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Realtime mesh deformation on plane (via heightmaps?)

Discussion in 'Scripting' started by suctioncup, Mar 13, 2016.

  1. suctioncup

    suctioncup

    Joined:
    May 19, 2012
    Posts:
    273
    Hello!

    a large part of the graphics for my game revolve around sand. I don't need true 'physical' sand, but I would like it to be interactable. A good example is Journey - the sand looks amazing, and it deforms when the player runs over it.

    I read a blog post by the developer, and when the player moves it affects a heightmap, which is then applied to the surface underneath the player.
    I understand how heightmaps are used and edited for terrains, but how do I efficiently create/edit one during runtime? Is there a way to do this without shaders (I haven't done much work there before), or would I need to do that?

    Thanks in advance.