[WIP] The Whispering Forest

[jbr373]

Hello OwnedCore Community!

today I want to show you Guys my first Worldbuild that I've worked on!

The Models used vary from Vanilla to MOP. Most of the Models used are already re-textured, with Images ranging from normal 512x512 to 2048x2048.

A lot of DBC Editing is also involved, to name the edited DBC Files:
Light.dbc / LightParams.dbc / LightSkybox.dbc / LiquidType.dbc / Map.dbc / AreaTable.dbc / CreatureDisplayInfo.dbc / Spell.dbc / GroundEffectDoodad.dbc / GroundEffectTexture.dbc

Tools used:
NoggIt 1.3
010 Editor
WoWMachimaTool
LightMapper
MyDBCEditor
FileInfo
LoadInfo
Rius Zone Masher
ADT Adder
CataToWotLKM2
OBJtoM2
M2Modder
Blender 2.68
BLPConverter
Adobe Photoshop CS6
Paint.NET

Credits go to user "AnthonysToolbox" on Modcraft for his converted Cataclysm and Mists of Pandaria M2's!

About the Zone Design:

I decided to use .M2 Models to design the Mountains, because I always disliked the way WoW Mountains are designed. Models give an edgy, spikey design not possible mit ADT Terrain.
The Textures are and will be changed to get a more "serious" or "realistic" design of the Trees, Rocks, Bushes... well, everything.

And here are some early Pictures showing the Zone Design:













































As you can see, these Screenshots are still pretty early in terms of design... the fences are missplaced, miss little Doodads to make it look less empty, and plants are missing in various spots... not to mention the Placeholder Models

Old Screenshots:
(Left for comparision with my old work)

[SwordOfTruth]

Please reapload screenshots to any host and post as link. I cannot see them.

[phantom325]

Wow, this almost doesn't even look like WoW, almost looks like another MMO. Great job!

[jppgibbs]

Amazing job - well done!

[jbr373]

Thank you for your nice comments Any Idea on the Object/Terrain color? should I change the lightning to make the Map look brighter?

[Wavesong]

It looks cool. I would however try to change the skybox and lightning. At this moment, your forest looks dark, that I must agree to. But there is no atmosphere with this lightning and skybox. Just makes it look like a dull dark forest.

[botirk]

It looks like 70% of gilneas area + 30% of fable.

[Xel]

This lightning you use is awesome. First screenshot made me think of Skyrim instead of WoW.

+Rep

[jbr373]

It looks a lot like Gilneas because I use a lot of the Gilneas Models
but I already retextured the Rocks again, and the Trees as well. They now look a lot sharper, and the next thing I'll do is retexturing the Fences and using the Lightadder tool to edit the Torches and Lamps, so it'll light up a wider Area during the Night

[SwordOfTruth]

I like new updates, sepecially the last one. Zone looks very atmospheric. Also it doesn't look like WoW... That's why I like it If you want a host-project for your work, you're welcome. (LIKE A LEECHER )

[SwordOfTruth]

Also I'd lke to know which way of texturing do you use for mountains?

[jbr373]

The Mountains are done with upscaled Doodads I like those "spikey, edgy" Doodad Mountains more than those doable with the Terrain Feature. To tackle the Blur caused by the uscaling, the Texture Resolution is increased as well

[Xel]

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to jbr373 again."

[Eratoc]

Seriously, is this even WoW? Best model edit I've seen so far, graphic wise.

[jbr373]

Thanks for your comments
those screens are actually outdated already... there are now different types of ground detail, not only those leaves... I've added different flowers, bushes and different grass. As far as the water goes, it has more of a Cataclysm like feel - not just a 50% dark blue texture, I've redone the waves with Photoshop as well. Also, I'm testing how it would look to add water puddles to lowered terrain as a game object, which appears when the weather changes to rain in the zone (I know this is more of a server script topic, but it adds to the look of the zone).
And I started using a downscaled version of the Wind Object in Uldulm, which shows the sand flying over the dunes. I textured it of course, to make it look more like Snow/Ice/Normal Wind instead of sand.