Hovercraft program

Hey guys.

I really don't have time to be programming these days. This first semester at my new school has been, well, hell. I could very easily modify this to make a simple game, something similar to that Hovertank 3D thing on gamingdl.com, but I just don't have the time, and quite honestly my life priorities have changed a lot in the past few years.

What i've uploaded is just a basic playable test map. You spawn at a spawn point determined in the editor. You drive a hovercraft around using these controls:

-a/d strafe
-Up arrow = forward
-Up + right arrow = forward while turning
-right arrow= turn in place

etc

The hovercraft is quite difficult to control as I have not added skirt friction which would slow it down. If you start to topple over/spin wildly out of control, hit the 'T' key as this will kill all of your momentum. Hit the 'R' key to kill the momentum of the dummy hovercraft.

The craft has 4 thrusters: 2 port 2 starboard, one set is for strafing the other is for forward/backward and rotation.

When you start, you will have to rotate in place to your left to see the dummy hovercraft, rotate to your right to see the pits/ramps/wall. You CAN fall off of the cliff into the abyss, so be careful.

The sim. runs at 100 physics frames per second (graphics frames can be less than or equal to that).

The model files, .ntmdl, are my own internal format, converted from a .ms3d file. Trying to open it with anything simply will not work, afaik, unless it happens to be identical to some other format (which is actually somewhat possible).

The test map has a pit with ramps and a jump over a crevasse. It also has a wall you can bounce into. I've included just enough resources (models, textures, and map files) to run this map with this binary. Trying it with aniything else will likely fail. I cannot guarantee that this program won't format your hard drive or install porn on your system.

The physics is very complicated, it's the fluid mechanics for a hovercraft embedded in an RK4 solver, with body-body impulses and friction, and body to world impulses with friction (linear and angular friction by the way).

I'm extending the software to less-graphical and more scientific/mathematical fluid mechanics, instead of turning it into a computer game. Right now, the physics is very accurate, but not something that could really be used for testing real vehicles...I'd like to have it be used for testing and designing real vehicles (or at least have the knowledge to be able to do so).

ihatenature.thejefffiles.com/hover.zip

Totally neato Bob, but can we change the camera view? I :wub: 3rd person in driving type thingies.

no, you can't, and I don't feel like doing it.

Okies. Now let me ask something silly: what are the chances of the non-physics part of the source being released?

What would you want to see?

The GL and possibly vector math stuff.

pic 3 folders you'd want to see and I'll think about it.

You're so good to me :)

Renderer
Player
Math

<offtopic> did you take all those regiment pics? </offtopic>
EDIT: Nevermind - just looked at 32.jpg

Out of pure interest I just tried loading a BSP that I made for HL2, using Valve Hammer. Unsurprisingly, it didn't work.

I'm assuming it's for windows?

Also Bob, you should also post this in the "Post your games Here" thread for safe keeping :)

Quote:

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You're so good to me

Renderer
Player
Math

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You got it:
ihatenature.thejefffiles.com/CodeRequested

Quote:

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I'm assuming it's for windows?

Also Bob, you should also post this in the "Post your games Here" thread for safe keeping

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Yes, Windows only, sorry.

Good idea.

Quote:

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<offtopic> did you take all those regiment pics? </offtopic>
EDIT: Nevermind - just looked at 32.jpg

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:)

Awesome, thanks a lot mate!

Hey,

When it asked for the BSP file I selected presentation map and it returned this error:
"LoadBSP: Could Not Load File: ?"

Maybe I'm just stupid. I'm using Windows XP (sp 2)

Umm, did you unzip everything first? I really have no clue what could be causing that. I've never had that error happen to me.

I just re-checked over the code, and the *only* way I can possibly see that happening is that somehow you've actually chosen the wrong file.

Ok sorry, I gave you the wrong error. It was this:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...over_error.jpg

I would delete everything you have downloaded and try downloading it again. Once downloaded, unzip everything to the same folder, and give her another go.

I haven't added a failsafe for when the user decides to exit early (e.g. if you hit escape during the main menu). A bunch of loose pointers can cause the program to 'crash' upon exit (I already know about that), but this looks like the file is either just plain bad or in the wrong directory.

If what I suggested doesn't work then I really honestly don't know what's wrong.

Yeah I hit escape on the main menu... it died.

Idiotic: did you ever get the program to work? Has anyone else had idiotic's problem?

