support, and introduces new lighting tools for rapid and efficient level design. The powerful new tools allow faster mission re-lighting when tweaking light properties by creating advanced light groups and adding flexible interior light map options.
Lighting Pack for TSE Tech Demo
Harnessing the power of TSE's shader engine, the Lighting Pack for TSE adds realtime lighting and shadows, true volumetric lighting and fog, and the new Lighting Pack Shader Library for fast and easy development of custom lighting shaders. The Synapse Gaming Lighting Pack for TSE builds on the current Lighting Pack's visually dynamic lighting models, powerful modeling tools, and high performance rendering.
Some of the Awesome Games and Products using the Lighting Pack
Today's cutting edge indie games and products are developed with the Synapse Gaming Lighting Pack. By providing powerful and innovative new tools, the Lighting Pack puts the resources necessary to succeed in your hands.
Many of the games and products on display at IGC use the Lighting Pack, such as GravRally, Lore, Extreme Dodge Ball, Micro Warrior, Kill All Robots, Tim Aste's Interior Packs, and Looking Glass, to name a few.
Take advantage of the opportunity to enhance your products and pickup the Lighting Pack today!
John Kabus
Synapse Gaming
A few more Lighting Pack for TSE Tech Demo shots:
#3
Good question. The Synapse Gaming Lighting Pack creates realtime dynamic lighting and shadows. The lighting and shadows are calculated per light allowing for very natural and smooth lighting. You can't see it from the screen shot, but the orange light is actually pulsating. The use of dynamic lights and shadows in a scene makes a huge impression on the viewer, and the Lighting Pack allows you to make that impression. The orange light can also be tied to a particle system to create flickering firelight with realtime lighting and shadows.
The Lighting Pack also introduces true lighting and fog volume objects (as in mesh objects that are volumes of light or fog), which allow for some amazing special fx.
But most importantly, the Lighting Pack for TSE carries over the Lighting Pack for TGE's lighting model, allowing existing content to be easily ported. :) That's very cool.
Hi Ian,
Soon. :) You know how these things go, but I'll keep the community posted on the progress.
-John Kabus
10/13/2004 (9:19 pm)
Hi Firas,Good question. The Synapse Gaming Lighting Pack creates realtime dynamic lighting and shadows. The lighting and shadows are calculated per light allowing for very natural and smooth lighting. You can't see it from the screen shot, but the orange light is actually pulsating. The use of dynamic lights and shadows in a scene makes a huge impression on the viewer, and the Lighting Pack allows you to make that impression. The orange light can also be tied to a particle system to create flickering firelight with realtime lighting and shadows.
The Lighting Pack also introduces true lighting and fog volume objects (as in mesh objects that are volumes of light or fog), which allow for some amazing special fx.
But most importantly, the Lighting Pack for TSE carries over the Lighting Pack for TGE's lighting model, allowing existing content to be easily ported. :) That's very cool.
Hi Ian,
Soon. :) You know how these things go, but I'll keep the community posted on the progress.
-John Kabus
#4
You should of posted it in a .plan though :)
10/13/2004 (9:20 pm)
Looking good John.... uber good!You should of posted it in a .plan though :)
#5
Thanks! Most of the .plan traffic seems to be hardcore game developers - most of them already checked out the demo at IGC, so I'm attempting to reach out to the rest of the community.
-John
10/13/2004 (9:25 pm)
Hi Thomas,Thanks! Most of the .plan traffic seems to be hardcore game developers - most of them already checked out the demo at IGC, so I'm attempting to reach out to the rest of the community.
-John
#6
10/13/2004 (11:04 pm)
Btw John, when you do release the new version of the lighting pack (which looks very cool), you may want to change the name to Lighting Pack 1.2 for TGE. The other way, Lighting Pack for TGE 1.2, makes it sound like it's for TGE 1.2 rather then version 1.2 of the pack. I was confuse by that at first until you mentioned that it was 1.3 compatible.
#7
I believe it was these features that had everyone excited:
Semi Real-Time Light Editor - new! Light editor allows real-time editing of light object datablocks through a user friendly GUI. - new! Real-time lighting changes on DTS objects and semi real-time lighting changes on interiors and terrain. - new! Advanced tools for creating, editing and cloning light datablocks. - new! Shared light datablocks allow powerful light grouping and simultaneous group light editing. - new!
a .plan with your experiences at IGC and a link to this forum thread would be good.
