Virtual Darkness - Revision history

Peter spy: Deleted section on virtual ambient light as this is no longer relevant.

2020-12-11T07:39:36Z

Deleted section on virtual ambient light as this is no longer relevant.

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:39, 11 December 2020
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	Other local ambient lights can be used to produce highlights, mood, or any purpose the mapper can imagine so can be any brightness.		Other local ambient lights can be used to produce highlights, mood, or any purpose the mapper can imagine so can be any brightness.

	~~==Virtual Ambient Light==~~

	All lights in Dark Mod are dynamic, real-time, having the potential to vary in-game and cast shadows. Naturally this affects performance and having too many lights close together is likely to reduce frame rates so care must be taken. This applies to the main ambient light too which naturally covers all surfaces.

	To improve performance on some low-end systems, Dark Mod textures can simulate the main ambient light. This feature pre-calculates how much textures should be illuminated once only instead of continuously during gameplay. Players can select either method so those with faster machines can use the true ambient light which gives better quality.

Bikerdude: /* Ambient Light */

2011-07-25T23:02:56Z

Ambient Light

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:02, 25 July 2011
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	The main ambient light '''ambient_world''' illuminates the player like a regular light. If you're using the recommended '''low level of 6''', there should only be a negligible effect. The AI characters will not see the player too easily, the lightgem will provide a bonus for crouching, and thus complete darkness is simulated without blinding the player.		The main ambient light '''ambient_world''' illuminates the player like a regular light. If you're using the recommended '''low level of 6''', there should only be a negligible effect. The AI characters will not see the player too easily, the lightgem will provide a bonus for crouching, and thus complete darkness is simulated without blinding the player.

	Mappers are not bound to an ambient_world of 6 though, higher settings are possible. Settings of 7 or 8 are not all that visually different from a setting of 6 to the player though, so a player might find that the AI are reacting too quickly, and spotting the player far too easily...even though it feels like they are lit the same as they were in the previous mission with a 6 ambient_world. In these cases, a '''~~lightgem_offset~~''' can be ~~placed on a~~ piece of '''worldspawn''' to offset the lightgem and bring balance back to the gameplay. For an '''ambient_world''' setting of 7, a ~~lightgem_offset~~ setting of '''-1''' should be sufficient. For ambient_world of 8, a ~~lightgem_offset~~ of '''-1.5'''. If a mapper wanted to go as high as an ambient_world of 9, a ~~lightgem_offset~~ of -2 would be required. Ambient_world of 10 and above should not be offset as this is entering a realm where the brightness is not believable for hiding.		Mappers are not bound to an ambient_world of 6 though, higher settings are possible. Settings of 7 or 8 are not all that visually different from a setting of 6 to the player though, so a player might find that the AI are reacting too quickly, and spotting the player far too easily...even though it feels like they are lit the same as they were in the previous mission with a 6 ambient_world. In these cases, the arg '''lightgem_adjust''' can be applied to any piece of '''worldspawn''' to offset the lightgem and bring balance back to the gameplay. For an '''ambient_world''' setting of 7, a lightgem_adjust setting of '''-1''' should be sufficient. For ambient_world of 8, a lightgem_adjust of '''-1.5'''. If a mapper wanted to go as high as an ambient_world of 9, a lightgem_adjust of -2 would be required. Ambient_world of 10 and above should not be offset as this is entering a realm where the brightness is not believable for hiding.

	Other local ambient lights can be used to produce highlights, mood, or any purpose the mapper can imagine so can be any brightness.		Other local ambient lights can be used to produce highlights, mood, or any purpose the mapper can imagine so can be any brightness.

Bikerdude: /* Ambient Light */

2011-07-25T13:00:25Z

Ambient Light

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:00, 25 July 2011
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	The main ambient light '''ambient_world''' illuminates the player like a regular light. If you're using the recommended '''low level of 6''', there should only be a negligible effect. The AI characters will not see the player too easily, the lightgem will provide a bonus for crouching, and thus complete darkness is simulated without blinding the player.		The main ambient light '''ambient_world''' illuminates the player like a regular light. If you're using the recommended '''low level of 6''', there should only be a negligible effect. The AI characters will not see the player too easily, the lightgem will provide a bonus for crouching, and thus complete darkness is simulated without blinding the player.

