Trying out a new technique

[abstauber]

Just a quick question: How do you handle 2 point perspective? Does it still look good?

[Matti]

Wait is this for a MAGS game? So you're basically getting feedback on how to improve backgrounds for your game...isn't that kind of cheating a tad?

No:

Anyway before I do a tutorial or do any more of these artworks, I have to finish up my mags game. Just took a day off to do something different for a change.

[Anian]

Ah, okay.

[Snarky]

I've never participated in MAGS, but it would be weird if asking for advice in the Critics Lounge were considered cheating. Sure, if someone made a paintover and he used it unaltered in the game it would be a bit dodgy, but the rules explicitly say "You may get help for the competition."

[mode7]

None of the art in this thread is part of a mags game. It doesn't even have the same style.

Just a quick question: How do you handle 2 point perspective? Does it still look good?

Don't know actually, never tried before. As these BGs are for a sidescroller kind of game. But I think this will get hard in 2 point. When I really need perspective I'll make a 3d layer in PS.
If my game should rely heavily on perspective, probably I would make a model and render it and add grass, trees and stuff later (could also do it in Vue but I don't have the horsepower to render this kind of stuff)..
But I won't do it personally because it's an incredible amount of work.



Edit by ProgZ (post combining):  Please don't double post.  Edit your post to add new information unless a few days or more have passed from the initial post.

[Questionable]

I'm personally blown away. People are saying that it doesn't look realistic... but compared to what?

Obviously it's not photo realistic but that's a largely a futile effort. It's got a unique look, that I personally think is sick as hell. I honestly wish I could make backgrounds like that.

I think that the sprite that you made, on the other hand, feels too artificial while TRYING to appear realistic. I guess that would fall into "uncanny valley" territory. Ultimately, however I think that the sprite just does not work as well as the BGs.

[mode7]

Thanks questionable!

Actually I've promised a tutorial, but I've been struggling to do that.
I tried to record it, but I normally try some things, I delete later whic does get confusing.
Also my PS version is german which doesn't make it easier.

So basically I'm asking you guys: Would you rather like a video tutorial which might be a little confusing and you have to listen carefully to get the English names.

Or a classic tutorial with a few images.

[Questionable]

I think a video tutorial would be fine- I think most PS users can recognizer the symbols like second nature after just a short time of usage and with a bit of commentary it would be even better.

Unless a standard tutorial is easier- in which case- that would also probably be fine.

[cianty]

*cough* I'd be fine with a turorial in deutsch *cough*

[theo]

I like this style. Here are some of my thoughts on why the pics are looking a bit flat. These comments are general but some are specific to the picture with the ruined building with swamp foreground.

* You are only rendering the front faces of your volumes, never their sides. Do not fear perspective!
* You've got nice ambient occlusion but never cast any harsh shadows. (or sharp highlights) Do not fear your light source!
* Your middleground and foreground have roughly the same value range. Separate them more. (add some reflections in the water from the door opening etc) Do not fear reflections!

btw, the fuse box or whatever it is has the same value as the sky and has the same shape as a window. At first glance the viewer will be much confused. Also, I recommend merging your entire file a little now and then not to get to barred in by your own framework. The more layers, the more difficult it is to try out big changes in the picture.

Keep up the good work!

[Digital Mosaic Games]

Coold style reminds me a bit of the backgrounds of the riddle of master lu.

[mode7]

I like this style. Here are some of my thoughts on why the pics are looking a bit flat. These comments are general but some are specific to the picture with the ruined building with swamp foreground.

* You are only rendering the front faces of your volumes, never their sides. Do not fear perspective!
* You've got nice ambient occlusion but never cast any harsh shadows. (or sharp highlights) Do not fear your light source!
* Your middleground and foreground have roughly the same value range. Separate them more. (add some reflections in the water from the door opening etc) Do not fear reflections!

btw, the fuse box or whatever it is has the same value as the sky and has the same shape as a window. At first glance the viewer will be much confused. Also, I recommend merging your entire file a little now and then not to get to barred in by your own framework. The more layers, the more difficult it is to try out big changes in the picture.

Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the advice! Some of the things I had already noticed but some of them I wasn't aware of at all (like the fuse box):

Perspective: Actually I tried to do more perspective, like in this newer example (which is a very rushed undetailed BG)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8IePkB9GCw

...also tried to cast some shadows in this example (Yeah I know that sun casts parallel light...well..probably I didn't when I made this BG)

I tried to speed up the working process and reduce complexity by merging everything into smart layers, which works quite well now.

Everyone: I know you're still waiting for the tutorial. I haven't forgotten you. It's just that I myself am still experimenting with this stuff.

[Matti]

Isn't that your old video?

[mode7]

It's newer than any of the other screens int this thread^^

[Buckethead]

That video greatly reminds me of BlackThorn. 

[keisari]

That video greatly reminds me of BlackThorn. 

You mean BlackThorne: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WafqCyIwAWw

Great game! And nice backgrounds mode7, a (video) tutorial would be superb.