Some Real-Time Reflections and Mirrors stuff...

SunnySharma · Post by **SunnySharma** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 11:28 pm

Just to let you guys know, a while back, when the HEK was first released, I messed around and figured out Real-Time reflections.

They are very simple, but sometimes annoying.

Basically, you open a shader file that you want the real-time reflection to apply to.
Now, scroll down, (this only works in shader glass and shader environment tags), all the way down. There should be a check-box in the reflections section that says "Dynamic Mirror." check it off.

Now, apply that shader/texture in Max to a surface in Max. Make sure the surface is flat. Completely flat, no "curved" edges, or you will get a "Could not accumlate final cluster Mirror" error in Tool.
Do whatever the heck else you are doing with your map in Max. Once done, export as usual as .jms, and compile. If it goes correctly, tada! Feel special!

Now, when you open your map in Sapien, the reflection will be weird. It will be showing screwy images. That's ok, Sapien doesn't really render the reflection, it works perfectly in-game.
Add your stuff, etc.
Once in-game, check it out! You can see a reflection!

Warning, this causes giant FPS loss, and if there are TOO many mirrors, giant lag.

Sonictag · Post by **Sonictag** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 5:03 am

Can you get a screenshot? I never knew the halo engine could render real time reflections..

SunnySharma · Post by **SunnySharma** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 9:11 am

Well, I don't have any left really, (microtech removed most of their old files hosted)...

But, start up Two Betrayals SP. Look on the floor of the Control Room, and viola!

gecko753 · Post by **gecko753** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 9:13 am

you can also edit the amount it reflects. so you can have a surface that u can just barely see ur reflection in. another thing is that from what i have seen, the mirror does not take active camo in. so if theres someone w/ active camo standing on a mirror, in the reflection they will not have it.

you can also fool with the alpha values of the base map to make it so that only parts of the surface are mirrors

SunnySharma · Post by **SunnySharma** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 9:23 am

Yup, it's a very cool function, but very system-and-internet taking in Halo.

SunnySharma · Post by **SunnySharma** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 12:22 am

Here is a screenshot showcasing dynamic real-time reflections in Halo...thanks to SonicXtreme for the screenshot

Fragrate · Post by **Fragrate** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 5:57 pm

sunny, is that map out ?

SunnySharma · Post by **SunnySharma** » Sat Mar 05, 2005 8:56 pm

Not yet, almost.

In fact, I may release another Public Beta.

jimjoebob · Post by **jimjoebob** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:13 am

THNX alot ive always wondered how to do mirrors

Mourge · Post by **Mourge** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 3:28 pm

is it possible in halo pc?

Waverunner · Post by **Waverunner** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 3:32 pm

This is a huge bump. Don't do it again, check the dates on threads before you reply.