Dark Environment Maps Tips and Tricks

Discussion in 'Halo and Forge Discussion' started by the persister2, Sep 7, 2011.

  1. the persister2

    the persister2 Ancient
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    Heey there Forgehub, nice to see you reading this. ^^

    I'm currently working on a Dark Map, to be precise, a predator map, but a little bit modified, and in the dark.
    Now I wanted my map to be pretty damn Dark, but you know, it's handy to see where you're going, right??

    So, I'm forging at the almost-cave-like-hole near the two waterfalls on Forgeworld. And to add the main Darkness, I've used the FX:
    -Purple
    -Orange
    -New Gen

    Together they create a pretty dark environment without totally blinding the player, but, without a light, it's pretty hard to see where you are going.

    To add some light, I've done the following things:
    -The Orange FX, aside from boosting the darkness, it also emphasizes Gun shots, or explosions, so you emit more light when shooting your gun, aside from wasting ammo on zombies that is.

    -I've created a pretty big Water hole where you can walk and crouch in without dying, you can completely go underwater, and it's perfectly safe, Walls Coloseum placed at a height of 1.4 and horizontally of course. Aside from being super awesome itself, you can hear the water and the Sun of Forgeworld reflects light off it, so it's quite visible.

    -There are currently a couple of surrounding walls, which I'm still working on, but the main part has a hole that let's the sunlight through once again, creating another light.

    -I've used Glass Covers near / in the Water hole, and they tend to reflect light as well, a great resourcefull way of getting light, I suppose.

    -I've also found out that One way shields help out alot as well, although I haven't placed them yet.

    -And of course the Actual lights that are available to you by Forge itself, I haven't placed those yet either.

    Anyway, I started working on this today, and I'm off on a pretty good start, but I'd like to see if anyone can use these tips for their own maps, or has tips for me, to enchance my Predator of Darkness map.

    Oh and if you're wondering, may you ever run into it in the future, the map's called "Your back's" and the gametype will be "Wide Open" (if that's not *blam* of course XD)

    Allright, tell me what do you think, and thx for Reading ;)
     
    #1 the persister2, Sep 7, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2011
  2. MrGreenWithAGun

    MrGreenWithAGun Forerunner
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    I have always wanted to play a game of snipers across the canyon in the dark.
     
  3. Naughty Badger

    Naughty Badger Forerunner
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    Hmm, I always thought the special FX max count was 2. Am I wrong? If so sorry but if not modded maps are not allowed. Just a heads up if I am right and you plan on posting this.
     
  4. Jakisthe

    Jakisthe Forerunner

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    I've gotten up to four when just messing around, but it gave no indication that I couldn't do more. Course, I'd still consider 2 to be a bit much seeing how obscenely expensive they are, but no, there doesn't appear to be a formal limit.
     
  5. MrGreenWithAGun

    MrGreenWithAGun Forerunner
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    I dont know of any limit on the FX...

    I think there are only two lights, but that is because the "lights" objects have a limit of two.
     
    #5 MrGreenWithAGun, Sep 7, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2011
  6. Minister Muffin

    Minister Muffin Forerunner
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    There are 4 FX, and if you use up 4 of one kind, that is a waste because you have 4 IN ALL, not just 4 for each type, like in halo 3 where each object had its own item limit.

    On topic. I've made an infection map with it being pitch black with similar, if not, the same FX as you're using. VERY creepy. Now, one issue I've had with under water platforms is if you crouch, you may reach the kill barrier and die. I hope that's not the case because it's very hard to make an underwater platform where you are underwater and alive whether standing or crouching.
     
  7. WWWilliam

    WWWilliam Forerunner

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    Lights on actual forge world objects could help,

    There is some corner piece(can't remember name shape of a small diamond) which is relatively small and has a good light on the edge which can be used as a light almost anywhere you need and can be rotated to light any direction.
     
  8. Skisma

    Skisma Creative Force
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    This is an ok thread for people wanting to make dark maps. However, you spend half the time advertising your own map rather than focusing on what the title says. It's kind of misleading..

    Is it necessary to constantly talk about your predator map?
     
