DCS: EDGE

[Minoslas]

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.ph...16#post1898816

Three low light shots from the Nevada map.

[Minoslas]

A old info of EDGE and luckybob9.

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?...93&postcount=1

Get you fix of Nevada screenshots:
http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.ph...46#post1309446

NOTE: None of this is 100% official. This is me helping you putting information into one spot.


What is EDGE?
EDGE, dubbed internally, Eagle Dynamic Graphic Engine, is a new Image Generator (IG) built from the ground up that allowed for numerous benefits to the DCS environment.

What is the Image Generator (IG) people keep mentioning?
An Image Generator (IG) is another way of describing what EDGE is. Image Generator (IG) is a generic term for something that generates the images on your screen. EDGE a self coined term by c0ff to describe the Image Generator (IG) and is simply an acronym.

When will EDGE be released?
Since EDGE is built from scratch, it will take time to incorporate all the elements that are needed to make it playable at acceptable frame rates.

What are the benefits to EDGE?
· EDGE allows for Direct X 11 support
· Dynamic shadowing of the terrain and mountains
· Clipmap support
· Higher object count
· Higher resolution ground terrain mesh
· More detailed tree models
· Better graphical effects
· High resolution road textures
· Ability for road signs and light signals
· Additional ground clutter (rocks, cactuses, etc.)

Will the Black Sea map in its current form work with EDGE?
No. Since the technology behind EDGE is dramatically different, down to the tools that create it, terrain needs to be built with the EDGE benefits in mind. This is a HUGE undertaking and not an easy task to redo something.

Are there maps in progress that take advantage of EDGE?
Yes, the first map to take advantage of EDGE is Nevada.

How far along is the Nevada map?
It has been stated that the Nevada map is mostly done but work remains to finish the underlying EDGE engine.

If the Nevada map is mostly done, why not post some screenshots to the community?
EDGE is the underlying core of the Nevada map. If EDGE is in a state where it is not capable of running or showing off its potential, (bad frames, no anti-alisting/ ‘jaggies’, etc), screenshots might not be possible.

How big is the Nevada map?
There is no official distance/ surface number, but it has been said that it will include Las Vegas, Groom Lake, Nellis, Lake Mead, and Hoover Dam.

Will EDGE/ Nevada cost anything?
EDGE is rendering engine, so no. It has been stated that the plan is still for the Nevada map to be free for users who pre-ordered DCS: A-10C Warthog beta.

So what will Nevada cost if I did not pre-order?
See Below

How will I switch between maps?
When creating a new mission, the authors can specify what map to use. This feature is already implemented but there is only the current map.


Typical questions that do not have answers:
Will trees be collidable?
What is the size of the Nevada map?
Are the creation tools going to be made available to the public?
What is the cost of Nevada if I did not pre-order DCS: A10C?
When will new screenshots be posted?
When will it be released?

---

June 2013

Work On New Rendering Technology Continues

The new Image Generator (IG) technology is currently in development and will be introduced to DCS World when it is ready. Elements of the new IG include:
- More detailed terrain.
- Better graphical effects
- Dedicated server
- DirectX 11 support
- Skeleton animation for infantry

---

A few items to reiterate:

1- Much of the Nevada map is done, but aspects of it could certainly change between now and release.

2- The original effort was done by a third party, but for various reasons, that effort did not work out and the Eagle team basically had to re-start it from scratch.

3- Due to the massive number of ground objects, elevation mesh detail, and texture sizes, a new image generator (IG) had to to be created in order to run it at more than single digit frame rates. Creating a new IG is a huge undertaking and it takes a lot of time. More so than anything else, this has been the reason behind the delay.

4- There has been no change in our plan to make this map available for free to those that purchased the A-10C beta.

5- Given the nature of the map, I would imagine that most missions will revolve around training, but certainly large Red Flag type campaigns are also possible.

6- We have no ETA at this time.

When there is a change to any of the above, there will be official news of it.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Wow, these guys surely have a future as politicians!

We know the game is free to those who bought the A-10C beta, but how much for those that didn't?

[Minoslas]

Nevada update.

[Minoslas]

EDGE Update

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?...52&postcount=3

Now that we are getting very close to integrating EDGE into DCS, I can share a few more details.

1- DirectX 11 / DirectX 11 Windows 8 based.
2- Can support up to four GPU (either SLI or CF).
3- Uses clip maps.
4- Two cloud layers can be created with options for none, cumulous, cumulous nimbus, and stratus.
5- Terrain shadow projection is supported.
6- World can be as large as the designer wishes them to be, it is more of a question of development time / map detail.
7- Option to project map on globe surface.

[Minoslas]

Nevada update

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?...80&postcount=6

A little update:

A couple of weeks ago myself and the other producers got access to the current build of the map within the terrain viewer (hence the new images recently). In the process, we were able to identify half a dozen areas that did not meet our visual quality goals. We are now in the process adjusting the visual quality, while balancing it with file size and game performance. Once these improvement efforts have been completed, I will post some new images.

Matt

[Minoslas]

Wags detail more data of Nevada

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?...postcount=2788

Areas in regards to map content (textures, elevation mesh, etc.), not geographic areas.

[Minoslas]

Nevada Update

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?...97&postcount=7

A fly through of Nellis AFB as part of the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) map coming for DCS. This is a work in progress and the video is taken from the terrain viewer tool and not within DCS yet.

[Minoslas]

Nevada Update

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?...69&postcount=8

Update:

Today we incorporated the new trees and high elevation forests into the map (once the map is in DCS, we can evaluate the performance impact of tree collision and decide what we will do). We are also in the process of now converting the 100 meter per pixel elevation mesh to 10 meter. Once that is done, we will recalculate all the terrain shadow projections, normal maps, and object shadows. Today the team also started to set up the ground shading and sun lighting color parameters that we believe will start to give the world a much more natural look. The biggest challenge has been finding the right balance of ground textures between visual detail and map file size.

Not a promise, but if all goes well, I hope to have some new images or a video for you all on Friday.

[Minoslas]

Nevada Update

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.ph...13#post1920313

Unfortunately, we were not able to incorprate the new mesh, lighting and shadows this week. However, I have included a video I created earlier that you might find interesting.

This video is captured from the terrainviewer of the work in progress Nevada Test and Training Ranger (NTTR) Map being build for DCS. This is not running in DCS at this time though and many elements are not complete and require tuning. Please note that we are creating Las Vegas in a "representational" level and it is not our intent to model it building for building.

[Minoslas]

Nevada Update
http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?...8&postcount=10

Our lead developer in charge of the NTTR map has been out of the office this week, so progress was rather slow. However, I've attached a couple images of the new trees being developed for this map.

[Minoslas]

Avia Professional videos using EDGE v3

Corcica




Baku Azerbaijian

[Minoslas]

new AVIA professional video, Afganistan, Bagram Air Base. EDGE v3

[Minoslas]

Nevada Update:

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?...0&postcount=11

It's always that last 10%...

Over the last few months, the team has made tremendous progress on both the NTTR art assets and getting EDGE working in DCS. Although we had hoped to have this wrapped up by the end of the year (never promised), I don't see that happening. There are half a dozen art issues that need to be resolved, EDGE integration into DCS will probably not be completed until Mid-December, and beta testing of the map within DCS has of course not been able to start yet.

Nevertheless, progress is being made... just not as fast as we all would like.

I've attached a short video showing some of the areas outside the airbases and downtown Las Vegas.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Looking good, finally it's on the horizon, finally beginning to wish I'd bought into A-10C earlier.