The biggest problem I've noticed is getting the atmosphere right.. what I've learned is that the right way to go about forging is totally assaboutface from the way you are (*I am - bias noted!) inclined to do it. It's so easy just jump in with a layout and a theme and then have a ****ing mess on your hands, much like with relationships, as you try and bend the canvas and skybox to your paint.. such a frustrating process, but the lesson has been learned.
If you want to pull off a believable theme in H5 Forge then you need to pick a subject that can be done with minimal detail. It's nice having a very detailed map but if you pick subject matter that is nothing but detail then your map is gonna burn out. That is why I enjoy adding more natural terrain to my maps because it gives more flex when you run into a man/alien made structure. Natural terrain runs into this same problem though because you are still limited to natural areas that are generally empty spaces. We really only have just enough objects to get a theme going but not a belivable one. H5 Forge is pretty much a demo version of a map editor.
Natural lighting first Then layout and framing Then art and aesthetic detail Unless you're going to chromabox it or ignore how the map is lit, natural lighting needs to be done first before you attempt a theme. Even when it's chromaboxed, the canvas's shadows have to be paid attention to. Chromaboxing on glacier and parallax is different than barrens and tidal. Hopefully Halo 6 is more professional about this and allows us to change skybox, canvas, lighting, foliage, and all of that later like we're supposed to.
mfw in alpine and mfw i would have to restart file because mfw i need to change lighting angle but mfw canvas ceiling is too low to build above map and mfw terrain.bitmap looks bad anywhere else
Our foliage/vegetation options are infuriatingly limited. 343 really needs to look at the Far Cry series and how they handle terrain building/lighting/foliage.
If we just had a texture/overlay system with the trees itd be nice. Texture=season Overlay=blooms (flower, moss, etc.) EDIT: and winter folliage needs a leafless option!!!
Honestly not even sure why the winter versions of the the acacia trees have leaves. I would think Tom French would know that acacia trees are deciduous, therefore lose their leaves during winter. The other trees are fine however since they are coniferous, so they dont lose anything during the winter. So acacia trees would really be the only trees that should be able to change color, since they are the only deciduous tree in the game. Man 343 really needs to check their science am I right guys /s
Go on to any map made in the Farcry Editor and turn off 'Show Vegetation'. This is a great example of how lacking Halo 5 is, because essentially all Halo 5 terrain is as if the 'Show Vegetation" option is set to off. If you've used the Farcry Editor, then you know how much the foliage options can make a map. Halo 5's forge was a great step in the right direction, but it still has a long way to go until it can be considered a respectable map creator. Plus, and this could just be me, but everything still has a fake plasticy look to it
https://www.forgehub.com/threads/halo-6-wishlist.156298/ Don't forget about this little gem for keeping our ideas in one place. I can neither confirm nor deny that 343 has seen it already