Help with Glow/Bloom

[Foolish]

I am in the process of trying to add a bloom or glow effect to a laser. Could someone comment on the following if they see something obviously wrong? I am an SDK 2.3 owner by the way. Thanks

 

Here is my simple test program:

 

Framework leadwerks.engine

 

'Create an OpenGL graphics window

Graphics 800, 600

 

'Allows the engine to find files and load files from zip packages

RegisterAbstractPath AppDir

 

'Create a world

If Not CreateWorld() RuntimeError "Failed to create world."

 

 

'Create a camera

cam:TCamera = CreateCamera()

CameraClearColor(cam, Vec4(0, 0, 0, 1))

RotateEntity(cam, Vec3(35, 0, 0))

MoveEntity cam, Vec3(0, 0, - 2)

 

 

'add a light

light:TLight = CreateDirectionalLight()

RotateEntity light, Vec3(45, 45, 0)

 

buffer:TBuffer = CreateBuffer(800, 600, BUFFER_COLOR | BUFFER_DEPTH | BUFFER_NORMAL | BUFFER_COLOR1)

 

'Create a render buffer For post - processing effects

postbuffer:TBuffer = CreateBuffer(800, 600, BUFFER_COLOR)

TextureFilter(GetColorBuffer(postbuffer), TEXFILTER_SMOOTH)

 

postfilter:TShader = LoadShader("abstract::postfilter.vert", "abstract::postfilter_bloom.frag")

 

DebugLights(True)

 

mesh1:TMesh = LoadMesh("laser_laser.gmf")

If Not mesh1 RuntimeError "Failed to laser mesh"

 

PositionEntity mesh1, Vec3(0, 0, 0)

 

'Main loop

While Not KeyHit(KEY_ESCAPE)

 

TurnEntity mesh1, Vec3(0, 0.5, 0)

 

'Update timing, physics, and other miscellaneous updates

UpdateWorld

 

'Draw the world

SetBuffer(buffer)

RenderWorld

 

SetBuffer(postbuffer)

RenderLights(buffer)

 

 

SetBuffer(BackBuffer())

SetShader(postfilter)

BindTexture(GetDepthBuffer(buffer), 1)

BindTexture(GetColorBuffer(postbuffer, 1), 0)

DrawImage(GetColorBuffer(postbuffer), 0, GraphicsHeight(), GraphicsWidth(), - GraphicsHeight())

 

 

Flip

Wend

 

And my mat file for the laser appears as follows:

texture0="abstract::laserred.dds"

clamp0=0,0,0

blend=0

depthmask=1

depthtest=1

overlay=0

zsort=0

cullface=1

castshadows=1

specular=0.000000000

bumpscale=0.300000012

gloss=0.250000000

shader="abstract::mesh_diffuse.vert","abstract::postfilter_bloom.frag"

shadowshader="abstract::mesh_diffuse.vert",""

[Marleys Ghost]

TBH you are better off using Framework to enable the post processing FX, plus you're trying to use a post effect on a mesh in the .mat, if you look in the mesh folder of the shaders theres a couple you could use such as mesh_diffuse_glow.frag ...

[Foolish]

TBH you are better off using Framework to enable the post processing FX, plus you're trying to use a post effect on a mesh in the .mat, if you look in the mesh folder of the shaders theres a couple you could use such as mesh_diffuse_glow.frag ...

 

Okay. Framework got the effects I was looking for. However, it seems to have screwed up my 3rd person camera I was using. Going through the forums, it looked like you might have run into something similiar in January. I am using the same technique as described in that thread which is as follows:

 

'Position Camera

PositionEntity(fw.Main.camera, EntityPosition(thismodel.model))

RotateEntity(fw.Main.camera, EntityRotation(thismodel.model))

MoveEntity(fw.Main.camera, Vec3(0, 1, - 2.5))

 

However, my model looks like it is shaking. In reality, it appears to be due to the camera positioning. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks

[Marleys Ghost]

which thread?

[Foolish]

Link to the post I was referencing

 

 

I solved it by creating a pivot to parent the camera to. The camera movement is smooth now, but it is not as visually interesting. Using the pivot keeps the camera rigidly in place where using rotate and move entity makes it feel more fluid.

 

which thread?

[Marleys Ghost]

I solved it by creating a pivot to parent the camera to.

