Skybox Tutorial - Revision history

Geep: /* See Also */

2025-05-10T19:31:46Z

Geep: /* Rendering the Scenery */

2025-05-10T19:30:21Z

Rendering the Scenery

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:30, 10 May 2025
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	Set all detail knobs you can find to maximum (Rendering Control -> Render Settings, Rendering Control -> Detail). Set image size to 960x960. This is the maximum resolution you'll get from the free version. Double check your camera settings. Is the camera in the correct position? Does it capture the scenery details you want? Is the camera height from the surface correct? I used 6m for the plains skybox in picture 3. '''Check the camera ZOOM in Camera Settings: if this is any other than 1.0 your skybox will not align correctly (it defaults to 1.4 so change it!)'''		Set all detail knobs you can find to maximum (Rendering Control -> Render Settings, Rendering Control -> Detail). Set image size to 960x960. This is the maximum resolution you'll get from the free version. Double check your camera settings. Is the camera in the correct position? Does it capture the scenery details you want? Is the camera height from the surface correct? I used 6m for the plains skybox in picture 3. '''Check the camera ZOOM in Camera Settings: if this is any other than 1.0 your skybox will not align correctly (it defaults to 1.4 so change it!)'''

	''Terragen 2+ evidently would use "FOV 90" instead of Zoom, [[https://forums.thedarkmod.com/index.php?/topic/9082-newbie-darkradiant-questions/page/130/#findComment-309011 says post by someTaff.]]''		''Terragen 2+ evidently would use "FOV 90" instead of Zoom, [https://forums.thedarkmod.com/index.php?/topic/9082-newbie-darkradiant-questions/page/130/#findComment-309011 says post by someTaff.]''

	Then capture the images.		Then capture the images.

Geep: Added "See Also", comment about FOV 90 under "Rendering..."

2025-05-10T19:28:44Z

Added "See Also", comment about FOV 90 under "Rendering..."

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:28, 10 May 2025
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	Now that you know how to see what you've created, you need to try to select the parameters so that you'll get close the kind of scenery you want (plains with distant mountains or barren mountain range). Hold your mouse above the settings (Realism, Smoothing, etc) to see what each parameters does. Experiment until you get something close what you want. The closer you get with the parameters, the easier the sculpting phase is.		Now that you know how to see what you've created, you need to try to select the parameters so that you'll get close the kind of scenery you want (plains with distant mountains or barren mountain range). Hold your mouse above the settings (Realism, Smoothing, etc) to see what each parameters does. Experiment until you get something close what you want. The closer you get with the parameters, the easier the sculpting phase is.
	== Sculpting the Scenery ==		== Sculpting the Scenery ==
	When you're close with the scenery you want, save it so you can start from where you were is something goes wrong. ~~Lanscape~~ Window -> Terrain -> Save. Now we will sculpt the map. Click the topology map on the Landscape window. Now you can sculpt the scene with the Basic Sculpting Tool. Raise a mountain, remove a mountain, smoothen the plains and add a pit with smooth edges for a lake, or make a river.		When you're close with the scenery you want, save it so you can start from where you were is something goes wrong. Landscape Window -> Terrain -> Save. Now we will sculpt the map. Click the topology map on the Landscape window. Now you can sculpt the scene with the Basic Sculpting Tool. Raise a mountain, remove a mountain, smoothen the plains and add a pit with smooth edges for a lake, or make a river.
	== Water, Surface and Skies ==		== Water, Surface and Skies ==
	Next we set the water level. Click the water-button on the left. Set the water level and press update maps. You'll see light blue colors in areas with water. Set the levels so that you've realistic looking sea. Sculpt shores to be gently sloping.		Next we set the water level. Click the water-button on the left. Set the water level and press update maps. You'll see light blue colors in areas with water. Set the levels so that you've realistic looking sea. Sculpt shores to be gently sloping.
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	Then we set the surface. In the landscape window there is Surface Map -section. Select open and try to pick up the kind of terrain textures you need. For plains "grass and sand" is just fine. For others you probably need to create your own surface map. I cannot help with this at this time.		Then we set the surface. In the landscape window there is Surface Map -section. Select open and try to pick up the kind of terrain textures you need. For plains "grass and sand" is just fine. For others you probably need to create your own surface map. I cannot help with this at this time.

