Floating Islands

Mythran

Hey all,

How would one archieve a result like this using Unity?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCtBiaYDJzc

It seems the rocks and the dirt have been pretty well blended, could it have been vertex paint or with one map
a result like this can be archieved for big islands?
Wich workflow could allow me to do something similar but won't take too long?

I've searched for online courses/tutorials but found none...

Thanks

cromadbomber

It looks like vertex painting.

Eric Chadwick

Here's one way to do it.
http://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2490402/#Comment_2490402

Mythran

Thank you very much.
From what i understand vertex paint is the way. That is a very nice work.
So basicaly it is impossible to to big objects without having seams showing up, right?
I was trying vertex paint, but where the seams meet the texture mismatch...
I was looking into world space vertex paint as this seems to be the most probable way, but it also needs triplanar...
Does this makes sense?

Eric Chadwick

Big objects. I had no problems.

You need to show pictures if you want answers.

Mythran

Well i want to do a big floating island as one single object.
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/5bw0O <-- Like this one or the one from UDK video.
But the problem is that, if unwrap is done the texture and detail quality is always going to be low in an object this size.
On the other hand while i was trying vertex paint the seams keep showing up...

Eric Chadwick

Make sure you're using tiled textures, and that your UVs are (mostly) seamless. 

Mythran

What do you mean by seamless UV's?

Eric Chadwick

When you make UVs.for the ground, use as few seams as possible. Cut the UVs in hidden areas. Relax the UVs to minimize distortions. Design the ground mesh so you have grooves or other areas where you can hide the UV seams.

Mythran

but supposedely with vertex paint there shouldn't be the need to care about seams.
https://www.assetstore.unity3d.com/en/#!/content/538 <-- with this tool they say you don't even need UV's...
I care about the above text when i'm texturing the object... not doing vertex painting..

The textures are seamless, but this is already out of the main question, i've got to see if it could be a shader problem,
and investigate further vertex painting.

Thank you very much!

Eric Chadwick

Triplanar mapping is a neat trick.

But it's fairly expensive, and doesn't look good with "ordered" textures... brick, stones, fabrics, etc.

Depends on the game and where the performance bottleneck is. 

Regardless, you can't use it on everything. Best to know the traditional methods.

Mythran

I know the traditional method, but the thing is that i have a problem with the seams showing up, like in the example
you gave on the first post, the rock is noticeble where it meets the terrains, and i really don't like it, i'm looking for a way to disguise blend objects. There should be a way to blend two objects, like some video i saw about senua sacrifice where they just placed the mesh and it automaticly just blended with the environment...
Guess it cold be done with noise, but i'm looking for a stylized, simple look...

Isn't there a way to blend 2 objects like blend object with terrain shader?

Eric Chadwick

Do a search here for Battlefront. There's a thread here about how to do that kind of blending. 

Beware though. This won't solve your issue. It uses UVs projected in world Z. Basically, planar from the top.

Instead you just need to create good wraparound UVs, with minimal seams.

What 3d software are you using for modeling/UVs?

Mythran

Blender, 3dCoat

I've been searching a little and i'm leaning towards multiple uv sets on the same object.
Guess this way i can do the whole object and paint it in 3dCoat or blender seamsly... no seam will ever show and there will be no loss of detail/quality...
Just have to try it to see if it will work... :x