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Post by jacobkessler on Jul 20, 2020 12:51:01 GMT -5
So... how do y'all do it?
I think I'm at the point where I can create a really good golf course (although I never finish them lol). I've even overcome my fear of tedious grass planting. But it seems like most courses I play, the clubhouse areas and details such as neighborhoods look so good and detailed... and my courses are lacking that. Not sure if that explains it well, but I'm sure I can come up with some examples later.
Anyways, any tips you have on creating interesting and unique environments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Post by lessthanbread on Jul 20, 2020 13:29:45 GMT -5
There are designers far better than I at creating fully immersive environments but I know for me I need a vision before anything gets off the ground. I need to see in my mind what the course and surrounding areas are going to look like in a general sense, then it's just finding a planting scheme that works with my vision and going nuts.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2020 14:59:07 GMT -5
I don't know how people like ChrizZcE , arcticfury , and SindreRev come up with their environments. I assume it's a mixture of skill and supernatural powers of some kind. My courses are far less impressive in the scope of my environments, but I agree with Bread, it is a vision in my head I have to work toward. I honestly think that committing to a vision is the hardest part, and then finding a way to make it happen is the second. Again, I can't say how some of these guys make unreal ideas look so real, but I'm sure it takes one metric(or long) sh*t ton of patience [roughly 1.12 imperial(or short) sh*t tons] and commitment to their vision.
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Post by ezzinomilonga on Jul 20, 2020 17:02:36 GMT -5
Another thing you can do (especially if, just like me, you miss every artistic sense) is to save pics of everything you see that sounds good with your vision. I don't talk only about golf courses..i talk about...everything!! I created a series of archives, in which i start saving litterally everything i like. Golf courses, smart routings, holes, clubhouses, pics of real courses, pics of courses i find in game, panoramas, pics having nothing to do with golf that someone posts on some social network, pics from movies..i mean everything. Some day ago, for example, a friend posted on FB a pic of a little series of stairways sculpted in the rock of a cliff on the sea, used to reach a little pier, somewhere here in Sicily. And looking this great scene, obviously the first thing i said has been "wow..look what an absolutely beautiful place in which to build a series of tees". And i saved it. (and..yes..is in moments like this i realize i have no hopes anymore)
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Post by agrainger12 on Jul 20, 2020 17:56:18 GMT -5
I think one step is choosing where in the world your course would exist, then look up some pictures of the nature in that place. Most of the courses by the designers Babybull mentioned are at least based off of a real world spot. Definitely helps to choose what things you plant, and I don't know exactly how arcticfury does his planting to look so similar to actual places, but I would be really impressed if it was done without looking at google images. Love the suggestion ezzinomilonga made: if you see a cool spot and think "you could make a sick golf course here", then that could definitely be a good starting place. For more fantasy-esque courses, a lot of those guys are just insanely talented at it and have a ton of imagination, but to some degree, I think you can do some trial and error to get the look you want and then just kind of run with it. I'm still working on becoming a decent planter myself, but I can say that rocks, bushes, and sunken bushes (and sometimes sunken trees) are extremely useful since you can see them from a long ways out. Anyway, this thread was a great idea and hope to hear what other people have to say!
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Post by 15eicheltower9 on Jul 20, 2020 19:36:26 GMT -5
Have a vision. If its based in a real area, look at a lot of pictures. And not just golf courses but all areas. If you want a course built around a canal in a gulf atmosphere, google the hell out of canals and gulfs. Pick a theme that's suitable, and go with it. I think most importantly, if what is in your mind isn't translating well, don't be afraid to hit delete.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2020 0:54:38 GMT -5
I'm not experienced at all here but found I was able to hack my way through it decently enough. I looked at pictures on the internet to get a sense of what I liked and didn't to hone my vision, and with that in mind it was much easier for me.
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Post by Terry Grayson on Jul 21, 2020 12:16:42 GMT -5
When I am out traveling through the country side like an idiot I stare out and look at woods, forests, plantings, etc how brush under trees look, how the aforementioned stuff looks following the terrain
I try to emulate that in my planting work.... Due to the limitations of the object meter, you have to have some tricks and such to make the planting look more full or more depth without there being as much as it "looks"
I try to frame tee shots, approach shots, and greenside with nice views and plantings then trick my way around the rest of the course to make it appear more planted than it is
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Post by b101 on Jul 22, 2020 6:04:07 GMT -5
For me, planting and creating the natural environment is everything. Study other courses - I picked up loads by going through courses and being really critical in looking at what they've done why it works and how I can incorporate some of those features into my own courses. Some examples among the many I've taken: Terry (working planting with the flow of the land), Reeb (clumping planting - still working on that one), Mayday (light and shadow work - also still a WIP for me), Sindre (plot sculpting to make the most of big views), Dylan (for his Empire Pines par four that looks over the subsequent par three - I use that trick all the time), Petty (treelines) RJWils (how to be bold and a bit unkempt with planting) and MattF (framing) etc. Take the time and dig into what they are doing and how they accomplish it. IMO, the more you study and evaluate, the better you get. Also, never underestimate the value of background planting. Might take an age, but the detail work is huge in ensuring immersion.