Note that I'm speaking of the problem with selecting the proper map, and then having it fail. I put that exception in there in case the memory gets fuxed, but that's just it: it's more likely the file was corrupted or simply not unzipped, rather than there being a bug in the loading portion of the BSP code (it's as simple as can be, ultimately).

I'm getting the error

Code:

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---------------------------
Alert
---------------------------
Card does not support multitexturing, die
---------------------------
OK 
---------------------------

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And then it crashes. It's making me sad.

what video card do you have, it only works if the video card has at least 2 texture units available

This is a guess but my Device Manager says Radeon 9800 Pro under 'Display Adapters'

lol umm........... wtf

What's your diagnosis Dr. McGee.

Hey Bob,

I did try it on a different computer, and it got a little bit farther. It selected the map, then it acted like it was about to start, then crashed. I can give you more of my system info if that would be helpful.

Nah, don't worry about it.

I looked back through my code but I honestly don't know what could be causing those problems.

I'm just wondering, how many people did my program actually work for? I've tried it on 4 computers in my home, worked on all of them. I tried it on my room mate's computer before I left, and I tried it on the computers in the library. Wtf. So far it seems like only ahluka was able to actually have it run successfully.

Did you try it Bubba? If you can get to a windows box you should try it Perspective. It's a bummer.

Ran for me fine... though I keep falling off the edge when ever I play =/

It works very well for me with a 2.79 GHz processor and 504 MB of RAM, running at over 50 FPS in 1024x768x32, over 25 FPS in 1280x1024x32, and over 80 FPS in 800x600x32. Don't click on Cancel in the Open Dialog, though. :)

I keep falling off the map too. :)

Runs fine for me with 3 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM and a 7800GS. Between 90-100 FPS in 1280x1024x32.

I'm too good to fall off the map like you riff raff :p

Hit the 'T' key before you fall off the cliff!! lol

The t key kills your momentum.

'R' kills the momentum of the dummy hovercraft.

Well, I'm glad that it worked for a bunch of people. I have *no* clue why its saying that your radeon 9800 doesn't have the proper OpenGL extensions...the *only* extensions I use currently are for the multitexturing. Maybe it's too old? Gah...I used to be using an extension to count the number of pixels written to the depth buffer when rendering, for occlusion tests, but I took that out ages ago.

Fugaz.

Thanks for the feedback dudes.

EDIT:
I just wanted to re-iterate what the controls are!!!!


Up Arrow = Forward
Down Arrow = Reverse

(rotates in place, unless also hitting forward/backward)
Right Arrow = Rotate Right
Left Arrow = Rotate Left

'A' = Strafe left
'D' = Strafe right

'T' = Kill your momentum
'R' = Kill dummy's momentum

Hmm, I tried to re download it, but it still didn't work. 1gb ram, 2.7 ghz, ATI x700

It said the error was caused by debug assertion. Just out of curiosity, what is that?

The debug assertion that you speak of is just a hook put in there by the programmer to check the memory after various operations to make sure that nothing fugs up. It's a debugging tool (the executable was built under debug mode in vc6).

If you include crt.h and call crtcheckmemory() after setting the right conditions then that initiates a macro which does a whole bunch of (expensive) system calls to check to see if the memory has been fuxed. I honestly do not know what is causing it, and I am sorry that you cannot run my program. Trust me, you arent' missing much.

Sorry, Bob I didn't read the thread enough. Just downloaded it and it works fine.

Some key issues/suggestions:

• Screen flickers. My eye is catching the refresh rate which probably means you are in the 60hz range or you are using an off the wall refresh rate. Might I suggest using the default desktop refresh rate since that is what most games do?
• The skybox cube looks great and no seams which is cool. I have a program which will enable you to create six textures from one flat one...and it will auto-distort the images so you don't have to mess with it. So you can make any image your skybox with no seams.
• Third person camera. I know you said you don't want to do it but it is not much more code. Just test the camera variable and if it's third person simply translate out from the object first and then render as normal.

