Hi all, been working on skyboxes and hava a question with regard to the skyspec file.

Does anybody have any heads up about what the specific settings in the skyspec file do.

SunRotation
This controls the rotation of the skybox. OK got that.

SunDirection
I notice that theses settings range from eg 100,50,100 up to 3000,1000,3000 in some skyboxes.
Can anybody explain what each of those three values do, and what min/max values are expected by the engine.

Overhead Shadows
How do you get shadows to fall as if the sun is directly overhead? Is that controlled by settings in the SkySpec file?

Thanks for any help.


OldFlak....

I would have to check but I think overhead would be something like 50,100,50. As far as I know they are co-ordinates in 3D space as where to position the light source. I think they work in percentage values so that should work fine for any skybox with a directly overhead sun.

@DVader, thanks for reply.

In all my tests it makes no difference, the shadows always fall exactly the same.

So maybe this is not working, or the shadows are controlled via settings elsewhere...

OldFlak....

After you change any skybox files, you must restart GameGuru to see the changes.

Far as I know you cant change the sun position in the sky.....you can only rotate the skybox (you dont need to exit and restart for these changes). Maybe things have changed now but haven't seen any info or anyone making these light position changes....if it could be done you would be seeing a far greater and more impressive range of skybox's and screenshots. Personally it is getting real old creating exactly the same time of day for all my own skyboxes, best you get is late afternoon or early morning shadows with this and have to think ahead when placing objects to create some kind of variety in your scenes.....boring.....right?

@Pirate Myke, thanks for the input.

@rolfy, yeah, I have to agree. anything with sun above mid morning/afternoon and it just looks wrong - I mean, sun overhead with elongated shadows is not very realistic even in cartoon land!

The only setting that makes any difference in skyspec as far as postioning is Rotation - you can change SunDirection till the cows come home, but shadows always fall in same place and at same length.

Like you, I have been working on some matching terrain and skyboxes (although not likely at your level - hehe ). Thought I may have missed something, but if you can't make it work, heaven help me!!

Hopefully this can be addressed when the performance work is done.

OldFlak....