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I have a question about the Tab labeled "Bump Models" under the "Terrain" tab. There are four "Properties" to choose from: Caterpillar bump model", "Tractor bump model", "Rut bump model", "Sand Rut bump model". You need to import a '.surface' file for there to have some type of thing happen. I have no idea what these are and im interested in how they work and how i can use them to my advantage. Any info at all is greatly appreciated.

These are for laying down caterpillar, tactor tracks etc like you see on the stock tracks. The surface file can be created using JamieT's surface creator tool (http://twisteddirt.com/smf/index.php/topic,4689.0.html) he can give you more info how to use it.

The models are basically a line of pairs of trianlges, the width of the tracks, that are rendered on top of the terrain using the bump map that you load it into - so either tractor, caterpillar etc..

Jamie's the only creator that has used them - that i know of, and in fact they are only in DE because he wanted to experiment with using them. 

It's a little bit complicated at the beginig to get started with it (you have to know how to work with veretx paint in 3dsmax). Once you learn how it works it's not that hard .. Jamie said that he will put a tut video on youtube soon . And laurie please do an update on  DE so that we can put custom bump maps ! 

Did Jamie ask you to ask for that..? 

  Looks like I've been caught out...

Not sure when I'll get around to doing a tutorial.  Motivation for Reflex stuff is low at the moment unfortunately.  Big chunks of time are rare for me at the moment, which is when I like to work on computer-stuff.  It'll most likely be a written one rather than a video. 

no worries - i'll put it on the list..

Hahahha ... actually I asked him if it is possible to change the bump maps ... he said that it isn't at the moment so he told me to ask you haha 

Can anyone update with at least a little information on how to get started? I'd love to use a bump model on my track.

I'm no expert (JT is the only person i know who has done this) but here goes:

You'll need JTs surface creator availabe elsewhere in this section. The surface creator takes a Collada file created with your favorite 3D modelling package. The model in question is a series of squares (2 polies per square, uv values i suspectwill be 0 or 1) to which the bump maps will be applied. I don't know the actual dimensions but some experimentation and looking at the stock tracks should give you and idea. Place the squares wherever you want the tracks to appear on the terrain, separate models for each type of track (tractor, caterpillar etc) - just the ones you want to include.

Export your square polies to a collada format file, then pass that file through JTs surface creator. Finally, open up DE and import them using the import buttons under the terrain tab (Bump mapping rollout) for which ever track texture you want to apply to each model. DE won't show the tracks in the 3D view - so you will need to compile the track and view it in game before you can see the results. I suspect there will be a some tweaking until you find out which way round the model needs to be.

Hopefully that will get you started... 

Is there any problem with the "rut bump model" because it's not working for me.

It'll be fixed in the next update which is coming soon.

Quote from: JamieT on October 11, 2015, 10:27:24 AM
It'll be fixed in the next update which is coming soon.

Thanks