19.02.2012, 22:50
Here are some quick tips on how to create visually attractive maps. This applies mostly to "real life" styled maps, not to floating platforms over the sea or the like. Feel free to leave any more tips!
Nature
Adding in plants, trees and rocks in some appropriate locations can significantly improve almost any map. Too often I see maps that are just made up of concrete and fences mashed together.
Nature: Plants, trees and rocks. (Click for larger view)
Use barriers sparingly
If creating a construction site on a road or something, don't add in too many barriers. Traffic cones are especially sensitive to this matter. Sometimes I see maps with twenty cones crammed together in one location, where three or four would suffice. Think about it: have you ever seen so many cones on a road in real life?
Spacing
Spacing between objects is important if you're creating something man-made, like a row of fences. You can use other objects to measure distance between different objects. You don't have to do this on the millimeter, but it just looks nicer if things like that are more or less evenly spaced.
All elements evenly spaced apart, using the bollard as reference. (Click for larger view)
Lighting
You will notice that some objects have lighting effects applied to them; one side is dark and one side is bright. Try to rotate the dark side towards the north whenever possible.
Trash
Ironically enough, adding trash objects might actually improve the map. This can be especially important if you're mapping something like a gang neighborhood. Adding trash on the ground around dumpsters can also help.
Trash behind a donut shop. (Click for larger view)
Rotation
Rotation is important! Especially when much of the same object models are close together. This applies mostly to trees and plants, as a row of trees that all look the same is not really visually appealing. Also dare to rotate around X and Y axes; if a road is sloped, then rotate the objects that are on the road accordingly.
Signs rotated on their X and Y axes, implying that they've been there for quite a while. (Click for larger view).
Alpha channels and non-collidable objects
These may be hard to work with, as they are only indirectly selectable (assuming mta's editor), but it may be well worth the effort. Oil smudges in a garage or car spaces in front of a building can improve the map.
Scenery and details
Don't add objects that don't fit the scenery. For example: a brick column in the middle of a road construction site serves no purpose.
Avoid floating objects
This one's pretty self explanatory. Floating stuff is not nice.
Nature
Adding in plants, trees and rocks in some appropriate locations can significantly improve almost any map. Too often I see maps that are just made up of concrete and fences mashed together.
Nature: Plants, trees and rocks. (Click for larger view)
Use barriers sparingly
If creating a construction site on a road or something, don't add in too many barriers. Traffic cones are especially sensitive to this matter. Sometimes I see maps with twenty cones crammed together in one location, where three or four would suffice. Think about it: have you ever seen so many cones on a road in real life?
Spacing
Spacing between objects is important if you're creating something man-made, like a row of fences. You can use other objects to measure distance between different objects. You don't have to do this on the millimeter, but it just looks nicer if things like that are more or less evenly spaced.
All elements evenly spaced apart, using the bollard as reference. (Click for larger view)
Lighting
You will notice that some objects have lighting effects applied to them; one side is dark and one side is bright. Try to rotate the dark side towards the north whenever possible.
Trash
Ironically enough, adding trash objects might actually improve the map. This can be especially important if you're mapping something like a gang neighborhood. Adding trash on the ground around dumpsters can also help.
Trash behind a donut shop. (Click for larger view)
Rotation
Rotation is important! Especially when much of the same object models are close together. This applies mostly to trees and plants, as a row of trees that all look the same is not really visually appealing. Also dare to rotate around X and Y axes; if a road is sloped, then rotate the objects that are on the road accordingly.
Signs rotated on their X and Y axes, implying that they've been there for quite a while. (Click for larger view).
Alpha channels and non-collidable objects
These may be hard to work with, as they are only indirectly selectable (assuming mta's editor), but it may be well worth the effort. Oil smudges in a garage or car spaces in front of a building can improve the map.
Scenery and details
Don't add objects that don't fit the scenery. For example: a brick column in the middle of a road construction site serves no purpose.
Avoid floating objects
This one's pretty self explanatory. Floating stuff is not nice.