	Mappers are not bound to an ambient_world of 6 though, higher settings are possible. Settings of 7 or 8 are not all that visually different from a setting of 6 to the player though, so a player might find that the AI are reacting too quickly, and spotting the player far too easily...even though it feels like they are lit the same as they were in the previous mission with a 6 ambient_world. In these cases, a '''lightgem_offset''' can be placed on a piece of '''worldspawn''' to offset the lightgem and bring balance back to the gameplay. For an '''ambient_world''' setting of 7, a ~~lightgem_adjust seting~~ of '''-1''' should be sufficient. For ambient_world of 8, a ~~lightgem_adjust~~ of '''-1.5'''. If a mapper wanted to go as high as an ambient_world of 9, a ~~lightgem_adjust~~ of -2 would be required. Ambient_world of 10 and above should not be offset as this is entering a realm where the brightness is not believable for hiding.		Mappers are not bound to an ambient_world of 6 though, higher settings are possible. Settings of 7 or 8 are not all that visually different from a setting of 6 to the player though, so a player might find that the AI are reacting too quickly, and spotting the player far too easily...even though it feels like they are lit the same as they were in the previous mission with a 6 ambient_world. In these cases, a '''lightgem_offset''' can be placed on a piece of '''worldspawn''' to offset the lightgem and bring balance back to the gameplay. For an '''ambient_world''' setting of 7, a lightgem_offset setting of '''-1''' should be sufficient. For ambient_world of 8, a lightgem_offset of '''-1.5'''. If a mapper wanted to go as high as an ambient_world of 9, a lightgem_offset of -2 would be required. Ambient_world of 10 and above should not be offset as this is entering a realm where the brightness is not believable for hiding.

	Other local ambient lights can be used to produce highlights, mood, or any purpose the mapper can imagine so can be any brightness.		Other local ambient lights can be used to produce highlights, mood, or any purpose the mapper can imagine so can be any brightness.

Nbohr1more: /* See also */

2011-04-13T20:37:58Z

New Horizon: /* Ambient Light */

2011-04-12T16:08:16Z

Ambient Light

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:08, 12 April 2011
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	Unlike normal lights, ambient light does not by default fade to the edge of its radius but is the same constant brightness throughout. Rich variation of fading or patterning can be introduced with a light texture. For general use, ambientLightnfo is recommended as it has no patterning and so its brightness is consistent throughout its volume. Regard it as the one to use by default.		Unlike normal lights, ambient light does not by default fade to the edge of its radius but is the same constant brightness throughout. Rich variation of fading or patterning can be introduced with a light texture. For general use, ambientLightnfo is recommended as it has no patterning and so its brightness is consistent throughout its volume. Regard it as the one to use by default.

	The main ambient light (ambient_world)illuminates the player like a regular light. If you're using the recommended low level of 6, there should only be a negligible effect. The AI characters ~~should~~ not see the player ~~very~~ easily, the lightgem ~~should still~~ provide a bonus for crouching, and thus complete darkness is simulated without blinding the player.		The main ambient light '''ambient_world''' illuminates the player like a regular light. If you're using the recommended '''low level of 6''', there should only be a negligible effect. The AI characters will not see the player too easily, the lightgem will provide a bonus for crouching, and thus complete darkness is simulated without blinding the player.

	Mappers are not bound to an ambient_world of 6~~...~~higher settings are possible~~, but when using settings~~ of 7, 8, ~~or 9~~ a ~~mapper~~ might find that the AI are reacting too quickly, and spotting the player far too easily. In these cases, a lightgem_offset can be placed on a piece of worldspawn to offset the lightgem and balance the gameplay. For an ambient_world setting of 7, a lightgem_adjust seting of -1 should be sufficient. For ambient_world of 8, a lightgem_adjust of -1.5~~, and finally for~~ ambient_world of 9, a lightgem_adjust of -2. Ambient_world of 10 and above should not be offset as this is entering a realm where the brightness is not believable.		Mappers are not bound to an ambient_world of 6 though, higher settings are possible. Settings of 7 or 8 are not all that visually different from a setting of 6 to the player though, so a player might find that the AI are reacting too quickly, and spotting the player far too easily...even though it feels like they are lit the same as they were in the previous mission with a 6 ambient_world. In these cases, a '''lightgem_offset''' can be placed on a piece of '''worldspawn''' to offset the lightgem and bring balance back to the gameplay. For an '''ambient_world''' setting of 7, a lightgem_adjust seting of '''-1''' should be sufficient. For ambient_world of 8, a lightgem_adjust of '''-1.5'''. If a mapper wanted to go as high as an ambient_world of 9, a lightgem_adjust of -2 would be required. Ambient_world of 10 and above should not be offset as this is entering a realm where the brightness is not believable for hiding.

	Other local ambient lights can be used to produce highlights, mood, or any purpose the mapper can imagine so can be any brightness.		Other local ambient lights can be used to produce highlights, mood, or any purpose the mapper can imagine so can be any brightness.

