Hey Syrus,
I´m a Lightwave user too, i have a bunch of questions about the graphics from BG, because i´m working on a game that will have graphics like BG, well i hope.
I don´t know if you were able to solve the problem of the orthogonal render, if not it´s because LW don´t have this option of render, you will need a plugin that fakes this kind of render. I´m using one named Fakemetric, it is a cool plugin and easy to handle, if you want you can go here (www.flay.com) and search their free plugin database for this or other plugins that you help you with the fake isometric renders.
I hope this helped
Lorigosolo

"i was pretty sure BG used pre rendered terrain, not tiles. In which case they do load the entire thing into memory and simply blit it."

You are correct. They do use prerendered terrain and they use huge bitmaps. However they address into the big bitmap and load the data onto each tile as it becomes visible in the viewport.

Thats why some people call the Infinity Engine the Big Bitmap engine.

So there is no need to slice your large bitmap into tiles.

Extra info:

The only free sprites on their maps are creatures and things that move like waterfalls and butterflys.

They use square tiles instead of diamond shaped ones.



[edited by - Davaris on May 14, 2003 12:11:30 AM]

Actually, I believe they did slice the map into tiles. If you open up the data files with Near Infinity and look at the areas, you''ll see several hundred rectangular tiles that make up the area.

"Skepticism.... that great rot of the intellect." - V.H.
Bah, what does HE know?

"Actually, I believe they did slice the map into tiles. If you open up the data files with Near Infinity and look at the areas, you''ll see several hundred rectangular tiles that make up the area. "

Near Infinity is just a clone right?

If you open up the Baldurs Gate files with "Infinity Explorer" it outputs the maps as giant bit maps.

You see i am making a game like Baldur''s gate( i will use their map system) anyway anyone had idea how to make this with big bitmap work?

btw. Lorigosolo i am making this with my team and we are all doing this willingly and are RPGs type of gamers. If you are good we need ppl like that

Anyway i want to do system beetwen morrowind system of loading maps and baldur''s gate graphics so that there is no loading new area for player, i know this is posibble and i will work it out but i need to be sure how BG engine is working..

Sorry for bad english....

Hi Syrus, well i´m a intermediate modeller, have a lot to learn yet., i wish i could make part of your team but right now i´m working on a game that will be a online game like ultima online, but i´m going to try to achieve graphics like BG. If you want to see some of my art you can see one of my creations and the things that i need to learn about this graphics here:
http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=156975
If you can help me i will apreciate!!
Lorigosolo

[edited by - lorigosolo on May 15, 2003 2:37:49 PM]

[edited by - lorigosolo on May 15, 2003 2:38:37 PM]

How could i help you?

Your modeling is good and if you ever want to be part of team for new rpg you know who to contact
Anyway i have some questoins for you too if you can give me your mail..it''s faster