Conifer Forest Pack - Video_01
by Ron Kapaun · 01/14/2012 (5:32 pm) · 24 comments
Hey All,
The video link below shows off my latest bit of 'experimentation' since I got back from Afghanistan. All the models, textures, billboards and well basically anything else you see was modeled/painted and put into Torque 1.2 by me. Keep in mind when viewing this, that there are only a total of 8 unique models. 2 Pine trees, a large Sequia, 1 bush model, 1 fern model, 1 large leaf plant, and 2 unique rock formations. All the rest is done through instancing and creative and liberal use of the forest tool.
Each model has at least 3 LOD levels and the plants use a large scale 'auto-billboard' that I made using user values assigned to a dummy object in 3D Max (technical stuff for artists). There really are some good tutorials once you dig around a bit. Additionally, in order to reduce draw calls I used a slightly different technique to produce the 'billboard' foliage. Kind of difficult to explain here but, it worked. Finally, each model is 'UV' corrected to work in Torque, this helps with the lighting and avoiding that 'this is a billboard' look. Made all the .dds format textures, with multiple MipMaps. (GIMP is a GREAT tool). Anyway, The river, the terrain, and all the rest were hand done in Torque. All the plants and trees are vertex painted to take advantage of the Wind Emitter. I spent a large amount of time on the lighting and I am pretty happy with the results. Audio design was done by myself (Goldwave and Sony Acid). The music is a Royalty Free piece I purchased a number of years ago.
I get some really solid frame rates (30+ in all areas of the map running a 1920 X 1080). FRAPS of course, is not the greatest for capturing but, hey I paid for it, may as well use it. So I downgraded the graphics to 1280 X 720 for capture. My design system is not too out of this world. 3.2 gig Quad core, 4 gigs on-board ram and a Nvidia Geforce GTX 550Ti running 1 gig of ram and the latest drivers. Currently, testing the level on 'less' beefy systems to ensure everything is optimized.
The idea is to package all this stuff up, along with several PDF format art asset creation tutorials I wrote while doing all of this and sell it for around 30$ in the store (Should Garage Games deem it worthy). I would give it away but, I spend way too much time doing this to be able to afford to do that. Anyway, take a look at the video (keep in mind...FRAPS and YouTube...ehhh) and let me know what you think.
P.S. HD 720p is far better.
Enjoy... More to follow!
The Video:
KAP
The video link below shows off my latest bit of 'experimentation' since I got back from Afghanistan. All the models, textures, billboards and well basically anything else you see was modeled/painted and put into Torque 1.2 by me. Keep in mind when viewing this, that there are only a total of 8 unique models. 2 Pine trees, a large Sequia, 1 bush model, 1 fern model, 1 large leaf plant, and 2 unique rock formations. All the rest is done through instancing and creative and liberal use of the forest tool.
Each model has at least 3 LOD levels and the plants use a large scale 'auto-billboard' that I made using user values assigned to a dummy object in 3D Max (technical stuff for artists). There really are some good tutorials once you dig around a bit. Additionally, in order to reduce draw calls I used a slightly different technique to produce the 'billboard' foliage. Kind of difficult to explain here but, it worked. Finally, each model is 'UV' corrected to work in Torque, this helps with the lighting and avoiding that 'this is a billboard' look. Made all the .dds format textures, with multiple MipMaps. (GIMP is a GREAT tool). Anyway, The river, the terrain, and all the rest were hand done in Torque. All the plants and trees are vertex painted to take advantage of the Wind Emitter. I spent a large amount of time on the lighting and I am pretty happy with the results. Audio design was done by myself (Goldwave and Sony Acid). The music is a Royalty Free piece I purchased a number of years ago.
I get some really solid frame rates (30+ in all areas of the map running a 1920 X 1080). FRAPS of course, is not the greatest for capturing but, hey I paid for it, may as well use it. So I downgraded the graphics to 1280 X 720 for capture. My design system is not too out of this world. 3.2 gig Quad core, 4 gigs on-board ram and a Nvidia Geforce GTX 550Ti running 1 gig of ram and the latest drivers. Currently, testing the level on 'less' beefy systems to ensure everything is optimized.
