Future of maps.

[Counter98]

It is completely possible to render interiors and terrains with the new shadows and shaders. But according to the developers, that would take a long time for a tiny team.


.dts shape maps have been suggested for a long time, but it seems they'd like them to be made of bricks. That's possible too, but it's certainly not a good idea.

One idea is that we can use game-modes to create a unique .dts shape in the shape of the desired map. Gamemode_MapHills would create a unique .dts entity that looks llike a bunch of hills. The main problem with this is that it would be unbuildable unless it has very flat shapes.

The next idea is modular setpieces. It is also a good idea to have bricks like modular terrain, with textures on them, and placing them as public bricks. This idea is the very same I am using to recreate the Bedroom. Like the .dts idea, we can place these in a gamemode as public bricks.

I urge you, mappers, to see the latest update did NOT kill mapping, and to continue the great work you've all done to this game.

[Ad Bot]

[Electrk]

From what I read, .dts shapes would be a horrible idea. Also, making terrain and interiors into bricks is impossible and/or very difficult to do.

Modular terrain bricks seems like the best way to emulate terrain and interiors.

Also, a Bedroom recreation was already made by Demian.

[Counter98]

Also, a Bedroom recreation was already made by Demian.

It's a skybox, not an actual map.

[AQuietBadger]

It's a skybox, not an actual map.

i think he means this

[Electrk]

i think he means this

I do

[[GSF]Ghost]

I think it is possible to convert .dif files into .blb files (possibly by converting them from .dif to .dts, and then editing the .dts file and converting it to .blb), but this could be a problem when setting up the brick grid if the interior is quite large. Although, it's definitely possible to assign various textures to one interior brick with just one print assigned to it (i.e. multiple textures on one print, with proper UV co-ordinates assigned).

Making maps out of modular brick units is probably best; I've experimented with this idea by trying to make a medieval castle using "modular" bricks. It's possible, but very difficult. Some advantages, however, are that it allows for great versatility, allows for completely destructible environments and reduces latency - in contrast to interior (.dif) and shape (.dts) files. You can see examples of maps using modular brick units on my add-ons topic: http://forum.blockland.us/index.php?topic=187620.0 The process of brick making would have to be greatly improved, however; we need a decent brick-making program (that will take care of the brick grid, UV co-ords, normals, collision mesh, etc.).

[Electrk]

The max brick size I think is 128

[[GSF]Ghost]

Yeah, you could define the brick to it's max size and have the actual faces extend past that. As long as the interior brick is aligned properly to the ground plane it should be fine, although it's not a perfect solution. Still, modular brick units are probably the best option.

Edit: Zax did figure out how to convert the Bedroom, Kitchen, Build Platform and Tutorial maps into plantable bricks.

[Crêpe]

wow

[The Corporation]

wow

[Mold]

The max brick size I think is 128

64

Also blockland cannot write a .dts file so forget that

[Ipquarx]

64

Also blockland cannot write a .dts file so forget that

Who said anything about blockland writing the dts file?

[GEN.Fire Bird]

there are some 128s out there.
but they are private.

[Ipquarx]

there are some 128s out there.
but they are private.

I can make a size 99999999

It will appear as a 64, but it's still a 99999999.

[Mold]

Who said anything about blockland writing the DVD file,

In the op at the randomized terrain