Today I finalised the documentation for my project, and in doing so I also finalised the entire major project. Today's main work included the external manual including the the FAQs, Help and Tutorial sections. I have also finalised the programming section in requirement with the documentation criteria, and as such have now finished the assignment.
Having finalised the assignment, this also concludes the log book, and as such this will be my final post on this blog. :-)
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Holidays - Finished Compilation
Today I finished compiling my major project. This included finalising my project file including camera, editing the introduction taken from Birdfly Demo, inputing a start file, programming the plane rotations and allowing the user to reset the angles.
I wanted to also add in a multiplayer feature however this is no longer feasible because of memory space and time. If i were to install a multiplayer option, I feel that the files would crash rather than load the multiplayer option. I have tried a few demo versions of this, and the resulted crashes have come from minimal issues such as programming just the plane rather than its animations or controls.
I still have to finish the external documentation, especially the manual. If it is possible I would like to do this in the form of a brochure (i.e like an actual game module).
I wanted to also add in a multiplayer feature however this is no longer feasible because of memory space and time. If i were to install a multiplayer option, I feel that the files would crash rather than load the multiplayer option. I have tried a few demo versions of this, and the resulted crashes have come from minimal issues such as programming just the plane rather than its animations or controls.
I still have to finish the external documentation, especially the manual. If it is possible I would like to do this in the form of a brochure (i.e like an actual game module).
Friday, July 24, 2009
Holidays - Continual Progress
Over the last day and half I have continued compiling the final code. I have finished the music files, added acceleration and gravity to the plane as well as a reset button so that it is possible to level the plane. I have also worked out why the collisions were not working. For some reason it is a glitch only with one section of the terrain map and the collision actually does work apart from the mountain I was testing it on.
My next step is to put in a rotatentity to allow for wheel movement when on the ground. I have also started programming a start introduction file based on a program called 'birds demo'. I am also going to attempt to put in a multiplayer version at some stage.
My next step is to put in a rotatentity to allow for wheel movement when on the ground. I have also started programming a start introduction file based on a program called 'birds demo'. I am also going to attempt to put in a multiplayer version at some stage.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Holidays - Continued Compilation
Today I continued to compile parts of the program for my major project and it is starting to look and feel like a flight simulator.
I was able to fix the texture of the plane (what had happened was an error is exporting from 3ds Max to a 3ds file), I have programmed the pitch and roll of the airplane (up, down, left, right) and I found a music file on the internet which has allowed me to have sound which moves with the planes animations (start, stop, running - against the propeller I programmed today).
I have also received an email from Mr. Harris stating that if I have time I am able to import other environments direct from other programs - as long as I note it in my documentation.
I was able to fix the texture of the plane (what had happened was an error is exporting from 3ds Max to a 3ds file), I have programmed the pitch and roll of the airplane (up, down, left, right) and I found a music file on the internet which has allowed me to have sound which moves with the planes animations (start, stop, running - against the propeller I programmed today).
I have also received an email from Mr. Harris stating that if I have time I am able to import other environments direct from other programs - as long as I note it in my documentation.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Continued Compilation
Today I continued compiling the program. I have fixed the sky by placing a colour modifier on the camera and I have re-animated a plane and imported it into Blitz. I am however having trouble with the texture on the mesh. No idea why.
I'm also exploring the idea of changing environment - I have asked Mr. Harris if I am allowed to use pre-existing sceneries to do this.
I have also researched camera manipulation and rotations in order to manipulate the plane.
I'm also exploring the idea of changing environment - I have asked Mr. Harris if I am allowed to use pre-existing sceneries to do this.
I have also researched camera manipulation and rotations in order to manipulate the plane.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Holidays - Initial Compilation
Today I began compiling the various bits of code into a major project programming file.
So far I have included the camera movements, lighting, terrain and texture, as well as the sky files (part of this code was copied [and acknowledged as being] from Mark Silby's castle demo.
I am currently having trouble blending the sky - the straight cut-off is not very attractive. Whilst unfortunate unless I perform a complete complicated skybox this is unlikely to change. It is also worth noting that professional games such as Flight Simulator overcome this problem by using a multitude of textures and sky layers (in essence a multi-layered skybox). This is not feasible for this program.
I was also having trouble with the collision entities but I think is because i was using a camera rather than an aeroplane.
Despite the difficulties I am still on track to finish the project in time.
So far I have included the camera movements, lighting, terrain and texture, as well as the sky files (part of this code was copied [and acknowledged as being] from Mark Silby's castle demo.
I am currently having trouble blending the sky - the straight cut-off is not very attractive. Whilst unfortunate unless I perform a complete complicated skybox this is unlikely to change. It is also worth noting that professional games such as Flight Simulator overcome this problem by using a multitude of textures and sky layers (in essence a multi-layered skybox). This is not feasible for this program.