 

 

 

Actually the thread you are referencing is all about the problems that arose from that approach. In the end I went for this approach for a basic third person camera:

 

http://leadwerks.com/werkspace/index.php?/topic/800-basic-3rd-person-camera/

 

And then to this:

 

http://leadwerks.com/werkspace/index.php?/topic/832-updated-basic-3rd-person-camera/

[Foolish]

Actually the thread you are referencing is all about the problems that arose from that approach. In the end I went for this approach for a basic third person camera:

 

http://leadwerks.com/werkspace/index.php?/topic/800-basic-3rd-person-camera/

 

And then to this:

 

http://leadwerks.com/werkspace/index.php?/topic/832-updated-basic-3rd-person-camera/

 

Its funny. Using Framework, the camera's movements are jerky and it makes my ship look like it is vibrating violently. When I don't use framework, its fine, but getting the advanced effects are ten times harder.

 

In your example, you use a cube. Have you used a model with it yet? I am wondering if the physics body is messing me up.

 

When I comment out the camera positioning, the TIE moves fine as does when I use the pivot.

[Foolish]

Its funny. Using Framework, the camera's movements are jerky and it makes my ship look like it is vibrating violently. When I don't use framework, its fine, but getting the advanced effects are ten times harder.

 

In your example, you use a cube. Have you used a model with it yet? I am wondering if the physics body is messing me up.

 

When I comment out the camera positioning, the TIE moves fine as does when I use the pivot.

 

 

I am still stuck trying to reproduce a simple use of the GLOW shader working such as the cagelight in the tunnels example. Any BMAXers out there have a working example of something like this?

[Marleys Ghost]

In your example, you use a cube. Have you used a model with it yet?

 

I just swapped the cube for a model and did not notice any problems.

[Joh]

Could you show us the whole code so we can try to help you?

[Foolish]

Could you show us the whole code so we can try to help you?

 

 

Thanks for your time.

 

 

Framework leadwerks.engine

 

'Create an OpenGL graphics window

Graphics 800, 600

 

'Allows the engine to find files and load files from zip packages

RegisterAbstractPath AppDir

 

'Create a world

If Not CreateWorld() RuntimeError "Failed to create world."

 

'Create a camera

cam:TCamera = CreateCamera()

CameraClearColor(cam, Vec4(0, 0, 0, 1))

RotateEntity(cam, Vec3(35, 0, 0))

MoveEntity cam, Vec3(0, 2, - 2)

 

 

buffer:TBuffer = CreateBuffer(800, 600, BUFFER_COLOR0 | BUFFER_DEPTH | BUFFER_NORMAL)

 

DebugLights(True)

 

model:TModel = LoadModel("abstract::fixture_cagelight.gmf")

If Not model RuntimeError "Failed to load cagelight"

 

'add a pointlight

plight:TLight = CreatePointLight(4, model)

SetShadowSoftness(plight, 2)

SetShadowmapSize(plight, 512)

SetLightRange(plight, 2)

 

plight_material:TMaterial = CreateMaterial()

SetMaterialTexture(plight_material, LoadTexture("abstract::cagebulb.dds"))

PaintEntity(plight, plight_material)

AmbientLight Vec3(1)

 

PositionEntity model, Vec3(0, 2, 0)

 

'Main loop

While Not KeyHit(KEY_ESCAPE)

 

TurnEntity model, Vec3(0, 0.5, 0)

 

'Update timing, physics, and other miscellaneous updates

UpdateWorld

 

'Draw the world

SetBuffer(buffer)

RenderWorld

'Swap the graphics buffers so we can see what we drew

 

SetBuffer(BackBuffer())

RenderLights(buffer)

Flip

Wend

 

The screenshot shows what I'm getting. Not quite the bright light of the tunnel demo.

 

Thanks again.

[Foolish]

Could you show us the whole code so we can try to help you?

 

Joh, do you think you might have a chance to look at this? Thanks.

[Josh]

The framework command set is used to create a "framework" that handles bloom and other effects, so you can just switch them on and off.

[Joh]

I am sorry i completely forgot of this post

Yeah Josh already told you how to do it, also there is a glow/bloom shader for mesh wich i never understood how it's working, i saw it use another texture but i didn't understood wich material we shall use..

Josh could you explain it?

[Flexman]

Just to chime in. If you use the LE shaders for glow such as "mesh_diffuse_glow.frag" then you need to provide a glowmap in texture stage 2 and use the glow post-filter. The glowmap can be the same texture as your colourmap if you want.

 

Look at the example "cagebulb" which is part of the cagelight in the underground level...

