Some new seasons for JBsceneryV3 / ETO - progress report

[Frosty]

...Frosty, have you tried the mesh builder budgets.xml?

No, but I think you are hinting at more trees, while I mean different trees. That would require different autogen models, I believe. But thanks anyway!

 

[Daiwilletti]

vonOben,
I really like what you have achieved. it looks great. it certainly seems "integrated", especially when compared to the alternatives. I know what Greycap is saying about ETO. It has some excellent textures yet the final product is a bit mixed (specifically referring to scenery vs terrain tiles). you work will hopefully help to tie in an area of CFS3 which will be greatly improved.

Give the man a beer, no, two!

 

[Daiwilletti]

Looks excellent!!

Q: Is there a way to introduce more trees in the autogen scenery? I mean, most trees are roughly the same height whilst in real life trees all are different.
But I like what I see so far!!

Hi Frosty, yes there are a few different tree models out there. once you add some new .sm files to the Assets folder however, you need to make sure an appropriate texture is included in the assets folder, and other bits i am a bit hazy on. I suspect the texture does not need to be on the scenery sheet, so long as it is referenced in the sceneryobjects xml. I seem to recall seeing an install where there were textures for models that were additional to the textures on the scenerysheet. Maybe it was in MAW?

I've made a point of collecting all the different tree models I can come across (including some from early versions of OFF) and occasionally I throw them into an install, sometimes with funny results but occasionally with good results.

Pat Pattle is the man who is doing a lot of work in this area at the moment and may be able to point you in the direction of some different tree models.

 

[lewis11777]

Hi I've been doing new textures for the trees the last month, using digital photos of real trees. Cheers
vonOben

Von Oben can you please post a pic of the old trees with a pic of the new ones. That would be much better for comparing the improvement. Without the contrast its difficult to fully appreciate your work (good as it is).

 

[Pat Pattle]

while I mean different trees. That would require different autogen models, I believe.

Hi Joost! Klass-O-44 and Johnno UK have very kindly shared their secrets so that we now have the ability to make sm models of our own.
I'd like to see more variation in tree heights too.

I'll take the chance of being looked upon as a nagging killjoy but either the trees need work or the terrain needs work

Any input that creates discussion is good, there's no nagging killjoy about it. If there's anything in particular that you think needs attention please point it out, or have a go at fixing it - there's too few modders in this area.



ps. Per - please check your pm.

 

[Frosty]

Hi Joost! Klass-O-44 and Johnno UK have very kindly shared their secrets so that we now have the ability to make sm models of our own.
I'd like to see more variation in tree heights too...

Hey Clive ,

Yeah, I followed the discussion on the developer's forum from a distance but haven't found the time to delve into it. In fact my CFS3 hours are fairly limited, so I have to content myself (and you) with finishing all the little projects that have been lying around :d before taking up any new ones.
As you know, I started a few tree models to sprinkle around the airfields as the texture flattens the autogen scenery. I have a fairly good idea how the autogen scenery pine tree model is built up but I have yet to discover how that works for the deciduous ones. Have you all found a way to add trees to facilities, other than through object placement. I mean, with the aid of a .lso files etc. (I think it was the .lso anyway)

 

[Pat Pattle]

Have you all found a way to add trees to facilities, other than through object placement. I mean, with the aid of a .lso files etc. (I think it was the .lso anyway)

Nope, this has to be done manually at present. One day we may be able to add airfields etc straight into the scenery in which case the autogen will work. I'm still trying to decide if there's any advantage to it though.

We have Johnnos source model trees, they're on the ftp if you want to have a look at how he did it.

 

[vonOben]

I'll take the chance of being looked upon as a nagging killjoy but either the trees need work or the terrain needs work - now they don't match each other all that well and the end result doesn't look uniform. That's actually an issue for the entire ETO to an extent, some things are made to be photorealistic and vividly coloured but in the end they stick out like sore thumbs because they don't blend in with their surroundings. Oddly enough the grand scheme of things would look better if parts of it looked worse, if you understand what I'm trying to say.

Hi greycap.raf

I very much agree with you!

To achieve a uniform look was my goal when I started this scenery work eight month ago!

I'm sorry that I haven't achieved my goal regarding the trees, not sure what to do to get them to match the terrain better but I'll see if I can make them better!

