BLOG REMOVED
by Ron Kapaun · 02/13/2013 (4:30 pm) · 22 comments
THIS BLOG IS REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR. THANK YOU FOR VIEWING, SHARING AND DEBATING GAMES AND GAME DEVELOPMENT FOR NEARLY A DECADE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT OVER THE YEARS. I SEND YOU ALL A MESSAGE OF HOPE THAT EVERYTHING YOU WISH TO ACCOMPLISH WILL COME TO PASS. I TRULY DO. GOOD LUCK, GOD SPEED AND MAY THE BUGS BE EASY TO HUNT, TRACK AND ELIMINATE. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST OF LUCK. MAY ALL OF YOU ENJOY SUCCESS AND TRULY ENJOY GAME DEVELOPMENT FOR AS LONG AND AS FAR AS YOUR DREAMS, HOPES AND SKILLS CAN CARRY YOU.
RON
RON
About the author
Guy that has been with Torque Game Engines since... well, since here was a Torque Game Engine. (V12 and beyond).
#2
02/13/2013 (5:54 pm)
Looks nice Ron, caves are needed in just about all eras I can just imagine some nasty boss mob jumping out from behind a corner :-)
#3
02/13/2013 (6:24 pm)
WOW I have been looking into caves for a wile man that is Awsome and Sweet I'll love to have that it would be a great add to my game :) 
#4
Very nicely laid out scene and use of assets. The stalagmites and stalactites are very convincing.
02/13/2013 (7:53 pm)
You know Ron. If I were a caveman and looking to upgrade my cave home I would definitely be wanting look at your cave. It has a sun roof, indoor pool, clean, spacious, and is just overall a bad ass cave. From the sound of music being played it has great acoustics as well. That is just a bonus!Very nicely laid out scene and use of assets. The stalagmites and stalactites are very convincing.
#6
I would most definitely be interested in a cave assets pack.
Looks fantastic BTW!!!!!!
02/14/2013 (5:22 am)
Ron,I would most definitely be interested in a cave assets pack.
Looks fantastic BTW!!!!!!
#8
02/14/2013 (9:24 am)
Thanks for the awesome film there, Mr. Cameron. Seriously, I need popcorn to watch your videos, Ron. 
#10
To answer a few questions;
Yes, the plan is to make modular pieces, since I have only been working with this for a couple of days, I only have one segment done thus far. I need to come up with a reliable way to 'link' segments. This will probably be done using a series of assorted models, but I am still working on that aspect. All the Stalactites/Stalagmites are individual models and I plan to add more variations and formations. I plan to add a number of different rocks, and cave 'set pieces' that will be modular as well. This kit will likely just be a huge set of individual pieces that can make up a number of different style caves.
Thus far, this pack has been nearly 100% modeled in Sculptris (free software similar to a limited version of Zbrush. See link below). Which is a departure from my usual art flow. I find that using it allows for more 'organic' feeling models. The difficult part is keeping the poly count manageable so it takes a great deal of tweeking for each piece.
@Frank....LOL that is great.
@Dan.....Difference between me and Cameron, I don't cost anyone 900 million dollars to produce a film ;-).
In the end, I have not decided which direction I will take with this. I am not sure if it should be it's own asset pack or a part of the ruins pack that is in progress as well. I guess it will depend on the feedback and the size of both projects. The Fantasy Ruins Pack is already getting pretty large and even this simple cave has almost a dozen models already. I will keep mulling it over. In the meantime, I will keep working both packs. It's nice to 'swap modes' occasionally. Can't believe I miss placing branch and leaf segments....ahhhh simpler times...
Sculptris Link: www.pixologic.com/sculptris/
Ron
02/14/2013 (12:12 pm)
Thanks all. Glad to see you enjoyed this little experiment. To answer a few questions;
Yes, the plan is to make modular pieces, since I have only been working with this for a couple of days, I only have one segment done thus far. I need to come up with a reliable way to 'link' segments. This will probably be done using a series of assorted models, but I am still working on that aspect. All the Stalactites/Stalagmites are individual models and I plan to add more variations and formations. I plan to add a number of different rocks, and cave 'set pieces' that will be modular as well. This kit will likely just be a huge set of individual pieces that can make up a number of different style caves.
Thus far, this pack has been nearly 100% modeled in Sculptris (free software similar to a limited version of Zbrush. See link below). Which is a departure from my usual art flow. I find that using it allows for more 'organic' feeling models. The difficult part is keeping the poly count manageable so it takes a great deal of tweeking for each piece.
