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More frequent updates can be found at the Status Log page.
MileStone: | Terrian Loading System |
Time Frame: | First into Second Semester |
Description: |
Second Strike is going to use the Quake 3 BSP format for loading terrain. BSP stands for Binary Space Partition tree, which is a technique employed for tremendous gains in efficiency. The Quake 3 format is ideal for Second Strike because with enormous stages, it is very important that only the nessecary strutures be drawn. If the program where to draw the entire map every frame it would be intolerably slow. Utilizing this format will allow the game to only draw what is needed. Furthermore, map editors are readily availible for the format, and the MilkShape 3D program which we use for modeling can convert into it as well. Unfortunatly Quake 3 maps are generally indoor structures, so it is very difficult to draw terrain. I am currently working to create a conversion tool between the terrain software i have and the format that is needed for Quake 3's BSP creation tool. |
MileStone: | Motion Control System |
Time Frame: | First Semester |
Description: |
Second Strike uses Quaternion Mathematics to describe the motion of ship within it. A quaternion is a four dimensional construct that can describe the orientation of an coordinate system along an arbitrary axis. Ships in the game have a quaternion orientation field which is used to describe the ships orientiation (heading, pitch and roll) independant of the static coordinate system of the game. This allows the ships to move without regard to the base coordinate system, which results in far smoother and appealing motion than is possible by using traditional euler angle systems. It also allows for a process known as Spherical Linear Interpolation (SLERP). If given two quaternion orientations, it is possible to interpolate over time a rotation from one quaternion to the other. By giving the camera its own quaternion field, the game can SLERP between the camera's current orientation, and that of the ship. Utilizing this mechanism, following the ship from a third person perspective is accomplished in a remarkably smooth fashion. I am very happy with the progress of the game so far. While the pace is moving slowly, I feel it is more important to do each step "correctly" the first time, rather than rush through the game. |
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