Questions and Answers 3D (read the first post before asking a question)

[Graf]

Is anyone working on specular lighting and targeting contours?

Do you mean something like that?

[Johnnybravo]

I don't know, would be better notable in motion.
But yeah, this looks much better even it's a little overdone.

Every metalic and ceramic surface will need it however to look like original sprites, and I'm not exactly sure right now, but I think that ambient should be toned down significaly.

[Lexx]

At least the enclave power armor will need it to look less like made of generic metal and more like made of some high-tech material.

[pistacja]

Will that work with per pixel lights, a bloom effect or some hybrid (render the scene to a off screen buffer with only specular and combine with the rest)?

Shaders are needed for that and that is a big change in the minimum hardware needed.

...if shaders would be employed then why stop here? Normal and paralax bump mapping, soft shadows, qube maps, volumetric lights, SSAO GI, SSS... or maybe not?

[Johnnybravo]

Nah you just add view direction to light direction (both are static infact, so this is not even needed right now, but i'd not be surprised if dynamic lights appeared on models anytime soon) and dotproduct it with normal.
You'll then pass it to PS and multiply either specular texture or just white with it.

[Haraldx]

Normal and paralax bump mapping...

Stopped reading here. Bump mapping is evil!!! It eats very much of your computer resources, it requires a whole lot of time to code in, it won't be noticabble on such small models, and it would be easier to actually make that small bump in the model itself, as it would require less computer resources and wouldn't take so long. Besides, bump mapping needs other shader features, it cannot work if there is no specual lighting for example. NO, NO and a huge NO again!

[Johnnybravo]

Stopped reading here. Bump mapping is evil!!! It eats very much of your computer resources, it requires a whole lot of time to code in, it won't be noticabble on such small models, and it would be easier to actually make that small bump in the model itself, as it would require less computer resources and wouldn't take so long. Besides, bump mapping needs other shader features, it cannot work if there is no specual lighting for example. NO, NO and a huge NO again!

No it does not. And TBH normals should be made for PA/APA, because they can really make a difference there. Deathclaw and other big critters might have it as well. And it'd definetly be must-have for supermutants if they are in 3D, because of their skin requiring so.
You can easily make 2 shaders here so switching wouldn't be problem at all.

on such small models

Actually, the effect is done for every pixel, so obviously less pixels there are the faster it is.

[Lexx]

Our target is to make the models look like their original 2d paragons, nothing more. We don't aim for Crysis-like graphics.

[SIGISMUND]

I was thinking about 3D eviorments...does the engine support this? To make the game completly like van burren

[Lexx]

I was thinking about 3D eviorments...does the engine support this?

Yes, the engine does support this. But we aren't going to add 3d scenery.

[LagMaster]

Yes, the engine does support this. But we aren't going to add 3d scenery.

because it will probably be a hell lot Laggy

but in anycase, we can make 3D deco with UDK, no?

[Lexx]

because it will probably be a hell lot Laggy

No. Because it will most likely not look like the original game.

[Haraldx]

UDK?

Just to make sure you make your facts right.
UDK stands for Unreal Developement Kit, namely for Unreal Engine 3.
SDK stands for Software (sometimes Server) Developement Kit, namely for FOnline and hell lot of other stuff.

[Crazy]

IIRC Lagmaster use Udk to make his 3D models.

[Haraldx]

IIRC Lagmaster use Udk to make his 3D models.

Been with him on Skype, using screen share, never seen him use it, I've seen him using 3DMax tho... Well, I think it was 3DMax...