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Designer Info - Zoo Tycoon 1 (ZT1) => Questions => Topic started by: dr rick on June 30, 2015, 11:02:46 AM

Title: isometric plane reflections
Post by: dr rick on June 30, 2015, 11:02:46 AM
dear all, when you use the mirror image function of any pixel-based graphics software, you get a straight reversal in a 'mirror' perpendicular to the plane of the screen (see below right). is anyone aware of any software that can have a stab at reflection in an isometric plane mirror (see below top left)?

Obviously, the pixel image is effectively an illusion without any 3d shape, so you would have to define planes for parts of the image first so that it can calculate what a reversal would look like. for a complex image this would probably be a lot of work preparing the image before reversal, but might still be less than copying and pasting bits and pieces and then painting in the missing bits... It would not work for images with curved areas... obviously there would be no information about the 'back' of the isometric image, but even just representing that as a flat sheet of one colour would be great!

i guess that the answer is no, but i wondered if any of you software wizards out there could imagine how to do this.

I have tried to use blender-type software to create 3d shapes so that you can rotate them properly. I have just about managed to get a handle on sketchup enough to paste a flat image onto a cylinder and then rotate it to look at the cylinder from different viewpoints, but anything more complex than that eludes me!
Title: Re: isometric plane reflections
Post by: Jeff on July 11, 2015, 04:46:15 AM
I think Blender is the best shot, to be honest. During the last Winter, I also explored it, but it's very difficult to do so as  a complete noob to graphics. Vondell's got some wonderful information on ZT specifics, but you'd need to combine it with YouTube videos and such. Also struggling with it :)
Title: Re: isometric plane reflections
Post by: dr rick on July 11, 2015, 01:27:50 PM
yes, i downloaded blender as well as sketchup, but could not understand the installation instructions.... :duh