Steam News5 July 20261mo ago

[DevLog] Introducing the Vertex-Based Level Design Tool

(Translated automatically from Korean.) Hello everyone! Last time, we introduced the tile-based editing tool we use.

In this update3

Full notes

Full Frostory update

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What changed

0 fixes1 addition8 changes0 removals

Gameplay
Maps
Performance

addedHello everyone! Last time, we introduced the tile-based editing tool we use. This time, we'd like to introduce another tool our team utilizes for level creation: the vertex-based editing tool.

changedVertex-Based Tool - Allows for highly flexible terrain creation - Slow creation/editing/iteration - Auxiliary tool

changedExamples of Where the Vertex Tool is UsedWhen you look at terrain like this, the castle wall part is actually just a 2D decoration. Visually, it looks like there is a flat surface on top of the wall that is parallel to the ground, but in reality, there isn't.

changedExamples of Where the Vertex Tool is UsedTo render it correctly, we need to actually 'bend' the 2D image into a 3D shape. And since these areas often go beyond the standardized tile system and lack regularity, we needed a more flexible tool.

changedThe Vertex Terrain EditorSeeing is believing. This is the vertex terrain editor. During its creation, we referenced a level design tool called Doom Builder to keep the implementation as simple as possible.

changedThe Vertex Terrain EditorWhat makes this tool unique compared to general 3D terrain editors is that it takes the characteristics of pixel art into account.

Frostory changes

addedHello everyone! Last time, we introduced the tile-based editing tool we use. This time, we'd like to introduce another tool our team utilizes for level creation: the vertex-based editing tool.

changedVertex-Based Tool - Allows for highly flexible terrain creation - Slow creation/editing/iteration - Auxiliary tool

changedWhen you look at terrain like this, the castle wall part is actually just a 2D decoration. Visually, it looks like there is a flat surface on top of the wall that is parallel to the ground, but in reality, there isn't.

changedTo render it correctly, we need to actually 'bend' the 2D image into a 3D shape. And since these areas often go beyond the standardized tile system and lack regularity, we needed a more flexible tool.

changedSeeing is believing. This is the vertex terrain editor. During its creation, we referenced a level design tool called Doom Builder to keep the implementation as simple as possible.

(Translated automatically from Korean.)

Hello everyone! Last time, we introduced the tile-based editing tool we use. This time, we'd like to introduce another tool our team utilizes for level creation: the vertex-based editing tool.

To briefly compare the two tools...

Tile-Based Tool - Edited in standardized tile units - Fast creation/editing/iteration - Primary tool

Vertex-Based Tool - Allows for highly flexible terrain creation - Slow creation/editing/iteration - Auxiliary tool

These are the differences.

Examples of Where the Vertex Tool is Used

When you look at terrain like this, the castle wall part is actually just a 2D decoration. Visually, it looks like there is a flat surface on top of the wall that is parallel to the ground, but in reality, there isn't.

Because of this, shadows are not cast properly, and the wall is rendered in front of or behind the character depending on the character's Y-coordinate, causing many graphical glitches.

To render it correctly, we need to actually 'bend' the 2D image into a 3D shape. And since these areas often go beyond the standardized tile system and lack regularity, we needed a more flexible tool.

The Vertex Terrain Editor

Seeing is believing. This is the vertex terrain editor. During its creation, we referenced a level design tool called Doom Builder to keep the implementation as simple as possible.

What makes this tool unique compared to general 3D terrain editors is that it takes the characteristics of pixel art into account.