How to start modelling map?

[XaviHernandez]

Hello.

I would like to know, how should I actually start modelling map? I already have a plan for the conversion map for GTA San Andreas, and here I am:

 

I'm planning to make terrain data by grabbing topo data from Google Sketchup, as my map is going to represent the real-world area.

 

What should I put in-game first? Should it be terrain or roads, or what actually?

 

And if you have any tips or info about modelling terrain / map for GTA, please post in this topic or PM.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Unexpected]

Hi. I think that you should first make the ground then roads, buildings etc... You can use 3DS Max to make models. But first you must search for a good tutorial to know how to use 3DS Max (If you don't know how to use it) and you can search in the tutorial section in GTAForums. After making models you can use Map Editor to place them in your new map.

[b0ssVenom]

I dont recommend to do the ground first.

IMO the best way is to draw some basic drawing on how you want it to look like and then i would start with modeling roads, because ground is usually extruded from roads and not opposite.

[XaviHernandez]

I dont recommend to do the ground first.

IMO the best way is to draw some basic drawing on how you want it to look like and then i would start with modeling roads, because ground is usually extruded from roads and not opposite.

I have a plan how the map would look like. It's a representation of small villages in Poland.

I thought of exporting the terrain data from Google Earth in Google Sketchup and then editing it in 3ds max and converting to game:

But I don't know if it's a good way. Could anybody help me and advice what's the best way of making the map according to real-world landscape?

[alex8ball]

very easy. start and modell

[Mark01]

You also got to realize that this map is huge and that will require you tremendous work to do something like this, I don't want to discourage you doing it but a map this big would take approximately way more than a year or two to model by yourself if you keep a standard level of detail and constant work then you gotta think about your level of interest also, I know for sure that modeling something like this by yourself might be boring at some point and one day you may feel the need to do something else but then evaluate your skills before starting something, are you a good modeler ? can you model cities, roads, landscapes already ? if the answer is yes then why not but if it's no you better start with something way smaller like a building, a cliff with a road, a prop or whatever smaller you feel like modeling and you know you can finish and learn from it, I'm telling you this because I have experience but it's still my view, in the end there is no right way to start modeling, one way or the other you'll learn from your mistakes and keep on improving until you've made it so dont' take my message too seriously, there's people that learn faster than the average and can do the work of 10+ people in a short amount of time, you may be one of them you never know.

 

To answer your question, yes it's a good way to start modeling a real location, it's like modeling real cars or real guns we use blueprints or else it wouldn't be accurate.

[X-Seti]

I've made a lot of tutorials on how to create models, texture them and then get these in game, Look in the tutorials section of the forum.

[b0ssVenom]

Exactly like Mark said, its better to make a smaller area and then maybe expand into larger modeling. If you want it to be accurate, then its better to model from scratch in Max. If you choose "copy-paste" export from google earth, go for it, but it will never be as much accurate and it is harder to create roads and more details for it. Its better for you if you live in that real life location and you know it good. A few years ago ive wanted to make a map of my place of living (CZ near poland), a few small villages n stuff, but i didnt know modeling so it went nowhere. Now i know modeling but i work on a different map. Because these countrysides in central europe and surroundings are pretty much the same, i can only wish you good luck.

Edited May 26, 2014 by Bone34

[XaviHernandez]

Well, personally, I think there won't be problems for me to create for example building or house. There are many tutorials on that and I can learn with them.

But, I'm not sure if the way I want to model terrain is correct.
I repeat: I use Google Sketchup to take terrain model data from Google Earth, export to 3ds, split into smaller and editing so I will can have it in GTA. LODs would be created later.

Not sure if this metod is good. If there is somebody who has got an experience on these matters, and knows a way how to represent real - life land into GTA, please tell me. The landscape of the place is hilly and full of mountains and valleys and I think that hand-making it (paint deformation) would take long time... of course if it's the best metod, I will use it.

[FlameAS]

Well, personally, I think there won't be problems for me to create for example building or house. There are many tutorials on that and I can learn with them.

But, I'm not sure if the way I want to model terrain is correct.

I repeat: I use Google Sketchup to take terrain model data from Google Earth, export to 3ds, split into smaller and editing so I will can have it in GTA. LODs would be created later.

Not sure if this metod is good. If there is somebody who has got an experience on these matters, and knows a way how to represent real - life land into GTA, please tell me. The landscape of the place is hilly and full of mountains and valleys and I think that hand-making it (paint deformation) would take long time... of course if it's the best metod, I will use it.

I have an idea for you. Since you are making a map which is based on a small village in Poland, you can use mountains and hills from GTA SA and some countryside buildings then you can edit them in 3DS Max and make new textures.

[Mark01]

Here's some tips:

 

-GTASA map limits are 6000x6000 units so you can create a plane in max with this size to help you scale your map it'll help you have a good visual of the size.

 

-For proportions, you can import a ped and a car from the game in max and model the buildings, roads and terrains according to it.

 

-I would advise you to think about LODs and cutting the map in parts once the models are done, there's no point in having parts or LODs if they don't represent the finished models.

 

 

-For the modeling process I'd go this way:

1-Import your map blueprint in max

2-Start by modeling roads, either by assembling modular roads or with splines ( modular roads are best for cities and splines for long countryside roads)

3-Once the roads are done, you've got to create the land between them by extruding the borders of your roads

4-You can now add buildings etc...

[XaviHernandez]

-GTASA map limits are 6000x6000 units so you can create a plane in max with this size to help you scale your map it'll help you have a good visual of the size.

 

 

So you mean I would draw 6000x6000 plane, make some terrain and then slice it into smaller parts?

 

I saw this Russian tutorial:

http://gtamaps.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=14010

And this method is written here.

 

I think it's a good method, but what method of sculpting land is more rewarding?

Making hills by hand using Paint Deformation or trying to get it from Google Earth?

 

As for blueprints, I don't know how to make it for terrain. If you mean heightmaps, I don't think I can find good quality ones for my hometown.

[Mark01]

So you mean I would draw 6000x6000 plane, make some terrain and then slice it into smaller parts?

 

Yes but forget about slicing the map right now, you've got to focus on modeling and texturing first and you just don't want a terrain, you also want a city, roads etc..

 

I saw this Russian tutorial:

http://gtamaps.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=14010

And this method is written here.

 

I think it's a good method, but what method of sculpting land is more rewarding?

Making hills by hand using Paint Deformation or trying to get it from Google Earth?

 

One thing you should know is GTA maps aren't created with heightmaps, they are modeled by hand in low poly so forget about heightmaps except if you use it as a blueprint for hills etc that would be useful, that's what Paroxum did when he was working on Gostown7, he used a heightmap/blueprint and sculpted the terrain above it, that's something you should consider.

 

As for blueprints, I don't know how to make it for terrain. If you mean heightmaps, I don't think I can find good quality ones for my hometown.

Then I think you should try to recreate your hometown your way, like R* does with real cities.

Edit

I made a quick video to show you one way of doing it in max, even tho it's not easy to catch up with the cursor I'm pretty sure it can help you understand better, I sped up the video cause it takes ages to upload something to Yout*be,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4Mi0aD2mm0

Edited June 2, 2014 by Mark01

[XaviHernandez]

OK. Your video gave me an idea,

I could make the map by creating small parts of terrain and putting an aerial photo texture on it, then extruding the terrain and UV texturing, finishing by making roads.

Thanks for your video, Mark01.