Stars and Space in General

[Chyren]

How are people making stars using Unity 3d? What I mean is what system are they using to generate stars passing your ship to simulate movement within the universe?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Jackolantern]

While I don't use Unity 3D, I wonder if you could have some well-placed particles simulate stars passing by. I think that is often how they are handled in 3D games.

[Chyren]

Is there a way to generate particles in a fashon to simulate stars?

[hallsofvallhalla]

i would not think you would need more than a skybox, you won't actually get close enough to a star to actually "pass" it.

Now spacejunk and asteroids on the other hand might be different. Just create a prefab, then have that several instances of that prefab randomly generate ahead of the ship.

[Jackolantern]

i would not think you would need more than a skybox, you won't actually get close enough to a star to actually "pass" it.

I thought he meant the Star Wars-style "hyperspace" effect where the stars are all quickly zipping past you. I have seen other games make that effect with particles. But for stationary stars, yes, a skybox would be the most optimized way of handling it. If there is a newer way to get the hyperspace effect that doesn't use particles, then that would be an option, too.

[Chyren]

Actually both ideas are great. Is there a tutorial on the "hyperspace" particle system to allow to make a space scene? The skybox idea also is great! Thanks for the input everyone!

[SpiritWebb]

Actually both ideas are great. Is there a tutorial on the "hyperspace" particle system to allow to make a space scene? The skybox idea also is great! Thanks for the input everyone!

For the hyperspace, I would suggest you check out the Unity Forums. I myself am building a space style game in Unity and we just went with the sky box (space box) setup. But to make it appear you are moving, I am placing (as Halls said) space-junk or asteroids, space stations, repair stations, etc. But since you are flying to something in general, the object will get bigger, so you know you are moving!!

[Chyren]

Where did you obtain the skybox you're using? Perhaps even doing the trick Star Trek Online uses with the colour trails behind the ship to show movement might work too? Love to see your progress...keep me in the loop!

[SpiritWebb]

You can follow our progress in Project Showoff Tier I. "Undiscovered."

The skybox was made by one of our graphic artists. But you can always look for one online to use for testing!

I did apply the trails of the ship that appear when you start moving. I will have to look up how I did it, and pass it along to you...just may take a minute for me to reply back on it, as I am at work, and the PC that I have it installed on, is currently in use by someone else. I will edit this post with what I done to set it up soon.

[Jackolantern]

If the game is shown from outside the space ship, you could also try to use a motion blur effect to add a feeling of fast movement. Although with motion blur, less is usually more.