Im kinda late to planet zoo but I am utterly amazed at peoples creativity. Every time one of your previous zoos loaded I was sat here with my mouth open in awe!
Yeah it gives it a much nicer natural feel. Still not perfect, but better than just using the smooth tool. The animals can get in and out much easier too!
I think the lumps are due to how the game generates terrain with the tool. It forms polygons (albeit small ones), hence why I would never recommend using the smallest size terrain sculpting tool, it just forms triangular-looking peaks, which the path simply can't handle. The stamp works differently and is ideal for perfectly smooth terrain that the pathing works well with!
Just discovered this video and it explains so easily why I have been having problems getting the heightmap working in Planet Zoo...thanks for the great tutorial.
So, just a thought... Any chance you could do a video on the methodology behind why you build, what you build and/or your thought processes when designing things? Buildings, etc, I've been building for a long time - started with the launch of Planet Coaster; and this is one thing I never see anyone talk about. I struggled my way through studying architecture, analyzing people's builds and why they made the choices they did and so on; a video like this could be extremely, extremely helpful for a lot of people. Myself included. A lot of people get frustrated (despite knowing tricks and tips to do the actual building) but give up after their designs don't pan out. (Usually because of missing elements, composition or placement of things, or just that things don't quite look right in general, etc.) Either way, thanks for the videos!
Definitely one to think about! There's a few definite influences for me. I work in the construction industry, so building design is loosely based on IRL design practices. For theming, some of my ideas come from other games I play - like Red Dead Redemption for forest/country stuff, Conan Exiles for desert, Fallout for modern/unique stuff. If I'm stuck Google is a massive help, that and Pinterest for seeing design concepts
Thank you! been playing PZ since it's release and always had flat zoos because I couldn't find a way to get paths to sit properly with elevated ground on inclines. I will definitely be using rocks and the stamp tool with a tilt for this now. Don't know why I didn't realise I could tilt it haha sometimes the answer is staring you in the face.
Something I noticed the way you're using the smooth tool during tip 2 for that river....you're not using it properly. As made obvious by as you mention it's not naturally sloping, you just needed to pull it up a bit and that issue would've been fixed, but then go back after doing a small section of that which could be angled. Reason people have issues with that tool for rivers, they start too far on the flat or in the river bed sides, but also don't angle it after doing a tiny section first.
I'm having trouble with the height map part. I'm trying to use gimp but when trying to match the opacity/color, it ends up being close to 80% opacity and at that point the whole screen is just white. Also with the spot I chose the river is the blackest part and ground is a little grey and it might be throwing me off. Help?
in photoshop use the info panel, I would guess 128 is flat and above that would be higher, anything below 128 would be lower. like a displacement map in 3d.
![10 Pro Tips For Budding Planet Zoo Gardeners [Planet Zoo Mini Tutorials]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/uWG5QrcJHCM/mqdefault.jpg)
![10 Pro Tips For Budding Planet Zoo Gardeners [Planet Zoo Mini Tutorials]](/img/tr.png)
Im kinda late to planet zoo but I am utterly amazed at peoples creativity. Every time one of your previous zoos loaded I was sat here with my mouth open in awe!
Thanks!!!! I've never thought to angle the terrain stamp for beaches/paths. Very helpful!
Yeah it gives it a much nicer natural feel. Still not perfect, but better than just using the smooth tool. The animals can get in and out much easier too!
Agreed, I've been struggling with lumpy paths when trying to make natural slopes and using the terrain stamps instead is a total game changer!
I think the lumps are due to how the game generates terrain with the tool. It forms polygons (albeit small ones), hence why I would never recommend using the smallest size terrain sculpting tool, it just forms triangular-looking peaks, which the path simply can't handle. The stamp works differently and is ideal for perfectly smooth terrain that the pathing works well with!
Just discovered this video and it explains so easily why I have been having problems getting the heightmap working in Planet Zoo...thanks for the great tutorial.
Drawing with the terrain paint is genius! That'll help me so much with planning, thank you!
So, just a thought... Any chance you could do a video on the methodology behind why you build, what you build and/or your thought processes when designing things? Buildings, etc, I've been building for a long time - started with the launch of Planet Coaster; and this is one thing I never see anyone talk about. I struggled my way through studying architecture, analyzing people's builds and why they made the choices they did and so on; a video like this could be extremely, extremely helpful for a lot of people. Myself included. A lot of people get frustrated (despite knowing tricks and tips to do the actual building) but give up after their designs don't pan out. (Usually because of missing elements, composition or placement of things, or just that things don't quite look right in general, etc.)
Either way, thanks for the videos!
Definitely one to think about! There's a few definite influences for me. I work in the construction industry, so building design is loosely based on IRL design practices. For theming, some of my ideas come from other games I play - like Red Dead Redemption for forest/country stuff, Conan Exiles for desert, Fallout for modern/unique stuff. If I'm stuck Google is a massive help, that and Pinterest for seeing design concepts
Thank you! been playing PZ since it's release and always had flat zoos because I couldn't find a way to get paths to sit properly with elevated ground on inclines. I will definitely be using rocks and the stamp tool with a tilt for this now. Don't know why I didn't realise I could tilt it haha sometimes the answer is staring you in the face.
@10:00 Jeezz how many million of hrs have you put in this?
Looks awsome
Google Maps as a reference is brilliant!
Thank you for the little paint tutorial, so helpful !!
Thank you, glad it has helped
I'd love more building videos from you
Thanks! I've dropped the ball a bit recently on building things, but getting back into it soon
Love your vid, as always you're excellent at explaining things!
Hope it's provided some good tips!
Even though I play Cities Skylines as well I had no idea this height map tool exists! Great advice
Something I noticed the way you're using the smooth tool during tip 2 for that river....you're not using it properly. As made obvious by as you mention it's not naturally sloping, you just needed to pull it up a bit and that issue would've been fixed, but then go back after doing a small section of that which could be angled. Reason people have issues with that tool for rivers, they start too far on the flat or in the river bed sides, but also don't angle it after doing a tiny section first.
For me, shaping the Terrain stamps is WAY easier with flatten to foundation if you know how the tool works.
I'm having trouble with the height map part. I'm trying to use gimp but when trying to match the opacity/color, it ends up being close to 80% opacity and at that point the whole screen is just white. Also with the spot I chose the river is the blackest part and ground is a little grey and it might be throwing me off. Help?
in photoshop use the info panel, I would guess 128 is flat and above that would be higher, anything below 128 would be lower. like a displacement map in 3d.
Really helpful, thank you
This will be so helpful when I get a PC! Thanks!
You're welcome!
Are you scouse?
Yes! Not the most 'scouse' of accents, so not everyone can tell right away
your game is lagging