Outerra forum

Outerra Engine => News => Topic started by: cameni on February 16, 2013, 07:33:24 am

Title: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: cameni on February 16, 2013, 07:33:24 am
(Update - see here (http://forum.outerra.com/index.php?topic=2344.0))

Guys from the ME-DEM Project (http://www.me-dem.org) have released their first version of terrain data of Middle-Earth compiled for Outerra.
Upon installing the dataset (see the release announcement below for the links), an option to select the planet to go to will appear on the Outerra login screen.

(http://i.minus.com/j1dX0qh5HbrYT.jpg) (http://minus.com/l1dX0qh5HbrYT)
(http://i.minus.com/jbcTJAvavDl5qV_xs.jpg) (http://minus.com/lbcTJAvavDl5qV)(http://i.minus.com/jOHnpmlSv1eJ7_xs.jpg) (http://minus.com/lOHnpmlSv1eJ7)(http://i.minus.com/jJNqVKaebKhXE_xs.jpg) (http://minus.com/lJNqVKaebKhXE)(http://i.minus.com/jnB0FZesHlopA_xs.jpg) (http://minus.com/lnB0FZesHlopA)

ME-DEM Dataset 1.0

Here's the ME-DEM release notes:

Hey all, the Middle-Earth DEM Project (ME-DEM) is announcing the release of its first demo!
The demo consists of a FREE interactive Middle-Earth world viewer as seen in the linked video. The scale of the world is 1:1 ... real sized.
 If you've ever dreamed of flying around Middle-Earth, of sitting by the cool lapping shores of Lindon, of strolling through the singing forests of Lorien, or racing over the cruel spires of Mordor ... now's your chance!
Just download and install it.

Video
Middle-Earth DEM Project in Outerra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLHHS5Q_m0g#)

Instructions


At the moment we're using the vanilla Outerra Earth environment and textures. Hence the snow in Mordor. Outerra
Biomes are currently in development. That will introduce a complete array of ecosystems for the planet, both
textures and vegetation.

We're looking for 3D modellers and environment artists.
This is a demo. In the coming weeks we'll be releasing a Builders Version of the terrain, which will be an updated terrain model ready for modding.
 Included in the Anteworld demo is an entire world based on the Earth. Think Google Earth but with game oriented graphics and engine! Anteworld enables you to change the world environment. Also you can add buildings, roads, vehicles, change models and textures too!

ME-DEM:
http://www.me-dem.me.uk/ (http://www.me-dem.me.uk/)

Outerra
http://www.outerra.com/ (http://www.outerra.com/)

Cartographer's Guild
http://www.cartographersguild.com/content (http://www.cartographersguild.com/content)

Regards
ME-DEM team mebers: monks (http://www.outerra.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=728), Redrobes (http://www.outerra.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=727)
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: ZeosPantera on February 16, 2013, 09:40:30 am
And my 4000 series..
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: pico on February 16, 2013, 01:22:24 pm
Very nice done. Thanks. =)
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: DurMan667 on February 16, 2013, 01:38:03 pm
Time, I think, for Lord of the Rings Online 2.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on February 17, 2013, 06:56:02 pm
And can we say a MASSIVE thankyou to Cameni and Angrypig!! You guys are the BEST!  8)

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Matt6767 on February 18, 2013, 09:39:19 am
Certainly recognized Minas Tirith and Mt Doom and I look forward to googling what the other landmarks are about.   8)
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Sam on February 18, 2013, 01:55:43 pm
Until now I can't see any hobbits.  ;)
So I build the first base camp on the lonely mountain.

(http://img4.fotos-hochladen.net/uploads/screen13612114uoi0kxey2d.jpg) (http://www.fotos-hochladen.net)

(http://img4.fotos-hochladen.net/uploads/screen13612116tuq6hrix1w.jpg) (http://www.fotos-hochladen.net)

(http://img4.fotos-hochladen.net/uploads/screen13612116mrbyx4j95w.jpg) (http://www.fotos-hochladen.net)
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on February 19, 2013, 10:39:34 am
Hahaha...well it will take 2 more of those tatras to deliver Smaug's breakfast alone! Would be cool to see some dirt roads and horse tracks in there.

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: deathevor on February 19, 2013, 12:09:10 pm
Curious - what soft is best to create/edit maps for Outerra?
(especially forests)
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on February 23, 2013, 05:31:42 pm
Regards forests, Brano put in a quick hack for us to place them via image map...pretty sure that's in development.