	You can edit the ~~skies~~ clouds by selecting the Clouds button on the left and set the ambience haze from the atmosphere button on the left.		You can edit the sky's clouds by selecting the Clouds button on the left and set the ambience haze from the atmosphere button on the left.
	== Buildings? ==		== Buildings? ==
	''Geep 2025 comments:''		''Geep 2025 comments:''

	Terragen 4 and its predecessors have no native way to create buildings. One approach, before capturing the skybox cubemap:		Terragen 4 and its predecessors have no native way to create distant buildings. One approach, before capturing the skybox cubemap:
	* Acquire such open-source assets in one of the Terragen object import formats (.obj, .lwo, .tgo). To import, see TerraTuts' "Terragen 4 Basics" series, particularly [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj0VdxEL7bQ "Importing a Single 3D Object"] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc1tyruEwKM "Positioning a Single 3D Object".]		* Acquire such open-source assets in one of the Terragen object import formats (.obj, .lwo, .tgo). To import, see TerraTuts' "Terragen 4 Basics" series, particularly [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj0VdxEL7bQ "Importing a Single 3D Object"] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc1tyruEwKM "Positioning a Single 3D Object".]
	* Or use a tool like Blender to build your own model of building(s).		* Or use a tool like Blender to build your own model of building(s).
			An advantage is that the building and landscape will share lighting, so match easily.

	Alternatively, after cubemap texture capture, create miniatures in DR to add to your skybox, discussed under "Creating the Skybox" below.		Alternatively, after cubemap texture capture, create miniatures in DR to add near the walls of your skybox, discussed under "Creating the Skybox" below.
	== Lighting ==		== Lighting ==
	Finally we set the lighting conditions with the button on the left. Since TDM is a sneaking game you probably want to set the sun below the horizon. Maybe the mission occurs at midnight? Or just after sunset? Set the sun appropriately. Check the rendering preview. It probably looks too bright with the sun gone, so decrease Shadow Lightness (located in Lighting Conditions -> Background Light). If you end up in pitch black scenery, increase the Exposure time in Rendering Control -> Camera Settings.		Finally we set the lighting conditions with the button on the left. Since TDM is a sneaking game you probably want to set the sun below the horizon. Maybe the mission occurs at midnight? Or just after sunset? Set the sun appropriately. Check the rendering preview. It probably looks too bright with the sun gone, so decrease Shadow Lightness (located in Lighting Conditions -> Background Light). If you end up in pitch black scenery, increase the Exposure time in Rendering Control -> Camera Settings.
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	When you have everything the way you want we can proceed to the image capture phase. DOUBLE CHECK your work with the Render Image -button in every direction with low detail settings so everything looks good. Once the images have been captured you need to capture everything again if you notice something unpleasing in the resulting work.		When you have everything the way you want we can proceed to the image capture phase. DOUBLE CHECK your work with the Render Image -button in every direction with low detail settings so everything looks good. Once the images have been captured you need to capture everything again if you notice something unpleasing in the resulting work.

	Set all detail knobs you can find to maximum (Rendering Control -> Render Settings, Rendering Control -> Detail). Set image size to 960x960. This is the maximum resolution you'll get from the free version. Double check your camera settings. Is the camera in the correct position? Does it capture the scenery details you want? Is the camera height from the surface correct? I used 6m for the plains skybox in picture 3. '''Check the camera ZOOM in Camera Settings: if this is any other than 1.0 your skybox will not align correctly (it defaults to 1.4 so change it!)''' Then capture the images.		Set all detail knobs you can find to maximum (Rendering Control -> Render Settings, Rendering Control -> Detail). Set image size to 960x960. This is the maximum resolution you'll get from the free version. Double check your camera settings. Is the camera in the correct position? Does it capture the scenery details you want? Is the camera height from the surface correct? I used 6m for the plains skybox in picture 3. '''Check the camera ZOOM in Camera Settings: if this is any other than 1.0 your skybox will not align correctly (it defaults to 1.4 so change it!)'''

			''Terragen 2+ evidently would use "FOV 90" instead of Zoom, [[https://forums.thedarkmod.com/index.php?/topic/9082-newbie-darkradiant-questions/page/130/#findComment-309011 says post by someTaff.]]''

