Parallax shading working in-game.
About this image
This was a quick test to see how well parallax mapping would work in-game. As it turns out, it looks pretty darned good if you ask me.
To clarify: This is a completely flat surface. The depth in this wall is merely an illusion accomplished with a height map and a parallax shader. The shader was already in the game, but Bethesda used it only for bullet hole decals.
I will perform some tests, to see how much of a performance hit it will cause, but so far it's running fine.
14 comments
Normal maps I find are required to have an effect.
Making a good parallax map... now that's the challenge. It's technically just a height map, but it's touchy in a different way than usual.
This really isn't something revolutionary, it's been available since the NifTools team figured out the v20.2.0.7 shader flags (...sorta, as stated, they're all mislabeled).
You gotta show more people how to do this! This is WAY better than a normal map alone and I know a lot of people could make good use of this knowledge.
Some examples of parallax maps in-use on vanilla: The fake moonscape on the Virgo lander set, or the rubble piles in the Citadel bailey and elsewhere.
If you release this, make sure you use meshes from the Unofficial Fallout 3 Patch, as they have fixes in them.
Parallax Mapping is very 3D. I always though it odd that they only usded it for the bullet holes. Some games make quite extensive use of it to save on poly count. A wall like yours would save a good bit.
Wow, that looks good.
Looks gorgeous! It's mind boggling that a completely flat surface can appear so three dimensional. I say keep up with this project, for sure.
Damn awesome effect. I'd download it if it was a add-on.