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: AKNightHawk on March 18, 2013, 04:30:32 pm
This probably has to be the biggest RPG game world in existence right now wouldn't this set some kind of world record? btw awesome job. This is amazing indeed.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on March 18, 2013, 05:17:35 pm
Heh...cheers dude...but I think Anteworld is about 20 times larger at least. Ok, maybe that's not an rpg, but neither is what we're doing. But it could be used for that I guess -it is a fecking big place, and it is surely the largest rendition of M-E to date largely thanks to Outerra! Hope you tried the demo man.  :)

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Arandil on March 30, 2013, 12:52:41 am
Ok, I FINALLY got time to pop this up, I bought the tech preview soon thereafter. This is absolutely amazing and a pure delight! I knew this was coming, and I know that this is basically just a rough draft with blemishes scattered about, but **** it looks fine! I enjoyed discovering that the best way to take off in a Cessna from the heights of Dol Amroth was just to let 'em roll down hill until they bounce up high enough and off you go. I did somehow bounce deep into space on one occasion, not much I could do at that point. But seriously, there's some just utterly fantastic places to explore as it is, and just getting a sense of the scale and the viewpoints from various locations is really, really enjoyable. I can see where Thranduil's halls should be, and the marshes downstream, Mirkwood is HUGE, Long Lake looks fantastic for waterskiing. My 4 year old daughter is even flying around in there (it's more of an uncontrolled acrobatic fall, but she enjoys it.)

Serious kudos guys! I don't know what else to say! \m/_ _\m/
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on April 13, 2013, 07:21:00 pm
I'll second that! \m/ \m/ ...glad you liked it dude and that we could finally get it to you folks in an enjoyable form!

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: PytonPago on April 14, 2013, 03:58:01 am
They really did great job ... just to start modelling the world as for Tolkiens vision ... and start a massive online medieval-like FP battle at the Mordor gate !  8) LotR surely gets another comeback thanks to this ...
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Atrax on May 31, 2013, 04:53:41 pm
wow this is pretty amazing, downloading it now :D
And yea I agree, this has to be some kind of a record what Outerra team has done here. At the very least it gives a new meaning to the word "sandbox game". Middle Earth looks great too, great work! :) Off to try it.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on June 01, 2013, 04:28:54 am
Hey Atrax, saw your post over on YT.

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Atrax on June 01, 2013, 07:58:33 am
Quote from: monks on June 01, 2013, 04:28:54 am
Hey Atrax, saw your post over on YT.

monks


Yea, that was me! xD
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: obren on November 09, 2013, 02:31:05 pm
Hey, guys. I just bought Outerra, and my Middle Earth map stopped working, it was working fine in the demo mode. Also I have copied the textures in the earth folder but the world is still loading when I move around fast.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: cameni on November 09, 2013, 02:37:34 pm
The problem is that the full version uses color data for biomes and vegetation density, and M-E dataset hasn't been updated yet. To use M-E world, please go into the demo mode after selecting the world, by clicking "demo mode" link above the login button.
Once the dataset is updated with biomes, it will work in full mode as well.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: obren on November 09, 2013, 02:42:33 pm
Thanks for the quick reply. Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: connectamabob on December 16, 2013, 10:43:55 am
 :) This is amazing. I'm not into Tolkien myself, but the fact that this can be done is fantastic. I can imagine there are many fantasy/sci-fi worlds that could be realized like this. Prolly a number of people who'd want to recreate Westros, and I'd love to have a go at creating Arakkis.

Makes me very curious about tools and workflow needed.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: PytonPago on December 16, 2013, 01:26:15 pm
Quote from: connectamabob on December 16, 2013, 10:43:55 am
:) This is amazing. I'm not into Tolkien myself, but the fact that this can be done is fantastic. I can imagine there are many fantasy/sci-fi worlds that could be realized like this. Prolly a number of people who'd want to recreate Westros, and I'd love to have a go at creating Arakkis.

Makes me very curious about tools and workflow needed.

... Arakkis ? ... from the Dune ? ... well if there would be dynamic sand dunes possible in the future of OT, it might be an very interesting place whyte some worms digging, eating vehicles around. But there was not much topographic info in the saga. The whole south is practically unknown territory. Would take some thought to simulate the possible look of it, when there was water ages ago and the terrain corrosion after.

(http://static1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080718074244/dune/images/a/a9/L_Dune_Map.jpg)

(http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs8/i/2005/295/5/c/Arrakis_by_Upputter.jpg)

But sounds like a nice challenge there ...

Doe i cant really wait to see some village models be put into ME. Would be cool to see the whole white city there ...
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Redrobes on December 16, 2013, 04:27:39 pm
Just to note that we have the proper biome information as part of MeDem since its generated with the help of a terrain sim which models stuff including the vegetation map which is currently in the 'old' release pre biome support. At the moment tho we need to make another full run of the terrain in order to generate the proper biome information which would take a few weeks of CPU run. So we will get a proper MeDem compatible version for Outerras Biome support but I reckon that it will have to be patched with the best file available right now just to make it run in the meantime.

