lm_xxxx

(ShadowAgent) #1

i have a question that might be dumb, but do the files named lm_xxxx are created only if you put lights in your map?

(Shaderman) #2

Yes.

(ShadowAgent) #3

ok thanks a lot 8)

(Shaderman) #4

I’ve been answering too fast again :roll:

The lm_xxxxx files are not created because you put lights in your map, they’re created if you do a -light compile with the -external option :slight_smile:

(ShadowAgent) #5

ok lol that changes nothing

(Flippy) #6

The -external option? I’ve never seen that… And q3map still creates the lightmap files if I compile with -light ?

(Shaderman) #7

AFAIK all light compile options in 1.4 and 1.5 use -external, even if it’s not named in the BSP menu.

And q3map still creates the lightmap files if I compile with -light ?

Without -external (and some other reasons), the lightmaps are stored in the BSP.

(FireFly) #8

Yep, Even the 1.3.13 version that i’ve been using over the years uses the -external switch by default when doing a -light compile within radiant.

However, It will also create a 256 by 256 pixels lighmap by default AFAIK.

Therefor I always prefered using a batchfile with -external -lightmapsize 512 for smoother / better looking shadows. In the stock SD maps they used a combination of the lightmapsize: using 256 for the indoor areas and 512 for outdoors… perhaps to decrease the overal pk3 filesize for people to download?

Taking the lightmap files to photoshop and using a gausian blur of 0.3 can give some nice shadow blending effects in your map, I know that Gerbil applied some photoshop editing in his lightmaps. Converting the lightmaps to jpg will create light-artifacts in your map, so make sure you keep them in the tga file format…

(TNR360) #9

but increasing the lightmap size… wouldnt that increase the overall size of the map in the end??

(SCDS_reyalP) #10

ET always uses external lightmaps AFAIK.

(TNR360) #11

yes but we still have a larger pack size in the end with the lightmap folder with higher resolution

(SCDS_reyalP) #12

yes but we still have a larger pack size in the end with the lightmap folder with higher resolution[/quote]
Larger lightmap images does not imply higher resolution. It just means one lightmap covers more area.