[1.12.x] Parallax - PBR Terrain and Surface Objects [2.0.8]

[Gameslinx]

It's been a few months since I've given an update on Parallax's development, and while there are meaty changes already, they're not all ready to show. I wanted to show off the first in-game testing of a custom shadow implementation I've written for the planets from orbit. Since the main feature of the next Parallax Continued release is an overhaul of the scaled planets, I've been investigating ways to enable shadows in the tracking station and from orbit. Unfortunately it's not as simple as flicking a switch and enabling shadow casting on the sun for the scaled scene so I've implemented simple and cheap raymarched shadows which is what I wanted to show off today

You also get to see Minmus' remastered look in-game, which completely matches its surface. The transition from scaled to terrain views is much more pleasant now.

 

In the video I'm showing off hard shadows (shadows with a hard edge/cutoff). Soft shadows are in the works, but not quite ready yet. I'm going with a simple technique that approximates soft shadows based on the distance the occluded light ray would have travelled had it reached the surface.

Edited 5 hours ago by Gameslinx

[RileyHef]

Absolutely amazing!! Really glad to hear soft shadows are possible for a more stylistic experience. I just can't tell you how long this has been on my "wishlist" so I am really, really happy to hear development is making progress. Best of luck, I look forward to supporting the next release!