Can I also take this opportunity to plug the outercraft forum which was created by Cameni for the purpose of organizing the creation of 3D models for MeDem. So far we haven't seen anyone yet who has made anything substantial. It would be nice to see some basic models in the MeDem on Outerra data set.

http://worlds.outercraft.com/forum/ (http://worlds.outercraft.com/forum/)
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: PytonPago on December 17, 2013, 01:47:05 am
Quote from: Redrobes on December 16, 2013, 04:27:39 pm
At the moment tho we need to make another full run of the terrain in order to generate the proper biome information which would take a few weeks of CPU run. So we will get a proper MeDem compatible version for Outerras Biome support but I reckon that it will have to be patched with the best file available right now just to make it run in the meantime.

I recall several phys-chem softwares being used to calculate subatomic molecule structure based on Schrodingers function. This "probability" function is hardcore computing stuff taking at some examples 5 years to compute the normal way so they hooked the software whyte external computing capability - simply, all whyte a little soft-app on the net could take a fraction of the computing load if their PC is not used or idle. Would be interesting to expand your terrain-tools that way to get a hand whyte that process from various people.
 
Quote from: Redrobes on December 16, 2013, 04:27:39 pm
Can I also take this opportunity to plug the outercraft forum which was created by Cameni for the purpose of organizing the creation of 3D models for MeDem. So far we haven't seen anyone yet who has made anything substantial. It would be nice to see some basic models in the MeDem on Outerra data set.

http://worlds.outercraft.com/forum/ (http://worlds.outercraft.com/forum/)

Didnt know about this forum ... thanks ! ... i already found something nice there from Ennecap :

(http://s017.radikal.ru/i429/1206/9f/0e6ff60ae861.jpg)

Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Redrobes on December 17, 2013, 08:41:23 am
Yes its possible to do these kinds of processing jobs in a networked way. The app is one that I write and is what is called massively multi threaded and we also break the terrain up into tiles so regardless of the threading we could just issue a tile each and get the results. The main issue tho is that the input for the tile is quite a lot of data and its slower to send it out and get the results back than it is to process it. So yes we could do it in parallel if we had a lot of CPUs networked locally.

We could also do some of the processing on the GPU. My app was designed so that it could be ported to a GPU at some stage. When I wrote it a long while back GPUs didnt have the RAM capacity to store one tile but its different now so it could be done that way. I would estimate about a 10x speed up in that case.

Oh yes, and Ennecap has some excellent work going on. Unfortunately and quite understandably I dont think his version of Minas Tirith will be public or make it into Outerra.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: PytonPago on December 17, 2013, 10:07:18 am
    ... hmm ... how big is the raw data for a tile (and its dimensions in OT km space) ? 

    ... also, i thought there is a "stream" like way of doing it. Kind of a segment of a tile send, computed results uploaded, while the next segment could do someone else.
    Know a guy from phys-chem section was once telling us about a possible torrent parallel-was just an idea of coupling it to q-torrent and similar whyle it would use just as fraction of CPU (whyte actual usage in mind). It was then rejected at some point but the idea was to network this way every active torrent-client using PC. May seem like a piece by piece approach, but in that numbers the actual computing speed, even at a individual fraction-CPU usage, would go up greatly combined whyte the normal approach (yes still thought for the 3+ years computing processes - even a month is a nice reduction for those guys). Maybe not usable for small projects like this, but if it would see the daylight in future, adding such a process could be handled kind of a special torrent file way for any a client would like to help whyte. I thought it was a pretty neat concept.