10/14/2004 (12:11 am)
John it was great to see your product demo'd at IGC and see all that you have in the works moving forward. Two things that created buzz at IGC were the amazing difference it your Lighting packs were making to games in the ShowOFF Center like Lore and GravRally as well as getting to see demos of your editors and tools (screens might not give all the detail of these, but maybe a couple small fraps movies to illustrate some key functions would be good).I believe it was these features that had everyone excited:
a .plan with your experiences at IGC and a link to this forum thread would be good.
#8
regards
Kenneth
10/14/2004 (1:28 am)
Im really looking forward to the TSE release of the lighting pack any word on when that will be available ? regards
Kenneth
#9
10/14/2004 (1:33 am)
So i take it this means such features won't be added into TSE by GarageGames and we'll have to buy this lighting pack if we want them?
#10
10/14/2004 (2:07 am)
Not that I object to purchasing functionality for the engine, but I think a lot of us expected this type of thing to be not only supported by TSE but built in as well. I would hate to think the future of TSE was nothing more than a network and graphics layer waiting to be upgraded piece by piece and dollar by dollar.
#11
------
Will the TSE support be included in the TGE pack, or will there be a seperate TSE pack (if so will it be the same price)?
Is it a free upgrade to 1.2?
Does the TSE support utilise HLSL shaders?
GG
----
Will the TSE lighting solution be very different to this?
10/14/2004 (2:54 am)
John------
Will the TSE support be included in the TGE pack, or will there be a seperate TSE pack (if so will it be the same price)?
Is it a free upgrade to 1.2?
Does the TSE support utilise HLSL shaders?
GG
----
Will the TSE lighting solution be very different to this?
#12
@John to reiterate Jay Moore's comment. Please put up some TSE/Lighting pack movies when you get the chance. Me likes eye candy movies ;)
BTW The Lighting Pack Rocks. Anyone on the fence should just buy it. You will be happy when you do.
Coz
10/14/2004 (3:38 am)
@Westy unless things changed, the lighting pack has free upgrades up through TSE. Atleast that was how it was planned as of a few months ago.@John to reiterate Jay Moore's comment. Please put up some TSE/Lighting pack movies when you get the chance. Me likes eye candy movies ;)
BTW The Lighting Pack Rocks. Anyone on the fence should just buy it. You will be happy when you do.
Coz
#13
10/14/2004 (4:06 am)
Is it per pixel lighting, meaning will we now be able to light on models? Because I agree with gonzo, for an engine boasting shader tech, that sort of thing should already be built in. 
#14
10/14/2004 (4:08 am)
This is really great news John! Truth to be told though, I thought dynamic lights was supported by TSE before the lightingpack. Still a GREAT addition! Cheers.
#15
10/14/2004 (8:31 am)
I'm definitely impressed by the lighting pack and have independently implemented a lot of the same features for my game, Glyph, but I, also, share the concern of thers here that in regard to TSE these are features I expect from the engine itself and don't see why a highly advanced shader engine such as TSE should need an add-on to get such standard lighting improvements. I could see a lighting pack for TSE implementing HDR or being used to carry over content from TGE+lighting pack without having to redo things in the TSE way, but for the TSE lighting model to be lacking so much that it requires a pack such as this for functionality which has been standard in engines for at least a couple years would be a shame. Nothing against you at all, John, I think you've done a marvelous job with the lighting pack and this is just a general comment on the state of lighting features planned for TSE rather than any disparaging of your efforts on the lighting pack, 
#16
TSE will have a full-featured, modern lighting model. If you read John's post you will see that this was a *tech demo*. Please do not jump to any conclusions at such an early stage. If you look at the TSE milestones, you'll see things like "dynamic lighting" and "dynamic shadows" on the list.
The Lighting Pack's TSE enhancements will be great and well worthwhile, but we will *not* be relying on the LP to fill-in lighting functionality for TSE which is common to other modern engines. No worries. The LP for TSE will have a nice Shader Library, support a different lighting and shadowing model, include all John's kickass editing tools, and do other very cool things.
I'm sure John can do a better job explaining all this. Suffice it to say for now that the LP will not be used as some kind of crutch for TSE, so no need to freak out. :) We have coordinated closely with Synapse Gaming on this and will continue to do so.
Anyway, John rocked the show at IGC. It was great to see a strong third-party partner have such a great showing.
10/14/2004 (9:19 am)
Slow-down there guys. TSE will have a full-featured, modern lighting model. If you read John's post you will see that this was a *tech demo*. Please do not jump to any conclusions at such an early stage. If you look at the TSE milestones, you'll see things like "dynamic lighting" and "dynamic shadows" on the list.
The Lighting Pack's TSE enhancements will be great and well worthwhile, but we will *not* be relying on the LP to fill-in lighting functionality for TSE which is common to other modern engines. No worries. The LP for TSE will have a nice Shader Library, support a different lighting and shadowing model, include all John's kickass editing tools, and do other very cool things.
