[Map] [PROBLEM] Sun, Lightmaps and Shadows

[gedamial]

Hello guys.

I've always had problems with lights in the Serious Editor. So, I have this map: http://prntscr.com/6lb9s1

As you can see there are a lots models on which the sun should make a shadow.
Following this tutorial -> http://serioussam.com/wiki/index.php...D3/Hello_World

Let's understand what I have to do:

Chapter "Lightmaps and GI Solver" ( http://prntscr.com/6lbb1n )

1st step -> I have to select EVERY model of the map?

FROM 2nd step TO 7th step -> Uhm... I've already done this step when I had to make an UV Map for my textures... Should I re-do the steps typing, this time, "Shadow" instead of "Texture"?

8th step -> Ok... let's do the same with the floor...

10th -> "Select both objects" .... AND WHAT ABOUT ME? Should I select EVERY object in my map? Oh My God...

13rd step -> Should I always type 256?


Here are the steps where I get blocked during this process.

I absolutely need your help =(

Thanks in advance!

[Solais]

1st step: Only the most important ones. Trees and torches, those are not important. Larger structures or the floor, those are important.

2. Yes, you need to make a Shadow uvmap.

3. Actually, you don't need to type anything. Just add Lightmap Ovens to the models, and BEFORE baking the GI with Export Solution on the Bake tab, first click Adjust Lightmap Sizes. This will automatically set the sizes of the lightmaps to the correct one, and then bake the GI.

[gedamial]

Ok. Now I need more info

Originally Posted by Solais

1st step: Only the most important ones. Trees and torches, those are not important. Larger structures or the floor, those are important.

So if you take a look at my screenshot of the map ( http://prntscr.com/6lmntt )
Which are the objects that I've to select? The biggest ones?

Originally Posted by Solais

2. Yes, you need to make a Shadow uvmap.

So I should select EVERY object and then *create new vertex map* ecc...?

Originally Posted by Solais

3. Actually, you don't need to type anything.

But... the tutorials says I have to type 256

[Solais]

1. Most
2. Yes
3. The tutorial only shows an example

[gedamial]

Originally Posted by Solais

1. Most
2. Yes
3. The tutorial only shows an example

Ok, now see how I did

1. I selected every object and gave them a Shadow UV Map ( http://prntscr.com/6ln7ny )
2. Keeping the objects selected, I add to them a LightmapOvenModifier
3. Now, where is the options that you told me ("Adjust Ligthmap Sizes") ? (screen: http://prntscr.com/6lnai5 )

[Solais]

Not there. As I said earlier:

BEFORE baking the GI with Export Solution on the Bake tab, first click Adjust Lightmap Sizes. This will automatically set the sizes of the lightmaps to the correct one, and then bake the GI.

[gedamial]

Originally Posted by Solais

Not there. As I said earlier:

But where is this Bake tab? screen: http://prntscr.com/6lo28x

P.S: is there a way to select every object in the world without select everything manually?

[Solais]

In the World Editor. That's where you bake the GI, don't you? Think a little!

[gedamial]

Originally Posted by Solais

In the World Editor. That's where you bake the GI, don't you? Think a little!

I've never baked the GI xd

Anyway, I did it all and I have this: http://prntscr.com/6lofmb

[Solais]

You didn't bake the GI.

[gedamial]

Originally Posted by Solais

You didn't bake the GI.

I DID!

I clicked this damn button before Alt+G -> http://prntscr.com/6lor0y

[Solais]

Ah, I think I know what's missing, though it IS said in the tutorial: Do you have a Probe Light on the map?

[gedamial]

Originally Posted by Solais

Ah, I think I know what's missing, though it IS said in the tutorial: Do you have a Probe Light on the map?

No. But the Probe Light comes after the LightMapping

[Solais]

Actually no. Probe Light comes before, otherwise the level won't have proper shadows.

[gedamial]

Originally Posted by Solais

Actually no. Probe Light comes before, otherwise the level won't have proper shadows.

I made a video that shows you me making the Lightmap process

Here is the YouTube-Private-Video -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcB_...ature=youtu.be

[Solais]

I can't watch private videos because they are private. I think you want to set it to "unlisted".

[gedamial]

Originally Posted by Solais

I can't watch private videos because they are private. I think you want to set it to "unlisted".

You're right, sorry.

