10 replies to this topic

[IanD]

Wanted to see who has put time into the use of Unity, and there thoughts or feelings regarding the program.

 

This may help see what issues those have used Unity may encounter, and what likely help is needed to enhance their experience and knowledge. None of us are experts, and once the learning curve begins, it will develop your skills further, but what initial thoughts did you have when beginning to use Unity ?

 

Answers on a postcard... no... here will do !

[shimonko]

Initial thoughts - much simpler than similar programs. Good compromise between ease of use and capability. Perfect platform for CourseForge allowing courses to be easily created but not limiting what can be done. I feel in the coming years we're going to see new courses coming out continually blowing us away. 

[highfade]

Totally agree with shimonko. I'm hoping that newer builds will have higher resolutions for brushes or at least for certain areas of the terrain.

 

I think I'll do my home course and a couple of real courses that I play. I'll convert some APCD courses and then mostly do fictional.

[Unique]

Yes, Yes, and real courses for me. A little uncertain of data and height map importing and what is available here in Australia, but once I get the hang of it I'll be OK

 

Peter

[garynorman]

After initially using Unity, I would have voted for 'not feeling comfortable using it' but after persevering for a short while, I now find the basics (terrain modelling, adding assets, etc) pretty user friendly and intuitive.  I would like more control over detailed terrain sculpting but all in all it's a decent system.

 

I will be mainly designing fictional courses I think but that's more to do with creative freedom than difficulty...

 

I'm looking forward to seeing what can be achieved when someone harnesses the full potential of Unity and it's plugins.

[Mick-S]

have imported height maps / overheads and generally messed around with sculpting the landscape, but left it there until CF and TI are released, I expect the learning curve to be like most computer programs easy(ish) when you know how.

[IanD]

I've been dabbling with Unity and now understand the terrain tools, texturing and adding skyboxes, character controllers and camera's. There is alot more I've not come to terms with, as I feel I'll meet them and try to understand them as and when needed. But I'm concerned there is alot of detail available within the Unity enviroment, that it can be daunting for some in knowing what to tackle first.

 

The guys here at PP have mentioned they would like to see and support a Unity/CF Community, so with time, hopefully we can see some useful hints regarding the various aspects of course creation. As we all know the CF will live within the Unity program, it's important Unity doesn't scare too many away. Having a greater community here, would honestly help those with great ideas in their heads, become something more realistic.

 

Those with previous experience, either using the TW or Links design programs may feel Unity isn't hard to learn.. but this Poll may help show how many have actually tried it, and what areas do they particularly find difficult. Bearing in mind there isn't currently a CF to use alongside it, but also noting the CF simply overlays shapes onto the terrain already created.

[Stephen Sullivan]

Not had chance to mess around with Unity much as I have a couple of courses still on the go in APCD.  I also still play Links on 5 tours, so my time is somewhat limited as I also work full time. Would probably start by converting a couple of the courses i have done with APCD.

[Keith]

After initially using Unity, I would have voted for 'not feeling comfortable using it' but after persevering for a short while, I now find the basics (terrain modelling, adding assets, etc) pretty user friendly and intuitive.  I would like more control over detailed terrain sculpting but all in all it's a decent system.

 

I will be mainly designing fictional courses I think but that's more to do with creative freedom than difficulty...

 

I'm looking forward to seeing what can be achieved when someone harnesses the full potential of Unity and it's plugins.

Exactly how I feel.  At the beginning it seemed daunting, but things are smoother now.  Not an expert by any stretch but competent and getting better, and excited about the potential it holds.  Anybody holding out..the tutorials REALLY help.

[Mike Jones]

Unity is daunting when you look at it and want to learn ALL it's myriad features. It seems it can do almost everything or import all the things that it can't do from other programs very easily. 

 

When we look at in the realms of what we will be using it for however - golf Course creation, all of a sudden the learning curve is much friendlier as really all you need to know are how to navigate and then how the unity terrain tools work.

[Jimbo63]

I have a real local course laid out in APCD and want to convert it. I have tinkered with Unity and do not yet feel comfortable about using it. I am sure that with some helpful videos on how to use Course Forge I will be able to complete this course. I have designed nearly 40 courses for TW2008, but only one for Links 2003, where I found that Acrifix's videos about using the APCD were extremely instructive and helpful. I am hoping that something similar will be available as to how to use Course Forge. Looking forward to trying out Course Forge and Perfect Golf, once they are available.