The future of models and textures (maybe)

[shadowkiller]

Not really about the mod but this was the best place to put this. I was surfin around and came across this. If you interested in game design or modeling/texturing this will prob interest you. They are called procedural models and textures and they are done completely with code and not images. The benefits are huge such as incredibly small file size (a whole game can as little as a few 100mb) and the ability to change in realtime. For example you could make a nice shiney bathroom scene and then have the textures procedurally change and grow mold along the grout lines and rust on the pipes etc etc. Here is an impressive tech demo of what im talkin about. Its only 84kb but you will be amazed how much is packed into it. I have a feeling this could become mainstream in the future (could be wrong tho. )



Edit: ok, it may not be "the future" but its still cool


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[Masakari]

This is old and not the future of models and textures.

[shadowkiller]

I know its not new but this could have some benefits in the future. In a probably about 6-7 years (maybe less) games will be so detailed that only procedural will be able to do the job.  (like the bathroom mold idea). Im planning to get into the industry and i like to keep my eye on things that could potentially be useful in the future. Just keep an open mind.

[Masakari]

In the future we'll have 1 terabyte flash drives, so I don't think keeping files small is an issue.

[death_grin]

I don't know about the procedural models thing.  Seems kind of pointless to me.  Who wants to use a procedural model?  Perhaps for a few things then it would be applicable but every model in a game is designed and made to conform to a specific design and artistic style.  In is a interesting concept though.  As far as textures go I had a similiar idea some time ago.  If you could kind of dynamicly change a texture it would allow things such as mold to grow to pipes etc.  It would also allow a noticable change in seasons such as being dry then snow starts to fall and slowly covers the ground and enviroment.  Or rain, or even leaves.  In a way I think decals could do this if there was a way to turn them on and off and control the alpha dynamicly.

[shadowkiller]

The weather thing is a good idea. Perhaps the procedual models could be used as way to have a higher level of detail on destructable models. Imagine a tank shell hitting a building. You could procedurally modify the model exactly where the shell hit and add damage. To my knowledge in order to have destructable models the artist has to set it up to break points,.(feel free to let me know if there are other ways. and only in certain locations as well as having to model the destroyed sections.

[Masakari]

AGEIA PhysX

[ToeBall]

AGEIA PhysX

Bought by Nvidia....

[MWLLKeeper]

I don't know about the procedural models thing.  Seems kind of pointless to me.  Who wants to use a procedural model?

Procedurally generated games? In all seriousness, while it may not be "the future" I could see it as being VERY useful for games that are completely procedurally generated to create unique looking statics.

Of course, I'm a bit busy atm, so I'm haven't actually looked into them yet, so I may be speaking out my ass on this one.

[thezeus18]

What is wrong with me that I don't understand the demoscene?

[Whiplash]

The weather thing is a good idea. Perhaps the procedual models could be used as way to have a higher level of detail on destructable models. Imagine a tank shell hitting a building. You could procedurally modify the model exactly where the shell hit and add damage. To my knowledge in order to have destructable models the artist has to set it up to break points,.(feel free to let me know if there are other ways. and only in certain locations as well as having to model the destroyed sections.

Has already been accomplished, and is being incorporated into a new Star Wars game. (Forgot the actual title to it)

[shadowkiller]

http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/2006/11/09/Procedural_Textures_Future_Gam/1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_generation

[siodseraph]

Friend of mine is using this technique in his own game. He's still working on it but all the textures in the (2D) game will be generated ... he's a big fan of that since it makes the game really small without the need of making textures. Granted they are rather simple compared to high quality FPS Shooters but it fits his needs perfectly.

[Spartacus]

Is this the same thing (stated differently) as the ray-tracing debate that's been the buzz for the past few months?

Ray tracing has been around a long time, but some high-powered folks are trying to bring it back/make it standard, I think.

[TheEnigma]

Has already been accomplished, and is being incorporated into a new Star Wars game. (Forgot the actual title to it)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed?