Creating skybox images using modelling tools

Questions about models, making models and problems with models
User avatar
xandaxs
Posts: 959
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 5:22 pm
Location: Oeiras, Portugal

Re: Creating skybox images using modelling tools

Post by xandaxs »

How did it go?
[12:25] <JohnnyEnglish> morning Nounou
[12:25] <JohnnyEnglish> wotcha doing?
[12:25] <Nounou> hello
[12:26] <Nounou> nothing much, i've nothing to do at work so
[12:26] <Nounou> modeling woman
[12:26] <JohnnyEnglish> woo
[12:26] <JohnnyEnglish> real women?
[12:26] <Nounou> realistic yes, on maya

Image

User avatar
johnnyenglish
Space cake
Posts: 898
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:23 am
Location: Nottingham, England

Re: Creating skybox images using modelling tools

Post by johnnyenglish »

Um - well. Let me explain what I'm trying to do.

I have this model

stadium.png


It's a max model. I'm thinking if I place a camera at the center of the model I can make ft, bk, up, dn, lf, rt images for the skybox - this means I can have the inside of a stadium without using any brushes.

My problem is that at least in max I'm struggling to get the correct camera settings so that skybox is correct, I get a lot of overlap.

User avatar
Rayne
Site Admin
Posts: 624
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 5:22 pm

Re: Creating skybox images using modelling tools

Post by Rayne »

Place the camera at head height, turn angle snapping on and rotate in 90 degrees increments. I think it should work.

User avatar
Rayne
Site Admin
Posts: 624
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 5:22 pm

Re: Creating skybox images using modelling tools

Post by Rayne »

oh and BTW CGskies is a pile of shit, their terms of use forbid bundling the sky image with a 3D model or a scene, this automatically extends to maps.

User avatar
johnnyenglish
Space cake
Posts: 898
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:23 am
Location: Nottingham, England

Re: Creating skybox images using modelling tools

Post by johnnyenglish »

I got it working and it lines up pretty much spot on horizontally, the real key was to set fov to 90 as well as the snap.

This method really does make it possible to render some amazing skies.

User avatar
xandaxs
Posts: 959
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 5:22 pm
Location: Oeiras, Portugal

Re: Creating skybox images using modelling tools

Post by xandaxs »

if you're not going to use that stadium I'd liek to make a fun map in it :D
[12:25] <JohnnyEnglish> morning Nounou
[12:25] <JohnnyEnglish> wotcha doing?
[12:25] <Nounou> hello
[12:26] <Nounou> nothing much, i've nothing to do at work so
[12:26] <Nounou> modeling woman
[12:26] <JohnnyEnglish> woo
[12:26] <JohnnyEnglish> real women?
[12:26] <Nounou> realistic yes, on maya

Image

User avatar
johnnyenglish
Space cake
Posts: 898
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:23 am
Location: Nottingham, England

Re: Creating skybox images using modelling tools

Post by johnnyenglish »

Its a max model xandaxs, I can send you the link, it's a free model and in 3ds format.

I've since found a better one and check this out...

stadium.png


Here's the model in max, it's rough and I added a quick spotlight, rendered 5 images (I didnt make a down) and looky what I got...



It's not brilliant at the moment but with nice lighting and banners and signs and better textures it's going to look better. This is a really nice way to create complex skyboxes.

EDIT - same model after a little texturing and better lighting


User avatar
johnnyenglish
Space cake
Posts: 898
Joined: Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:23 am
Location: Nottingham, England

Re: Creating skybox images using modelling tools

Post by johnnyenglish »

I've documented and added this technique to mcwiki - I'd use it.

How to make a sky using 3dsmax

Post Reply