... yes, Enn is a pro (looked at some project from him at the net), pretty nice stuff hes working on. Too bad for that model, but kinda nice to see its detail-level.
Been thinking about big city concept models. If there would be an option to choose city detail in OT (close base or hardcore options - see further on) - to that based special city models would react. It would look like this:
- 4 stage LOD city, where first is far-LOD, middle distance LOD and two for close space (one a base- nice textured one whyte just some specially picked rooms to enter,  and the second a hardcore LOD where every house would have the complete interiors and all rooms accessible). It could be a server based model stream like the terrain - downloading just the parts you visit or see at certain distances (so no need to download the whole city data for it to be usable for the client). A dump-function could be a part of it that would delete the oldest or least "visiting" to make space for new city blocks whyle traveling the world as a city could take a great amount of HDD space in this regard (maybe an enhanced options section whyte various parameters for these things in-game to be chosen by the player could come in handy too like the max HDD city usage, LOD download distances etc.). - maybe a little far-fetched, but openly - OT is to ground level and the white city is already a great piece of city to be rendered whole just like a single-type model if you walk the streets trough. Also usable for other possible projects than just ME. But in ME the only problem would be long structures in witch just fortress walls and the white city would have issues whyte LOD blending, as other towns have mostly individual houses witch could be as individual pieces of the city. But still could be possible ... damn, have to finish my military project and start contributing here whyte some Edoras wood-houses to make it come true. :P
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: connectamabob on December 30, 2013, 08:52:09 am
Quote from: PytonPago on December 16, 2013, 01:26:15 pm
[... Arakkis ? ... from the Dune ? ... well if there would be dynamic sand dunes possible in the future of OT, it might be an very interesting place whyte some worms digging, eating vehicles around. But there was not much topographic info in the saga. The whole south is practically unknown territory. Would take some thought to simulate the possible look of it, when there was water ages ago and the terrain corrosion after.

But sounds like a nice challenge there ...

Yup. I'm a big fan of the books (the original ones, not the Brian Herbert fanfics), so for me it would be a very engaging challenge. Dynamic sand dunes would be a bit much maybe (seems like something that would be insanely processor intensive), but I drool at the thought of using biomes to create the different kinds of desert geography/geology described and implied in the books.

When it comes to adaptations and illustrations, I have more fun with stuff that gives me room to "fill in the blanks". I have a strong imagination, so stuff that's really mostly filled in already actually gets confining for me, and attempts on my part to illustrate such worlds run right up against uberfans' resistance to third party creative liberties. Something with less explicit details lets me stretch my creative legs without risking conflict.

This has actually already got me pulling the books down off the shelf and doing sketches for 'thopters, stillsuits, characters, location "sets", etc. I may end up doing 3D models of some of those even if I can't do Arrakis in Outerra.

Just as a heads-up, in English it's "Dune", not "The Dune": the books' titles refer to word "Dune" being a colloquial proper noun name for the planet (the books are named after the planet Dune, a.k.a. Arrakis, not after a sand dune). Dunno if other languages treat proper nouns differently than English does in that regard. If not, then the tile has been mistranslated.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: PytonPago on December 30, 2013, 09:14:38 am
 .. those dynamic sand dunes just in sense of some time (coming to a place and it may have sand peaks changed) and in specific areas of course ... hasnt to be much complicated in that way. 

"Fill in the blanks" in scifi series is really a nice imagination relaxer. I would like to see Arrakis in OT one day too ... actually, the engine has potential in dreamworld planetary rebuilding. ME-DEMs a proof for that. Just wait till some huts and villages start to grow there.  :D
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on December 30, 2013, 09:47:55 am
:)...it would be a great thing indeed if other folks build other worlds for Outerra. I've given as much help as I can to peeps asking me here and other places but I should create a tutorial or walkthrough. I do have a workflow written down but it's only broad strokes. But then anything more detailed than that would be a novel sized tut so I'm not realistically going to get that done I'm afraid.
 I know some guy wants/is doing Westeros for Outerra, and Dune would be cool too. I never read the books (can't actually remember...) but the film was cool- casting my mind right back. There are so many worlds that would be interesting to make; GreyHawk, Forgotten Realms. the thing is you have to think long term if the project data is going to survive, put it in industry standard formats wherever possible. But then you have potential problems of cease and disists when you're creating stuff from intellectual property. It's a gamble I guess. Rule #1 don't make a game out of it.
 Even though it's not strictly necessary with Outerra, georeferencing all of your project is a firm foundation. One day all games are going to need GIS aware engines. I'm convinced of it- all those that are planetary sized anyway. Even those are not, might benefit a lot from GIS data such as street maps and 3D buildings...don't how licensing would be though, so maybe they would just take the generate your own content procedurally route.
 I've said it before, but the thing that most fascinates me, other than the creating the landscape, is underground areas. I'd love to create Moria. For really large projects, it'd need a vector line and shape input (.shp format) with procedural content (tunnels, etc) generated from the lines.

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: PytonPago on December 30, 2013, 11:05:55 am
Quote from: monks on December 30, 2013, 09:47:55 am
I've said it before, but the thing that most fascinates me, other than the creating the landscape, is underground areas. I'd love to create Moria. For really large projects, it'd need a vector line and shape input (.shp format) with procedural content (tunnels, etc) generated from the lines.

Well, lets just wait what cameni has in store for us in cave-creation.  :D
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on December 30, 2013, 08:29:58 pm
:-D I don't think it's high on his agenda............might have to wait a long time or (re)learn how to program.

