Author Topic: Normal Map Update (Read 4665 times)

Mark · « **on:** June 06, 2009, 07:01:59 PM »

Please discuss the new shots posted of our updated normal map rendering here, comments and questions are very welcome.

Original Article

szekeres2008 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 06, 2009, 07:18:06 PM »

This one of the most intresting updates so far, kicks ass!!! That Galaxy class shocked me, the game engine will be very cool.

Jimmy · « **Reply #2 on:** June 06, 2009, 07:26:41 PM »

it is beautiful indeed

Darkthunder · « **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2009, 10:09:00 PM »

No offense to all the great ship models that have been showcased so far, but I have to say this is one of the best updates yet.

Mark · « **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2009, 10:37:26 PM »

none taken, now you can view the ships as they were intended

Poseidon · « **Reply #5 on:** June 06, 2009, 10:45:43 PM »

Stunning work!!! You guys are creating the most realistic Star Trek game to date. The level of detail is truly awe enspiring! Can't wait to take command of this baby!

Jon Deane · « **Reply #6 on:** June 06, 2009, 11:05:11 PM »

These ships look better than they did on the show! All I can say is "Wow"!

Lepton · « **Reply #7 on:** June 06, 2009, 11:36:33 PM »

Dumb question perhaps, but did the problem have more to do with the model format and how it was implemented or was this a problem with the overall graphics engine implementation of normal mapping? Essentially did you have to fix the models or the engine or both? Just curious.

John · « **Reply #8 on:** June 06, 2009, 11:40:18 PM »

It was to-do with how the engine computed the face-tangents for each model. We will have to re-work a few of the normals since they were optimised for the old system.

Michael · « **Reply #9 on:** June 07, 2009, 12:00:03 AM »

Not to mention rewrite the shaders to use Tangent Space lighting calculations, which I'm hard at work doing right now!

Zach · « **Reply #10 on:** June 07, 2009, 12:06:06 AM »

In other words - it WAS a problem with the engine but now that its been fixed, the shaders and textures will have to be tweaked on all ships we have done to date, which isnt actually a big issue as we are revamping all of the ships as they go into the next build of the engine, so we will be fixing all of the shaders and textures soon and it will only take about a week.

Once this is done, our ship updates will look better than ever!

szekeres2008 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 07, 2009, 01:04:29 AM »

And after every major build you need to edit all the textures on all ships?

Zach · « **Reply #12 on:** June 07, 2009, 01:11:48 AM »

Quote from: szekeres2008 on June 07, 2009, 01:04:29 AM

And after every major build you need to edit all the textures on all ships?

Not at all, in fact unless I am gravely mistaken, this should be the last time we need to tweak the textures.

JustJ · « **Reply #13 on:** June 07, 2009, 01:25:33 AM »

Holy Shi...p!
The Galax ship is propably the most awesome rendered Spaceship I've ever seen!
Could we maybe have a video of one flyby of the galaxy class with fixed rendering, I still can't believe those are realtime rendered ships!

Zach · « **Reply #14 on:** June 07, 2009, 01:31:22 AM »

Quote from: JustJ on June 07, 2009, 01:25:33 AM

Holy Shi...p!
The Galax ship is propably the most awesome rendered Spaceship I've ever seen!
Could we maybe have a video of one flyby of the galaxy class with fixed rendering, I still can't believe those are realtime rendered ships!

I could do one now but I'd rather wait for a little while until the textures and shaders have been fixed.

farshot · « **Reply #15 on:** June 07, 2009, 01:37:16 AM »

Everything is so beautiful... Guys, I don't care if you like XI or not, but this project here is what will bring back the Star Trek gaming community.

MLeo · « **Reply #16 on:** June 07, 2009, 01:49:36 AM »

Quote from: szekeres2008 on June 07, 2009, 01:04:29 AM

And after every major build you need to edit all the textures on all ships?

Nah... We just need to because some of the models were created to work around the problem that is now fixed.

stunbmun · « **Reply #17 on:** June 07, 2009, 07:39:26 AM »

This is amazing work!

It is also an example of how doing the little things well makes for a great game.

I keep wanting to reach into the screen and touch the Enterprise

Einherjar · « **Reply #18 on:** June 07, 2009, 09:06:38 AM »

Excellent!

Zach · « **Reply #19 on:** June 07, 2009, 05:28:28 PM »

Quote from: stunbmun on June 07, 2009, 07:39:26 AM

I keep wanting to reach into the screen and touch the Enterprise

Okay....but please note that if you do, the Excalibur Team cannot accept any liabilty or blame for any electrocution you may recieve in doing so.

I'm sure you understand.