3D Skybox Help

Ravidge

Grand Vizier
aa
May 14, 2008
1,544
2,818
I haven't looked at the bsp you linked, but.

Here's a quick and simple summary of how 3D skyboxes are constructed:

First you have your play area, your map.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1281220/SS-2011.02.08-03.22.26.jpg
The Important thing here is to note where the 0,0,0 coordinate is (It's conveniently shown with the axis widget floating in 3d space. It doesn't have to be inside the map, it can be anywhere. But you need to know where it is in relation to your map.
Also, your map should be sealed with tools/toolsskybox texture.

You can build your 3D skybox simply by placing a sky_camera somewhere on the hammer grid. It should be outside your sealed map area though. But apart from that it can go anywhere. Then constructing an environment around it. Generally you want to make an environment with a slot in it, where your main map area slides in. The difficult part is usually to make these line up properly, but there are many tricks to use that are explained in longer tutorials on this site (search for them).

You should end up with something like http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1281220/SS-2011.02.08-03.23.35.jpg
And you can clearly see how the map could fit into that hole in the middle. Notice how the sky_camera is at the same relative location as the 0,0,0 coordinate widget in the first picture!

Lastly, remember to seal the 3dskybox too. Leaks are never good.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1281220/SS-2011.02.08-03.24.47.png
Here's what this example ended up looking like in hammer. I turned off the grid because it's just noisy in pictures.
 

Cannon Fodder

L1: Registered
Feb 6, 2011
19
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