Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (Full Version)

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Issue8 -> Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/6/2018 3:02:47 PM)

NEW DEC 13 Version 2 available


https://www.dropbox.com/s/bx9m5wg3fnlbusv/soft_shadows_mod_v2.zip?dl=0



I was wondering is there is any interest for a 'soft-shadow' graphic mod?

I understand most people play zoomed-out, but perhaps it would be nice if there was a different style of the graphics when zoomed-in.

This game uses tiles, with seams and overlapping shadows, but the softer shadows bend better, I think. More importantly, I think it makes the game looks more like a minature battle set diorama.
[img]https://i.imgur.com/8a7jKW7.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/jZVjdFJ.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/ydKE5qp.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/Ph25P0r.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/jv2MnQr.jpg[/img]



22sec -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/6/2018 3:31:38 PM)

I’m interested.



exsonic01 -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/6/2018 3:40:18 PM)

That looks cool!



alexandreagrg -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/6/2018 6:07:04 PM)

+1



CCIP-subsim -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/6/2018 8:01:34 PM)

Looks great! I would use that for sure [:)]



Issue8 -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/7/2018 1:14:11 PM)

Ok. I am testing it now and I think it looks better, so I'll make it. It may take a couple of weeks because of my work schedule, but I will post updates here as it comes along. I've got the forests done already. There needs to be a slight blue tint to the shadows and a few tweaks



CCIP-subsim -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/7/2018 5:07:51 PM)

I should also say, one of the things that I like is the slightly darker, less "constrasty" look overall that it gives - I have a hunch that this will make the map easier to read, especially in terms of picking out units and icons.



Issue8 -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/7/2018 8:59:46 PM)

I think in general, it makes the game much more polished looking.
The issue really is the tiles. It is almost impossible to make a tiled game look anything like Close Combat, for example, because tiles repeat and there are seams. Also shadows bleed over and cause strange artifacts.

I think the winter looks much better.
[img]https://i.imgur.com/gk4bpR4.jpg[/img]



Issue8 -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/7/2018 9:01:27 PM)

And in this example, the heavy buildings still have the hard shadow, and it actually makes them look flater
[img]https://i.imgur.com/KbhfSPU.jpg[/img]



CCIP-subsim -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/7/2018 9:36:45 PM)

I agree, it's a very natural look, especially when you see the difference side by side!

And yeah, the tiled terrain is almost always inevitable - but I'd say it's a worthy tradeoff for much larger maps!
One thing that jumps out with the tiles is the "urban ground" layer, beause you can very clearly see the boundaries and the square shape. I wonder if it would help either making those cells 'seamless', or else changing that to a more irregular set of shapes.



Issue8 -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/8/2018 2:57:24 AM)

Here is a summer pic with slight blue shadows
[img]https://i.imgur.com/x5cJSbm.jpg[/img]
Also, I am testing with some chromatic abberation.
I think perhaps I am over-doing that effect?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromatic_aberration

And yes indeed, tile systems allow for extremely large maps. Also, full disclosure, I made the terrain (and most of the vehicle) graphics, so any complaints/suggestions you can direct them at me.



Issue8 -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/9/2018 10:22:53 PM)

This may get finished sooner than I thought. I think the desert stuff is all I have left. Right now I am testing it with a summer game. I love the way the game feels with the soft edges. It is purely cosmetic, but I like the effect. The time is early morning in the pic here, so the lighting is a little dark. The more I can make it feel like a miniatures set the better, IMO
[img]https://i.imgur.com/Kzz3TGm.jpg[/img]



CCIP-subsim -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/9/2018 11:32:11 PM)

Looks great, I'm excited for this! [:)]
It's a neat little optical illusion - it creates a really nice sense of depth, sort of like a soft-focus photo.



Phoenix100 -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/10/2018 6:38:22 AM)

Agreed. It's nice. Since you're on cosmetics, can you add some cosmetic fences and walls around buildings and along field edges please?



Issue8 -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/11/2018 10:49:27 PM)

Updated link in first post



22sec -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/12/2018 1:04:30 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Issue8

Ok here is a link to what I have. Perhaps it should be improved in some ways, and you guys can let me know what you think.

Please backup your building and terrain folders so you can revert back to the default stuff.

I think if you follow this link and click the 'download' button in the upper right you can access it.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gsn82qq920wnrui/soft_shadows_mod.zip?dl=0


I like it Sam. Did the forest terrain change too?



CCIP-subsim -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/12/2018 1:57:30 AM)

Looks great!
Just two minor things I noticed - it looks like all the Heavy buildings for the standard climates changed colour (to match the lighter Desert versions), which is fine except the sprite doesn't quite match its darker zoomed-out version.
Also, I hate to bring it up, but the leafless trees and the vehicles now really stick out with their shadows - not sure if it's practical to do anything about them too.

Really liking it though! The overall change to that more subdued, slightly darker colour is something that I really think looks very good.



exsonic01 -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/12/2018 2:41:27 AM)

I tested in snowfield and grass field + town, it looks great. Very fresh miniature ground feeling, feels like someone will bring Flames of War models or Warhammer 40k models.



Issue8 -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/12/2018 10:50:36 AM)

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback! I am working on it and for now this is just what I wanted to share, and of course it can be improved.

Regarding fences/walls: yes I agree that would help, but first I need to think of a good way to do it.

The leafless tree shadows are a bit sharp, so maybe there is a quick fix to that.
I gave myself a 2 week budget to do this, so there is plenty of time to improve this. Sometime this weekend (before Dec 17th) I will update the download.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/pnre7ca.jpg[/img]

Another complaint from Veitikka is the building heights are harder to tell now, like what is taller, so I increased the shadow lengths slightly for the taller 1x2 buildings.
[img]https://i.imgur.com/UDeAaLY.jpg[/img]



Phoenix100 -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/12/2018 7:29:06 PM)

Looking great. Is the present download updated to include the fixes you've just made to tree shadows and building shadow lengths?



Issue8 -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/12/2018 9:46:14 PM)

No. The link now is for the initial version for testing and feedback. Hopefully before the end of the weekend the updated version will be posted. And it can be improved from there, of course. I said two weeks, and it has been almost one week, so some time to dedicate to improving it if needed.

What is available now as of Dec 12 is not the most recent. When I update I will amend the first post and put a remark there with the date.



Issue8 -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/12/2018 9:51:23 PM)

I am still working on it, trying to get more sense of depth for the taller buildings.
[img]https://i.imgur.com/6oiakgq.jpg[/img]
I want them to pop out more like this



Issue8 -> RE: Any interest in a softer shadow mod? (12/14/2018 12:54:20 AM)

Version 2 available in the first post...Please test. I want to try to make this official, so even if you are not that interested, try it out and give feedback please.



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