I was also having trouble with the collision entities but I think is because i was using a camera rather than an aeroplane.
Despite the difficulties I am still on track to finish the project in time.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Holidays - Download Bird Demo
Tonight I downloaded the bird demo we were shown in class. Im hoping that time permitting I can edit this in order to create an intriguing opening for my program.
First week of Holidays - Update of Log
Whilst I have not updated my log book I have been working on my project.
This has mainly been in the form of the different parts of animation and code which are necessary for the final project.
I have finished the plane and terrains and have also imported the terrain and plane into a preliminary program in order to ensure that they are working.
The next step is to incorporate these together into a major project. This should not be a problem as I have demo modules from earlier in the project whereby I incorporated the different parts.
This has mainly been in the form of the different parts of animation and code which are necessary for the final project.
I have finished the plane and terrains and have also imported the terrain and plane into a preliminary program in order to ensure that they are working.
The next step is to incorporate these together into a major project. This should not be a problem as I have demo modules from earlier in the project whereby I incorporated the different parts.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Wk 5- D5 - T2 - Plane
Today with the help of Mr. Harris, I was able to take a 3ds model of a Money plane, edit it so that the wheels could be moved up or down and then export/import it into Blitz 3D.
Whilst I still havn't finished this, this is a major step towards building my flight simulator major project.
Whilst I still havn't finished this, this is a major step towards building my flight simulator major project.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
T2, Wk 5, D4 - Terrain Development
Over the past fortnight or so, I have been working on creating a terrain in L3DT.
This has involved several process. The first was to undertake the walkthrough tutorial in order to understand the various features.
From there, the intial map was made followed by the height map. The height map is by far the most laborious part of the design process, as this is the stage in which all the editing occurs.
After this, the other maps were created including the water table and the final textures.
The next step is to now transfer the project into Blitz 3D. There may be a problem with the size of the map, however hopefully it does not lag.
This has involved several process. The first was to undertake the walkthrough tutorial in order to understand the various features.
From there, the intial map was made followed by the height map. The height map is by far the most laborious part of the design process, as this is the stage in which all the editing occurs.
After this, the other maps were created including the water table and the final textures.
The next step is to now transfer the project into Blitz 3D. There may be a problem with the size of the map, however hopefully it does not lag.
Monday, May 11, 2009
T2, Wk 3, D1 - Update
Over the past couple of months or so, not much has occurred with the program, this is mainly due to holidays and half-yearly exams.
A list has now been compiled to examine what still needs to be done to create a general program.
1. Create the scene
2. Program a camera to move around the screen
3. Put a couple of run ways onto the program
4. Load a plane
5. Set the plane to move up, down, left, right
6. Set the plane to accelerate / gravity
7. Set the plane to change position if it crashes into the water
A list has now been compiled to examine what still needs to be done to create a general program.
1. Create the scene
2. Program a camera to move around the screen
3. Put a couple of run ways onto the program
4. Load a plane
5. Set the plane to move up, down, left, right
6. Set the plane to accelerate / gravity
7. Set the plane to change position if it crashes into the water
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Terrain Problem - D2, Wk 5, T1
Over the past couple of days MFH and I have been looking at various programs that could be used to create terrain. Recently we have discovered a program called 'L3DT' which I assume means Large 3d Terrain.
Have started to look into this program and various plugins to export directly into Blitz3d and it is possible that is the final product used for terrain making.
Have started to look into this program and various plugins to export directly into Blitz3d and it is possible that is the final product used for terrain making.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Terrain Problem - D9, Wk 4, T1
Today MFH and I looked through a number of programs regarding terrain, as this is one of the main probelms - having to develop a runway and a world to fly in.
The programs included 'Visual Terrain Maker', 'TerrainCad' and '3D RAD'.
Neither VTM of TCad were usable and we did not get around to properly looking at 3D RAD. It may be that a more sophisticated program like 3ds Max of World builder need to be used.
The programs included 'Visual Terrain Maker', 'TerrainCad' and '3D RAD'.
Neither VTM of TCad were usable and we did not get around to properly looking at 3D RAD. It may be that a more sophisticated program like 3ds Max of World builder need to be used.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Progress over the holidays - D10, Wk1, T1
Over the break I acquired a copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator X. This allowed me to gain a better understanding of the necessary elements to a flight simulator. It also gave me a good indication of how to develop a take off, a run way, terrain and the maneuverability of the air craft.
The next step now is to develop a program which allows a plane to take off from a run way and fly around. It is unknown how long this will take, but it will establish the basis of the major project. My main concern is how long it will take to create the terrain, despite needing just the basics for this program.
The next step now is to develop a program which allows a plane to take off from a run way and fly around. It is unknown how long this will take, but it will establish the basis of the major project. My main concern is how long it will take to create the terrain, despite needing just the basics for this program.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)