Matrix Games Forums

I am building a map of Bleid Belgium (anybody recognize the name?) for a special project... thought you would like to see how this is going together.

I am a 3D animator, so I am using mostly professional tools... although I start in google maps to get the contours and the terrain imaging accurate. These maps are modern, so some research is necessary to age them.. unfortunately precious little is available that is period except for one hand drawn map so I am using most of the modern elements as they do match pretty closely to the description I am working from.

I use COTA's MapMaker to create my height map, then take that into 3DS MAX to create the actual mesh. I will do all of my modelling work in MAX as it is what I work in everyday. I then take the completed model into Milkshape 3D scale it, texture it, and export it to a .x file.

Having some issues with the XML files and Stridor is helping me fix those so no in-game shots yet... meanwhile enjoy this:

Bil

Nice!

Hi Bil,

Very impressive. Thanks for giving us a look.

Regards John

Thanks for sharing that Bil.

THat map looks really good. It looks like there are a few professional folks doing this stuff now.

Rick

That looks really great!! I'm glad there's a pro in the forum!!!

The contour's looks great ... makes me want to add some layers to my Singling map [:)].

Looking forward to your project!

Rob

That makes at least two pros we have here on the forum. Don't forget that Stridor is "Da Man" when it comes to PC maps. [&o]

Good Hunting.

MR

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

That makes at least two pros we have here on the forum. Don't forget that Stridor is "Da Man" when it comes to PC maps. [&o]

Good Hunting.

MR

Oh _ wasn't forgetting him - There's also a guy doing some building mods SAF-Bilda. He and Stridor start talking in one of the threads and I"m lost after the first exchanges. Makes me realize how little I know about this 3D modeling stuff - . But that's ok - I'll still be able to use his buidling when their done and they'll add some nice atmosphere.

I'm also surpirsed Stridor has the patience to "dumb down" his tutorials enough so I can at least make a stab at following them - some folks have a hard time bringing their expertise down to the level that people not in their field can understand - Stridor has been very patient about helping - and abuot looking at freeware tools to do the job, even though he obviously doesn't need them.

Nice group of folks artound here.

Rick

I'm moving slower than Mraah, but here are some in game shots anyway (thanks to Stridor for holding my hand and helping me understand how the XML files work [&o] ).

Enjoy!
Bil

Looking good, Bil!

Looking great!

I'm stuck with my masking work which will bog me down for quite some time.

Rob

Still developing and learning how to mask... most of the darkest green you see here will eventually be forest. I still need to blend the fields in more.. and I reserve the right to change anything you see here [;)]

Enjoy!
Bil

Here are the latest screenshots:

Looking great Bill!

Very nice - Between you and Rob, it looks like Stridor has some help for map making now. (of course all those folks as Koios as well-- although - they should be thinking about moving on to the next release!)

Thanks,
Rick

Very nice work Bil!!! You are quite the artist turning your landscape into a photo realistic image !!

Rob

Bil, that is looking absolutely gorgeous. Great job, can't wait to see the finished result in-game!

I obviously am not trying to build the beat up war torn map that Rob is.. so here is an example of where I am going with the fields note the untilled fields and the fields ripe with wheat (Rob, I borrowed and tweaked your wheat01.dds file for now [;)] ) :

Enjoy!
Bil

Looks good Bil!

Rick

ORIGINAL: Bil H

I obviously am not trying to build the beat up war torn map that Rob is.. so here is an example of where I am going with the fields note the untilled fields and the fields ripe with wheat (Rob, I borrowed and tweaked your wheat01.dds file for now [;)] ) :

Enjoy!
Bil

Excellent !!! Repost your tweaked wheat when you're ready ... I'd like to see it. I was going to make some more variants, like using the grass texture and the winter plowed field with the wheat color, but the variations can be endless. I found out that the only way to get the look I wanted was to make a special DDS too!

Looking good!!

Rob

Sorry its been so long, working on another super secret project (plus real life). Anyway, I have merged the fields better into the terrain plus added the last of my texture masks, this one for the rocky areas (the infantry platoon is setup in one of these rocky areas).

Now, I just need to figure out how to add trees, buildings, bushes, etc... IOW the fun part is finished. [:(]

Bil

ORIGINAL: Bil H

Now, I just need to figure out how to add trees, buildings, bushes, etc... IOW the fun part is finished. [:(]

Bil

Looking good - sounds to me like you've got the hard part done! The trees, building, brush will be a piece of cake for you I"m sure!

Rick