Thanks for the feedback! :salute:

Much appreciated!

Cheers

vonOben

 

[greycap.raf]

I'm sorry that I haven't achieved my goal regarding the trees, not sure what to do to get them to match the terrain better but I'll see if I can make them better!

I think you have the brighter spring terrain textures hidden somewhere? These new trees would feel a lot more at home over those ones, now it looks like you have the relatively dull late summer terrain tiles (relatively dull is correct for late summer, that's not criticism) but bright green spring trees. They would have to be darker and less saturated, perhaps a bit more brown or yellow in hue, to give that July or August feel already captured by the terrain. Or, as said, the spring terrain tiles could be used.

 

[vonOben]

Hi

I've been doing new textures for the trees the last month, using digital photos of real trees.

ETO Summer preview:

View attachment 53719

View attachment 53718

Cheers

vonOben

Von Oben can you please post a pic of the old trees with a pic of the new ones. That would be much better for comparing the improvement. Without the contrast its difficult to fully appreciate your work (good as it is).

Yes, you are right!

Default trees:

View attachment 53790

Default trees with modified alpha (less transparency)

View attachment 53791

Default trees at higher altitude

View attachment 53792

New trees at same altitude

View attachment 53793

Cheers

vonOben

 

[vonOben]

I think you have the brighter spring terrain textures hidden somewhere? These new trees would feel a lot more at home over those ones, now it looks like you have the relatively dull late summer terrain tiles (relatively dull is correct for late summer, that's not criticism) but bright green spring trees. They would have to be darker and less saturated, perhaps a bit more brown or yellow in hue, to give that July or August feel already captured by the terrain. Or, as said, the spring terrain tiles could be used.

Thanks for sharing your ideas!

Here is the same trees in the spring terrain:


View attachment 53794


One problem is that I'm aiming at using WMScenery to manage the seasonal changes and it has only 4 seasons for the Scenery (ScenerySheet01.dds)
Sum Spring Aut
Sum Spring Win
Sum Spring Win Full
Sum Spring Win Med.

So the textures are always the same in spring and summer and I was hoping to find a compromise that would work fairly well in both spring and summer.

Cheers

vonOben

 

[Snaker]

Hi vonOben -

Just wondering if can share an update on your project with us ??

Thanks

:salute:

 

[vonOben]

Hi Snaker

I’ve been repainting the buildings on the scenery sheet the last month, almost done with that now so I can post some screen shots in the next few days.

Thanks for your interest!

Cheers
vonOben

 

[Daiwilletti]

Oh, yes, please do! I'd love to see the progress of this work!

 

[Snaker]

Hi Snaker

I’ve been repainting the buildings on the scenery sheet the last month, almost done with that now so I can post some screen shots in the next few days.

Thanks for your interest!

Cheers
vonOben

Looking forward to seeing your progress. I think your new scenery tiles in conjunction with WM's scenery manager will be awesome!

 

[vonOben]

Hi
Here are some screenshots from the new scenery sheet and some comparing pics from the old ETO scenery sheet.

New version showing a big building and a factory in the rear:

View attachment 56762

Old version:

View attachment 56763

New version with the big church and damaged buildings:

View attachment 56764

Old version:

View attachment 56765

New version showing the small church:

View attachment 56766

Old version:
　
View attachment 56767

One more pic showing damaged buildings:

View attachment 56768
　
I’ve used some CFS3 textures from the building folder and misc. textures from other games that I’ve adapted for the scenery sheet.
The new version screenshots were taken with the new spring terrain.
The old version screenshots were taken with the summer terrain.

Comments and suggestions are as always very welcome!

Cheers

vonOben

 

[Led Zeppelin]

thanks for the update

 

[Pat Pattle]

Excellent Per, the trees are looking especially good now.

 

[Snaker]

Looking good!! Will the ground have complete snow cover in deep winter when using your tiles ? I remember that being discussed a while back. That would be great for Battle of the Buldge type missions.

 

[vonOben]

Here's a screenshot showing the new winter terrain with most snow:

View attachment 46170

Cheers

vonOben

Hi Snaker

From the first page in this thread: August 17th, 2011, 14:58 #11

Cheers

vonOben