			Then capture the images.
	*Set Camera orientation: head 0, pitch 0, bank 0		*Set Camera orientation: head 0, pitch 0, bank 0
	*Render image and save it as yoursky_'''forward'''.bmp		*Render image and save it as yoursky_'''forward'''.bmp
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	This concludes the tutorial and you should now be able to create your very own scenery! Go forth and create!		This concludes the tutorial and you should now be able to create your very own scenery! Go forth and create!
			== See Also ==
			* [[Skybox Basic Details]] has more about using the standard prefab tdm_sky_starry1.pfb. But of pertinence here, it touches on inside-skybox lighting considerations. There is also a quick backgrounder on using a skybox best in TDM.
			* Besides the projected terrain of the sky box, there is world-scale terrain within TDM itself. Generally, this is not created with Terragen-like tools, but by hand-building DR patches. Some terrain may be inaccessible, outside city walls; this can present visportalling and performance challenges. Accessible terrain will need additional work for path finding. For more: [[Systematic Method for Adding Pathfinding to Uneven Terrain]], [[Pathfinding]], [[Roads]].
	{{tutorial-editing}}		{{tutorial-editing}}
	[[Category:Skybox]]		[[Category:Skybox]]

Geep: Add Buildings? section

2025-05-08T16:07:34Z

Add Buildings? section

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:07, 8 May 2025
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	You can edit the skies clouds by selecting the Clouds button on the left and set the ambience haze from the atmosphere button on the left.		You can edit the skies clouds by selecting the Clouds button on the left and set the ambience haze from the atmosphere button on the left.
			== Buildings? ==
			''Geep 2025 comments:''

			Terragen 4 and its predecessors have no native way to create buildings. One approach, before capturing the skybox cubemap:
			* Acquire such open-source assets in one of the Terragen object import formats (.obj, .lwo, .tgo). To import, see TerraTuts' "Terragen 4 Basics" series, particularly [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj0VdxEL7bQ "Importing a Single 3D Object"] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc1tyruEwKM "Positioning a Single 3D Object".]
			* Or use a tool like Blender to build your own model of building(s).

			Alternatively, after cubemap texture capture, create miniatures in DR to add to your skybox, discussed under "Creating the Skybox" below.
	== Lighting ==		== Lighting ==
	Finally we set the lighting conditions with the button on the left. Since TDM is a sneaking game you probably want to set the sun below the horizon. Maybe the mission occurs at midnight? Or just after sunset? Set the sun appropriately. Check the rendering preview. It probably looks too bright with the sun gone, so decrease Shadow Lightness (located in Lighting Conditions -> Background Light). If you end up in pitch black scenery, increase the Exposure time in Rendering Control -> Camera Settings.		Finally we set the lighting conditions with the button on the left. Since TDM is a sneaking game you probably want to set the sun below the horizon. Maybe the mission occurs at midnight? Or just after sunset? Set the sun appropriately. Check the rendering preview. It probably looks too bright with the sun gone, so decrease Shadow Lightness (located in Lighting Conditions -> Background Light). If you end up in pitch black scenery, increase the Exposure time in Rendering Control -> Camera Settings.

Geep: /* Preparing */

2025-05-07T17:32:38Z

Preparing

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:32, 7 May 2025
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	== Preparing ==		== Preparing ==
	*Get aquainted with the basic idea what we are going to do. https://modwiki.dhewm3.org/Cube_maps		*Get aquainted with the basic idea what we are going to do. https://modwiki.dhewm3.org/Cube_maps
	*Download and install Terragen. ''[Geep comments in 2025: The original (16-bit?) version of free Terragen for which this tutorial was written is no longer available from vendor planetside.co.uk. Instead now offered is a [https://planetside.co.uk/free-downloads/terragen-4-free-download/ free version of Terragen 4.] Video tutorials about Terragen 4 are available. In particular, within the 12-part ~~tutorial~~ by Vladimir Chopine [GeekatPlay], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A4mrkVLs88 part 3 discusses skyboxes.] If anyone tries Terragen 4 for TDM, please update ~~this~~ tutorial as needed.]''		*Download and install Terragen. ''[Geep comments in 2025: The original (16-bit?) version of free Terragen for which this tutorial was written is no longer available from vendor planetside.co.uk. Instead now offered is a [https://planetside.co.uk/free-downloads/terragen-4-free-download/ free version of Terragen 4.] Video tutorials about Terragen 4 are available. In particular, within the 12-part series by Vladimir Chopine [GeekatPlay], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A4mrkVLs88 part 3 discusses skyboxes.] If anyone tries Terragen 4 for TDM, please update our tutorial here as needed.]''