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: PytonPago on December 31, 2013, 02:48:40 am
Quote from: monks on December 30, 2013, 08:29:58 pm
:-D I don't think it's high on his agenda............might have to wait a long time or (re)learn how to program.

monks

 ... all in its time monks, all in its time ...  :D Also you need some bad weather to go hiding into caves first.  ;D
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Xafelgif on January 02, 2014, 02:21:34 am
I just finished downloading me-dem but it doesn't seem to work, i ran the exe and ran anteworld however there doesn't seem to be any change. I have tried with both the paid version and the demo version

Help please?

Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: cameni on January 02, 2014, 02:39:39 am
Have you downloaded the updated files from here?: http://forum.outerra.com/index.php?topic=2344.0 (http://forum.outerra.com/index.php?topic=2344.0)
If you have only the old exe installer, you will need the color data from the update. Once you have done it, you will see a selectable planet in the login window.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: oculumanimae on January 24, 2014, 04:58:30 pm
I just purchased Outerra to try this, and whenever I start the engine with Middle-earth rather than earth it crashes instantly.

I can run earth without any difficulty, but Middle-earth crashes right away.

Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: cameni on January 25, 2014, 01:05:59 am
Do you have c:\users\yourwinname\outerra\data\medem\_cvd folder there?
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: cfought on January 26, 2014, 04:32:07 pm
I have a c:\users\yourwinname\outerra\data\medem\_cvd folder. Is there something I need to do with it (I have the same launch/crash issue as oculumanimae).
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on January 26, 2014, 04:41:29 pm
I think someone said that the megabit download is ok, but the Google one is corrupt or something...?

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: cfought on January 26, 2014, 04:44:03 pm
Thanks, I'll give that I try since mine is the Google version. I'm also getting a 404 error when loading ME-DEM.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: cameni on January 26, 2014, 04:44:51 pm
You should have _cvd and other 6 +- xyz directories there
Did you send the crash report? Please do so and identify yourself there somehow, so I can have a look.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on January 26, 2014, 05:02:02 pm
Having no problems here with either of the websites or the boards. Dunno what's with that.

Old defunct website/boards: http://www.me-dem.org/ (http://www.me-dem.org/)
New website: http://www.me-dem.me.uk/ (http://www.me-dem.me.uk/)
New boards: http://worlds.outercraft.com/forum/index.php (http://worlds.outercraft.com/forum/index.php)

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: cfought on January 26, 2014, 05:31:37 pm
Re-installed using the torrent dl link. Works great now. Thanks everyone for the help!
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Planets on March 05, 2014, 07:18:59 pm
Quote from: Redrobes on December 16, 2013, 04:27:39 pm
http://worlds.outercraft.com/forum/ (http://worlds.outercraft.com/forum/)


Didnt know about this forum ... thanks ! ... i already found something nice there from Ennecap :

http://s017.radikal.ru/i429/1206/9f/0e6ff60ae861.jpg (http://s017.radikal.ru/i429/1206/9f/0e6ff60ae861.jpg)

Wow, that's pretty awesome, makes me envision Ba-Sing Se from Avatar in Outtera and how that might possibly look, the sheer size and scale of it all. Pretty cool.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: PaulMoffat on March 05, 2014, 11:07:05 pm
I agree, that is really awesome even in the untextured gray scale.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: M7 on March 06, 2014, 01:32:09 am
I also download me-dem from google and i cannot go past the 'initialising world' . Earth load fine. Will try the  Mega download.

edit:
 I downloaded from the torrent and it worked fine. But the default location have me in orbit  stairing at the dark sky with stars ,for a moment i thought i still had a problem as i tried the play with the daytime slider to no avail ... until i finally turned around   :-[
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: btg202 on September 21, 2014, 04:39:41 am
Quote from: M7 on March 06, 2014, 01:32:09 am
I also download me-dem from google and i cannot go past the 'initialising world' . Earth load fine. Will try the  Mega download.

edit:
 I downloaded from the torrent and it worked fine. But the default location have me in orbit  stairing at the dark sky with stars ,for a moment i thought i still had a problem as i tried the play with the daytime slider to no avail ... until i finally turned around   :-[

I can't seem to download the torrent file as the link is broken. Could you send it to me?

Thanks,

Ben
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: M7 on September 21, 2014, 10:17:04 am
Sorry i dont have it anymore. Have you tried the google drive link? it seems to work.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: btg202 on September 23, 2014, 06:55:38 am
Quote from: M7 on September 21, 2014, 10:17:04 am
Sorry i dont have it anymore. Have you tried the google drive link? it seems to work.

