Need a skybox tutorial | Forums

[Scremin_Memes]

Okay, I have a very nice looking snowy mountain map created, but only one problem. The mountains are only ~250m high (according to Sandbox, lol, they look shorter) I am wanting to put in a skybox with towering mountains to surround the level so it looks more like a remote mountainous region. I fiddled around but can't seem to get my skybox added to the pak files right. I created a dds (a few actually, copying the originals in a new folder - box_5.dds, box_12.dds, box_34.dds all in textures/skys/mountains within the textures.pak file.) The original image was scaled to 512x768 then saved as a dds file with no mipmap and DXT5 in Photoshop CS. I also opened up the skybox shader info withing the environment tab in Sandbox, did an external edit, copied the 18_pier field and pasted it. Renamed the shader 19_Mountain and changed the tag to direct to Skys_Mountains_Box from Skys_Pier_Box. OK, the 19_Mountain selection appears for Skyboxes, but when I select it it only shows the ReplaceMe texture for the skybox.

Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? It would be really helpful if someone could point me to a tutorial. AEon I read the FAQ but it only shows how to change a model skin. You mention being able to change SkyBox skins, but stop at mentioning it. I know it is probably the same basic principle (I followed as closely to the FAQ as I could before it became impossible due to different paths/mipmap settings, etc.) Thanks in advance.

[Scremin_Memes]

OK... now I am thinking I have the wrong pak file. I tested this theory by deleting c:\program files\ubisoft\FarCry\FCData\textures.pak

This included the pier files in the textures.pak file.

However, I loaded up Sandbox and opened my map and sure enough, all the skyboxes are still available. How can this be if I deleted them. Do I have the wrong pak file or what?

[ionized420]

Ill do some research on this myself, ill post if I have an answer 4 you.

[Scremin_Memes]

OK... I found another textures.pak file in the root FarCry directory (not in FCData.) I have used terragen to generate some nice snowy mountain images. To make a long story short I figured out most of what I need to know. I have a full 360 degree skybox around my level (I will post some images shortly.) My only problem now is how to get the top of the skybox to match the edges (i.e. the top [box_5.dds] does not correctly line up with the sides [box_12.dds and box_34.dds.] I know what the problem is tho, when I render in Terragen with the camera pointing straight up it doesn't show all the sky up to where it would meet with the top edges of the sides. I have to zoom out and figure out where to go from there.

I will be writing a tutorial for this as well when I have some time. Also making some Terragen images for my mars map (i.e. lots of dusty mountains - and is that Olympus Mons in the distance?)

[Scremin_Memes]

OK here are some screenies. You can really see the problem with the sky on the last one.






Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

[ionized420]

a nice tutorial is needed 4 sure. Your images didnt show for me, and what your doing sounds very very cool with mars and all.

[kmcrobb]

I am really looking forward to your write-up. I did quite a lot of work with skyboxes and never got any real satisfaction, certainly nothing as good as your mountain ranges. Of course this means that I can't help much with your 5.dds problem...

But I would sure like to know how to solve that, as it would directly apply to some of my own skybox needs having to do with the Halo ring...

<span class="ev_code_RED">tomatoes</span>
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Scremin_Memes:
OK here are some screenies. You can really see the problem with the sky on the last one.

http://www.imageshack.us
http://www.imageshack.us
http://www.imageshack.us
http://www.imageshack.us

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[CrisG]

did you ever solve the sky box merging sky problem? I would love to do skyboxes for FC but am working on other parts of my map right now so would love to hear any info you might have on the skybox question...thanks