 

texture0="abstract::cagebulb.dds"
texture2="abstract::cagebulb.dds"
castshadows=0
collisiontype=0
color=1.0,0.9,0.6,1.0
shader="abstract::mesh_diffuse.vert","abstract::mesh_diffuse_glow.frag"

 

Glow is rendered as a post-process, so unless you're using a glow post-process effect that you won't see any glow effects from these materials. Just try it in the editor, turn the glow option on and off with the object in front of you.

 

If you don't want to do that for whatever reason you might have to fake it the old fashioned way using a corona or an additive blended version of your laserbolt.

[Joh]

So i could just use the same diffuse.. Ok i'll try.

Thx.

[Foolish]

Thanks guys.

[Naughty Alien]

..i dont know have you succeeded, and guys previously already did proper explanation, so ill just post some code, how it should look like..so..material file should be as it was already exposed :

texture0="abstract::cagebulb.dds"
texture2="abstract::cagebulb.dds"
castshadows=0
collisiontype=0
color=1.0,0.9,0.6,1.0
shader="abstract::mesh_diffuse.vert","abstract::mesh_diffuse_glow.frag"

 

and then, here is example with use if framewerk so it will be very easy to set up and try..

 

SuperStrict

Framework leadwerks.framewerk
RegisterAbstractPath(AppDir)

Graphics(800, 600)
LogStreamEnabled = False'AppLogMode equivalent
Local fw:TFramewerk

fw = TFramewerk.Create()
If Not fw RuntimeError "Failed to initialize engine."
fw.renderer.SetBloom(True)'here your cagebulb glow will be turned on/off
fw.renderer.setHDR(True)'here your glow effect can be more exposed if HDR is enabled (only SM4 cards)..glow will work just fine without it, but less intense..

'load a scene
LoadMesh("abstract::myScene.gmf")

'just set up your camera to face glowsphere so you can see it
MoveEntity(fw.main.camera,vec3(0,3,-3)

Local glowSphere:TMesh = createsphere() ;moveentity (glowsphere, vec3(0, 3, 0))
Local glowMaterial:TMaterial = LoadMaterial("abstract::cagebulb.mat")
PaintEntity(glowSphere, glowMaterial)


Repeat


 fw.Update()
 fw.Render()

 Flip(0)
Until KeyHit(KEY_ESCAPE)
End

 

..and that should be pretty much all...i hope it helps..

[Foolish]

..i dont know have you succeeded, and guys previously already did proper explanation, so ill just post some code, how it should look like..so..material file should be as it was already exposed :

texture0="abstract::cagebulb.dds"
texture2="abstract::cagebulb.dds"
castshadows=0
collisiontype=0
color=1.0,0.9,0.6,1.0
shader="abstract::mesh_diffuse.vert","abstract::mesh_diffuse_glow.frag"

 

and then, here is example with use if framewerk so it will be very easy to set up and try..

 

SuperStrict

Framework leadwerks.framewerk
RegisterAbstractPath(AppDir)

Graphics(800, 600)
LogStreamEnabled = False'AppLogMode equivalent
Local fw:TFramewerk

fw = TFramewerk.Create()
If Not fw RuntimeError "Failed to initialize engine."
fw.renderer.SetBloom(True)'here your cagebulb glow will be turned on/off
fw.renderer.setHDR(True)'here your glow effect can be more exposed if HDR is enabled (only SM4 cards)..glow will work just fine without it, but less intense..

'load a scene
LoadMesh("abstract::myScene.gmf")

'just set up your camera to face glowsphere so you can see it
MoveEntity(fw.main.camera,vec3(0,3,-3)

Local glowSphere:TMesh = createsphere() ;moveentity (glowsphere, vec3(0, 3, 0))
Local glowMaterial:TMaterial = LoadMaterial("abstract::cagebulb.mat")
PaintEntity(glowSphere, glowMaterial)


Repeat


 fw.Update()
 fw.Render()

 Flip(0)
Until KeyHit(KEY_ESCAPE)
End

 

..and that should be pretty much all...i hope it helps..

 

 

I can make this example work. Thanks. My problem with Framework now goes back to an earlier post related to camera movement.

Moving the camera is code creates very jerky movement unless I use a pivot.

 

I made a brief video showing the problem here: Jerky Camera Using Framework

 

I only get this using framework.

