Updated Graphics inf FFXIV???

[Trocien]

http://i.imgur.com/KPQlS.jpg

It looks to me like they're making some very important changes to the graphic engine. As of now, structures and landscapes do not cast shadows. This will hugely improve the realism of Eorzea!

I'm starting to feel not so bitter toward Mr. Yoshi!

[Munba]

Yeah i noticed those shadows as well. Maybe something moving in that direction.. it would be so nice to have shadows everywhere. More immersion for sure imo.

[Richard]

Improving the engine is very high priority for them so hopefully it's going smoothly.

[Armok]

Nice spotting.

Hopefully that means good things to come.

[Trocien]

Nice spotting.

Hopefully that means good things to come.

I noticed that instantly before I even read the article. Bad shading is a major pet peeve of mine.

-BR

[Platinumstorm]

Mmm, I'm wildly stabbing since I'm not an expert, but I think this is because the outposts are considered objects and not part of the landmass, which is basically how it always has been? I don't know.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18930059/shadow1.png
Shadows from the shields [incredibly mild spoiler in this pic]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18930059/shadow2.png
Shadow from the table

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18930059/shadow3.png
Shadows from many things, although rather subdued and simple shadows

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18930059/shadow4.png
Shadow from the tarp

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18930059/shadow4.5.png
Total lack of shadows from tarps, but why?

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18930059/shadow5.png
Aetheryte crystal has a shadow

http://www.thekots.com/Platinumstorm/ff14/sylph.png
Shadow inside of the log, shadow to the right?

[Munba]

Mmm, I'm wildly stabbing since I'm not an expert, but I think this is because the outposts are considered objects and not part of the landmass, which is basically how it always has been? I don't know.

Well, the fences of actual Aetherithe camps haven't shadows and they are considered objects as well, i presume.

[Trocien]

Well, the fences of actual Aetherithe camps haven't shadows and they are considered objects as well, i presume.

I think platinum storm may be right that they are just using objects. Either way, it's very important that they realize that there is a real problem with the lighting in FFXIV.

[Ava]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18930059/shadow4.5.png
Total lack of shadows from tarps, but why?

I don't have time to log in right now to double check but in the screenshot it looks like the light source is underneath the tarps, therefore the shadows should not be on the ground. If you look at the tarps, they are shadowed on the material of the tarp itself, which is accurate when the light source is underneath the tarps.

I highly doubt whether they are using "objects" or "land" would make any difference whatsoever on shadows, considering the engine likely looks at light sources, and "stuff". I would say it's more likely that the engine is simply bugged or they are using some stupid method around shadows that clearly doesn't work. Shadow mapping is generally something that is applied to everything. At least to my knowledge as a design student (still learning a lot about 3D ).

[Platinumstorm]

I don't have time to log in right now to double check but in the screenshot it looks like the light source is underneath the tarps, therefore the shadows should not be on the ground. If you look at the tarps, they are shadowed on the material of the tarp itself, which is accurate when the light source is underneath the tarps.

I highly doubt whether they are using "objects" or "land" would make any difference whatsoever on shadows, considering the engine likely looks at light sources, and "stuff". I would say it's more likely that the engine is simply bugged or they are using some stupid method around shadows that clearly doesn't work. Shadow mapping is generally something that is applied to everything. At least to my knowledge as a design student (still learning a lot about 3D ).

My favorite part is that it's just a floating light source and isn't actually attached to anything in particular. I'm not disputing what you're saying, but what might be happening is the light source is directly underneath the one tarp so it shines brightly on that one, but everything else is being effected by the generalized darkness and not that lighting, so no shadows are being cast there, and it's just an optical illusion, otherwise you would expect to see shadows on the ground too from the poles and any of the objects on the ground.