  9. the persister2

    the persister2 Ancient
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    Allright, let's do an all in one reply:
    -for as far as I know there is a limit of 4, to the Special FX, and 2 to lights, as sometimes insecurely said above.

    I've upgraded that, instead of starting of pitch black, I figured it'd be better to have the effects jump in at certain times, and one more is added:
    - starts with Orange
    - 45 seconds in: Purple spawns
    - 100 seconds in: Next Gen spawns
    - 180 seconds in: Juicy spawns

    Orange + Purple + Next Gen + Juicy seems to be the darkest and creepiest combo to walk around and still be able to see something, just so you know. ;)

    @Minister Muffin: I have placed the Colloseum walls horizontally at a height of 1.4, apparently you're safe weither crouching or standing up straight, but that's the absolute limit, at 1.3 you die, and also going into forge and then going into the water gets you killed as well, the monitor can handle less water. :p

    And sorry to Skisma and the other readers, for the advertising;
    Anyway, I started working on this today
    my Predator of Darkness map.
    Oh and if you're wondering, may you ever run into it in the future, the map's called "Your back's" and the gametype will be "Wide Open" (if that's not *blam* of course XD)

    that was definitely advertising indeed, the other indications like: "I haven't placed them yet" where to tell you I wasn't sure about its effectiveness, just to tell you that.
    But I do still hope it was usefull, but I enjoyed reading your comments, thx for taking your time to post them ^^
     
    #9 the persister2, Sep 8, 2011
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2011
  10. Jakisthe

    Jakisthe Forerunner

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    I got the impression that this was asking for help on a specific map, not that it was meant to be the end all be all discussion of making things darker. I've no problem with the advertising, I mean, if we didn't ask questions which would sometimes be unique to us, how would we best improve? ^_^

    Also, I dont remember much, but to clarify what I said above, I am 100% I've used at least 3 special effects at once.
     
  11. Paranoia UK

    Paranoia UK Ancient
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    Corner peices, when held at the correct angle give off light also. The downside is that the light does not appear until you are close. They are ideal for random dark corridors etc,
     
  12. Waterfall

    Waterfall Forerunner
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    you can get up to four special effects also if you want to make lights on a wall that light up when your get close you can put raliling smalls mediums or larges on the walls to create a nice effect also explosives might help .. different pieces light up say the inside of a large walkway cover and if you turn a landing pad upside down and put it low to the ground it mikes a circle of light that gives a nice spotlight effect. i am an aesthetic forger so i know alot about stuff like this hope this helps let me know how it turnes out.
     
  13. the persister2

    the persister2 Ancient
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    Hey guys, thx for reading all this again, we're way ahead in the future now, and I've long since completed the map. The only problem I'm having right now is that, even though I removed most of the effects aside from the "Orange FX", people keep on telling me that the map is too dark, I simply can't get around it.

    I've completed many maps so far, and as I know how you feel about advertising, let me keep it short. I've got all of these maps, but I'm too nervous to post my maps, as I fear that they would not have a chance up against the featured maps of today. But anyway, I'd like to try it, and inform you guys when I do so, I just want to make sure that everyone in this thread is OK with being messaged about this specific map. I'd really appreciate it. And thx again for all of your support, I put it to good use, I'll release a dark and a none FX variant to solve my issue as well.

    Thank you for your time
    ~The Persister
     
  14. PA1NTS

    PA1NTS Forerunner
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    How to make lit up areas in a dark map:

    step 1: spawn a corner 2x2 from the platforms section.
    step 2: don't flip the object, the light we need is on the top of this object.
    step 3: make sure the corner 2x2 is set to phased. Because you are going to be lowering the object down into the ground.
    step 4: look for areas that need lighting (weapon spawns, dark corners, focal points etc;) and place the corner, 2x2 almost directly below that area.
    step 5: now rotate the object underground to see where the light is aimed.

    You will see now that you have a light coming up from ground that highlights everything above ground in that area. Here's an example. The DMR in this picture is more visible on a lit up brace large..
    [​IMG]
     
    #14 PA1NTS, Mar 5, 2012
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2012

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