I'm sure John can do a better job explaining all this. Suffice it to say for now that the LP will not be used as some kind of crutch for TSE, so no need to freak out. :) We have coordinated closely with Synapse Gaming on this and will continue to do so.
Anyway, John rocked the show at IGC. It was great to see a strong third-party partner have such a great showing.
#17
10/14/2004 (9:23 am)
Excellent, exactly what I wanted to hear....best of luck to John with the lighting pack and I'm glad to hear the TSE roadmap won't be compromised in terms of lighting.
#18
10/14/2004 (10:44 am)
Alright, good.. I thought maybe GG would decide to dump plans on lighting or something and just leave us all to buy the lighting pack for it.. Or maybe just slack on it really bad.. Good to hear thats not the case tho. ;) Took some worry off me. 
#19
10/14/2004 (11:49 am)
Jeez. I swear that every time I turn around, people are looking to have GarageGames screw them. After all these years of doing the right thing, is there any chance that you can trust us to continue to do the right thing?
#20
Very good point, I'll look into that. Thanks!
Hi Jay,
I had a blast at IGC! I really appreciate the GG crew entertaining me for the weekend and I'm looking forward to coming out much more often to see you guys.
An IGC based plan is in the works - I'm still sleeping off the jet-lag, so hopefully this weekend I can get something out. GarageGames throws one hell of a party, I think most of us are already excited about next year excellent work guys!
Hi Kenneth,
The Lighting Pack for TSE won't be available for a while. There are a large number of amazing new features going into the Lighting Pack for TGE and TGE itself, so making sure these are up to date is the primary focus for a while, however work on the Lighting Pack for TSE will continue in the background.
Hi Westy,
The Lighting Packs for TGE and TSE are both available to all Lighting Pack licensees, so if you already own the Lighting Pack and you're a TSE licensee you'll also have access to the Lighting Pack's TSE source and docs.
Hi Michael,
That's exactly right.
I'll definitely post a few movies soon, thanks!
Hi Stefan,
Thanks!
Hi Josh and Jeff,
Exactly, we're working very hard to bring the latest technology to the community. Between the TSE road-map and the Lighting Pack for TSE these are the types of tools the big boys use.
I'm not sure what all the concern is about, I think everyone here is familiar with the TSE road-map. TSE will be on par with the latest generation of games and game engines. The Lighting Pack for TSE is designed to put next-generation technology into the hands of the community this should be very exciting. Our community is receiving technology that others could only dream of, I think everyone should just relax.
(Jeez, this is what I get for sleeping in this afternoon...)
-John Kabus
10/14/2004 (12:05 pm)
Hi Greg,Very good point, I'll look into that. Thanks!
Hi Jay,
I had a blast at IGC! I really appreciate the GG crew entertaining me for the weekend and I'm looking forward to coming out much more often to see you guys.
An IGC based plan is in the works - I'm still sleeping off the jet-lag, so hopefully this weekend I can get something out. GarageGames throws one hell of a party, I think most of us are already excited about next year excellent work guys!
Hi Kenneth,
The Lighting Pack for TSE won't be available for a while. There are a large number of amazing new features going into the Lighting Pack for TGE and TGE itself, so making sure these are up to date is the primary focus for a while, however work on the Lighting Pack for TSE will continue in the background.
Hi Westy,
The Lighting Packs for TGE and TSE are both available to all Lighting Pack licensees, so if you already own the Lighting Pack and you're a TSE licensee you'll also have access to the Lighting Pack's TSE source and docs.
Hi Michael,
That's exactly right.
I'll definitely post a few movies soon, thanks!
Hi Stefan,
Thanks!
Hi Josh and Jeff,
Exactly, we're working very hard to bring the latest technology to the community. Between the TSE road-map and the Lighting Pack for TSE these are the types of tools the big boys use.
I'm not sure what all the concern is about, I think everyone here is familiar with the TSE road-map. TSE will be on par with the latest generation of games and game engines. The Lighting Pack for TSE is designed to put next-generation technology into the hands of the community this should be very exciting. Our community is receiving technology that others could only dream of, I think everyone should just relax.
(Jeez, this is what I get for sleeping in this afternoon...)
-John Kabus
Torque Owner Firas
I have a simple question (please don't become angry).
on the TSE Demo that was posted on the site I saw a greate lights on TSE so my question is, what can the lightning pack do more than that, or what is the advantages of using the lightning pack with TSE (coz TSE have a grete lightning)?
thanks