Folks, I am looking to create a 3D RTS game. The question I have is what type of mapping system do I use. Do I use a 3D tile based system? If so, how do I implement this? WHat does a 3D tile system entail? Do I just render the scene and keep a height map? I understand the theorey behind a 2d tile mapping system, but I want to create a 3d game with mountains and hills and with the ability to rotate the camera and which way. What kind of mapping system do I use? Any ideas / suggestions are very much appreciated. Thanks, Mike Hocking

quote: Original post by MikeH

Folks,
I am looking to create a 3D RTS game. The question I have is what type of mapping system do I use.

Do I use a 3D tile based system? If so, how do I implement this? WHat does a 3D tile system entail?

Do I just render the scene and keep a height map?

I understand the theorey behind a 2d tile mapping system, but I want to create a 3d game with mountains and hills and with the ability to rotate the camera and which way. What kind of mapping system do I use?

Any ideas / suggestions are very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike Hocking

Thats pretty close to the game that im working on now, and while storing the data isnt that difficult - I am using a 2d array with each element or tile having a texture value and one height value for the vertex[0] height and then just get the other 4 vertexes height from its neighboring vertex[0] heights. The tricky part is deciding what parts of the map to render and when. Right now im reading up on quadtrees and oct trees, which look like what im going to use.

Good luck
LEp

If you really want to make a 3D RTS you might want to find out how the "big guys" do it. I recommend trying Ground Control - it has an excellent interface and graphics are also top quality. There''s also a map editor (GenED) with it so you see how a level is saved.


- JQ, PWC Software
"programming is all about wasting time" -me

Is that Open Sourced?

nope, sorry. But the level editor gives very deep insight on how levels are saved.

[EDIT]
And it's a DAMN GOOD GAME
[/EDIT]

- JQ, PWC Software
"programming is all about wasting time" -me

Edited by - JonnyQuest on November 10, 2000 12:24:21 PM