9 replies to this topic

[Turner]

Hi all,

In anticipation of some "official" answers to my other post, I wanted to at least propose shape and object libraries.

I think object libraries are a no-brainer, so I'll leave that one alone.

However, in light of an answer Mike Jones gave to another question regarding the (current, I assume) inability to copy/paste shapes, I'd like to propose...

that we are able to save and re-use editable terrain features - both "outlines" (as drawn on terrain, e.g. fairway and greens outlines) and 3D (as modify terrain, e.g. ponds, bunkers, hills...).

You can imagine the time savings in roughing out even a couple of holes before going back to edit. I haven't seen this feature discussed, so my apologies if it has, but having to draw each element by hand, while resonably fast, would be highly accelerated by the inclusion of this type of functionality.

cheers

Andrew

[Mike Jones]

It's not a bad idea to be able to save the shapes you have drawn as a copy and reuse them but honestly, it's so quick to draw shapes that although it may seem like a big time saver, in reality it probably isn't.

[Turner]

Hi Mike,

thanks for the note. Well, if the functionality is there, I'll sure use it! I can't imagine it's as fast to create complete tees (mounded area, tee boxes, ball washer, bench, etc. by hand each time as it would be to drag and drop (and then edit as needed).

Looking forward to following the progress!

Andrew

[Mike Jones]

Course shapes drawn with CourseForge and 3d objects such as ball washers etc are completely different things so it's like comparing apples to oranges. Course shapes currently can't be copied and reused but 3d objects can and also they can be used in other courses if you wish.

 

Hope that clarifies things a little

[Kablammo11]

OP Andrew, you can select ball washers etc as detail mesh objects and plant them onto the terrain - as if they were a tree - with just one click (which is one click and two key strokes less than copy-pasting). 

As for terrains etc, I recommend you go to this thread here and start trying out Unity with the help of the very basic tutorials suggested there. Unless you do not have any hands-on experience about it, you will not understand the challenges awaiting you - and ask the wrong kind of questions. Mike doesn't like to hear it and will quickly start praising the "ease of use" of the Forge, but you will need an elementary "Unity-literacy" to make the CourseForge work in the first place. No big deal, just a different tack on workflows and design dynamics that you need to familiarize yourself with. 

[Acrilix]

As for terrains etc, I recommend you go to this thread here and start trying out Unity with the help of the very basic tutorials suggested there. Unless you do not have any hands-on experience about it, you will not understand the challenges awaiting you - and ask the wrong kind of questions.

 

I wish I could find some motivation to try this. I put in Unity ages ago, but I've still not bothered to try it out (except for a quick go with the tree editing feature). Whilst my enthusiasm for playing Perfect Golf is actually quite high now, my desire to create courses for it is almost zero at present. I have finally gone back to APCD though, after a couple of months rest, so it's not all doom and gloom for me!   

Maybe when all the tools needed are finally available, my interest will be rekindled. I don't seem to have the desire or the energy to learn something new at the moment.   

[Turner]

Hi guys-

Kablammo - first, I don't find Mike's responses to be dismissive in any way. I've seen the vids and understand the ease of creation he's referring to. (And Mike, I appreciate your answers!)

 

Next... I've been a designer for over 20 years, and have done a ton of 2d and 3d work. While I mentioned objects, my point was really just to address the idea of primary and grouped library objects. I'm not yet familiar with the inner workings of unity, so I'd hope that in cases of things like ball washers, tee markers, etc. that they work like a "symbol" would in programs like Illustrator, or a "component" in SketchUp. Meaning, I can change the master object once - say, from red to blue - and all instances are updated.

 

It's my experience having created so much stuff over the years that I've learned to use libraries as a tool rather than a crutch. That said, I'll check out Unity.

 

cheers

Andrew

[Kablammo11]

Appetite comes with eating, Acrilix. It's a bit of a step at first (Actually, to me, it was a more like a wall), but it just takes a modicum of gumption for about half an hour to overcome it. Not at all outside your grasp, I'm sure. 

Of course, the long, long, extended, unbearably lengthy wait for the real thing doesn't help. (Yes: hint!)

 

@ Andrew: I did not describe Mike's answers as dismissive and would not know why you think that - I simply voiced my concern that he will be cross at me for (again) trying to point out that the Unity working environment requires a bit of getting used to for people like me who are not as brilliant as him. As for your refined question, I'd say that I know the answer, but I will leave the stage for Mike to answer it.

[Lukas]

Next... I've been a designer for over 20 years, and have done a ton of 2d and 3d work. While I mentioned objects, my point was really just to address the idea of primary and grouped library objects. I'm not yet familiar with the inner workings of unity, so I'd hope that in cases of things like ball washers, tee markers, etc. that they work like a "symbol" would in programs like Illustrator, or a "component" in SketchUp. Meaning, I can change the master object once - say, from red to blue - and all instances are updated.

 

It's my experience having created so much stuff over the years that I've learned to use libraries as a tool rather than a crutch. That said, I'll check out Unity.

 

cheers

Andrew

 

This is very much possible in Unity. I think the process involves creating what Unity calls a "prefab" (http://docs.unity3d....al/Prefabs.html). The process is outlined in the 5th tutorial of the series that Kablammo linked. In the tutorial he is dealing with trees, but the process for tee markers, washers, etc. should be identical. 

[Turner]

Nice! Thanks, Lukas.