Well I have a ton of bugs but I wanted to post a quick update!
I’ve managed to throw some temporary normal and height data at it and I’m quite please with the result. I can begin to visualize the scale I’m working with.

I’m going to work on fixing the boring bugs now before I continue with the fun stuff.

After some effort I managed to implement a certain level of dynamic LOD. The screenshots show the camera slowing moving toward the planet.

It’s by no means perfect, there is a few things I need to tweak & tidy but I’d rather move onto something more visually interesting now, like the height detail & textures…the green is beginning to get on my nerves!

Rather than steps I should really be calling them ‘attempts’ at creating my spherical terrain, with final success!

Anyway, I now have to press on with my ever increasing list of to-do’s like the normals, a dynamic level of detail, improved coordination for precision, procedural landscaping etc… so can’t get too excited yet.

Seems sad really - something so simple to look at taking so much effort to create!

Ignoring the poor ’eye candy’ here, I am pleased with my progress so far. Most of my efforts have been focused more toward behind the scene functions, creating what I believe will be the heart, or engine powering my game.

Things should take better shape once the foundations are firmly in place.

Over time that idea and dream have grown, so for the next few months I plan to see how quickly I can turn concept into substance.

Hopefully desire and drive can overpower limited knowledge & experience… time will tell!