New Horizon: /* Ambient Light */

2011-04-12T14:07:53Z

Ambient Light

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:07, 12 April 2011
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	==Ambient Light==		==Ambient Light==

	The main ambient light does illuminate the player but if kept to the recommended low levels (5,6, 7, or 8) this should a negligible amount in which AI characters cannot see the player and thus represents complete darkness without blinding the player. If you find that an ambient_world level of 6 or 7 is causing higher alerts than you care for in your map, then set a lightgem_adjust on a piece of worldspawn to offset the ambient_world by a small amount. A seting of -1 should be sufficient.

	Unlike normal lights, ambient light does not by default fade to the edge of its radius but is the same constant brightness throughout. Rich variation of fading or patterning can be introduced with a light texture. For general use, ambientLightnfo is recommended as it has no patterning and so its brightness is consistent throughout its volume. Regard it as the one to use by default.		Unlike normal lights, ambient light does not by default fade to the edge of its radius but is the same constant brightness throughout. Rich variation of fading or patterning can be introduced with a light texture. For general use, ambientLightnfo is recommended as it has no patterning and so its brightness is consistent throughout its volume. Regard it as the one to use by default.

			The main ambient light (ambient_world)illuminates the player like a regular light. If you're using the recommended low level of 6, there should only be a negligible effect. The AI characters should not see the player very easily, the lightgem should still provide a bonus for crouching, and thus complete darkness is simulated without blinding the player.

			Mappers are not bound to an ambient_world of 6...higher settings are possible, but when using settings of 7, 8, or 9 a mapper might find that the AI are reacting too quickly, and spotting the player far too easily. In these cases, a lightgem_offset can be placed on a piece of worldspawn to offset the lightgem and balance the gameplay. For an ambient_world setting of 7, a lightgem_adjust seting of -1 should be sufficient. For ambient_world of 8, a lightgem_adjust of -1.5, and finally for ambient_world of 9, a lightgem_adjust of -2. Ambient_world of 10 and above should not be offset as this is entering a realm where the brightness is not believable.

	Other local ambient lights can be used to produce highlights, mood, or any purpose the mapper can imagine so can be any brightness.		Other local ambient lights can be used to produce highlights, mood, or any purpose the mapper can imagine so can be any brightness.

New Horizon: /* Ambient Light */

2011-04-11T21:36:55Z

Ambient Light

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:36, 11 April 2011
Line 18:		Line 18:
	==Ambient Light==		==Ambient Light==

	The main ambient light does illuminate the player but if kept to the recommended low levels (6, 7, or 8) this is a negligible amount in which AI characters cannot see the player and thus represents complete darkness without blinding the player.		The main ambient light does illuminate the player but if kept to the recommended low levels (5,6, 7, or 8) this should a negligible amount in which AI characters cannot see the player and thus represents complete darkness without blinding the player. If you find that an ambient_world level of 6 or 7 is causing higher alerts than you care for in your map, then set a lightgem_adjust on a piece of worldspawn to offset the ambient_world by a small amount. A seting of -1 should be sufficient.

	Unlike normal lights, ambient light does not by default fade to the edge of its radius but is the same constant brightness throughout. Rich variation of fading or patterning can be introduced with a light texture. For general use, ambientLightnfo is recommended as it has no patterning and so its brightness is consistent throughout its volume. Regard it as the one to use by default.		Unlike normal lights, ambient light does not by default fade to the edge of its radius but is the same constant brightness throughout. Rich variation of fading or patterning can be introduced with a light texture. For general use, ambientLightnfo is recommended as it has no patterning and so its brightness is consistent throughout its volume. Regard it as the one to use by default.

New Horizon: /* Ambient Light */

2009-10-11T21:41:20Z

Ambient Light

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:41, 11 October 2009
Line 18:		Line 18:
	==Ambient Light==		==Ambient Light==

	The main ambient light does illuminate the player but if kept to the recommended low ~~level~~ this is a negligible amount in which AI characters cannot see the player and thus represents complete darkness without blinding the player. Sometimes it may be necessary to use more ambient than another level and in turn brighten the lightgem more than it should in what is supposed to be total darkness. In this case adjust your light gem with tdm_lg_adjust in the console, try small increments of -.05, or -.04...just until the lightgem is barely lit while standing. Once you've settled on your lightgem setting for total darkness, add lightgem_adjust to the worldspawn entity in your map.		The main ambient light does illuminate the player but if kept to the recommended low levels (6, 7, or 8) this is a negligible amount in which AI characters cannot see the player and thus represents complete darkness without blinding the player.

