Update Build v.0.2.03

Hello helloo Everyone,

and welcome back to Targa Florio!

How are you guys doing? Anyone started counting the day to the start of the new F1 season? XD

Somehow, we're already at the last month of 2023. Time sure flies isn't it. I hope this year has been good to you.

Have the Holidays started yet? Here in my country, we don't really have end of year holidays lol. Only on the 24th and 25th, then on 1st of January. So we're still working even on 31st of December. Can you Imagine all the worker's mindset on that day at the office hahaha.

Today, we have a small update for the track.

I couldn't apologize enough for the irregular updates lately. We are currently preparing for an overhaul for the entire track, so most of the work goes into that preparation.

The Update this time includes some experimental 2D trees that will be used in the new version later. Because we will have a new terrain model based on Lidar. And that model has much more details compared to the one that we have right now. And unfortunately because of that, if we simply migrate the trees, some of them will float or sink into the ground.

These 2D trees will replace the 3D trees instances that are faraway at the distance.

Now that we know instanced 3D trees have a limit, we need to plan the budget carefully and prioritize on the environment around the main road.

And also for this update, we switched the default config back to the original 2D trees, with another set of optional files if you want to use the 3D trees. I think this is more convenient and proper.

Another thing that were added was the Rosalia Church in Campofelice. And it has a working clock that shows the in game time. Props to Beni for figuring it out, as I am such a dummy when it comes to scripts lol

Also, some new buildings, particularly on the long straight. There were buildings every 1km along the railway that serves as control and maintenance stations.

Here is the Targa Florio v.0.2.03 

and here is the 3D tree optional files 

Speaking of LIDAR-based terrain, we are using the 5m resolution as the base, and 1m resolution for the area that are near the road. Even between the 2 lidar models, the difference in the details was quite amazing.

and so the 5m terrain with terrain texture need to be conformed to the 1m res terrain (white model)

What is also amazing is the polycount lol. We definitely can't use them as it is. Not unless we want to drive with 30 frames per minutes hahaha.

So the plan is to decimate the vertices, bake the normal map from the high res and project it to the lower res terrain. We will also need a LOD model for terrain around the road as well.

What we aim to achieve is basically something that are close to the DIRT Rally or WRC games environment. The details around the road are mind blowing when you look at the model. It made me want to cry XD

Of course it's a different game engines, so there will be limitations. But we'll see if we can find the limit to how far we can go. After all, as a racing drivers, finding limits comes as natural for us, no? :D

On that note, Assetto Corsa will be out next year. Probably the close beta first. We have no idea what will change in terms of track modding. Will it support instances, secondary UV channel, or even auto tesselation. We just have to wait, see, and adapt.

Anyway, that's it for today's update and progress report.

I hope you guys have a good holidays with families, friends, and your beloved sim rig!

Thank you always for your support. And enjoy the last month of the year!

Stay safe, stay healthy, drink a lot of water and don't forget to workout!

Best of Regards,

Abulzz