Cave Construction Set will be a Free Set of Art Assets
by Ron Kapaun · 03/15/2013 (12:22 am) · 13 comments
Hey all,
Just a quick blog to let everyone know that I have made a choice concerning the cave construction set that I have been working on. Due to a number of recent events, the announced "cave construction pack" will be a free download from my site. I kind of struggled with this choice, and in the end decided that by doing this, I could make up for the over all lack of updates and improvements that I wanted to do with my website. These include the tutorials I promised, the texture files I have ready but, have not had time to work in, and other things. I also decided to make this pack free for all because, honestly, it's not that easy to work with and I don't want people to get a bad feeling when they pay hard earned money for my commercial packs.
Many of you have already seen the 'preview video for the Cave Pack' here:
Don't get me wrong, a developer can do some really cool stuff with this pack but, it's going to take time and effort on the developer side to get things right. On a more positive note, the cave construction pack will be a very 'usable' tool set. I plan on including a number of different texture sets for the basic features and connection pieces as well as a solid set of 'cave props'. Additionally, I will release a 'demo level' with this free pack (which is new for free packs on my site). I think this is required in order to learn how to effectively use these tools. I am also planning a short video tutorial that shows how to be effective with this pack. It will include lighting and rendering caves as well as linking pieces as topics that are covered
So when can you expect to get your hands on this pack? Well, I am about 75% complete on my original plan for this pack so it will be soon. Keep in mind, I am treating this the same as I do my commercial stuff, so no sacrifice in the quality of the models or re-usability so chances are, I will take some additional time in tweeking this pack. I am viewing this as a gift to this great community and I am hoping it will 'tweek' some level designers out there to really PUSH the perceptions of what Torque 3D can do.
Here is a short list of what I have finished, along with some sample shots:
Total Model Count as of 15 March 2013: 28 totally new models
4 Cave Main pieces: (large areas)
1 L-Curve Junction Piece
1 T-Junction Piece
1 S-Curve Junction
Many, Many, Assorted rocks and formations (MORE THAN WHAT IS SHOWN, but you can get an idea of the quality of the textures and detail in the model sets):
.
All of the assets use a completely new art pipeline that includes Sculptris for detail and painting. I hope they work as well on everyone's machine as they do on mine.
As a side note; I am taking ALL the feedback that I got from the 'Fantasy Ruins Pack' announcement to heart. This will be an AMAZING commercial pack that will be affordable, and really cool. This is a promise.
Thanks for reading! There will be an 'official' announcement and kick ass video available once the Cave Construction Pack is ready. Keep an eye out!
Ron
Just a quick blog to let everyone know that I have made a choice concerning the cave construction set that I have been working on. Due to a number of recent events, the announced "cave construction pack" will be a free download from my site. I kind of struggled with this choice, and in the end decided that by doing this, I could make up for the over all lack of updates and improvements that I wanted to do with my website. These include the tutorials I promised, the texture files I have ready but, have not had time to work in, and other things. I also decided to make this pack free for all because, honestly, it's not that easy to work with and I don't want people to get a bad feeling when they pay hard earned money for my commercial packs.
Many of you have already seen the 'preview video for the Cave Pack' here:
Don't get me wrong, a developer can do some really cool stuff with this pack but, it's going to take time and effort on the developer side to get things right. On a more positive note, the cave construction pack will be a very 'usable' tool set. I plan on including a number of different texture sets for the basic features and connection pieces as well as a solid set of 'cave props'. Additionally, I will release a 'demo level' with this free pack (which is new for free packs on my site). I think this is required in order to learn how to effectively use these tools. I am also planning a short video tutorial that shows how to be effective with this pack. It will include lighting and rendering caves as well as linking pieces as topics that are covered
So when can you expect to get your hands on this pack? Well, I am about 75% complete on my original plan for this pack so it will be soon. Keep in mind, I am treating this the same as I do my commercial stuff, so no sacrifice in the quality of the models or re-usability so chances are, I will take some additional time in tweeking this pack. I am viewing this as a gift to this great community and I am hoping it will 'tweek' some level designers out there to really PUSH the perceptions of what Torque 3D can do.
