Real-time atmospheric effects - cloud shadows

This looks awesome on my landscapes.

People should use it more - forget bloom (bloom is bent).

Cloud shadows, that's what makes people go 'Ooooh!'.

Imagine the shadows in this picture moving across the landscape.


I want to see more people implementing this method - it is cool and I like it.

EDIT:
The picture isn't my landscape - it's just for example.

how about making the gameplay first and implementing the "ooooh!" later?

It's motivating.

It looks totally cool.

Could always just fudge it with an alpha'd shadow map that moves along the terrain at the same speed of the clouds above, it's how Zelda:Twilight Princess does it. ;/

You gotta say though, it really does bring things to life, otherwise the only thing that affects the lighting outside is static shadows from the placed-geometry, and the day-night/cycle if there's even one.

I TextureBlend my cloud shadows onto the landscape.


Clouds do this too. You can be standing under a blanket of cloud - in shadow. In the distance there may be a gap in the clouds where the sun can shine through and light up the land - coz the sunlight is always on.

I'm implementing that too.

Actually, I just noticed this also works for making it look like dust is blowing across the surface of a landscape - ie sand across a desert - or maybe snow particles across a snowy/icy terrain.

*breath sucked out by total coolness of screenshot*

..that feature is included in upcoming 3D platformer we are working on as well as volume clouds..

Yes, that's called "outdoors."
I don't think it will ever get released, though. I've been waiting for it longer than DNF!

Picklesworth,

not meaning to hijack this thread, but I'm afraid you may have been looking the other way when this was released...

Vue 6 - looks just like that screenie (not in realtime though)

http://www.e-onsoftware.com/

The best place to get blown away is here:
http://www.e-onsoftware.com/showcase/?page=gallery

And they are giving away a personal learning edition, madness! (get it now)

IPete2.

Um, its a photo.

For a simple solution i would go for a cookie light texture attached to a light which you move...

Puki - "I TextureBlend my cloud shadows onto the landscape."

I tried this today, and found (at least in my prog) that the effect was simply of large patches of terrain lighting and darkening, no real cloud delineation - quite irritating actually. I think the user would say "It keeps going light then dark, why is that?".

So you just crack the method and I'll just wait here for your code snippet, and the media of course.

Aha, but the greyscale intensity of the cloud map makes all of the difference - you don't necessarily use the exact same cloud texture for both the visual sky clouds and their corresponding shadows.

Too true.
I can see that you know what you're talking about.
On you go.
I'll wait here.

I'm well ahead of you lot.

Like a brazen slug, with a pint in one hand and a sausage in the other, I lead my pack of maggots (you lot).

I am the greatest, there is nobody close to me. I am the only interesting Blitzer - nobody comes close - nobody - it's almost like I am the only Blitzer in the world.

Err.. go on then - show us something.

BTW, I'm still waiting here.
You've had 4 hours.
What's the problem?

Cloud shadows by Godfrey Chinchen

Oh, I get it - you are after the code and media.

Well, "puki" is too smart for that little trick - I'm a smart slug.

I am the greatest.

Damn! And I thought that was an example of Puki's work!

It is. Its stolen. Like everything else of Puki's.

(stolen from the BBC website, in this case).

Does that mean he pinches clothes from other peoples washing lines?

I bet he does and ends up looking like this, lol:-



EDIT: I've just noticed that nice bum to the left of the idiot in the picture... very nice! :)

Dabz

Well, in fairness, I used the picture to show what I was referring too - with the quote of 'Imagine the shadows in this picture moving across the landscape'.

That's effictively what I am doing.

The effect looks cool.

My god - is that what Puki looks like????
That explains everything.

hey where do you get the chav pictures from?
my wife likes to laugh at them

I'm 'street'.

Check-it.

Try http://www.chavscum.co.uk

I was looking for a hobo 'til I remembered you guys call butts bums.

You Europeans sure love your fanny packs.

Yep, I meant nice butt, tramps do nothing for me BTW... Honest! ;D

Dabz

Notice how this thread started with a technical question, moved on to insulting Puki, and finally degenerated into sex.

This site is getting predictable.

Part of the blame rests on you.

I see no question!

Puki wouldn't feel loved otherwise.

I am the greatest.

My cloud shadows are the greatest - my dust/smoke effects are beyond awesome.

Blitzers should be interesting like me.

Where the screenshots of your "awesome" cloud shadows/effects?

There's nothing to show - you need to implement the method.

This can only be appreciated whilst moving - a screenshot won't show the effect.

The blended texture(s) move via 'PositionTexture' and a coordinate variable that is shifting the position.

Then what are you on about your "awesome effects" when you haven't anything to show? What did you do just think up the idea?