I know this is a reach, and a big ask, but for features such as “cities, forests, oceans, or anything like that,” since this is essentially a redesign of the terrain system, would it be possible to design with third party integration in mind?
This is of course not the focus at the moment, but usually that is the best time to consider it, since it wouldn’t, at this point, involve redoing as much work (lol relatively speaking, can’t imagine how much work this is XD).
My reasoning for bringing this up comes from the results of my work the last several months. I have been doing a lot of work integrating various third party systems together, rather than investing in single systems that come with it all “out of the box.” (For example, rather than relying on space combat kit, I am integrating scifi ship controller, Gravitas, and a few other assets together).
Because each system is designed by someone who is dedicated to that set of features, I find the result of merging them is more powerful, with better features and more expansive options. It’s the closest thing to outsourcing to various subject matter experts and integrating them into a team, that any solo developer can hope for.
If this is too massive a request, that is truly understandable. But I wanted to plant the seed of thought in this area, just in case it’s possible.
A few examples:
Summary
Water:
- Zibra AI’s Zibra Liquid (which according to some preliminary discussion, has been made compatible with spherical bodies)
- ArtNGame’s Oceanis (which is made by creators of another “youthful” space graphics framework, Orion, that features water on planetary bodies).
- Your own Flow asset! Although I know it was not designed with spherical geometry in mind.
Atmosphere:
- ArtNGame’s Sky Master/Infinicloud (same creators of Oceanis and Orion) who are actively applying it to their terrain planets
- Kronnect’s Volumetric Fog & Mist, as they have proven their dependability as long-term asset store creators.
Vegetation: (less knowledgeable in this category)
- Perhaps Jason Booth’s foliage renderer due to the creator’s dependability and quality, though I have not checked into this asset too much.
- BOXOPHOBIC’s Visual Engine (successor to Vegetation Engine) has definitely proven itself to be a powerful tool for any project
- I sadly do not have a good example for a vegetation spawner…
Thank you again for all your work!