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[WIP]Procedural building tools

Discussion in 'Works In Progress - Archive' started by KimNote, Jul 27, 2016.

  1. KimNote

    KimNote

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2016
    Posts:
    2
    Hi,

    I've been working on some editor building tools, initially for my own project, but It's getting to a point where it could be of use to more people than just myself. I created this thread to gather feedback and insight and whether or not I should develop this as an (paying) asset store plugin.

    (NOTE: the art assets are very basic, as I have focused on the technical parts for now. One of the to do's is creating some beautiful showcase examples. Please bear with me for now and look beyond the ugly models.)

    This started of as a way to generate cities, and evolved into a procedural building tool because I dislike the modular approach used in city generators. I am focusing on manual creation and control right now, for artists and level designers, but the generative approach is still possible.


    PBdragging.gif
    PBPolygonShowoff.gif
    PBBlueprint.gif

    (I seem to be hitting some file size barrier here apparently, more to be found in next post)

    The idea is that volumes (blueprints) and building styles (style-sheets) are independent assets, so you could draw layouts for level design and change a whole city style on the fly.
    Almost everything is parametric right now combined with user models ( windows, doors, statues,...).
    Oh and everything that's generated is unwrapped, even the splines/lofts.
    It has decent collision and uses prefabs. So If you have animated doors with triggers on them as a prefab, your building will be instantly interactive.
    There are no overlapping or inner walls. (Room generators are not on the to do list for now)
    You can save blueprints and style-sheets as assets so you can build an entire library of building types in almost no time.
    For now this is all realtime and has no loading times:)
    I have a lot of to do's and features in mind (like generating streets based on splines, can be coupled with other road plugins this way hopefully), but I really want to base them on your feedback.
    If this works out, I'll also make some asset packs to quickly make styles.
    Also note that this is heavy WIP, and I will only be pleased with it once it has a lot more visual complexity for the buildings. The goal is next gen buildings very fast, but enough flexibility for even the lowest poly worlds.

    So whether you might use this for blocking out scenes or actual production, I want to hear your preliminary feedback! I know I'm not giving a whole lot of information, but I want to put my toe in the water before I dive in. Nonetheless, please be serious, I am too.
    Specific questions:
    • What is your first reaction to this?
    • Would you use this in one of your projects? If so, how/why?
    • If not, why not? ( Is there something missing? is this too much from your current workflow...)
    • What would you need to go 100% on this?
    • Would you use this more for high end, or low end projects?
    • What is the workflow you see for this.
    • Do you want to use this more as an artist, programmer, level designer?
    • Would you rather buy asset packs that work with this system or make your own?
    • How about in game adjustments, necessary or nice to have? (I'm thinking light baking issues...)
    • feedback?

    Thanks for reading, I appreciate it!
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2016
  2. KimNote

    KimNote

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2016
    Posts:
    2
    Some more images from my preliminary generation tests.
    Started with these before I started the manual control options.
    Capture16.JPG Captur5.JPG Capture14.JPG Capture23.JPG Medievil.PNG
     
    Teila likes this.
  3. Rexoto-Games

    Rexoto-Games

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2013
    Posts:
    41
    I'm surprised there aren't more replies. I would be very interested in an asset like this it looks like exactly what i will be needing soon. I hope you will continue working on it!
     
  4. neoshaman

    neoshaman

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2011
    Posts:
    6,493
    Look for archimatrix and buildr