Game Development Community

Shadow Speed Problem?

by Ken Searle · in Torque Game Engine · 10/25/2004 (10:26 pm) · 23 replies

I am having an odd speed problem with Shadows, but can't quite figure out why. If anyone can explain or has ideas that would be appreciated.

Here is what happens.

When I add 1 Roman style Column (15.24 meters high) on a new mission terrain, it takes about 15-17 seconds to do a one time render of the shadow onto the terrain. When I add 6 more Columns the total render time is only about 30 seconds. I can deal with that since it is only once.

Now starting over with no Columns, I add a single large platform as its own object instance 50x50x10 meters which uses the default gray castle wall texture. Adding 1 Column on it, the render time of the shadow onto the platform is also about 15-17 seconds, but when I add the other 6 Columns on top of the platform, it takes over 5 minutes to render the shadows on the platform.

When all the renders are done the shadows look very nice, but I can't afford 5 minutes for 6 Columns when my completed area would have about 400+ Columns on the platform. I have to find another way.

If I can't figure it out, I am thinking of turning off Shadows while I am working and then let them render over night.

Anyone have an idea of why this happens what I could do? Thanks.
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#21
10/30/2004 (3:07 am)
Need to be sure you're understanding the difference between static and dynamic shadows. There is not really any way to change the baked shadow quality. The lighting process takes so long, and that's it. Dynamic shadows are easy to tweak, as they're constantly recalculated.

Can you post some screenshots of your problems?

Do you have the latest drivers?

Things will go more slowly on an oldish system like that!
#22
10/30/2004 (2:10 pm)
@Ben Garney
It was not clear when I started this thread, but thanks for the clarification. That is what I am finding also with all my tests. I have a better understanding of the system now and have concluded it is time to upgrade my system.

Thanks everyone!
#23
10/30/2004 (3:38 pm)
Let us know if new hardware helps things perform better. :)
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