A better shader for UDK

BARDLER

I am super underwhelmed by the default dif/spec/gloss/norm shader in UDK for my scene. It probably has to do with all this physically based stuff and next generation that just makes it look meh. I do not know enough about shaders to construct what I want, but basically I want higher quality spec and gloss, if that makes sense. Something that blends with a cubemap would probably be ideal or just adds a little extra pop to the default shader options.

I know about Lee's physically based shader for UDK but that wont work for what I am doing here unfortunately. Any links to cool looking custom shaders would be much appreciated.

AlanSMitchell

http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125738
I tried a PBM and as you can see people set me straight.
I would be interested to see if anyone way smarter than I posts an amazing shader here though.

ZacD

http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124934

BARDLER

Yea I know about Lee's shader, but I do not think its going to work for me the way it is. I made a post in his thread to see if I can get what I want out of it.

Froyok

A good start would be to keep the Lambert shading with a Blinn specular. That's could a good start without killing your performances with PBL shaders.

http://oliverm-h.blogspot.de/2012/02/how-to-use-blinn-specular-for-ue3.html

mAlkAv!An

I've made a collection of several lighting models for the UDK (including .upk download) some time ago. Perhaps this is of some help for you:
http://forums.epicgames.com/threads/956378-Custom-Lighting-Model-Materials-%28diffuse-specular-reflectance%29

Fingus

Well, specifically what kind of look are you striving for? Can you show us some examples?

"Better" doesn't really say much.

BARDLER

Fingus wrote: »

Well, specifically what kind of look are you striving for? Can you show us some examples?

"Better" doesn't really say much.

Better in the sense of the way it handles gloss. I have been using Skyshop for the new project I am working on and it just looks a million times better compared to UDKs default spec/gloss. Unfortunately Unity's lighting is still awful so that is why I want to use UDK for my personal project still. If I can get Lee's shader trimmed down and be able to plug in a spec map then I can use it. I am going to try mAlkAv!An shaders and see what I come up with.

Thanks everybody.

Fingus

Well a big part of Skyshop's gorgeous material definition is how the gloss value influences the blurriness of the cubemap reflections. It's possible to do this in UDK with a fairly simple material hack. You'll need DX11 though.

http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1767412

Also, if you want to get close to the Skyshop look you could also use your cubemap for ambient lighting with some custom lighting wizardry. TheMetaMorphe posts a good approach to that in the linked thread a bit further down. https://dl.dropbox.com/u/1812933/UDK/Cubemap_03b.jpg