Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Half-Life 2 Panoramics

Posted by Zonk on from the interactive-shiny dept.

rgovostes writes "VRMag, an online panoramic magazine, has QuickTime VR scenes from Half-Life 2. The corresponding article, Half Life 2: A Panoramic Approach, explains how the images were made and relates photographic elements with the game's rendering engine."

4 of 22 comments (clear)

  1. First Story In A Game Ever! by Blackwulf · · Score: 3, Funny
    From TFA:
    In 1998, when Half Life was first published, it was the first storytelling game of the entertainment history;

    Apparently nobody ever tried to tell a story in a game before 1998!

  2. Re:What's the point? by xfact0r · · Score: 3, Insightful

    At this point in time, yes, these images don't serve much of a purpose with the game being available and all.

    However if they were released before the game, they would have given a much better overall environment that screenshots provide.

    These would have been great teaser shots. I think Prince of Persia released some, but they were pretty low quality to be any good.

  3. Virtual Panoramic by ZephyrXero · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This is the best panoramic stuff I've seen sadly enough... Now what I mean is that no matter where you turn the camera, everything stays in pretty good perspective, but if you've ever looked at real world ones they're always warped and awkward looking. If we can do this in a game, then how come we can't make a camera do the same thing? Oh well...

    --
    "A truly wise man realizes he knows nothing."
    1. Re:Virtual Panoramic by GoRK · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I don't know what you're talking about. With a proper pano head and some decent stitching effort you can create 'perfect' panoramas without distortion. It helps to have the right equipment and knowledge though. Most panoramas out on the web are unfortunately shot on a regular tripod (which does not pivot around the right point) or worse, handheld, and stiched using some low quality automatic stitching software (Ulead 360, etc)...

      Using something that actually *works* like panotools and good wide angle lenses, you can whip up good looking shots with minimal effort.

      Here's one of my first 360's made with two shots and a lens with a 183 degree FOV. There are some problems with the horizon due to it being in the extremeties of the picture, but aside from the lack of resolution, it is pretty much seamless except for one small area by the sailboat where I simply could not get panotools to bend things right. If I'd have had more altitude with the kite, it would have been perfect. Next time I shoot one, it will be :) My shot was inspired by Scott Haefner's work on the same subject; however he has far more experience at it than I do (I have only made one shot).. If you really want to see some awesome stuff, check out his site.