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The GGS system is unique in that it allows users to create their own courses and add them to the system. A user group will be formed shortly that will allow users to exchange their own designs and thus build up a large libraries of exciting new courses at no or very little cost.
There are 3 methods of design:
Automatic Course Generation
Basic Course Design
Advanced Course Design (using 3D models)
Creating new - or changing existing - course holes and complete courses in the GGS golf simulator system is quite a simple process for anyone with basic knowledge of a standard graphics tool. Full detailed information on how to create new course holes yourself is supplied with the software CD.
Automatic Course Generation
Pro-X allows you to create full 3d graphic golf course models from a simple course hole overview layout at the touch of a button! For example, you could use a Score Card image to create a full course!
For the Auto 3d Model Course Generation to work the system requires a 2d image of each hole with each surface type set to a certain color. The image can be manually painted in a graphics tool such as PhotoShop or from a scan of an overview of the course (ie from a score card).
The basic process to setup a course is as follows:
- Scan score card image and open in PhotoShop
- Load the hole SurfaceMap template and the GGS Surface color palette
- Select, copy and paste the hole image in the score card into the SurfaceMap template.
- Adjust pasted score card image size to correct scale.
- Using Photoshop's pipette and select drawing tools, select each surface type and replace with appropriate GGS surface color.
- Save the surfaceMap template
- In the Create a new Golf Course window, select the tree library and terrain type
- Select the Hole and press the Create Selected button
The Create Course Hole Model procedure creates all surface textures, basic terrain including water ponds and bunkers, light maps and tree shades, water reflection models, 2d overviews and plants all trees, plants, tees, flag etc. The course hole is now ready to play, however, using the course design tools you can enhance and change anything at will. This includes the panorama, sky, objects (moving, adding or deleting trees etc... ), adding 3d Models (bridges, benches, buildings etc...) and adjusting the terrain with the terrain editor.
A hole that contains over 3000 planted trees and plants and was created in 10 seconds from a single layout file
Basic Course Design
To create new courses for the GGS golf simulator, the following bit map (.bmp) files are required for each hole: Surface Recognition and Object map, Light map, Height map, Reflection map, Surface Texture map, and Overview screen shot.
The basic process to setup a course is as follows:
- Basic Hole Layout
- Place Objects
- Create the Height and Light maps
- Create the Texture map
- Select the Panorama
Advanced Course Design
The new advanced GGS golf course design method is a radical change to the current basic method of using a large single texture file for the course hole.
The basic GGS design method required only the use of a normal graphics tool which allowed users with limited graphics experience to create course designs easily. However, for more demanding and professional golf course designers this method was lacking in detail and clarity.
The advanced method will require the use of a 3d modeling tool. (ie Vue 5 Infinite, WorldBuilder, 3d Studio Max, Maya, MilkShape etc.)
Note: 3d Studio Max and Maya are professional 3d graphic modeling tools costing upwards of $3000. Fortunately there are very good alternatives that cost a lot less or are free of charge. MilkShape is a very good example that is free of charge and can be downloaded from the web at www.milkshape3d.com
Main Basic / Advanced design method differences include:
- All surface textures are now assigned to the terrain within the modeling tool. The method generates very clear textures and texture mapping boundaries and eliminates the need for the large texture map file so that course loading in GGS is also now very much faster. The level of detail of textures can be individually set for any and each surface area.
- The complete terrain can be made within the 3d modeling tool. This allows you to apply as much detail as you like to the terrain. (Especially helpful with bunkers and greens etc). However, you can still use a gray scale height map for the basic terrain and import it into the modeling tool and then add the detail later.
- The water reflection maps are also now done within the modeling tool and eliminate the need for a reflection map file. The new rendering method for this is not only far more detailed and exact but also much faster.
- Lighting and shading are now an integral part of the GGS graphics engine eliminating the need for a light map. Light source (sun) position can be user set.
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All information, images and pricing are subject to change without notice. Prices are in Canadian Funds & do not include applicable taxes or shipping unless otherwise specified.
© this web site, and all contents thereof, Copyright 2009 by Par2Pro, a division of 1363150 Alberta Ltd.
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