Environment Scene Looks Flat
No sense of depth or scale
Also known as: Flat environment scene · Lack of depth environment · Environment depth layers · Foreground midground background · Scene looks empty · Atmospheric perspective game
Quick answer
An environment scene looks flat when its elements sit at one level of detail, value and color, without layers of depth. Divide the view into foreground, midground and background, give the foreground the darkest values and the sharpest detail, make distant elements lighter, bluer and lower in contrast with atmospheric perspective and fog, and use light and shadow to model shapes. Overlapping shapes and a strong focal point also add depth.
How to fix it
Use height fog, volumetric light and a color shift with distance, and check the scene in grayscale to see the value layers. Add framing elements in the foreground, such as branches, rocks or architecture, and let the middle ground carry the main subject. Light the scene with a clear key light and rim light, and avoid even, flat lighting. Look at the scene from the real game camera and at gameplay distance.
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See also
Height Fog
Fog that is denser near the ground
Sky Atmosphere
Physically based sky and sunlight
Value Structure
Planning lights and darks before color
Composition Basics
Arranging shapes to guide the eye
Three-Point Lighting
Key, fill and rim light setup
Volumetric Lighting
Light scattered through a participating medium