I've been quite busy this last few days getting the course ready for alpha testing . At this stage, the first phase of 18 holes will be playable, planted and most of the major textures and seam blends mapped. Bunkers are now fully mapped with a minimum of 6 multiples, log tees are placed, mapped and shadowed. There are 4 tee options on each hole to add a bit of variety to the play and so far in private testing, the different hole lengths have proved successful in bringing different opportunities and hazards into play on each hole.
The course has had the 'first pass' of planting done but it needs refining with tree clone removal, and improved grass and bushes etc. All 18 pins are planted at their correct difficulty settings although testing and tweaking of these will be ongoing throughout the whole test process.
I dropped a 'work in progress' panorama as a course backdrop for the time being. I like it because it offers glimpses of the distant terrain beyond the course limits which really makes the course 'fit' and is exactly the look I was hoping for. Daniel has kindly offered to make me a full panorama for the course when the time comes and although I'm pleased with this one for the time being, maybe Dan will be able to come up with something even better or tweak this one for a better fit.
Things that will need to be done between alpha and beta testing include the majority of the 3d structures such as clubhouse, housing, shelters, bridge, and some smaller stuff like drinking wells. Pat Auge has stepped in to create these, and there is no-one better. Also, there needs to be some fine tuning of the textures, course sounds. plantings, the addition of things like worn spots, the 'de-tiling' of fairways and rough areas,
So far so good, the course is proving a blast to play with some friends who have had access the playable file, although some lame accusations about my 'local' knowledge giving me an unfair advantage have surfaced as I seem to keep winning the matches haha :)
I'll go into game and post a few screenshots later today.
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From Drrobmiller...
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess I cant say local knowledge gave Mike an advantage because He beat me on Bethpage's Beta and I know that course inside and out!!!! Ha Ha!!
I'm lucky to be included in the alpha testing of this course and I'm pumped up to say it's the best course I've ever played. It's distracting me from my own project 'cause i just can't get away from the spectacular views seen on , well, all the holes!
This is the premiere Links course highlighted by these 1024 textures. They just suck you in. Toss in some awsome planting techniques and the combination is jaw dropping. Mike has also utilized the texture editor mod to get nice run offs around the greens short grass areas.
For everyone who stillplays links and keeps links alive ( and thanks to the guys at APCDcourses who added the texture editor, clone mod, 1024 addons and widescreen), you guys are in for a mind blowing, visual treat!
Rob