Here we are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcB_kl8VsUM

[Solais]

Put a PostProcessingEffect entity on the map. Then browse the "Default" one (it should be automatically in the PostProcessing folder when you browse it). (Wasn't this in the tutorial? If not, man, it is incomplete.)

The blue tinge seems to come from the color of the sun.

[gedamial]

Originally Posted by Solais

Put a PostProcessingEffect entity on the map. Then browse the "Default" one (it should be automatically in the PostProcessing folder when you browse it). (Wasn't this in the tutorial? If not, man, it is incomplete.)

When I browse, this happens: http://prntscr.com/6m5ar9
Gosh, there are a lot of directories; so, where is the PostProcessing folder?

Originally Posted by Solais

The blue tinge seems to come from the color of the sun.

From the sun or from the Background (skybox)?

[Solais]

Content/SeriousSamHD/Presets/PostProcessing/HDDefault.rsc

Can be both the sun and the background. If you followed that weird tutorial, that means you have a kind of background that's no longer used in the game. I suggest deleting it and just copy-pasting a background from an official map. Make sure that you also copy the tiny "flare" entity inside the background too.

[gedamial]

Originally Posted by Solais

Content/SeriousSamHD/Presets/PostProcessing/HDDefault.rsc

Ok, I did everything and the result is this: http://prntscr.com/6m5ome

Finally, I have no more Light problems... but shadow problems.

As you can see, shadows are too black :S

Originally Posted by Solais

Can be both the sun and the background. If you followed that weird tutorial, that means you have a kind of background that's no longer used in the game. I suggest deleting it and just copy-pasting a background from an official map. Make sure that you also copy the tiny "flare" entity inside the background too.

Hmh, ok let's split this issue. At moment, let me focus on Light/Shadows

[Solais]

Well, I noticed that you selected all your models and gave them a collective Shadow UVmap. I think that's the problem. You have to select each model one-by-one (as in, different models. If you have, for example, a lot of x.mdl, you only have to select one x.mdl), and give them Shadow uvmaps like that.

Now, if all your models are <local>, then that's a problem and they shouldn't be. They should be saved as separate models, because then instead of dozens of local models, the game would only have to load like 10.

[gedamial]

Originally Posted by Solais

Well, I noticed that you selected all your models and gave them a collective Shadow UVmap. I think that's the problem. You have to select each model one-by-one (as in, different models. If you have, for example, a lot of x.mdl, you only have to select one x.mdl), and give them Shadow uvmaps like that.

Oh My GOD! Every single model?

Can you see this fence -> http://prntscr.com/6md1sw ?
It's made of many and little models and I should select them one-by-one????

Originally Posted by Solais

Now, if all your models are <local>, then that's a problem and they shouldn't be. They should be saved as separate models, because then instead of dozens of local models, the game would only have to load like 10.

What do u mean with "local models"? I have my models (and textures) in a folder in the Desktop. So, how to make them un-local (i don't know If it's correct anyway lol) ?

[Solais]

Well, that fence, they are made of copies of a single, saved model, right? If yes, you only have to create the Shadow UVmap for one of those, and all the copies will have them.

[gedamial]

Originally Posted by Solais

Well, that fence, they are made of copies of a single, saved model, right? If yes, you only have to create the Shadow UVmap for one of those, and all the copies will have them.

Uh it's strange but ok, i trust you.

Anyway, when I have to add a LightMapOvenModifier (= http://prntscr.com/6mek9d) should I select EVERY object of the map or one-per-model (just like I'm doing with the shadow vertex map) ?

[Solais]

Every object, because it's something you apply by entity, not by model.

[gedamial]

Originally Posted by Solais

Every object, because it's something you apply by entity, not by model.

Uff but what the ...

screen: http://prntscr.com/6meys7

[Solais]

I don't know what are you doing. Did you add probelight? Did you add the postprocessing entity? Did you bake the gi? I dunno what are you doing.

[gedamial]

Originally Posted by Solais

I don't know what are you doing. Did you add probelight? Did you add the postprocessing entity? Did you bake the gi? I dunno what are you doing.

Before invoking the GI Solver I put a postprocessing effect and adjusted lightmap sizes.

I've not already add a Probe Light, but now I'm gonna.

So, after putting it into the world, is the size 100x100 looking good?

[Solais]

When looking up, you should see "Selection, Selection Fill" at the top of the "screen". Click that and select "Selection ranges". With that, you'll see how big the Probe Light is.