	== Basic Scenery Building ==		== Basic Scenery Building ==

Geep: /* Preparing */ comment about Terragen 4

2025-05-07T17:30:31Z

Preparing: comment about Terragen 4

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:30, 7 May 2025
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	== Preparing ==		== Preparing ==
	*Get aquainted with the basic idea what we are going to do. https://modwiki.dhewm3.org/Cube_maps		*Get aquainted with the basic idea what we are going to do. https://modwiki.dhewm3.org/Cube_maps
	*Download and install Terragen. ~~http~~://~~www.~~planetside.co.uk/~~content~~/~~view~~/16/28/		*Download and install Terragen. ''[Geep comments in 2025: The original (16-bit?) version of free Terragen for which this tutorial was written is no longer available from vendor planetside.co.uk. Instead now offered is a [https://planetside.co.uk/free-downloads/terragen-4-free-download/ free version of Terragen 4.] Video tutorials about Terragen 4 are available. In particular, within the 12-part tutorial by Vladimir Chopine [GeekatPlay], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A4mrkVLs88 part 3 discusses skyboxes.] If anyone tries Terragen 4 for TDM, please update this tutorial as needed.]''

	== Basic Scenery Building ==		== Basic Scenery Building ==

Datiswous: /* Rotating the Skybox */ fixed link

2024-11-20T01:09:41Z

Rotating the Skybox: fixed link

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:09, 20 November 2024
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	== Rotating the Skybox ==		== Rotating the Skybox ==
	If your compass shows that north is not in the correct direction you can rotate the info_portalsky. This is not a good solution, since this changes the north of the map. Objects in the skybox north won't be in game world north. It might get really confusing to make changes in the skybox later if you take this path. To maintain consistency, you should rotate the skybox instead. It is done as follows:		If your compass shows that north is not in the correct direction you can rotate the info_portalsky. This is not a good solution, since this changes the north of the map. Objects in the skybox north won't be in game world north. It might get really confusing to make changes in the skybox later if you take this path. To maintain consistency, you should rotate the skybox instead. It is done as follows:
	*Check the cubemap picture here for reference: [~~http~~://~~www~~.~~modwiki~~.~~net/wiki~~/Cube_maps]. Basically we are going nudge each direction file one slot leftwise.		*Check the cubemap picture here for reference: [https://modwiki.dhewm3.org/Cube_maps]. Basically we are going nudge each direction file one slot leftwise.
	*Cut your skybox files to a temporary safe folder. Copy your _up.tga and _down.tga files back to the env/custom -folder. I'll talk only in shorthand form. "_up.tga" means "yoursky_up.tga"		*Cut your skybox files to a temporary safe folder. Copy your _up.tga and _down.tga files back to the env/custom -folder. I'll talk only in shorthand form. "_up.tga" means "yoursky_up.tga"
	*Copy _forward.tga back to your env/custom/ folder. Rename it to _left.		*Copy _forward.tga back to your env/custom/ folder. Rename it to _left.

