Topic: Somewhat of a map, but more decorative

[Peardian]

This is something I put together with the help of a tool called Anarchy in the Galaxy in order to celebrate Halloween. With it, I can read the coordinates of every object in every part of every galaxy, and used it to recreate almost all of Ghostly Galaxy, sans enemies. I have no plans on mapping SMG, but as you can see, it is theoretically possible with the right resources.

It took nine full hours to assemble the scene, and I didn't even go into enemies and collectibles. Instead of making one wallpaper like I planned, I went ahead and made six of them, at a whopping 1600x1200 each. Enjoy!

[Piranhaplant]

I made a something similar with Super Mario Sunshine's Defino Airstrip.

[Peardian]

I'm impressed! Because of how SMS relies heavily on vertex shading for stuff like the water colors, I haven't had much success in working with the models. It's tough to make the maps look as beautiful as they are in the game!

[Maxim]

Any chance you could do higher-res renders? I'm running 3840x1024 here (three monitors) which I guess would also require some recomposition... If you wanted to print them out you'd want that sort of resolution anyway.

[Peardian]

3840x1024? That's not high-resolution, that's just your three monitors put together. The individual renders are large enough to fit each of your individual screens.


I have no plans to render it any larger than I have it currently. This size took long enough to render as it is.

[Ryan Ferneau]

Oh, is this about that game "Super Mario Galaxy", and not the real galaxy?

[Peardian]

Sadly, no, this isn't the real galaxy. (Oh, how I wish it was.) If you've never played Super Mario Galaxy 1/2, I highly suggest them both. Masterpieces, each.

[Trop]

Awesome stuff.  You say you have no plans to map SMG but it looks like you more or less have a whole map there.  I know you like to deck your maps out with everything available but simple unmarked top down maps can be good too.

[Peardian]

I tried that, and believe me, it's not very useful. One of the main problems about space is that it's almost entirely that: space. The planets are relatively small and spaced far apart compared to the void around them. The other problem about making a top-down map is the whole "top" thing. Even in galaxies that take place in the upper atmosphere, there is no real "top" or "up" or "down" because of the gravity of individual planets. This is probably why Prima just "mapped" the levels as a series of steps from planet to planet with a picture of each. SMG is a mapmaker's nightmare.

[Trop]

Ahh, I didn't realize.  Makes pretty art though.

[Peardian]

It's past Halloween, so I thought I'd make another batch! This time, creatures!

Now here's something a little more autumn-themed. I'm using the pond one right now!

[Trop]

They're beautiful.  Peardian do you do any photography?

[Peardian]

I have a camera, but rarely ever pull it out. I can't get my hands steady enough to keep it from getting a tad blurry.


Fun fact about the latest set: the only planet not shown even once is the bunny chase planet. Why? It's too boring and out of the way.

[Trop]

"It's too boring and out of the way"  Yes!  Peardian based on that statement and your choice of composition for these I'd say you think like a photographer.  Also your composition is very good and it hints at a lot of potential.

[Maxim]

They certainly have a photographic feel in terms of the composition. A more naive composition would have things a lot more centred. Does your rendering software let you add depth of field effects? It might be an interesting addition.