 

My relevant code is as follows:

 

Framework leadwerks.engine

 

'Create an OpenGL graphics window

 

Import "Framework.bmx"

 

 

AppTitle = "Working Title"

 

Const WIDTH = 1024

Const HEIGHT = 768

Graphics WIDTH, HEIGHT

 

Const FPSVIEW = 1

Const CHASEVIEW = 2

Global ViewType:Int = CHASEVIEW

 

'Allows the engine to find files and load files from zip packages

RegisterAbstractPath AppDir

 

fw:TFramework = TFramework.Create()

 

If Not fw

RuntimeError "Failed to initialize engine"

End If

 

PositionEntity fw.Main.camera, Vec3(0, 10, - 4)

CameraClearColor(fw.Main.camera, Vec4(0, 0, 0, 1))

CameraRange(fw.Main.camera, 0.1, 3000)

CameraClearMode(fw.Main.camera, BUFFER_DEPTH)

 

'add a light

light:TLight = CreateDirectionalLight()

RotateEntity light, Vec3(45, 45, 0)

 

'load the scene

scene:TEntity = LoadScene("abstract::scene.sbx")

If Not scene RuntimeError "Failed to load scene"

 

 

 

'set collisions

Collisions(1, 1, True)

 

 

Global player:TTIEF

player = New TTIEF

player.SetPosition (0, 50, - 2000)

 

 

LoadTestTower()

 

SetSkybox(LoadMaterial("abstract::skybox.mat"))

 

HideMouse

MoveMouse GraphicsWidth() / 2, GraphicsHeight() / 2

 

 

'SetStats(2)

 

'Main loop

While Not KeyHit(KEY_ESCAPE)

DebugPhysics KeyDown(KEY_P)

 

 

If KeyDown(KEY_S) Then SaveBuffer(gbuffer, "screenshot.jpg")

 

If KeyDown(KEY_F1) Then ViewType = FPSVIEW

If KeyDown(KEY_F2) Then ViewType = CHASEVIEW

 

UpdateFramework()

 

player.Update()

 

'Position Camera

If ViewType = CHASEVIEW 'no pivot

EntityParent(fw.Main.camera, Null)

PositionEntity(fw.Main.camera, EntityPosition(player.model))

RotateEntity(fw.Main.camera, EntityRotation(player.model))

MoveEntity(fw.Main.camera, Vec3(0, 5, - 10))

Else 'using pivot

EntityParent(fw.Main.camera, player.camPivot)

PositionEntity(fw.Main.camera, EntityPosition(player.camPivot))

 

End If

 

 

 

 

 

 

fw.update()

fw.Render()

 

If ViewType = FPSVIEW Then

DrawText "View Type: Using Pivot", 0, 80

Else

DrawText "View Type: Rotating Cam", 0, 80

End If

 

 

Flip

 

Wend

 

 

I have also played around with resizing the model in case its a rounding error with floats, but that didn't seem to help. Not moving the camera keeps everything smooth as well.

 

Any thoughts?

[Canardia]

You are calling UpdateFramework() twice.

[Foolish]

You are calling UpdateFramework() twice.

I wish it was that simple. That second call is left over from troubleshooting this. Removing "updateframework" has no impact at all.

[Joh]

Remove UpdateFramework() also why this is called on loop?:

Else 'using pivot
EntityParent(fw.Main.camera, player.camPivot)
PositionEntity(fw.Main.camera, EntityPosition(player.camPivot))

End If

Parenting a cam to a pivot it's something you should do just once..

[Foolish]

Remove UpdateFramework() also why this is called on loop?:

Else 'using pivot
EntityParent(fw.Main.camera, player.camPivot)
PositionEntity(fw.Main.camera, EntityPosition(player.camPivot))

End If

Parenting a cam to a pivot it's something you should do just once..

 

I still get the shaky camera. I have minimized my loop to just what causes the shaky camera. I had the other code in there before to demonstrate that using the pivot allowed smooth movement. The following code excerpt, which maneuvers the camera is what creates the jerky results.

 

 

'SetStats(2)

EntityParent(fw.Main.camera, Null)

 

 

'Main loop

While Not KeyHit(KEY_ESCAPE)

DebugPhysics KeyDown(KEY_P)

 

player.Update()

 

PositionEntity(fw.Main.camera, EntityPosition(player.model))

RotateEntity(fw.Main.camera, EntityRotation(player.model))

MoveEntity(fw.Main.camera, Vec3(0, 1, - 2.5))

 

 

fw.update()

fw.Render()

 

 

Flip

 

Wend

[Joh]

What are you triyng to do with this?

EntityParent(fw.Main.camera, Null)

Also if the cam is placed on a controller it will be "shaky" because the controller is..

 

Try to position the cam after the render and update.

[Foolish]

I think you nailed it. Parenting to the model will always be shaky. Parenting to a pivot is the way to go - at least when using Framework.