Thebigh: /* Creating the Skybox */ -typo

2023-01-01T04:32:46Z

Creating the Skybox: -typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:32, 1 January 2023
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	Create somewhere away from your main map a box shaped room with the texture you created. Place an entity info_portalsky exactly in the middle of the room. Now all the surfaces with the portal_sky textures show the contents of the info_portalsky room. Now you add details to your skybox by adding buildings in the small info_portalsky -room you created. You will notice that you have to make small toy-houses and place them just slightly below the info_portalsky and next to the wall in the skybox -room. See picture 3 to see a suggested setup. Notice the position and orientation of the moon slab, the size scale of the buildings and the position of the info_portalsky.		Create somewhere away from your main map a box shaped room with the texture you created. Place an entity info_portalsky exactly in the middle of the room. Now all the surfaces with the portal_sky textures show the contents of the info_portalsky room. Now you add details to your skybox by adding buildings in the small info_portalsky -room you created. You will notice that you have to make small toy-houses and place them just slightly below the info_portalsky and next to the wall in the skybox -room. See picture 3 to see a suggested setup. Notice the position and orientation of the moon slab, the size scale of the buildings and the position of the info_portalsky.
	[[Image:Skybox_tutorial_skybox.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|right\|Picture 2]]		[[Image:Skybox_tutorial_skybox.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|right\|Picture 2]]
	Add light source to make the buildings bathe in moonlight. Create moon itself: add a simple square ~~bursh~~ with nodraw on all sides. Rotate the brush so that it's wide face is pointed straight towards the info_portalsky. To this face add the moon texture and FIT it there with surface inspector. Add more buildings and details. You'll get a decent illusion of distant structures (see picture 3). You can also add particle effects which show in the sky portals as well. Important note: if you have a sunset in your skybox, go ingame and check the compass if the sunset is in an incorrect direction. You can remedy this by a) turn the sky texture or b) rotate the info_portalsky entity. Also check that your moon's light side is pointed towards the sunset.		Add light source to make the buildings bathe in moonlight. Create the moon itself: add a simple square brush with nodraw on all sides. Rotate the brush so that it's wide face is pointed straight towards the info_portalsky. To this face add the moon texture and FIT it there with surface inspector. Add more buildings and details. You'll get a decent illusion of distant structures (see picture 3). You can also add particle effects which show in the sky portals as well. Important note: if you have a sunset in your skybox, go ingame and check the compass if the sunset is in an incorrect direction. You can remedy this by a) turn the sky texture or b) rotate the info_portalsky entity. Also check that your moon's light side is pointed towards the sunset.
	[[Image:Skybox_tutorial_result.png\|200px\|thumb\|right\|Picture 3. Zoom in to see night-time details.]]		[[Image:Skybox_tutorial_result.png\|200px\|thumb\|right\|Picture 3. Zoom in to see night-time details.]]

Thebigh: /* Create Material */ typo

2023-01-01T03:35:45Z

Create Material: typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:35, 1 January 2023
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	== Create Material ==		== Create Material ==
	Create a material file for ~~you~~ sky in folder darkmod\materials. Create a text file called Customskies.mtr. Fill in the following		Create a material file for your sky in folder darkmod\materials. Create a text file called Customskies.mtr. Fill in the following
	textures/skies/custom/yoursky		textures/skies/custom/yoursky
	{		{

Datiswous: /* Preparing */ Fixed link to cube maps info

2022-04-07T13:54:52Z

Preparing: Fixed link to cube maps info

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:54, 7 April 2022
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	== Preparing ==		== Preparing ==
	*Get aquainted with the basic idea what we are going to do. ~~http~~://~~web~~.~~archive~~.org~~/web/20080607193940/http://www.modwiki.net/wiki~~/Cube_maps		*Get aquainted with the basic idea what we are going to do. https://modwiki.dhewm3.org/Cube_maps
	*Download and install Terragen. http://www.planetside.co.uk/content/view/16/28/		*Download and install Terragen. http://www.planetside.co.uk/content/view/16/28/

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:31, 10 May 2025
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	== See Also ==		== See Also ==
	* [[Skybox Basic Details]] has more about using the standard prefab tdm_sky_starry1.pfb. But of pertinence here, it touches on inside-skybox lighting considerations. There is also a quick backgrounder on using a skybox best in TDM.		* [[Skybox Basic Details]] has more about using the standard prefab tdm_sky_starry1.pfb. But of pertinence here, it touches on inside-skybox lighting considerations. There is also a quick backgrounder on using a skybox best in TDM.
	* Besides the projected terrain of the sky box, there is world-scale terrain within TDM itself. Generally, this is not created with Terragen-like tools, but by hand-building DR patches. Some terrain may be inaccessible, outside city walls; this can present visportalling and performance challenges. Accessible terrain will need additional work for path finding. For more: [[Systematic Method for Adding Pathfinding to Uneven Terrain]], [[Pathfinding]], [[Roads]].		* Besides the projected terrain of the sky box, there is world-scale terrain within TDM itself. Generally, this is not created with Terragen-like tools, but by hand-building DR patches. Some terrain may be inaccessible, outside city walls; this can present visportalling and performance challenges. Accessible terrain will need additional work for path finding. For more: [[Systematic Method for Adding Pathfinding to Uneven Terrain]]; [[Pathfinding]]; [[Roads]].
	{{tutorial-editing}}		{{tutorial-editing}}
	[[Category:Skybox]]		[[Category:Skybox]]