I managed to get it, but it either loads as a black world, or says 'initializing the world...' like you had. Did you manage to find a fix?

Thanks,

Ben
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on September 23, 2014, 07:06:55 am
I'm not sure what is going on with this. We've both been very busy. I pop on here every so often to see the Outerra updates. Maybe Brano can shed some light on it.

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on September 23, 2014, 07:22:38 am
Brano will have to look at the download. As far as installation and run time problems, I'll take a look at the latest version of OT running with the demo I've got on my hd- see if I can identify any problems on mine.

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: btg202 on September 23, 2014, 07:56:15 am
Quote from: monks on September 23, 2014, 07:22:38 am
Brano will have to look at the download. As far as installation and run time problems, I'll take a look at the latest version of OT running with the demo I've got on my hd- see if I can identify any problems on mine.

monks

Sounds good thanks. I only found out about this the other day, but is has such a huge potential.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: cameni on September 23, 2014, 09:18:11 am
There seems to be a problem with the default camera location. Please run the attached mod to fix it.

medem-campos-fix.otx (http://planet.anteworld.com/appdata/Anteworld/medem-campos-fix.otx)
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: btg202 on September 24, 2014, 02:18:18 am
Quote from: cameni on September 23, 2014, 09:18:11 am
There seems to be a problem with the default camera location. Please run the attached mod to fix it.

Thanks Cameni, it seems to be fully working now. Out of curiosity, is there any more plans for development?

Ben
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: cameni on September 24, 2014, 03:35:03 am
There's a new, much better biome model prepared, with the land positioned correctly on the globe (more to the north). ME-DEM guys certainly have plans to continue enhancing it, but it's still just a hobby project and research into means of making planet-scale detailed terrain that has enough detail to look good up close. However, there's no higher goal with it, as it cannot be expected that anyone will be able to acquire a license for M-E anyway.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: btg202 on October 03, 2014, 07:22:41 am
Quote from: cameni on September 24, 2014, 03:35:03 am
There's a new, much better biome model prepared, with the land positioned correctly on the globe (more to the north). ME-DEM guys certainly have plans to continue enhancing it, but it's still just a hobby project and research into means of making planet-scale detailed terrain that has enough detail to look good up close. However, there's no higher goal with it, as it cannot be expected that anyone will be able to acquire a license for M-E anyway.

Sounds good, thanks for the update. Keep us posted as to when this will get released. It would definitely be amazing to see any expansion of vegetation that is more suited towards different environments like Mirkwood etc.

Thanks again.

Ben
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on October 03, 2014, 07:31:17 am
Hi, yes, we will continue it, but things are on the back burner for the immediate future. Improving the biomes would be a major enhancement. I've still yet to install the latest Outerra here...I've got a beta deadline around about now for a game I'm working on, so things are a bit log jammed here, until that's done. If anyone knows anything about ME-DEM...well...people said we'd never do it...and we did...but it took us 8 years...I took 18 months out for my band, but it's one of those things that's always in my mind...and I returned to it and we got to where we are now!...Releasing the demo with Brano's help was more than anyone ever expected, so it's been a certified success so far. Interest from people always helps too...although I have to say haha...there were long periods where we were very much under the radar and people returned and were shocked to find that we were still alive and kicking :-D

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Nimfrost on April 15, 2015, 06:08:39 am
Wow this is really amazing. I always wanted to explore the landscape of Middle Earth in 3D :)

Do you have any news about the next update?
I would love to see water on the rivers plus the updated biome model.

Thank you so much for making this.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: aWac9 on May 13, 2015, 01:23:31 pm
sure many things were in the pipeline,, one was sure dunes. In the world there are huge tracts of desert terrain of sand and rock,,.
Hopefully someday continue this great work.

https://youtu.be/qXM6_gb-WUI
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: LeeP on May 31, 2015, 09:43:40 pm
Wow! Nice.
Is there any way to change settings in Outerra to create rock formations like that?
Or any sites that you can download from? 
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Acetone on June 01, 2015, 03:23:07 am
Dunes are already here, really visible from the space, but when you get close the terrain parameters start adding rocks and it's less consistent:

(http://i.imgur.com/mlFd3SR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/DuHa5Ge.jpg)

You can find many of these in north/middle Africa :)
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: christopher0936 on June 11, 2016, 06:45:00 pm
Is this project dead? It seems so cool.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Redrobes on June 11, 2016, 07:41:03 pm
Its not being actively worked on at present. But thats not to say it will never have some more work done on it. It did reach a point where outerra had most of the features showing well and to take it up a notch would now require another large push of effort.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: grinreaper on January 25, 2017, 07:07:00 pm
Is this project still being worked on? I tried loading this on the latest version of outerra (16.1.0.7503)  and i get a black screen.

