The problem is the zoom out- so why not use use google maps to search for a outside satelite image of the same colour, and then zoom out with loads of blur and clouds, asking yourself the one question:
Will it blend?

+1 for procedural maps

another idea is to repeat the map outside of the map area, but fade the texture to black.

lolbump.
quick test with fog of war widget, just made everything outside the map black (=unexplored)
bottom and right edges of the map are "visible" here:

outside the map its black. you cant explore that!

you could also draw stuff there:



though you would probally want to use something better then a million flashing rectangles

that is pretty cool knorke!

Finally

that was just a testhack though:
for x=1,TileMaxX*2 do --*2 for more endless!
for z=1,TileMaxZ*2 do
---
this is drawing a textured quad thing on/under the map, kind of like the lava on hotstepper map*:




* = it is the lava gadget with lava.png replaced by grass.png
i just screenshoted the map and used that as texture. can probally be made better.
also instead of one quad you should draw four quads as not to clip through the terrain.

probally looks really bad if the map is not flat around the borders.

+1
like it a lot

First want to say that I can not thank zwzsg enough for his explaining of gl in Spring.

imo the nice thing is that all it takes is drawing some quads which is fast, easy and does not need shaders or anything.
I imagine this also be usefull for space map:
-stack multiple transparent layers on top of each other,
-maybe use scrolling textures (even paralax scrolling
-rotate the quad and texture it with a nebula

scrolling texture could also be used to create flowing rivers.

One situation that can be problematic for map borders but can also be easily avoided is this:


one might also want to try putting a gradient texture like this

under the map to get terrain that fades out etc.

---
attachment:
This is just for testing, not usefull for players.
unzip both files to wigdets\
For testing use this map: http://springfiles.com/spring/spring-maps/evergreenhaven-v03
(texture and border height "fit" okay-ish on this map)
At top of file are some variables you can adjust to make it work with other maps etc.
try cratering the map and changing borderMode=1/2

This could actually be a good solution if it could be possible to use multiple textures so that the pattern wouldnt be too repetitive. (Dunno what you mean by stacking transparent layers on top of each other?)

of course you can put multiple textures, just need to think ofwhat you want and then script it which might need more experience with gl.


side view of how to do a space map:

terrain heightmap, terrain drawing disabled
^
| 0 elmos
v
layer with small stars
^
| 1000 elmos
v
layer with big stars
^
| 1000 elmos
v
layer with nebulas, planets

because the layers are at different distances from the camera there will be an effect of "depth" if you move the camera (layers further away move slower)

Seems like a solution to me!

Now we just need to invent a cool and convenient way to indicate playable area visually. Maybe a lua that draws a sopisthicated borders onto map or something like this:



Couldn't find the latest shot where beherith were experimenting this LOS system but I think you get the point: Unplayable area is desaturated or faded somehow.

Smothing liek that?


Do not cut my quotes.. they make my bloast look big..

Is it possible to sort of paint a fog onto the map texture, with no detailtex for that area? Would lighting muck up the colours or can the texture be made to perfectly match the skybox? (groundbox...)

What happens when the holodeck safeties malfunction?

malefunctioning holodeck? prepare your anus!

Now with heightmap mirroring!



Would probably look heaps better if combined with a fog effect in some way.

FUCKYEAH THIS LOOKS LIKE WIN

nice :)
good idea with the transparent texture. maybe with distance from mapedge it could increasingly fade out?

looks awesome, what did you do with the corners?