1. #1

    Help with aesthetics/scenery.

    As the title says. When it comes to aesthetics or scenery, I struggle, I just can't get the hang of it.

    So if anyone can help me, it'll be appreciated.
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  2. #2
    Jarr3tt88's Avatar Senior Member
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    Re: Help with aesthetics/scenery.

    Just place random stuff lol Thats what I do most times....
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  3. #3
    nannerdw's Avatar Senior Member
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    Re: Help with aesthetics/scenery.

    I try to use lots of cameras to enhance the appearance of the scenery. If you want to give a claustrophobic feeling to the surroundings, use a very tight camera angle. I use this technique a lot in my levels, but I have to be careful that the rider and obstacles stay in plain view. For big jumps, you might want to switch to a wide angle lens to enhance the feeling of vertigo. Also, try not to place all of your objects on the plane of the driving line. Some objects in the background, and sometimes even up close to the camera will make the scene feel more realistic. If an object is completely outside of the viewing window, you can delete it.

    I also try to use a lot of contrasting colors. If the atmosphere is a dark bluish color, a light with a slightly yellow or orange glow will make the scene look more vivid.
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  4. #4

    Re: Help with aesthetics/scenery.

    In my opinion custom cameras can really pull the focus away from the riding so I barely use them at all but thats just me.
    Try to have something big and interesting in the background and smaller objects in the foreground. This help increase the sense of speed too and something as simple as removing the odd wallblock in the backgroun can make a big difference.
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  5. #5

    Re: Help with aesthetics/scenery.

    Just look at the pro tracks for awhile to see what they do. There's a lot of things. Sometimes it's having enough 3d depth and not leaving the only focus objects on the riding line. Sometimes something like a very subtle camera change off a jump does a lot. The biggest thing is time. Besides physics based obstacles, aesthetics is the thing that could take the most time imo to make a really good looking level.
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  6. #6

    Re: Help with aesthetics/scenery.

    decide what objects you want to maintain throughout, pick a style or something and just start forming shapes. you can build the driving line out of your shapes when you run out of obstacle ideas. also imo use cameras only when the default camera is not helping and you can't see either an important piece of the obstacle you're on, or your landing.
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  7. #7

    Re: Help with aesthetics/scenery.

    Originally Posted by EuphoricFusion
    In my opinion custom cameras can really pull the focus away from the riding so I barely use them at all but thats just me.
    Seconded. The cameras should really be used very carefully or not at all because they usually just distract the player.
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  8. #8

    Re: Help with aesthetics/scenery.

    I also pick a theme for the objects that I want to use. Then, start using that theme throughout. Piles of boxes all over, girders lying on the ground in the foreground or background, barrels, they all just give your track some depth.

    The tracks that shipped with the game aren't too crowded to take your eye away from the driving line. Have a look at a track that might be similar to yours and take cues from that. I'm not familiar with a lot of people's stuff, but look at tracks by Euphoric Fusion, Murdoc Loch and shotaneric. I often look at youtube videos and pause them to see what people have done. It's much easier when things aren't moving super quickly.
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  9. #9

    Re: Help with aesthetics/scenery.

    I agree with most of you ... consistency in a track is (at least for me) important ... so pick a theme, choose your style and choose the objects you want to use and stick to that.

    I also think custom cams are often used wrongly ... I think that the players view is of utmost importance especially when he or she has to perform all kinds of movements/tricks. Even better; I think that in general there is no need for custom cams.

    I also think that effects are mostly overused .... effects should contribute to the overall look and feel .. and sometime maybe distract the player ... but should definitely not pull away the focus of the overall look and feel.

    Maybe one could think of effects as adding detail to a track.
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  10. #10

    Re: Help with aesthetics/scenery.

    I think the custom cameras are great for making dynamic angles. The angle must benefit the obstacle and rider equally to work. My tracks Sin City, GRANDE and GIANTS are full of them. A theme is best served with choosing a good palette of colors. Contrasting or complementing schemes of dust, ambience and sunlight go a long way in setting the mood. Don't be afraid to mess around with the physics tools, even if you don't know its purpose, experiment. You'd be surprised what you can make when you luck up on it. Use inanimate objects to look like other things. Think legos.
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