111 replies to this topic

[DPRoberts]

First 3D object I ever created probably took a day to correctly build and texture. Now, I can build something significantly more complicated in under 5 minutes.

Patience is obviously key. I also think we should realize that something well done nowadays is a bit more of a production.

Read about development of any game company or indie games and you will see that they rely on multiple third party assets to get the job done at a high level. You can't expect PP to have to reinvent the wheel if a good asset/ program exists.

Cart paths, animated birds, trees (unfortunately), 3D objects are all peripherals. I imagine that they would struggle to get where they are if they had to worry about perfecting every step in the process.

Now, if Easy Roads moves to pay only to get the job done, it's a little more frustrating that they don't have a better tool.

I actually would like them to allow scripting to enable us to have greater freedom with third party stuff. In my ideal world, I'm using RTP v3 for the terrain painting or Megasplat for 5.5 and Aquas for water reflections. But, I'm spoiled and don't mind wasting money on my hobbies.

[axe360]

Hi Matt. It's just that coming from a course designer/game that had all that in it already (not 3rd party) I had been spoiled since 05, so you can understand my frustration. However, you make gr8 points.

 

 

Thank ya.

[DPRoberts]

Gotcha. Guessing it's a less than 5 percent change that they could improve upon Easy Roads. Simplify user interface, eliminate need to delete asset from the project at the end and that's about it.

With Mike endorsing it by providing the tutorial, I'll read between the lines that it's good enough as is and not worth their development time. Same with the birds.

[axe360]

Welp, I got 5 holes of paths laid down with EZ Roads and I must say, it's working out pretty damn good. Still it's a hassle but I'm quite pleased with the results so far..

[axe360]

@ Ian. I really am beginning to like this easy roads. Of course I would rather have something more user friendly but once you set the main parameters at the start. You don't have to do that anymore and you really only have to do a couple of things over and over but man, the results sure beat anything we can do by hand..

So jump in, own it and I think you will like it!

[yesrushdt]

The one thing I hate about easy roads is that the cart path has to be placed a bit above ground  which doesn't look too good up close.  It would be nice if it would be a thicker object (instead of a flat one) that is partially placed below the ground, however it doesn't seem like it's possible with it.  Hopefully this won't matter much in the future once turf effects is implemented as it will probably do a good job of covering up the edges of the levitating cart parth.

[axe360]

The one thing I hate about easy roads is that the cart path has to be placed a bit above ground  which doesn't look too good up close.  It would be nice if it would be a thicker object (instead of a flat one) that is partially placed below the ground, however it doesn't seem like it's possible with it.  Hopefully this won't matter much in the future once turf effects is implemented as it will probably do a good job of covering up the edges of the levitating cart parth.

 

Yep but you can lower it to .09 or even .06, I'm currently using .09. I've not heard of a way to make it thicker? That would make it look better.

Gr8 point about the grass, that will definitely hide those issues.

[DPRoberts]

Hmm...I have an idea on that. Will have to play a bit. Not sure it'll really look better or that'll you'll like the extra steps Larry!

[axe360]

Hmm...I have an idea on that. Will have to play a bit. Not sure it'll really look better or that'll you'll like the extra steps Larry!

 

Matt, Oh yeah! I will suspend operations for now. Oh Matt, what's an extra step or 2 if it means a much better look? After all golf is all about the details..

[IanD]

Show some images where possible guys...

[QBL_MrCobra]

Gotcha. Guessing it's a less than 5 percent change that they could improve upon Easy Roads. Simplify user interface, eliminate need to delete asset from the project at the end and that's about it.

With Mike endorsing it by providing the tutorial, I'll read between the lines that it's good enough as is and not worth their development time. Same with the birds.

Hi DPRoberts,

 

I use the paid version in my first two courses and I never deleted the easy Road folder and didn't have any problem to compile my courses.

I like it a lot. the only thing I don't like, it's you can't joined the end of a path to the start of a new one and you can't cross over a path because it doesn't blend.

MrCobra

[DPRoberts]

MrCobra, good to know. I have only tried doing it the way Mike has described with the free asset. I have debated trying the paid for asset to place bulkheads but need to spend a bit of time watching the videos. It may not prove to be more efficient over my Blender method anyhow.

Here is some experimentation getting a more "3D" path. I am showing 3 examples. Each increases in Tri count. Honestly, I'm not sure the extra effort is really needed for this. Once you get my steps down, it will be about 5 minutes work for each path you create. Basically, exporting Easy Road spline, extruding faces in Blender, remapping texture, re-import and set up Collider, turn off shadows, set material, etc. I really like what RobC is doing by just blending with the texture. But, if you desire some chunkiness to your path, I can certainly show you how to do it. Let me know if you really want to head down this....stupid pun...

90 degree ledged path


Slightly beveled path


Rounded edge path

[axe360]

Pretty cool especially the last pic but I think like yesrusdt mentioned, when we get 3d grass it will not even be noticeable.

[Dazmaniac]

Can the Easy Road paths be assigned as free drop areas?

[Crow357]

Can the Easy Road paths be assigned as free drop areas?

No, but they do play like fairway.

[NoPutt]

Hi DPRoberts,

 

I use the paid version in my first two courses and I never deleted the easy Road folder and didn't have any problem to compile my courses.

I like it a lot. the only thing I don't like, it's you can't joined the end of a path to the start of a new one and you can't cross over a path because it doesn't blend.

MrCobra

Actually you can. I don't have ER open at the moment, but I think by right clicking on the

last section planted you will get arrows allowing stretching and side to side movement

which will allow some aligning with previous path. I accidentally clicked on an end one

day and Justin happened to notice this feature. Maybe he will explain further if he sees this.

We were screen sharing at the time using the Free version.

[axe360]

Actually before you drop the path you can clik on any of the control points for the path and move them left, right.

What I don't like are the white sides, they hinder my vision and make it hard to see the path on the heightmap.

 

[NoPutt]

The white sides help with knowing where the

terrain is flattened on either side of the path,

and can be adjusted.

[axe360]

The white sides help with knowing where the

terrain is flattened on either side of the path,

and can be adjusted.

 

Welp, if you know how to Set it in the Parameters, I only know how to do it between points? Sure would be nice if you shared.

 

Actually, I think they are fine as they are.

[IanK]

I still don't think the three examples of Easy Roads above look as convincing as just drawing the pathway using CF. In my opinion all that's needed to make the process easier is to have the ability to draw one spline and have CF draw a parallel line of the required distance from hand drawn one.