Env. maps and mirrors...
by Tuomas Kaukoranta · in Constructor · 06/03/2009 (10:33 am) · 5 replies
I searched forums and TDN docs for environmental maps and mirrors in constructor but I didn't find any useful info. Does anyone here know how to make these, there were env maps in dif.s back in Tribes 2 and I know mirrors are supported in TGE.
#2
A mirror object can be created by going through the "Manage Entities" window in Constructor. Since there isn't a one step process for creating mirrors you may have to fiddle around with the actual procedure a little bit.
Create your mirror "frame" -- one brush. Create another brush that you place on/intersect with the face that will be the mirror "surface" for your "frame" brush. Manage Entites and create a new one -- make it a mirror surface. Take your mirror "surface" brush and assign it to "other" type in the brush type selector, choose any available option. Go back to "Manage Entities" and correct the fields to point to your mirror entity. Save, export, test your dif in game. There may be a better, quicker method that I overlooked since I only spent 5 minutes to figure it out.
06/08/2009 (10:36 am)
Env maps (the 7th image in the skybox) depends on the alpha channel in your object's texture to determine which bits are "shiny" and have faked reflection (which is what the env map is).A mirror object can be created by going through the "Manage Entities" window in Constructor. Since there isn't a one step process for creating mirrors you may have to fiddle around with the actual procedure a little bit.
Create your mirror "frame" -- one brush. Create another brush that you place on/intersect with the face that will be the mirror "surface" for your "frame" brush. Manage Entites and create a new one -- make it a mirror surface. Take your mirror "surface" brush and assign it to "other" type in the brush type selector, choose any available option. Go back to "Manage Entities" and correct the fields to point to your mirror entity. Save, export, test your dif in game. There may be a better, quicker method that I overlooked since I only spent 5 minutes to figure it out.
#3
I've got the env maps working on shapes with semi-transparent texture and enabling them in exporter settings but just a semi-transparent texture didn't work on interiors. Is there anything else I should do to get them working on interiors too?
06/09/2009 (12:47 am)
Thanks Michael, I got the mirror working now.I've got the env maps working on shapes with semi-transparent texture and enabling them in exporter settings but just a semi-transparent texture didn't work on interiors. Is there anything else I should do to get them working on interiors too?
#4
It may not be what you're looking for, but when I was using TGE I was able to get specular effects working by using the Modernization kit, which also allowed bump mapping.
Glad you got the mirrors working anyway.
06/09/2009 (2:31 pm)
Now that I think about I don't recall ever seeing env mapped interiors working, only objects. You may have to dig into the interior code to verify that it does or doesn't and see what it may take.It may not be what you're looking for, but when I was using TGE I was able to get specular effects working by using the Modernization kit, which also allowed bump mapping.
Glad you got the mirrors working anyway.
#5
Anyway thanks for the help!
06/10/2009 (11:08 am)
I remember seeing env maps in Tribes 2 interiors, I guess they have just taken it away... I tried installing MK but I propably did something wrong, it didn't work.Anyway thanks for the help!
Torque 3D Owner Tuomas Kaukoranta