The idea is to package all this stuff up, along with several PDF format art asset creation tutorials I wrote while doing all of this and sell it for around 30$ in the store (Should Garage Games deem it worthy). I would give it away but, I spend way too much time doing this to be able to afford to do that. Anyway, take a look at the video (keep in mind...FRAPS and YouTube...ehhh) and let me know what you think.
P.S. HD 720p is far better.
Enjoy... More to follow!
The Video:
KAP
About the author
Currently a Sergeant (E-5) in the US Army stationed at Fort Hood Tx. Been to Iraq and Afghanistan. Formerly an instructor at a community college in Minnesota for 3D design, web development and general Multimedia development.
#2
01/14/2012 (5:55 pm)
Looks very good to me, and worth the $30 
#3
01/14/2012 (11:03 pm)
Stunning work, $30 is a steal of a deal. 
#4
01/15/2012 (1:00 am)
crazy nice that pack ! Also i like the video. 
#5
01/15/2012 (2:36 am)
AWESOME PACK!! If you put this pack on GG, i get it instantly. 
#6
01/15/2012 (3:50 am)
I concur, great stuff. 
#7
01/15/2012 (11:29 am)
This is nothing short of incredible. I think I might be picking this up! 
#8
01/15/2012 (11:31 am)
Great job i think i will buy will it be video tutorial or PDF? Also if I have all my environment art work could you do contract work to fix the environment to make it look more realistic? 
#9
01/15/2012 (11:35 am)
... I am impressed. Very impressed. 
#10
01/15/2012 (1:56 pm)
Very nice. I will buy this. 
#11
Alos what's the music called and who is the composer?
01/15/2012 (3:05 pm)
That certainly is very pretty. :)Alos what's the music called and who is the composer?
#12
As Steve says....Video or it didn't happen...well here is a screen shot of some details I have added;
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/9568/screenshot00500000.png
@ Kory, I can take a look at your content but, what format is are things in? (3ds Max/Maya/something else?). I ask because things like that make a huge difference, did the person you bought assets from take the time to adjust UV projection or provide multiple levels of textures and models? If you created the content, did you understand current best modeling a texture processes? You can email me at: (remove the underscores....kapaun_01_@_gmail_._com.) I don't contract...yet...but I will be glad to help out.
As for you other question, I was thinking about a video tutorial series but the length might be an issue. For now the pack will include a VERY detailed step by step for making the objects that were in the video, as well as fussing with the terrain and river tools. These will have screen grabs and I will keep it "non-technical". Keep in mind I am NO expert. I have just been working with Torque since....wow 2001 or 2002. Jeesh, I am old. Anyway, I will think about including a video tutorial but, trust me, the PDF will be detailed, simple and as complete as I can make it.
@ Bryce... Long time fan. Thanks for the feedback!
@ Steve, Thank you. The music is not really named,the track was called "heroic". I purchased a number of royalty free packs over the years and that was just one that I liked. (honestly, my wife liked it...said it added a 'sense of emotion' Whatever that means). As for composer, I wish I could give credit, but I really do not know. I want to make it clear... It WAS NOT ME!
Oh by the way, thanks.....I could not recall how to add the video, but I looked you up and you explained it to another member. I just copied and pasted! You really are an asset here. I read and view everything you do from scripting to little odd kitty killer women demos. I mean that too, I have learned a lot from you.
@ Everyone.... Again thank you all and honestly, I do not know WHEN this thing will get to market or even if Garage Games will accept it. This is the first time I have ventured into this kind of thing so bare with me while I learn the ins and outs. Like I stated, all the models and textures and things are mine, nothing googled and pasted. So there are no clearance issues that I foresee. Heck I hand placed every leaf...literally, each billboard and each leaf in GIMP.
I want to provide good content and hopefully help people out. This is a really good engine if you know the rules and standards. As of late, the information has started really flowing from the Garage Games team and I am grateful for that, I am just hoping to fill some gaps from an artist perspective. No offense but, you coders and scripters need some art lessons!