Core render function

Code:

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void CObjectMgr::Render()
{
 
  CGameObject *pObject=m_vObjects[m_dwCameraObject];
 
 
  D3DXMatrixIdentity(&pObject->m_matWorld);
 
  D3DXMATRIX matView;
  D3DXMATRIX matInvView;
 
  int iViewMode=pObject->m_spMyCamera->GetViewMode();
 
 
  if (iViewMode==COCKPIT || iViewMode==CHASE)
  {
    pObject->m_bInFlyBy=false;
    m_spDevice->GetTransform(D3DTS_VIEW,&matView);
    D3DXMatrixInverse(&matInvView,NULL,&matView);
   
   
    if (iViewMode==COCKPIT)
    {
      D3DXMATRIX matTrans;
      D3DXMatrixTranslation(&matTrans,0.0f,-2.0f,0.0f);
      pObject->m_matWorld=matTrans*matInvView;
    }
   
    if (iViewMode==CHASE)
    {
      D3DXMATRIX matTrans;
      D3DXMatrixTranslation(&matTrans,0.0f,-7.0f,25.0f);
      pObject->m_matWorld=matTrans*matInvView;
    }
   
 
  }

 
  //Third person camera or flyby camera
  if (iViewMode==OBJECT || iViewMode==FLYBY)
  {
     
     
    D3DXMATRIX matRot;   
    pObject->m_pOrient->GetViewMatrix(&matRot);
    D3DXVECTOR3 vecPos;
    pObject->m_pOrient->GetPosition(&vecPos);
       
    D3DXMATRIX matTrans;
    D3DXMatrixTranslation(&matTrans,vecPos.x,
                                    vecPos.y,
                                    vecPos.z);
   
    pObject->m_matWorld=matRot*matTrans;
   
  }
   

 
  //If we are in FLYBY we also need a new matrix
  //Compute new matrix and offset camera randomly from ship velocity vector for flyby effect
  if (iViewMode==FLYBY)
  {
    if (pObject->m_bInFlyBy==false)
    {
      pObject->m_bInFlyBy=true;
     
      D3DXVECTOR3 vecCamPos,vecRight,vecLook,vecUp;
      vecCamPos=pObject->m_pOrient->GetPosition();
           
      //Translate along right vector just a bit
      float m_fX=0.0f,m_fY=0.0f;
     
     
      vecRight=pObject->m_pOrient->GetRight();
      vecUp=pObject->m_pOrient->GetUp();
      int iNum=rand()%50;
     
      if (iNum<25)
      {
        vecCamPos+=vecRight*14.0f;
      } else vecCamPos+=(-vecRight*14.0f);
     
      iNum=rand()%50;
     
      if (iNum<25)
      {
        vecCamPos+=vecUp*7.0f;
      } else vecCamPos+=(-vecUp*7.0f);
     
     
      //Translate camera ahead of the ship along it's look vector
      vecLook=pObject->m_pOrient->GetLook();
     
      //If object is not moving, translate away a bit so camera is not inside of object
      if (pObject->m_fSpeed==0.0f)
      {
        vecCamPos+=vecLook*(10.0f);
      } else vecCamPos+=vecLook*(pObject->m_fSpeed*4.0f);
           
      pObject->m_spMyCamera->SetPosition(&vecCamPos);
     
    }
  } 
}

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All you need is the OBJECT code section for third person camera. Don't ask me to make the model though cuz I suck. :D

I like the hovercraft app Bob and the physics are very cool. Hope to see you do more with it. I'm sorta burn out on my app right now so I know how it gets.

And how are you skinning the jeep with that texture? I need to texture my models but am having lots of troubles.

Sorry it took me so long to reply.

The texturing is simply done with the modeling program, you can adjust the coordinates to get what you want, but there's also a generic 'fit' function which wraps the texture around the defined surface. Ultimately, it's the program that is generating texture coordinates, not me :)

I haven't addressed the flickering problem yet. I noticed it too. I will follow up on your suggestions.

I made a '3rd person' camera, although this was just a matter of changing a couple of variables. It follows directly behind the hovercraft. I included a screenshot, and uploaded another exe with the change.

Here is a link to the new exe:
ihatenature.thejefffiles.com/3PHovertank.exe



I am still trying to decide what, exactly I want to do with the software, and the knowledge I've attained while writing it. The biggest problem isn't a matter of learning how to implement something, it's deciding where I should focus my efforts. I could easily make a simple game, add some graphics effects and start making a gaming portfolio...but I'm not really interested in game programming anymore. I like the problem solving and the thought challenges, but little else about gaming (the only games I play right now are starcraft and rise of nations). I know this sounds horrible, but I'm also just concerned about making $$$. I actually think that one of these days I'll end up in a design type job for some naval shipyard doing computer work that is about half as challenging but pays an infinite amount more than game programming.

Oh my god hurry up with that recording :)