3d software for sandbox game?

[harpy]

I've been looking at 3d software packages and I'm not that sure what to be looking for.

What I'd like is 3d software so that I could create a 3d terrain environment of the game world, over hundreds of square miles, and then zoom down to eye level and be able to take snap shots to show players what they can see.

It doesn't have to be photo realistic images, but being able to quickly zoom from full out zoom down to an individual level where trees, hills, rivers, etc would all be visible.

Ultimately, the idea is to have a sandbox game where player wander around in a fantasy world and I can just show them what they can see from any point in it while outside. Rather than having me have to figure out if they can see the castle in the distance through trees and hills, the computer would just show it plain and clear.

I'd think that there is plenty of software out there like that today that is either free or inexpensive after all of these years of 3d game modding.

 

[jaerdaph]

I don't think there's anything out there that's free or cheap yet, but I could be wrong.

The one that I've heard about at The Cartographer's Guild is Bryce, but I've never used it personally. It's also around $100 bucks.

You could also take a look at Google SketchUp, which has a free version, but I'm not sure it would be easy to implement what you want to do.

You might want to ask others more knowledgeable than me over at The Guild about Bryce, Google SketchUp or other options.

 

[Festivus]

Why not use something like Neverwinter Nights (1 or 2)? It has a toolset and a lot of add on terrain that you can use, and at high res it looks pretty freaking nice.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

I don't think there's anything out there that's free or cheap yet, but I could be wrong.

The one that I've heard about at The Cartographer's Guild is Bryce, but I've never used it personally. It's also around $100 bucks.

You could also take a look at Google SketchUp, which has a free version, but I'm not sure it would be easy to implement what you want to do.

You might want to ask others more knowledgeable than me over at The Guild about Bryce, Google SketchUp or other options.

Every now and again Daz has a brief time when they offer the previous version of Bryce for free - I think that right now you can find Bryce 5.5 for Macs and PCs for free - you have to register on the Daz3d.com site, but I think (no promises) that it is still open. Some time ago I picked up Bryce 5.5 - I have done a very little bit with it. Nice, but it seems better suited for doing a small scene rather than attempting a world.

The Auld Grump

 

[SiderisAnon]

I have used a number of different 3D programs, including some which can do 3D terrain. There are a few issues with what you want to do that you may not realize are there.

First, 3D programs tend to have a steep learning curve. They're not designed to let you throw together a random terrain in a couple of minutes and then use it. People spends months learning how to use them properly. (There's some tutorials here for Vue 8. Take a look at these to see how complicated the program can be. Geekatplay™ Studio. Discovering Vue 8)

Second, most of the 3D programs are expensive. There is a way around this, which is looking for cheap offers on older versions of software. I picked up Bryce, for instance, for $1.00 or something because it was an older version and they were using it to sell whatever the latest version was. This only gets you the base program, however.

Third, at least in programs like Bryce, the program doesn't do it all. Terrain is created with models. You will probably get a few things with the software, but unless you want your display to only show one kind of tree and two kinds of bushes, you're going to either have to create or buy more models. These models tend to be pricey. (In fact, if the base software is cheap, I can guarantee the models they want to sell you will make up the profits. Many models are $20-$30 or more each.) Creating them on your own takes a ton of time and talent.

Fourth, unless you have a heck of a good computer, you can't just zoom around the terrain except at a very low level of detail. Rendering quality images can take minutes, hours, or even days to generate, depending on the power of your computer and the complexity of your image.


Now a toolbox like Neverwinter Nights which gives you the ability to create a setting as a DM is different because it's a much more limited design. You can create a world you can wander around in as a game because the 3D engine is dedicated to a limited purpose and your choice of models is limited. For tabletop, this may be all you need, assuming you can work within the limits of what they've provided.

 

[SiderisAnon]

There's a free version of Vue that you can try out. It doesn't have all the features of the full version (of course) but it might give you a taste of how such a program would work.

e-on software - Vue 8 Pioneer

 

[Janx]

elder scrolls IV and the Elder Scrolls Construction Set

Google up the wiki for elder scrolls.

 

[jaerdaph]

Every now and again Daz has a brief time when they offer the previous version of Bryce for free - I think that right now you can find Bryce 5.5 for Macs and PCs for free - you have to register on the Daz3d.com site, but I think (no promises) that it is still open. Some time ago I picked up Bryce 5.5 - I have done a very little bit with it. Nice, but it seems better suited for doing a small scene rather than attempting a world.

Wow, thanks for the info - downloading v5.5 now!

 

[harpy]

Thanks for all the tips and frank reality.

It looks like what I'll start with first is the Elder Scrolls Construction Set, as I have a copy of Oblivion. In many ways all I'm hoping for is basically to create a new Oblivion-like map that I can just take snap shots in to show players what they can see, so it might work.

My ideal program though would be to use something like Hexographer to map out and create the game world, defining terrain, general elevation and landmarks, all in an easy and intuitive way.

Then I'd be able to hit the "Make it 3D" button, let the computer do its thing, and then have an Oblivion level of 3D detail realized which I can zoom around in and adjust light and weather effects.

Sadly, my imagination is always ahead of the technology curve.

 

[Aeolius]

Third, at least in programs like Bryce, the program doesn't do it all....unless you want your display to only show one kind of tree and two kinds of bushes, you're going to either have to create or buy more models.

Never played with Bryce's Tree Lab, I take it? You can generate hundreds of varieties.

btw, Bryce 6.3 was released today.