Oh yes, wanted to mention that I am starting another environment pack. This one will be deciduous forest, elms, maples, oaks, birch all textured for summer and fall. (yes the Conifer Pack will have multiple seasons as well. As a free add-on pack. Winter textures and things like that.) I promise to keep things at the same quality. Again, thank you all for your really positive comments.
K
01/15/2012 (3:59 pm)
Wow, thanks to you all. Did not expect anyone to comment much less be as positive as everyone has been so far. Thank you all. I have been working on making the forest even better, adding more LOD levels and refining textures and even added a few new plants and things. So far so good and the frame rates have improved. As Steve says....Video or it didn't happen...well here is a screen shot of some details I have added;
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/9568/screenshot00500000.png
@ Kory, I can take a look at your content but, what format is are things in? (3ds Max/Maya/something else?). I ask because things like that make a huge difference, did the person you bought assets from take the time to adjust UV projection or provide multiple levels of textures and models? If you created the content, did you understand current best modeling a texture processes? You can email me at: (remove the underscores....kapaun_01_@_gmail_._com.) I don't contract...yet...but I will be glad to help out.
As for you other question, I was thinking about a video tutorial series but the length might be an issue. For now the pack will include a VERY detailed step by step for making the objects that were in the video, as well as fussing with the terrain and river tools. These will have screen grabs and I will keep it "non-technical". Keep in mind I am NO expert. I have just been working with Torque since....wow 2001 or 2002. Jeesh, I am old. Anyway, I will think about including a video tutorial but, trust me, the PDF will be detailed, simple and as complete as I can make it.
@ Bryce... Long time fan. Thanks for the feedback!
@ Steve, Thank you. The music is not really named,the track was called "heroic". I purchased a number of royalty free packs over the years and that was just one that I liked. (honestly, my wife liked it...said it added a 'sense of emotion' Whatever that means). As for composer, I wish I could give credit, but I really do not know. I want to make it clear... It WAS NOT ME!
Oh by the way, thanks.....I could not recall how to add the video, but I looked you up and you explained it to another member. I just copied and pasted! You really are an asset here. I read and view everything you do from scripting to little odd kitty killer women demos. I mean that too, I have learned a lot from you.
@ Everyone.... Again thank you all and honestly, I do not know WHEN this thing will get to market or even if Garage Games will accept it. This is the first time I have ventured into this kind of thing so bare with me while I learn the ins and outs. Like I stated, all the models and textures and things are mine, nothing googled and pasted. So there are no clearance issues that I foresee. Heck I hand placed every leaf...literally, each billboard and each leaf in GIMP.
I want to provide good content and hopefully help people out. This is a really good engine if you know the rules and standards. As of late, the information has started really flowing from the Garage Games team and I am grateful for that, I am just hoping to fill some gaps from an artist perspective. No offense but, you coders and scripters need some art lessons!
Oh yes, wanted to mention that I am starting another environment pack. This one will be deciduous forest, elms, maples, oaks, birch all textured for summer and fall. (yes the Conifer Pack will have multiple seasons as well. As a free add-on pack. Winter textures and things like that.) I promise to keep things at the same quality. Again, thank you all for your really positive comments.
K
#13
01/16/2012 (3:15 am)
Really beautiful !! Congrats 
#14
01/16/2012 (3:58 am)
Awesome, count me in for a pack. 
#15
01/16/2012 (5:52 am)
I like the particle effects in your waterfalls especially. Very pretty. 
#16
01/16/2012 (10:16 am)
Awesome work Ron! The sounds really add a lot! 
#17
01/16/2012 (1:57 pm)
Excellent work!
#18
01/19/2012 (12:35 pm)
Very nice. I will buy this.. and your future forest packs =) 
#19
01/20/2012 (1:52 pm)
Stunning! Really good work, Ron. Count me in as a future customer too! 
#20
01/21/2012 (1:29 pm)
Amazing work big sarn, nice to see another army guy on here :)
Torque Owner SeanT
Uneik Software