How can I implement beam effects like these?

Question

I am interested in the techniques I could use to create the following effects:

enter image description here

Can I accomplish this with a particle system or a series of texture quads, or what?

You can see this effects in action here in this video.

You may find this post and this post relevant. – Apr 14 '14 at 18:40 — , Apr 14 '14 at 18:40

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 14 '14 at 18:07

2

I think Polyboards would be the thing for you. If you can get yourself a copy of Mathematics for 3D Game Programming and Computer Graphics, there is a section dedicated to this technique in the book.

answered Apr 14 '14 at 18:07

glampert

1

Here's a link in Google Books: http://books.google.ca/books?id=cZ0LAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA258
In other contexts I've seen this approach called a "LineRenderer" or "TrailRender" (Unity)
– DMGregory Apr 14 '14 at 18:14
The relevant polyboard algorithm is visible at least. Thanks @DMGregory – glampert Apr 14 '14 at 18:17
thank you for the link, do you think all effects are created with the same technique and just have different textures applied or is number 3 just done with particles? – user345234674567 Apr 14 '14 at 18:28
I am not sure others would approve but I think you should focus on a specific energy beam cause otherwise you might only get very shallow answers that don't explain anything in detail. – AturSams Apr 14 '14 at 20:34
It looks to me like the small circular elements, hexagons, and explosions/flares in 3 & 4 are done with regular particles, while all of the beam effects are done with a polygon strip. The green snot stream could be either, or a combination. – DMGregory Apr 14 '14 at 21:45
1

I agree with @DMGregory, It seems like the effects on No3 are standard particles renderer with camera-facing billboards. – glampert Apr 14 '14 at 22:41

1 Answers1