The content creation workflow of the Ship Simulator game involves creating high-detail 3D models of ships with textures, lightmaps, and collision models for both visuals and physics. Low-detail models are also created for distant viewing and water reflections. The hull is painted according to possible damage. Charts, controllers, and interiors are modeled. It is then imported into the game engine where physical properties are applied for hydrodynamics, propulsion, and support tools like version control, file servers, and communication platforms.

1. The content creation workflow of the
Ship Simulator game – a case study
CASA workshop on 3D Advanced Media in
Gaming And Similation, June 2009
Pjotr van Schothorst, founder and CTO

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3. What do we do?
Emergency
Response Training
Training Simulators
Simulation
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4. Our clients
Note: this is not a full list
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5. Ship Simulator Series:
Over 400.000 copies sold to date!

12. Find the CAD files

13. Find the details

14. Create a high-detail 3D model

15. Create a texture

16. Model without textures

17. Model with textures

18. Create windows as separate surfaces

19. Create separate models
of all the moving parts

20. Put it all together

21. Create a lightmap

22. Lightmap

23. Create a walkthrough collision model

24. Create a physics collision model

25. Create the bridge interior model

26. Create models of the controllers

27. Create a low-detail model for distant viewing

28. Create a low-detail model for the water reflection

29. Paint the hull vertex model according to
possible damage

30. Create a chart icon model

31. Import in game engine
Set basic physical properties

32. Apply hydrodynamic and propulsion properties

43. Support tools
• SVN: Document Management System. Mostly used by
programmers, not for artwork (yet)
• Well-organised fileserver, transparent folder structure
• VPN: Integrate remote workers
• Secure FTP: access to parts of the file server by volunteers and
customers
• Bug tracker: beta testers and clients
• Forum: part public, part restricted to volunteers
• E-mail, Live Messenger, Skype