Post edited 12:54 am - Friday, February 3, 2012 by Craig Dias

Hey all,

If this double posts I'm sorry, don't mean to.

Anyways, this is a project I've been working on for a month or two, Japanese Castle. Really like the layouts and balance between nature and architecture. Really sweet.

It's a large project, probably the biggest I've ever done but I'm gonna go for it. Got a good plan laid down so far, so I'm taking my time on making that right first before I go heavy into things. It's taking a bit longer, but I think it'll save a lot of headaches later on.

The two shots at the start are the latest progress I've made. Modular pieces, pretty simple but they all fit nicely and have good scale.

Lots of photos from the start after; I had tried to make a post earlier but for some reason it didn't post up. Again, if this double posts, sorry. ^_^

Thanks all, keeping it all in mind. Well, as much as possible lol.

Don't really have a drawn out concept but I can "feel" it in my head. I know the pieces I need so I figure I'll build the pieces out that I know I'll need, then place later. Since they should fit together, I'm thinking that this should work out. Not having to worry about level design either so I should be all good.

That, and my 2d concepting resemble that of a 5yr old. ^_^

Here's some progress on the foliage. Great tutorial! Took me some time to get it right but it's been well worth it. Figure a few more times and it'll move a lot more smoothly/quickly

Placed some of the grass in UDK but they are not working very well. The curvy edges seem too much like corn stalks or something...gotta get the shapes better with them. Bark texture itself is weak but since these pieces will be the smaller branches I'm not too worried. Should be ok with just making a really nice texture for the trunk and main branches right?

Got a new update, put the tree together. Working on an oak tree next, guess I'm just going to finish out as much of the foliage as I can think of first.

Skybox isn't mine, stock udk

while in between posts there. Hit a snag, started thinking too much; hate when that happens.

Was thinking of baking these out and made a few models but figured that they're so simple that it's not necessary. So using a little NDo for normals. Didn't think about using the space on the texture to create the modular pieces so practiced with that after watching the Modularity vid.

Came out well so far, textures are still pretty bleh. Coming together though, think I've got a better idea what to do with the roof now.

Stone is temp for now, going to use the tex I'll make using high poly bakes.

hey all,

Got more done, getting to the details now. Stoked.

Had to adjust scales again but they are pretty much done with now. Should be good to go...

hopefully. lol

Thanks Paul.

Ya, will be normal mapping it all; no ways that would work in game!! Haha, that would be pretty sweet though...

Just watched the Treasure Chest Videos; damn, should've watched them first! Wasted the weekend really but lesson learned.

Got a quick update, gonna have to really re-work the metal. It's horrible right now.

These tutorials have some great timing, perfectly fitting my task at hand! I'm diggin the coincidences there.

^_^

Thanks Harry.

Unfortunately I think I f*&#ed up the high poly model. Too many silhouette changes between the metal and wood is making for some awful bakes.

Does anyone see a way around this? I don't want to have to redo the model again....argh.

The edges are the real killer, on the planks portion of the door, between the metal beams. I'm thinking that at the 90 degree angle, where the wood meets the metal, the cage is shooting correctly but, because it is has so many small silhouette changes the "metal face" is hitting portions of wood and the "wood face" is hitting portions of the metal. Does that make sense? I've been reading a crap ton of stuff on this and it still seems to evade me....stupid baking.

Bake a cake.

Well, if there is something I can do other than adding a ridiculous amount of points for just one door, I would be very much open to it. Otherwise, I'm going to go play Skyrim then remake the door.

Argh.