	Unlike normal lights, ambient light does not by default fade to the edge of its radius but is the same constant brightness throughout. Rich variation of fading or patterning can be introduced with a light texture. For general use, ambientLightnfo is recommended as it has no patterning and so its brightness is consistent throughout its volume. Regard it as the one to use by default.		Unlike normal lights, ambient light does not by default fade to the edge of its radius but is the same constant brightness throughout. Rich variation of fading or patterning can be introduced with a light texture. For general use, ambientLightnfo is recommended as it has no patterning and so its brightness is consistent throughout its volume. Regard it as the one to use by default.

New Horizon: /* Ambient Light */

2009-10-02T22:24:43Z

Ambient Light

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:24, 2 October 2009
Line 18:		Line 18:
	==Ambient Light==		==Ambient Light==

	The main ambient light does illuminate the player but if kept to the recommended low level this is a negligible amount in which AI characters cannot see the player and thus represents complete darkness without blinding the player.		The main ambient light does illuminate the player but if kept to the recommended low level this is a negligible amount in which AI characters cannot see the player and thus represents complete darkness without blinding the player. Sometimes it may be necessary to use more ambient than another level and in turn brighten the lightgem more than it should in what is supposed to be total darkness. In this case adjust your light gem with tdm_lg_adjust in the console, try small increments of -.05, or -.04...just until the lightgem is barely lit while standing. Once you've settled on your lightgem setting for total darkness, add lightgem_adjust to the worldspawn entity in your map.

	Unlike normal lights, ambient light does not by default fade to the edge of its radius but is the same constant brightness throughout. Rich variation of fading or patterning can be introduced with a light texture. For general use, ambientLightnfo is recommended as it has no patterning and so its brightness is consistent throughout its volume. Regard it as the one to use by default.		Unlike normal lights, ambient light does not by default fade to the edge of its radius but is the same constant brightness throughout. Rich variation of fading or patterning can be introduced with a light texture. For general use, ambientLightnfo is recommended as it has no patterning and so its brightness is consistent throughout its volume. Regard it as the one to use by default.

	Other local ambient lights can be used to produce highlights, mood, or any purpose the mapper can imagine so can be any brightness.		Other local ambient lights can be used to produce highlights, mood, or any purpose the mapper can imagine so can be any brightness.


	==Virtual Ambient Light==		==Virtual Ambient Light==

Tels: link to new system

2009-07-21T09:53:33Z

link to new system

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:53, 21 July 2009
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	''written by Fidcal''		''written by Fidcal''

			'''Note:''' The '''[[Location Settings]]''' article shows you an easy-to-use and general system to get different ambient light levels and colors for each location/zone the player is in. Since this system also covers different ambient sounds and script calls at zone boundaries, you should really use it.

			This article here is just a general introduction into "ambient light settings".

	==Introduction==		==Introduction==

	Being a stealth game system and as its name implies, most Dark Mod missions will take place at night and require darkness as cover. Generally, absolute blackness is unpopular in this type of game and is not recommended. It can make navigation difficult, uncomfortable, and gives an impoverished visual display. Instead, very low ambient light is used to represent blackness. We call this virtual darkness. This main ambient light should not be so dark that the player cannot make out some detail of nearby surfaces textures. Yet because it represents complete darkness It should not be so light that it seems strange that in-game characters cannot see you (see later.)		Being a stealth game system and as its name implies, most Dark Mod missions will take place at night and require darkness as cover. Generally, absolute blackness is unpopular in this type of game and is not recommended. It can make navigation difficult, uncomfortable, and gives an impoverished visual display. Instead, very low ambient light is used to represent blackness. We call this virtual darkness. This main ambient light should not be so dark that the player cannot make out some detail of nearby surfaces textures. Yet because it represents complete darkness it should not be so light that it seems strange that in-game characters cannot see you (see later.)

	Ambient light can be coloured to provide atmosphere and realism depending on the environment.		Ambient light can be coloured to provide atmosphere and realism depending on the environment.
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	Note: Some special materials have a background texture plus detail that is only visible with a real ambient light, for example, darkmod/stone/sculpted/corpse. The mapper can place normal lights or local ambient light for those surfaces where possible or leave them with their background texture.		Note: Some special materials have a background texture plus detail that is only visible with a real ambient light, for example, darkmod/stone/sculpted/corpse. The mapper can place normal lights or local ambient light for those surfaces where possible or leave them with their background texture.

			== See also ==

			* The [[Location Settings]] article.

	{{tutorial-lighting}}		{{tutorial-lighting}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:37, 13 April 2011
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	{{tutorial-lighting}}		{{tutorial-lighting}}

			[[Category:Ambient Light]]