question about shadow map and amb occlusion map...

fritz

what the hell is the difference? is there any?

Eric Chadwick

Depends on the game, but usually a shadow map is rendered by a shadow-casting spotlight, then projected onto the geometry.

But an AO map represents a broader lightsource, like the whole sky. So it has softer shadows, mostly just the nooks and crannies are darkened with an AO map. It's less direction-specific.

fritz

gracias!