Archive: 7 posts

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Welcome one and all to my first post ever in LBPCentral, (which is a tad embarrassing, since i've been registered since 2009) but now with this edition of LittleBigPlanet, i feel like i am capable of creating the things i've always enjoyed. As a racing fan and as someone who aspires to just create and enjoy details, this game feels just right with me, sure the character and kart customisation isn't as powerful as ModNation Racers' tools (which was another game i genuinely enjoyed) but in this game, the Tracks are the stars of the show, and this is what I shall show here tonight! DAY 1 http://i45.tinypic.com/muwmli.jpg The first thing I did, was a simple sketch in a PC program (I believe it was Paint.net), nothing special or overly detailed, this allowed me to decide on the height options, but I wanted, for my first track, to have a nice high flying sky track, not many jumps because I was still getting the hang of things. The red line is the start/finish line. http://i49.tinypic.com/smag5d.jpg I was inspired by the Wipeout franchise when it came to the track's overall design, as I have always enjoyed that series, and it seems many of them also seem to enjoy this game (and the particular kart is a lovely touch, you'll know when you unlock it). I am going to try my best to make all the scenery my own, as well as any particular objects. In this picture there are a few half-arch lamp-posts out of tin foil metal material, to try for a shiny, futuristic look. The clouds i'll expand upon later. http://i49.tinypic.com/6pn9k9.jpg Another scenery piece, where I made a simple tower structure to try and expand the atmosphere. http://i49.tinypic.com/4rokmw.jpg As you can see, I have also created a few cloud shapes at various crazy angles so none ever looked the same, i have also added some 'smoke' effect emitters around the clouds to try and give a windy look to it. It dosent look good outside of when you actually race the track though, and im still working on trying to get it right. I have also used the same tower piece with a smaller one connected, this is to save space on using objects without using too much of the thermo, while still trying to make it look good. http://i45.tinypic.com/2qsrmtv.jpg Finally, a sky shot of what ive done, also showing the basic green terrain below which I may add some more detail to at a later date. At the time of these photos i didnt unlock the futuristic bridge road yet either, so.. flying mattress for everyone!.. ehem.. but just looking at the shot, I feel that i have managed to stay close to the original drawing, sure some of the corners had to be more rounded, but this is more for playability reasons and to enjoy it more. I hope you enjoy what you see right now, and I shall show the next stage of progress whenever I can.

2013-01-21 21:57:00 Author: Snake55wildcat Posts: 15

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Looking great so far! As for the clouds, try using a combo of tags, tag sensors, and player sensors to get the wind working. Try upping the effect's speed too, as this will cause it to look more like wind. After a bit of messing around and tweaking it, you should be able to get the effect you want. AND, if you use the "steam door" effect, you could make it look like there are cloud trails and streaks in the sky as well. Also mess around with animated materials, see what kind of effect you can get to make the clouds look more active. I also would recommend that you put the clouds on a path follower that is really slow, and build a setup something like this: http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/6152/cloudtrackexample.png Good Luck with this track, it looks like it has great potential!

2013-01-22 02:33:00 Author: theIronHorse Posts: 279

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Sorry for not posting earlier, have had problems on the PC as of late, having to rely on a bunch of other gadgets to get this working, so here goes! Thank you for the tip as well, IronHorse. I may have not been able to replicate that specific idea, I was able to think of other uses for it using similar tools, but first: http://i50.tinypic.com/2h6813t A new start gate! created simply from basic shapes of the hexagonal metal material (dont know its name) and flat square font style headers, for a more futuristic feel. In addition there are some stickers placed on the track just so its more pronounced. http://i49.tinypic.com/6gbxgm The bottom-left section (final image of original post) has now been modified into a Jump, complete with a cloud to literaly soar over (or at least how I tried to make it so). In addition, there is some scenery pieces unique to that section. http://i45.tinypic.com/6p24iv I have used multiple scales of the original tower building, mainly for thermo and frame-rate reasons, but with them stacked it does give off a nice illusion of a floating city, Using the hologram clouds scattered around the track helps, as well as smoke emitters placed on them, and buildings, to help the atmosphere even more. This is where the tip helped me, using player sensors placed of various scenery objects, i could set when such emitters work, so they only emit when the player is nearby (most of them anyway), this allowed for frame-rate to remain consistent. Take note of the pads - yes, yes those are prize pads (yellow star) and weaponizers (red hexagons) on the track, very reminiscent of Wipeout, then. http://i47.tinypic.com/30cok6e And if you were wondering, Yes I have done it for jetpacks (Blue Triangles) as well http://i46.tinypic.com/23m1ok8 I also utilized the player sensors on this little party trick: flying vehicles as scenery! Using a combination of paper plane decorations, a hologram floor [shown as rubber for demonstration] and a straight path [and attached motor] for which to follow. It only fllies when you are nearby and helps the atmosphere a touch. There are three or so of these on the level to make it more active. http://i47.tinypic.com/2djdi09 And one last shot of the planes in actual flight, going over a section of track. Music has been added, hoping to add pre-race intros eventually and maybe add one more plane section, but for now this is my current progress!

2013-01-24 21:02:00 Author: Snake55wildcat Posts: 15

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Looking great so far! I'm glad I was able to help (in a way), and I am really liking how it's looking so far! I love your use of custom pads, it really adds a personal touch that I have only seen you do so far (to this extent, at least). I like your clouds, they really give the look of being in a stratospheric environment. I really like the planes too, just another little thing that makes it all the better! My only peeve is the fact that the ground looks so close! I would advise that you completely lower the terrain, then build your mountains, maximizing your use of height illusions, because there are certain parts where, if I were driving, would notice the ground and the illusion of being in the sky would break. But hey, I'm a detail-fanatic, so thats just me :3. However, don't take it as I'm trying to tell you how to build your level! Its your level, nobody else's! Oh, and a little off subject, but I am in love with your starting line! Its so eye-catchingly simple! Can't wait to see more! And yes, I enjoy messing around with my posts to make them "pop" 8D EDIT: Also, if you want to cause the illusion, in any part of the track, that you are actually GOING through a cloud, you could hook up some global lighting tweakers (not sure if they're called that in LBPK, going by LBP2 names ) to bring up the fog level during that area! I would show you an example of the setup, but it's late and I'm to lazy to make a paint drawing right now -_- lol. I'm thinking of using a trick similar to that in my train simulator to create the illusion of a VERY dark tunnel, and thought you might like the idea haha

2013-01-25 07:42:00 Author: theIronHorse Posts: 279

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Thank you once again for the feedback, it really helps me through the building process! I have re-shaped the enitre terrain below the track so it is lower, and more varied in its geography, but other than that [and a fancy, 15sec track intro] the final touches of the track have mainly been track testing and refining, and making sure it works well with AI and frame-rate consistency. Overall I feel, for my first track [only my 2nd LBP creation published, but the first with real effort] I have done quite well, but now I am pondering on making a Speed Lap [1 lap time trial], a standard Time Trial variant or have it just as a Race mode [due to the 30 level limit] since I have already begun concept development for my next track, I feel that I might be making a lot .

2013-01-27 18:30:00 Author: Snake55wildcat Posts: 15

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Of course! I'm always happy to help when it comes to creating, and I'm glad I was able to help! Can't wait to check out the track when you've got it published, and I'll make sure to leave a review! I like your style, and can't wait to see more from you!

2013-01-27 22:33:00 Author: theIronHorse Posts: 279

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Well, this level is finally out of WIP status and is published at the time of this post! However, should I post my next WIP here or in a new topic? XD

2013-01-28 21:21:00 Author: Snake55wildcat Posts: 15

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