I get ERROR: server error: 404 on file: C:/Users/.../Outerra/data/medem/_bio/-x/base.desc (planet.anteworld.com)

I've tried the camera patch and that doesn't help.

I compared the data/medem with data/earth2 folder and found that whereas earth2 had files in the /_bio/-x (and y and z) folders, the corresponding folders in medem are empty.

Any way I could fix this?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Redrobes on January 27, 2017, 05:03:55 pm
Ok, it looks like Outerra has moved on since the last time we tried it and I have not kept pace with any new developments. I think its looking for some new files and there is the potential that we can provide some of the data that its looking for. But we need to have a conflab with Cameni to work out what we can provide.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Eönwë on February 06, 2017, 01:47:20 am
Hello, Everyone,

I've just joined this forum and would like to get in touch with anyone interested in rebooting the Middle Earth project.   Let me know who you are are where you are with it.

Thanks...
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on February 06, 2017, 06:30:13 am
Hi Eonwe, Redrobes is currently preparing to run an updated texture for this. We spoke to Brano the Outerra developer about adding rivers. In what capacity would you be interested in rebooting the project?

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Eönwë on February 07, 2017, 09:38:37 pm
Greetings;

I'm glad that there this project has interest.

I am a software developer and long time Tolkien fan.   I have a great interest his 'world' especially the cartography of Middle-Earth.   I have collected all the maps that I can find including some containing geological and climatological information.   

I would like to see if Outerra can render Middle-Earth including detailed landmarks and structures, well-known and otherwise.   I would love to see it as explorable as the best that is out there for other worlds.

I have no experience with map editors, but I can contribute to scripting events and actions.   What kind of documentation is there available?

How many are there who share this passion?
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on February 17, 2017, 08:13:27 am
Hi Eonwe, ...pleased to meet you and thanks for your interest!  :-)...unfortunately at the moment I can't commit any time to the project. However, RedRobes is currently pushing forward to create a more detailed environment map with the input from Brano (Cameni), the Outerra developer. It will take advantage of the improved environments of Outerra. So there will be a new release on the horizon. I'm not able to give any input at this stage. However ME-DEM is a very long term project, and has had down times before, and will re-iterate. All of the data is backed up on more than one hard drive. The website is down, but it is backed up. It was removed by my old web hosts for the sake of a missed payment of £5.00. Idiotic!

 Btw, the ME-DEM project is going to be used by the marketing team at Global Mapper in their advertising. Talking to them at the moment. :-)

 I'm currently busy finishing the album for my band and writing a Tolkien critique. Amongst other things, I have solved the long-standing riddle of Tom Bombadil. His and Goldberry's true identities will be revealed in the book. Sorry, I can't reveal anything at this stage. So I'm still very much immersed in the Tolkien world- at least when I'm not making music.

 We are really looking for 3D modellers and someone to lead that side of things. Would you be interested in getting involved with that? If not, perhaps speak to RedRobes on here. Alternatively, I think we need a plugin for Outerra to provide a better interface for adding rivers. Cameni mentioned that in an email. Would you be interested in taking that up?

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Redrobes on February 17, 2017, 07:08:51 pm
Yes we could really do with a lead for the 3D work. What we had in mind was to make up some really rough models of the famous sites. Just enough shape to them so that we could make sure that the terrain would hold the model ok. Then people could pick them off and have a go at making them in detail.

The 3D buildings and stuff in Outerra is done using COLLADA format 3D which is handy since blender and sketchup both support that format. But somebody to make up a text list of all the models that might be good to see and then to pick them off in most important order and make really rough untextured versions embedded into the Outerra world first would be a great target.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Eönwë on February 27, 2017, 10:04:32 pm
Greetings, Monks;

Thanks for getting back to me.

Available time is a premium for us all.  Frankly, I don't know how much I can spare, but as i get more familiar with what the project needs are, but should I find anything I'll investigate further.

I look forward to learning more about the editor and what apps are commonly used to develop ME-DEM.   Clearly, Outerra objects can be scripted.   It also supports rivers, so I am surprised that the ME version doesn't have any.   Why is that so?

I'm all for more detail.  I'd like to see all the known points of interest: Hobbiton, Bree, Rivendell...
ture to at least the movies - as they are the kind of visuals most expect.   But, i wouldn't want to stop there.  Tokien mentions lots of places... most of which exist only in words.   And,... I wouldn't even want to stop there.   Most of Middle-Earth has no more detail than just a name.   But, the geology and climate of these places can be inferred by their location and elevation.   That's were the real labor of love is, tho much can be done thru attomation.

