Blender 3D, Ambient Occlusion & terrain VIDEO

Creating an Ambient Occlusion map for a terrain mesh using Blenders Texture Bake system is usually a relatively straightforward process. The following video, split into two sections - the first covering the mechanics of baking AO maps; the second, understanding some of the broader issues associated with the baking terrain meshes - assumes the resulting Ambient Occlusion maps are to be used in some form of 'real-time' environment or a game development or content production process therein, although the techniques and understanding can be used to wider effect. A basic understanding of Blender 3D is required.

Terrain and baking Ambient Occlusion

Terrain and baking ambient occlusion (updated) discussion

cool, although where is the link to the video? i'm in the process of learning the new interface, ie post blender 2.49, so these updated tutorials of yours will be very helpful.

Posted by ratty redemption on January 12, 2012, 09:31:51 PM

Video will probably be up tomorrow.. I was just about to post it when I realised the sizing had exported incorrectly so I've pretty much spent the entire day trying to correct that. Although videos are take far less time than writing, they come with their own particular set of issues!.

Posted by kat on January 13, 2012, 12:40:00 AM

Is there a way to set the quality of the AO texture ?

Posted by razvanab on January 13, 2012, 03:04:34 PM

Not as a specific setting no, 'quality' is directly related to the size of any texture being used and/or the UVW map relative to images associated with it. It's discussed in depth in the "Terrain & Texture Density" section of the written tute. Basically you need to use large images (subject to any limits your game engine or tech might have), and/or split the UVW's up in such a way as to increase the 'density' - the ratio between 'image' and 'UVW' map.

[EDIT] the rendering sub-system used for baking currently doesn't use Anti-Aliasing either by the way, so you can't use any of those settings in Render Properties.

Posted by kat on January 13, 2012, 04:34:03 PM

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