Here is a short list of what I have finished, along with some sample shots:
Total Model Count as of 15 March 2013: 28 totally new models
4 Cave Main pieces: (large areas)
1 L-Curve Junction Piece
1 T-Junction Piece
1 S-Curve Junction
Many, Many, Assorted rocks and formations (MORE THAN WHAT IS SHOWN, but you can get an idea of the quality of the textures and detail in the model sets):
.All of the assets use a completely new art pipeline that includes Sculptris for detail and painting. I hope they work as well on everyone's machine as they do on mine.
As a side note; I am taking ALL the feedback that I got from the 'Fantasy Ruins Pack' announcement to heart. This will be an AMAZING commercial pack that will be affordable, and really cool. This is a promise.
Thanks for reading! There will be an 'official' announcement and kick ass video available once the Cave Construction Pack is ready. Keep an eye out!
Ron
About the author
Owner and Production Designer for 3td Studios.com. Publisher of a number of Asset Packs for T3D as well as an active (wish I could be more active) member of the Torque 3D Steering Committee.
#6
03/17/2013 (2:24 am)
Great work Ron. 
#7
03/17/2013 (2:38 pm)
Dear Science, I think I love you. XD AMAZING PACK! All your work seems to be top notch and very impressive. I can't wait to show you what I do with it :P 
#8
03/17/2013 (4:57 pm)
Man, Thanks!!!!!!!
#9
I just want to be clear that this pack is a bit different, it is time consuming to use but, you can get some great results. The ease of use issue is why I am releasing it for free. In all other respects, it will be a commercial pack. This means I will update it and keep it current just like all the other packs.
Thanks for everyone's support! It helps lift my spirits to know people are actually using the stuff I make. I sometimes get so busy with stuff that I think my 'projects' just get ignored.
Also, if you are happy with the free stuff or the commercial packs, upload some images of what you are doing! I would LOVE to see what everyone has come up with. In the end, it would help me to see how you are using the stuff and what I could do to make things better, and make packs that help everyone.
Ron
03/17/2013 (9:45 pm)
Thanks everyone, I just want to be clear that this pack is a bit different, it is time consuming to use but, you can get some great results. The ease of use issue is why I am releasing it for free. In all other respects, it will be a commercial pack. This means I will update it and keep it current just like all the other packs.
Thanks for everyone's support! It helps lift my spirits to know people are actually using the stuff I make. I sometimes get so busy with stuff that I think my 'projects' just get ignored.
Also, if you are happy with the free stuff or the commercial packs, upload some images of what you are doing! I would LOVE to see what everyone has come up with. In the end, it would help me to see how you are using the stuff and what I could do to make things better, and make packs that help everyone.
Ron
#10
I should have some pics soon-ish fingers crossed. Where would you like us to upload the pics? Here via show off thread or is there an area on your site?
03/18/2013 (5:27 am)
Ron,I should have some pics soon-ish fingers crossed. Where would you like us to upload the pics? Here via show off thread or is there an area on your site?
#11
you do great work/ from a usable pov - your work can be used almost evrywhere.
Now i havent purchased any of your packs / mainly as am makin the needed assets myself
However 1 thing i would be interested in is your upcoming conifer forest pack (updated version) - especially since it would fit in my current project
and ofc becuase am a total zero when it comes to trees n bushes and well green things.
keep up the great work!
03/18/2013 (10:27 am)
@Ronyou do great work/ from a usable pov - your work can be used almost evrywhere.
Now i havent purchased any of your packs / mainly as am makin the needed assets myself
However 1 thing i would be interested in is your upcoming conifer forest pack (updated version) - especially since it would fit in my current project
and ofc becuase am a total zero when it comes to trees n bushes and well green things.
keep up the great work!
#12
03/21/2013 (10:20 am)
That is awesome! 
#13
05/12/2013 (2:24 pm)
Hows the Cave Pack comeing along :) looking for word to it 
Torque Owner Tim
WinterLeaf Entertainment