@Frank....LOL that is great.
@Dan.....Difference between me and Cameron, I don't cost anyone 900 million dollars to produce a film ;-).
In the end, I have not decided which direction I will take with this. I am not sure if it should be it's own asset pack or a part of the ruins pack that is in progress as well. I guess it will depend on the feedback and the size of both projects. The Fantasy Ruins Pack is already getting pretty large and even this simple cave has almost a dozen models already. I will keep mulling it over. In the meantime, I will keep working both packs. It's nice to 'swap modes' occasionally. Can't believe I miss placing branch and leaf segments....ahhhh simpler times...
Sculptris Link: www.pixologic.com/sculptris/
Ron
#11
I really like to work with Sculptris. I made the blue whale with this. Just a problem to get the polycount ok, like you mentioned.
This cave also looks nice if you use the ruin models in the cave.
I think is a nice idea to making both together in one large pack and 2 small packs with only ruins and only cave. This way people can buy it separate or as combo pack, if they like to have both.
02/14/2013 (1:07 pm)
One of the best looking cave i ever seen! If this is modular, I'm sure a lot people are interested to buy it.I really like to work with Sculptris. I made the blue whale with this. Just a problem to get the polycount ok, like you mentioned.
This cave also looks nice if you use the ruin models in the cave.
I think is a nice idea to making both together in one large pack and 2 small packs with only ruins and only cave. This way people can buy it separate or as combo pack, if they like to have both.
#12
That way could do something close to tomb raider
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU4jiBgqvZ4
02/14/2013 (1:24 pm)
Please make them different packs! I could really use the cave but not the ruin at this moment.That way could do something close to tomb raider
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU4jiBgqvZ4
#13
02/14/2013 (2:16 pm)
That is a very nice cave. 
#14
02/14/2013 (3:45 pm)
I like the drips -very nice touch.
#15
02/14/2013 (4:02 pm)
I'd also prefer two packs and a combo (with a small discount) pack with both of them in. 
#16
02/14/2013 (8:39 pm)
I want to add a dragon in there ... soooooooooooooo baddddddddddddd.... 
#17
Dude ... that is awesome. I think two separate packs is a better move and maybe a combo pack if you want to go that route.
I am definitely buying both packs when they come out. 8-}
02/15/2013 (1:22 am)
Wow ... wow ... wow. 8-}Dude ... that is awesome. I think two separate packs is a better move and maybe a combo pack if you want to go that route.
I am definitely buying both packs when they come out. 8-}
#18
Good work!
02/17/2013 (8:44 am)
Ron - first, I agree with all the positive comments. I do have a couple of questions. Although I would suppose that many cave are shades of grey; some, because of the mineral elements within the soil, are very colorful. Did you leave color out for a reason? Also, I don't remeber seeing flora in caves perhaps for lack of sunlight. Of course in the one area with the sunlit opening that would be reasonable.Good work!
#19
@Norv, yes I agree and I am working on textures and things that will provide far more color variety then just grey. This was just a first experiment to see if I could even get it all to work right.
By the way,
For those interested The Tropical Pack 2.0 Update is posted to the store now:
www.garagegames.com/products/tropicalrainforestpack
Ron
02/18/2013 (4:41 pm)
Thanks all!@Norv, yes I agree and I am working on textures and things that will provide far more color variety then just grey. This was just a first experiment to see if I could even get it all to work right.
By the way,
For those interested The Tropical Pack 2.0 Update is posted to the store now:
www.garagegames.com/products/tropicalrainforestpack
Ron
#20
Traditionally lugs are used to join two or more sections of pipe together, be it pipes of the same or different diameter/s. Using something like that (in line lugs, t junction lugs, y junction and cross pattern lugs) could be an option. Of course, they would never match seems, so you'd have to trumpet the ends of each lug so that they intersect the walls of your cave pieces.
Just an idea.
02/19/2013 (5:14 am)
Ron, I've been thinking about the modular thing, and how you can work that in. Here's what I came up with: Lugs.Traditionally lugs are used to join two or more sections of pipe together, be it pipes of the same or different diameter/s. Using something like that (in line lugs, t junction lugs, y junction and cross pattern lugs) could be an option. Of course, they would never match seems, so you'd have to trumpet the ends of each lug so that they intersect the walls of your cave pieces.
Just an idea.
Associate Steve Acaster
[YorkshireRifles.com]
[edit]
I suppose a cave asset pack would be best if it came in sections which the dev could then piece together in whatever manner they so wished.