Split Atlas into tiles - useful?

[Aaron]

Hi All,

This is a question for the TGEA users out there: Would it be useful if the Atlas export dialog allowed you to split your big L3DT maps into several Atlas files? (i.e. a mosaic of Atlas tiles)

I ask because I just noticed that the Atlas plugin doesn't allow exports over 2048x2048 heightfield pixels, and that to me seems a bit on the small side. With as split to tiles option (and, I suppose, a dynamic tile-loader in TGEA to use multiple Atlas files - anyone, anyone?) you would then be able to make full use in your TGEA-driven games of the ridiculous map sizes that L3DT can provide.

Cheers,
Aaron.

[metalliandy]

Hey Aaron,
Go for it mate, anything you can add like this would be sweet.

I didnt realise that it was limited to 2048...I have been making my maps at 8k..lol

[dr_boom]

That would great! I can help test if needed.

[Madcowthomas]

I agree that it would be very useful

[MDynna]

Aaron, is this 2048x2048 export limitation on the L3DT end or the Exporter end?

Dynamic disk paging is already handled automatically by Atlas, but it would be helpful if the exporter created a mission file that put the Atlas tiles in the correct place.

[stevenmbiz]

That's the feature I'm wating for, if available would be great!

Steven

[metalliandy]

Code Aaron...Code like the wind!

[kendo353]

yes please. i would appreciate this feature very much.

[Aaron]

Hi All,

I'm sorry to say that this feature has missed the boat for L3DT 2.5b (RC1 is now available, BTW), but it should be ready in the first few dev builds after that release.

Cheers,
Aaron.

[Aaron]

Hmmm...it seems that using multiple Atlas files may not be such a good idea after all. Multiple Atlas instances won't share edge states, which would probably result in cracks in the terrain geometry. Sorry guys, I probably should have thought this through before I floated the idea.

Toodles,
Aaron.

[dennis]

True, but people are using multiple atlas terrains. My experience has been that they tend to not match up well but I have seen posts where they are reported to match very well. You can also hide the transition under water or the like.

[MDynna]

This original idea for this feature might be diminished now. I've corrected the (stupidly simple) bug in the L3DT_Atlas plugin that caused the export of maps > 2048 to fail.

TGEA owners can see the code that needs to be fixed in this thread. As for L3DT Pro users without TGEA, I'm willing to upload the binary if Aaron gives me a place to put it.

[kendo353]

I've corrected the (stupidly simple) bug in the L3DT_Atlas plugin that caused the export of maps > 2048 to fail.

*thumbs up*
i can't get the plugin to compile (enterprise version)?
so, an updated binary version would be very handy.
well spotted.... thankyou.

[MDynna]

Getting it to compile is a little tricky. I've posted some instructions at the bottom of this thread and that should help you out.

[kendo353]

thanks for that... i'll give it a whirl later.
cheers...