This week, I created the three different types of pipes that will be placed over the buildings and alongside the main pipeline. I designed:
- A straight pipe
- A curved pipe for bends
- A short section to adjust and hide connections in case the pipes don’t align perfectly due to angles or rotation issues.
Additionally, I built a Blueprint that allows me to generate pipes quickly using a Spline system. However, this Blueprint has some limitations, especially with very sharp curves, so in those cases, I will need to manually adjust the curved pipe model.
On the lighting side, I now have an initial approach to the final look, including the nighttime sky and the greenish tone of the game. I also tested two possible lighting types: warm and cool. I’m not 100% decided yet, but this week I plan to do more testing to determine which works best. The current idea is to have two main lighting tones:
- A primary light that illuminates the night, giving everything a green hue.
- A warm or cool artificial light for the environment.
I also researched the possibility of using a cubemap as a texture for some windows to bring more life to the city by simulating interior rooms. However, I only looked into the basics for now, so it’s just an extra feature for the future.
Furthermore, I made some small adjustments to the buildings, as some didn’t quite fit, or their repetition looked strange. I also completed the full texturing of all the buildings.
Another key change was removing a building from the main street, closing off a small alleyway I initially planned, and integrating it into the machinery area to make it more cohesive.
Now, I just need to adjust one building to prevent it from ending abruptly. There’s an alleyway that will be obstructed by pipes, but the building’s end shouldn’t be visible, as it looks unnatural.
Goals for this week:
- Create the small industrial area.
- Finish the hero asset.
- Start working on the main pipeline.
- Work on the street and its textures to get a better view of the environment.
- Continue refining the lighting and begin planning the streetlights.