well now remember... when using blocks.. the textures can have that fake normalmapping effect naturally...

Darker shadows and brighter brights render in almost 3D already when used on blocks. Just some changes to the contrast mostly with these textures can go a long way toward realism without the use of shaders.

Just something for people to remember ...

- Jason

Hpw long did you work this anyway? It looks veeerrrryyy huge, it makes me wonder, how huge is it measured in wed?? Does it have rooms inside?

Took about a week to make all the textures. It is't a full castle, just a part of one. its about 2400 quants wide and 1600 quants deep. No there are no insides... maybe next time.



Why would blocks fake this better than models?

While shadows and highlights can be baked quite effectively into a texture map replacing the surface normals completely gives a more effective representation of detailed shadowing with direct relationship to the lighing of a scene. Specular mapping enhances the effect further.

Be careful of making textures with too much contrast. This leads to all kinds of problems like aliasing and shadowing issues. The shadows in the textures seem to 'fight' the lighting of a scene. Better to create a texture with less shadowing that can be used in a greater variety of lighting situations.

What could really help this scene is better lighting. I just used the A7 sun. If i went crazy with smaller lights simulating radiosity or rendered it in MAX, I'm sure it could be better, but I'm done with the scene and on to other things. This was just for fun. I like castles.

Here's a crop of one of the textures which demonstrates what I believe to be a good compromise between shadowing and quality. Can't really see the detail in the textures in the shots.

well, what I mean is, normalmapping is certainly the best route with models as it has the most realistic effect...

But block levels... there's something about the rendering process that makes the highlight and shadows appear like different 'heights'.... it's a mild effect, but it's more of an effect than a wall made from a model with no normalmapping...

It's difficult to explain, if i have time I'll dig up or make the test level I made to test this phenomenon.

Return to Castle Wolfenstein had some great textures that worked this way, and i used them for testing purposes because I wanted to see if it worked in Gamestudio as well...

I agree about the contrast issues... I meant for textures like your example, where there is deepcracks and such... but it also works in other situations.

- Jason

Thanks Jason,

I'm intrigued now, so I'll do some tests of my own. My guess is that the effect you speak about relates to the standard material which is applied to blocks as opposed to the standard material which is applied to models. I’ll have to take a good luck at the differences between the materials.

Thanks to everyone for their nice comments about the castle!

I'm not trying to hijack your post, but here's a test room I made...

I can't explain 'why' the textures look 3D when you move around, but you can see that it's not just because 'it looks that way normally'. There's something more going on... even though it's a mild effect.

And ever since I noticed this, I've made sure appropriate textures for blocks had a little bit darker shadows, and a little bit brighter highlights. It doesn't take much really.

The effect works best when lights are applied.

These are 4 static lights in a room made of blocks.

Here's a link to the level

Anyway... on topic now.. I love the castle and i love the textures... great work as always Jake!!!

(Madisonians RULE!!)

- Jason

Thanks for the demo Jason, and I see what you mean.

No worries about changing the subject, I almost didn't post this at all. These textures were made specifically for another engine, and I threw the castle together rather quickly. (I still think it is pretty cool though). I was going for a Medieval II Total War look.

I really appreciate your insight, and if I make levels for A7 in the future will toy with your ideas.



Yes...yes we do.

i have to admit, that is some great work with WED.