Purely my opinion here, but creating random buildings or having stuff for the sake of stuff has never interested me, so I barely ever dig into that. It's a golf course and for me, the setting has to be believable, however wild or fantastical. For great examples, see New Highland Dunes, Einstakt Foss, West Coast GC, The Silverback, Necedah etc etc. If I feel it's a hole which is totally contrived to show off one particular off-course element, it almost always loses me. That said, when those off course and on course elements work in harmony, it's brilliant. The off-course stuff does have a place and can be a true showstopper, but I think often it becomes the centrepiece when it should be the hole design that shines. Just my 2c.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2020 11:21:43 GMT -5
I'm a bit surprised no one has mentioned Energ1ser for how to work off-course planting and buildings seamlessly into the fabric of a golf course. Both Ranfurly and Das Eilte (note that it's spelled e i l t e) do this exceptionally well.
Long story short: if it feels like it 'belongs there' and if it complements the course rather than distracting from it: it works. We all try to do our best to have players think 'of course this is how it's supposed to be.'
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Post by jacobkessler on Jul 22, 2020 11:50:18 GMT -5
I'm a bit surprised no one has mentioned Energ1ser for how to work off-course planting and buildings seamlessly into the fabric of a golf course. Both Ranfurly and Das Eilte (note that it's spelled e i l t e) do this exceptionally well. Long story short: if it feels like it 'belongs there' and if it complements the course rather than distracting from it: it works. We all try to do our best to have players think 'of course this is how it's supposed to be.' Ranfurly! That’s the one. I was trying to think of a course I played recently that kind of sparked my interest in improving my environments. It’s just super realistic. Another one I always think of is Reeb’s Hyperion Fields. ............................................... Thanks for all the replies, everyone. As I mentioned in the OP, I think I’m pretty good with planting bushes and grasses in the environment, my main thing I struggle with is buildings. Not sure how long everyone has been around here, but some of you may remember my... uh... housing explosion at Columbia Pines. But even aside from that, it seems like every one of my clubhouses is the same: one of the stock buildings with a little mulch and a parking lot. It’s just boring. I’m really trying to create more unique clubhouses, and things like neighborhoods that look realistic and not like they’re coming out of a post-apocalyptic thriller lol.
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Post by Celtic Wolf on Jul 22, 2020 17:31:55 GMT -5
I was particularly proud of my clubhouse and little community on my Golf Club Passeier course. I try and combine buildings and objects to give them an unique look, for instance using bridges to create porches, sheltered car parks or walkways. Sinking some of the city buildings can give you a good base for a clubhouse, it's all just trail and error. Putting in lampposts and using bins and retaining walls for something to plant on can give a bit of variety to a group of houses. The 1st and 3rd pics in the link below are of both the clubhouse and grouping of houses. Golf Club Passeier
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Post by PicnicGuy / BobalooNOLA on Jul 22, 2020 17:44:11 GMT -5
I was particularly proud of my clubhouse and little community on my Golf Club Passeier course. I try and combine buildings and objects to give them an unique look, for instance using bridges to create porches, sheltered car parks or walkways. Sinking some of the city buildings can give you a good base for a clubhouse, it's all just trail and error. Putting in lampposts and using bins and retaining walls for something to plant on can give a bit of variety to a group of houses. The 1st and 3rd pics in the link below are of both the clubhouse and grouping of houses. Golf Club Passeier One of the best !!
The 'trash bins as planters' is a great tip ... <head explosion mimed> ! I'm working on a course adjacent to a neighborhood now, can't wait to try it.
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Post by orioles0615 on Jul 29, 2020 13:16:12 GMT -5
Anybody have any tips or courses they know of that have English style villages next to holes, similar to what St Andrews Old course has on 17 and 18. I am trying to create a links style English beach town course, and have the course done, I just don't know how to go about the buildings.
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Post by Celtic Wolf on Jul 29, 2020 17:22:59 GMT -5
Anybody have any tips or courses they know of that have English style villages next to holes, similar to what St Andrews Old course has on 17 and 18. I am trying to create a links style English beach town course, and have the course done, I just don't know how to go about the buildings. Check out St Cyrus St Cyrus
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