Metche Steel

[m3rc1l3ss]

Could we make them like 20 intersecting sheets instead of just 3?

[Jonas]

lol that wouldn't really look better. Just denser, if you're lucky.

[m3rc1l3ss]

Denser would at least be a bit of an improvement until someone can be found to redo the models.

So, anyway, how exactly would one go about creating a tree in Deus Ex of high quality? I would imagine that you would start with a trunk with branching limbs and just cover them with leaves. Or are we forced to use 2d sheets to create the top part of the tree?

[Jonas]

You'd have to use sheets for the leaves. And obviously not one sheet per leaf, that would be terrible.

[Phasmatis]

Here's a tree I did for TNM, it's using the original tree texture but it should be good for an example.

http://www.offtopicproductions.com/ghos ... xample.rar

Ignore the pink bits that's just because I used an alpha whereas DeusEx uses a mask.
TNM Tree Render

[Jonas]

I suspect the proper-model-trees in DX (there are two of them, and they look a lot like the picture Phas posted) could be fixed simply by putting higher-res textures on them - especially the dirt mound and the trunk.

The intersecting-sheets-trees are a bit more problematic though.

[chris the cynic]

I think trees are a good example of exactly how much better real life looks than anything we see in games. There's much talk about how realistic games are looking as they improve their depictions of human beings, but human beings are relatively simple. Trees are biological fractals.

I'm certainly not saying the Deus Ex trees can't be improved upon, they certainly can. I'm just saying: Four limbs? Twenty digits? Symetry? Trees laugh at these things. Or would if they had lungs.

[Jonas]

Yeah, trees and water are like the two best ways to tell how modern a game is. Does it have reflection and refraction? Then it's modern. Do its trees look like cardboard? Then it's not.

The first thing people notice when looking at TNM screenshots is that the trees look like shit. That's why I'm holding out hope that somebody will manage to upgrade them properly for HDTP.

[Nameless Voice]

What kind of poly count would we be talking about for these trees?

[DanielH93]

I know I don't post here much (I lurk, mostly), but can I make a vague attempt to pull this thread back on track and ask how long will it be? Metche_steel, you mentioned you'ld try and package it up over the weekend? Status report?

[-o< *Prays for a release*

[DDL]

It'll be a tad longer than that, I'm afraid.

There's a considerable degree of final "rounding up of stuff" to do, inevitable tweaking, and then internal testing. Plus we're all getting stretched rather thinly what with having full time jobs and all, plus I'm moving house.

FUNZ

[Jonas]

If TNM is finished before your testing is done, I'll help out

[m3rc1l3ss]

So can we completely do away with the sheet tree model, and replace it with a full 3d model?

[Kee715]

Well HD Trees would be cool, but they are not a necessity, HDTP will be great with or without Trees.

[SHodges]

It'll be a tad longer than that, I'm afraid.

There's a considerable degree of final "rounding up of stuff" to do, inevitable tweaking, and then internal testing. Plus we're all getting stretched rather thinly what with having full time jobs and all, plus I'm moving house.

FUNZ

Do you need any help?