An experiment to turn the 2D field files into 3D (w/video)

[halkun]

Ok Guys, Here's Experiment Number 2!!

I discovered 2 things...

#1 The walkmeshes were (poorly) hand-traced after the render. I could make better ones, but then again, it wasn't like it was supposed to be something you see.

#2 Did you know there were words on building? It says "North Edge Station" You can see it when you project it.

[Hellbringer616]

Wow, awesome work

[Kudistos Megistos]

halkun, how long do you think it would take for you to render all of the areas in the game like this? if you could make a patch for that i would definately use it.

Sadly i don't think you can ever add true 3d backgrounds to FF7 without A LOT of trouble

Sigh. It would be nice 

Ok Guys, Here's Experiment Number 2!!

That's pretty damn impressive. Even if it is just for fun (right now), I hope you do some more work on this. If nothing else, it's nice to see what the towns in FF7 really look like, rather than seeing one screen at a time from one angle.

[Prince Lex]

#2 Did you know there were words on building? It says "North Edge Station" You can see it when you project it.

I can't believe there are words on that building. That's something I've never noticed before.

[Packer]

That's really impressive.

Although, not all that necessary nor for any good use, you should export the Sketchup file as a TF2/ L4D map. It would be fun to run around on that level, despite it being the wrong game.

[BlitzNCS]

Question.
If somebody made new textures that were at a lot higher resolution, and just generally new, would it be possible for you to get the exact correct camera position so you could make High def renders for use in conjuntion with this, as well as the new Custom driver? That would be epic. although the textures would have to be spot on, not to mention the models would have to much more complete and near perfect too.

[halkun]

You start with the camera in the exact position so that part is actually the easiest. If you want to texture the model more power to you. I'll play with it more when I have a chance. The funny thing is the backgrounds are not that complex, There is also a lot of Photoshopping done after the fact.

[Timu Sumisu]

in terms of the thought of rerendering backgrounds, if you can export the model as done like so, most of what square did was add procedural textures which take 2 seconds to make, the issue is largely the camera angle ( i don think sketch up exports that ) anyhow it'd definately be interesting to see what could be accomplished texturing these models.

[Hellbringer616]

Easy to make textures like that? Seems like it would be hard. But if you can do it more power to you, you and Halkun could team up, and when Aali improves Palmer then you can make proper high resolution Prerendered backgrounds!

[Furzball]

Ok, question in curiousity, would that mean that "North Edge Station" Could technically mean Sector 7 was originally named "Edge"?

[Borde]

I'm really impressed with your experiment halkun. If you get this done FF7 could look seriously better. Even if the camera doesn't move too much, it usually has some panning that would look far better with a real 3D background.

If I undestrand correctly, in order to get one of this backgrounds in game you should:
1 - Destory the original 2D background information so that it doesn't collide with the new geometry.
2 - Add a new entity to the level file.
3 - Modify the script so that it shows the model in the level.
If I recall correctly steps 1 and 3 are already possible. I don't know about the 2nd one, though. Backgound animations could cause some more problems though.

[Hellbringer616]

Q-Gears is working on that. Though i haven't seen much news in a few months

[Timu Sumisu]

what format can sketchup export to, and all the worry about the camera, is that i dont think you can export camera position, so short of making everything in sketchup, what other options are there?

I can see this being particularly useful for remaking fmvs (something i hope to do eventually) by making the first frame, which would provide a scaled area model, leaving only the camera position to tinker.

[obesebear]

Well if the walkmesh/new walkmesh is included on the 3D file, would it be possible to import it into FF7 and work correctly?

[Edenkov]

Hi, any news ?

[Harruzame]

This would be great...I think Originally the makers of this game made rough sketches of the backgrounds including the names and signs made.But since PSX doesnt emulate too much then..It doesn't show.. I've watched a couple of TECH shows...and I remember they where discussing this things...


But hey can't wait for this game to be in 3D. Hey you know you're already remaking the game by doing this...Almost as if this is a secret project for Squeenix of some sort...hhhehehehe

Just curious!!!... No harm intended!....

[Hellbringer616]

So Halkun, Still working on this project? Or is it scraped? i'm curisous as since you can now replace backgrounds with Aali's driver

[halkun]

It was an experiment... Just for fun. I have not gone furthur

[Edenkov]

Is there a chance you could share the 3D files or the way you do that ?