I do look forward to the next release.   Where can I find developer documentation for Outerra?

Who Bombadil is certainly has been a closely guarded secret.   The speculation I find most agreeable is that he is the embodiment of the music of Iluvatar.   If JRRT had something else in mind, he may have taken it to the grave with him.

BTW, I think I don't have the patience to model, but I probably would enjoy developing an interface for model format conversions (there are a lot of assets out there).    However, from what you say, the greatest need is rivers.   And, you don't really need to 'place' rivers.   That should be determined by the topology and climate.   At most, only hints should be provided for when the algorithms don't get it right.

Well, stop here.   Sorry for not replying sooner.

Look forward to hearing from you and maybe Cameni.


E
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Aen-Seidhe on May 21, 2017, 04:04:35 am
Hello, Guys!

I'm very interested in your ME Dem Project.
I even modelled some Tolkien places myself using Wilbur and Terragen.
I was very upset that I couldn't find any info on ME DEM website anymore.

I heard that you need 3d modeller to make some models for the Project. I'm making some in Sketchup - this is my hobby. If you are interested I can show you some of them and join the project :)
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Eönwë on May 29, 2017, 02:23:25 pm
Greetings,

Sad to say that this forum is not active at the moment.   I hope that will change.    The creator of DEM has a great thing going.  It's unfortunate that not enough ppl have time for it.   I have some time, but there doesn't seem to be enough support.   Hope that changes.   Until then, let's keep in touch and see if activity changes for the better.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on May 29, 2017, 05:45:12 pm
Hi, thanks for your interest. :-) Unfortunately I'm just too busy to revisit the files, rebuild the website and oversee the project for the time being, despite interest from Brano (Cameni) and Redrobes. ME-DEM is not dead. It has been through long periods of hibernation before. This is the longest period to date admittedly but as long as the files are still on my disks, then it's still alive. I still keep in touch with RedRobes fairly regularly via other channels.  If you want to build models for it then I don't see why you can't go ahead and do that anyway- unless of course the latest Outerra builds don't support the ME-DEM data- that's probably the case. One of the things I'm busy with is writing a book, a critique of Tolkien's works, so my interest in Tolkien and all things M-E has not waned in the least! I can confidently say that the riddle of Bombadil and Goldberry will finally be solved. //wink... I see Outerra goes from strength to strength. Long may it prosper!  8)

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Eönwë on May 29, 2017, 10:19:51 pm
I'm not a model maker, but would like to contribute to terrain editing such as rivers, streams, and waterfalls.   Hopefully, ME will come back to life and after updating and augmented with VR technology will stay alive.   I'll be standing by and try to visit this forum more often to help maintain a presence.
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on May 30, 2017, 06:01:14 am
I think I'd probably have to take 2-3 weeks out of what I'm doing here in order to get the website up and running again. However, we do have forums on the Outerra website...I'm pretty sure they're still going, so the website is not the most necessary part of it. The most necessary part is the hunting down and reconsolidation of latest files. I think I could take time out from what I'm doing at some point this year but right now I have to finish up with important things here, which will take a while-some months. What's the situation with water in Ouiterra Eonwe?
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Eönwë on May 30, 2017, 09:40:02 am
Ah, so there is an ME forum on the Outerra web site?

Getting the download to install and run is vital to bringing back and attracting new interests.   And, I do believe that there are many who would be interested in this project.

The demo that shows how waterways can be added are fine for canals and such, but I envision the ability to use the terrain and climate to create the natural waterways, rapids, and falls.   I am a software engineer and do have some ideas on how this can be done.

Anyway,...  I do hope this dialog becomes "...will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains." <G>
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: monks on May 30, 2017, 10:56:42 pm
Yes

http://worlds.outercraft.com/forum/index.php

 Outerra would need an interface to import and place in the terrain correctly rivers as vectors en-masse- specifically as .shp vectors. The sheer number and scale of the rivers is enormous. Manual placement would take forever- as someone who has worked on the data, I know :-D

monks
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Eönwë on June 02, 2017, 07:39:52 pm
The API would only be part of it.   The real work is in efficiently and effectively overlaying textures for rendering at a distance, and that's easy half..  LOL    The read deal is rendering the physics efficiently and for convincing flows and motion.   Fortunately, PhysX is supported on all modern GPUs.   Unfortunately, I don't have experience on that particular technology stack.    ...but I might be willing to learn. <G>
Title: Re: Middle-Earth World for Outerra released!
Post by: Audumbla on July 16, 2017, 01:57:09 am
I am having an error with the -z, and it won't load.