Introduction #
In this tutorial, we will learn how to create a mirrored surface in Tomb Editor for use with TombEngine. We will also learn how to apply different properties to the mirror and recreate the “magic crossbow” setup from Tomb Raider 4: The Last Revelation.
In other engines, the mirror was previously created using a script function. This has now been simplified for TombEngine and requires no external editing.
Step 1 – Create the real room. #
Create the room that the real Lara will inhabit. For this project, I have recreated the Coastal Ruins level of Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation. Once done: texture and light the room. I have also placed the spike objects that will make up the traps in this room and used PAD triggers on the square so they will impale Lara if stepped on.
Step 2- Create the Mirror Room #
Enter the 2D View (Hotkey F1), select the room you’ve just made and go to “Rooms -> Duplicate Room”. This will now duplicate the room in the same place as the first room. Then select the room that was just created, select it and go to Rooms -> Transform Rooms -> Mirror Room on X Axis” . This will mirror the room you’ve just created.
Step 3- Modify the mirror room #
Now, go back to the 3D view and modify the mirrored room. You do not need to place the statics and spikes in this second room as these will automatically be mirrored.
Step 4 – Join the rooms together. #
1) Move the rooms together inside the 2D view (F1)
2) Go to the first room you created, select the wall segments and create a portal (P)
3) In the 2D grid: right click the black room portal and press go to “Edit -> Edit Object Properties” (Hotkey: O)
4) A new window will pop up. Select “Classic Mirror” and press OK. This screen will allow you to modify what reflects inside of the mirror room.
Step 5 – Make the mirror solid. #
Repeat the last step and make the room connection between the rooms solid by changing the room portal connection “Textured and Solid”. Then, texture the faces with a transparent texture
Conclusion #
Now time to see Lara’s reflection in-game!
Appendix: Magic Crossbow. #
To achieve the effect of the so – called “Magic Crossbow” where Lara can see the crossbow in the reflection: place the object in both real and reflection room, and give the object inside the real room an OCB 256
Appendix: Floor Mirrors #
You can also create floor reflections in the same way. However , Tomb Editor has no function to mirror a room in the Y-Axis (ie: flip it upside down) so you will need to create this room manually.
Appendix: Per object reflection #
If you do not want a specific object to be reflected: place the object , press O and select “No Reflection”
