Hey, pardon the redundant question but... regarding terrain

Splaetos · Post by **Splaetos** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 3:58 pm

I have read a few threads about terrain, but I have a problem. The threads I ahve read are very complex, most people were recoomending other programs, or custom textures or whatever else... I am new to mapping, and havent even begun to mess with my own textures yet...

I was wondering what the simplest way to get rid of some sections at the bottom of a cliff face that are glitchy. I have made a valley surrounded mostly by sheer cliff faces, and most of it works fine using lod terrain. I think I shouldnt have too much problem taking out some of the triangles and adding other textures to the parts I want, but the bottom of the cliffs nag at me.

Someone mentioned they thought the best way was patch meshing, for things like cliffs. You guys have a turorial for that? If so I missed it, and Im not yet aware of how to do it. I am comfortable with how the cliff faces look for the moment(not that I wont change my mind later =p) but could anyone enlighten me as to where to find out about patch meshing, or if they have a simpler method of altering the bad areas. I had been trying to smooth the transition at the bottom(which I think looks more natural for the most part anyway.

The custom textures looked great, but I have no clue how to even start on that road...

Could someoen point me towards info on patch meshing/custom textures...

or do you think that other program for generating terrain(not easygen, I forget the name) is the best way overall?

Custom textures frighten me =) I am very good at organizing and manipulating visuals, but I am not so good at more true artisitc creations, so I wonder if I will be able to make anything decent in the way of custom textures =(

Again I know this is a bit redundant, but any suggestions on where and how to start would be appreciated. Id like to learn the better ways of doing things fro mthe start if I am at all capable of doing so.

Splaetos · Post by **Splaetos** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 5:47 pm

ok i found the patch mesh tutorial =) i must be a bit blind.

Balr14 · Post by **Balr14** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 6:21 pm

I think the other program you are referring to is Gensurf, which creates terrain from triangle brushes. It's much more versatile than LOD and doesn't have the problems associated with patch mesh and has much lower face count than either. But, most mappers don't want to take the time to learn how to use it correctly. There are only a few mappers who can make a decent brush based terrain.

Shortricci · Post by **Shortricci** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 7:20 pm

Welcome to .map Splaetos, you sound like a pretty inteligent guy, we like that!

Patch meshes are proberly the best bet for creating clifts, look here for a great tutorial, creating outdoor levels

http://dynamic5.gamespy.com/~manstein/i ... 36a66b1805

If you need anymore help, just ask us!

- Ricci

Splaetos · Post by **Splaetos** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 11:10 pm

thanks alot I'll check it out =)