Lightning Strikes!

[Hollow]

Hey Lopers.

Probably my first actual help thread in a looooonnng time but I feel it is necessary!

I am intending to possibly create a thunderstorm in a map. Basically I'm not sure what is the best way to go about doing this. I'm going to dig in to the particle editor to create the said lightning strike effect, but need help on understanding how to trigger it accordingly in the map.

I want to more or less have random strikes in the distance, sort of like Hard Rain in L4D2, but I'm using the Orange Box engine, so if anyone has an insight on to how Valve achieved it, that would be very helpful.

Is it possible to have the effect in the 3d skybox, whilst still affecting the lighting correctly of the whole map?
And what would be the best way of creating the randomness? I'm not so good with I/O, and would like to know how to achieve the random timings/position of the strike.

Cheers for any feedback!

[zombie@computer]

in css (de_aztec or something) this is done by using a env_beam in the 3d skybox. Might want to look into that

[Hollow]

Ah brilliant, seems you pointed me in the right direction. Just stumbled upon a similar request which indeed uses Env_Beam/Env_Laser and the Multi_Manager entity. I'll see if I can get this rigged up.

Thanks z@c!

[Hollow]

managed to get it running...but it looks pretty cheapy. I'm going to have to see if there is another more Hard Rain style of lightning possible in the OB.

[no00dylan]

also, create a color correction that matches the lightning bolt, set it to go off with every bolt.

[Hollow]

I will take your idea on board No00d, but it looks like I may have to create the particle for a lightning strike...

I'm going to test with just a normal light entity with a lightglow/sprite...may turn out better, as the bolt sprite is too visible and too close at the moment.

[trcc]

lower the fx amount in the env_beam settings, there's also a way to make beam zig-zag Make it transition from color to transparent, color correction + sound

for an easy random effect use "use random interval" option in logic_timer firing your logic_relay that contains the lightning strike setup. If you need to randomize the location of the lighting strike, I suggest logic_case with 2-3 different locations and in the logic_timer output ------ On timer -> logic_case -> pickrandom or pickrandomshuffle

[Armageddon]

M'kay here is the best that I use.

http://www.hl-improvement.com/forums/so ... rials/(hl2)how-to-add-lightning-to-your-map!/

[Hollow]

Lol, thats the one I found Arma!
I know how to set it up with the random intervals and such, and its working, but it looks very gimmicky and flat, I need to toy around with it, to make it look more powerful and atmospheric.

[F0xHunter]

Have you read this?
Though I've heard that using the light entity slows down performance. Either way, I think you're better off with a colour correction entity

[[JFG]Propaganda]

I did something like this for day of defeat source Hollow, I will post up the vmf for you, I never finished the map....yet. It's a very nice lightening effect although it's triggered instead of timed (no sense having entities go off without anyone to see it).

[Hollow]

Oh awesome, thank you very much Propaganda! Much appreciated!

[[JFG]Propaganda]

Here's a quick vid with what I was working on. It can likely be tweaked the concept is solid, put this together with the beams and might be a pretty decent effect. I tried to create a dull, dim gray ambiance, the sky wasn't cutting it but that was to be replaced.

[Armageddon]

You'd better be happy. I spent an hour trying to find this old tutorial. http://www.fpsbanana.com/tuts/5238

[Hollow]

I quite like your effect Propaganda. It would work very well on a dark foggy, rainy map! It you are able to just send the light setup in a blank vmf. I would be very thankful!