Hello everyone. Desert Highway, if you didn't know, is one of my maps. It is my largest and most ambitious map and it has a lot of popularity. Amidst this popularity, there is a lot of criticism. My largest criticism by far is the addition of mesh roads. If you're unaware, let me explain the differences: Decal Roads: Are a type of road that can be used in the game. Their function is to place a texture of a road on top of the terrain's surface. You feel every bump the terrain has. This has been complained about; causing people to crash/wrecking people's cars. or Mesh Roads: Are a type of road that can also be used in the game. You drive on top of a 3D object rather than the terrain itself. This ensures a perfectly smooth surface where you will not crash from a bump. This type of road costs some FPS and it is impossible to get the sides exactly in line with the terrain. This limitation adds a difficulty to your driving if you're going very fast as you can slip off the road and have difficulty getting back on. To me, Mesh Roads serve a few purposes. They provide a smooth road surface with minimal bumps They allow for intricate features such as camber (without 3D modeling of the map's surface) They allow me to make structures and etc. props easily. However there are some problems I know of: They impact FPS Their smoothness seems unrealistic to some Skidmarks lag the game (not sure if this is because of the mesh roads). Mesh roads are impossible to completely hug the terrain without flickering/the roads have lips on the sides. So, I need to hear from you; the end users. I need a good number, in mass, of what I should do. Should I take out All the mesh roads? Leave in a good few like bridge structures while relying primarily on Decal Roads? Or use 100% decal roads? So please, if you've used the map, vote your preference. Equally, with three options, a percentage greater than 33% constitutes a majority. More than 33% on a single option will win the poll. Thanks so much!
As long as they are reallistic (i.e. not like someone painted black over dirt) it might be better to use decal roads, for more reallism.
I like the smoothness that comes with mesh roads. How are decal roads more realistic if they're just a road texture pained over the terrain?
Not saying if they are more realistic or not. I'm going for what most people are happy with. Comes to mind that it's possible to do two separate versions. Would take lots of work.
I think you should use decal roads, a little bumpiness is more realistic, and the difficulty of getting back on the road if you fall off is annoying. However, it's really up to you, and the map is fantastic anyways.
Did you hand-sculpt the terrain in the editor, or is there a heightmap you can fall back on if needed? If the latter, you could use this to get the best of both worlds. It would allow for easily adjustable, smooth roads with equally easily adjustable camber, but with a realistic profile and smoothly meeting the terrain, sans-z-fighting. It does require a little Blender and Photoshop/GIMP magic, however.
It is all hand sculpted. The original heightmap is just flat. I don't know how to use Blender but I am not opposed to seeing what I can do. I believe the engine has a 'Save to .DAE' function that I've never used.
As i prefered by far the decal roads, i vote for them. This map was awesome for car chases, when the cars involved were leaving the road then go back to it. This was not possible anymore due to the mesh road with sharp edges, exploding tires. When the chase AI will be back, we'll have the full benefit of having the decal roads back. i'm glad you created this topic.
I am starting to see a trend here. Thinking I'll end up making work towards decal roads again. I'm going to see about getting the blender tool for roads to help me out, otherwise I'll have to sculpt by hand again. Work will not start for a bit. --- Post updated --- Still valuing everyone's input!
About the realism : Such american desert roads are not race track, i think that mesh roads were way too smooth. American big boaty cars were confortable like flying carpets because of the non smooth and bumpy roads, and the decal roads just simulate those kind of roads just accuratly. In addition to that i found the older decals bumpy but still very driveable for high speed.
I voted for mostly decal roads, but I think one or two roads should remain as mesh roads. Maybe a large road would work, as highways are usually smoother.
