C/C++ car simulator on the drawing board- ideas please!

Hi all, I'm almost finished designing the basic model for a F1 type car model- I'm a physics graduate studying computer vision- so I'm keen to learn some graphics programming- esp. in the context of something i'm interested in. The current basic car model design is based upon true 3D Newtonian mechanics, such that the car is capable of _proper_ motion- i.e. by giving the car an vertical impulse at it's front left tyre, it will fly into the air. I'm probably planning this for the gcc compiler running on Sun machines, but if it's quick then linux won't be too hard... The physical model is where I have the most understanding- but it is also the bit which I could do with more ideas for. Currently the model is based upon a 3D block mounted on 4 shocks, with downforce received at the front and rear wing mount points only. Allowing brakes to lock up and wheels to slide properly.. I need thoughts on: everything that you might like in a car model.. e.g. take ground-effect and bodywork downforce into account?? Fuel load changing etc. also: places to get info on simple, ____FAST___ X graphics programming. Even better, a loverly library of routines (unlikely). and NUMBERS for every conceivable measurable variable- moments of inertia, centres of gravity- braking force- tyre warming up curves, engine power curves, behaviour of mu (coeff of friction on a track off and on the line) For developmental purposes, processor time isn't too much of a problem where I am, as we have a 4 processor Sparc 10 to hand (quite fast!!) This is only a spare-time occupation, so don't expect an Alpha version before 1995(at least)- but it is something I want to do. Discussion on ANY aspect of this is welcome. Tell me EVERYTHING you could possibly want from a simulator model, and please point me to some graphics info... I hope this is of interest!!! Oh yes, I don't plan to charge for any of this if it does actually happen.. Cheers, Paul Smyth. _________________________________________________________________ |Paul Smyth, Dept of Medical BioPhysics, University of Manchester.| |Telephone: work: (061) 275 5157, 275 5141 | | | | Semolina pilchard, climbing up the Eiffel tower. | |_________________________________________________________________|

> I'm almost finished designing the basic model for a F1 type car model- > I'm a physics graduate studying computer vision- so I'm keen to learn some > graphics programming- esp. in the context of something i'm interested in. > ... > also: places to get info on simple, ____FAST___ X graphics programming. > Even better, a loverly library of routines (unlikely). Will you make the source available? If so, it would be nice if you could keep the user interface separated from the rest, so that us people not running X could have a go at porting it. (To NEXTSTEP in this case.) Thanks, Ben

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> Hi all, > I'm almost finished designing the basic model for a F1 type car model- > I'm a physics graduate studying computer vision- so I'm keen to learn some > graphics programming- esp. in the context of something i'm interested in. > The current basic car model design is based upon true 3D Newtonian > mechanics, such that the car is capable of _proper_ motion- i.e. by giving the > car an vertical impulse at it's front left tyre, it will fly into the air.

<Snip> OK, you asked. Works on a PC 486dx2. Real world model with latitude, longitude, and altitude coordinates. User definable REAL scenery, with rain and snow driving simulation. 3D clouds that cast shadows on the ground. User definable autos with dashboard design. SB stereo sound. Other traffic. Able to say "That drives like a real car". SORRY, but you did ask. Now for the graphics library. A guy named Bernie Roehl has created a 3D graphics rendering program called AVRIL, whick can be gotton FTP at sunee.uwaterloo.ca. It is a PC based program though. It is. Like you, I'm looking forward to the ultimate driving experience cross country simulator. Are you listening PAPYRUS, BAO, MICROSOFT! To make it saleable, it could be either a passive racing sim, or one of those CAR BATTLE games, where you outfit your car with rocket launchers and do battle on the streets of the world.

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> Oh yes, I don't plan to charge for any of this if it does actually happen.. > Cheers, Paul Smyth. > _________________________________________________________________ > |Paul Smyth, Dept of Medical BioPhysics, University of Manchester.| > |Telephone: work: (061) 275 5157, 275 5141 | > | | > | Semolina pilchard, climbing up the Eiffel tower. | > |_________________________________________________________________|

Oh well, I'll wake up now. Richard Lewis Harlan, Kentucky

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! A while back I tried to get some interest going on r.a.sims. for making a simulator but got little response, other than from people saying that they'd like to see this too. I'm really happy to see there's someone actually doing one. I'd certainly like to help in any way I can. However, I know very little about the physics of a car, only about driving one :-). Here's some info. on what I can give you: Important factors: Aerodynamics (allow for cross-winds, etc.) - you'd know best how to model this Tyre grip - e.g., compound, wear, etc. Suspension Body stiffness/flex brake balance + load shifting + fuel load engine torque+power range road conditions model (wet/dry/icy/etc.) ground effects + diffuser effect About graphics, I believe your best bet is the X graphics library that is distributed with the ACM flight simulator (called V). The simulator is a networked flight simulator of F16s and MiG29s (I think), with X Windows display. It is licensed under GNU's GPL. You've got to remember, however, that graphics under X Windows is unlikely to ever be very fast in comparison with, say, on a PC with a VLB card. r.a.tech might be a place to ask for this info. -- ISSCO, University of Geneva | X400: S=afzal;OU=divsun;O=unige; 54 route des Acacias | PRMD=switch;ADMD=arcom;C=ch CH-1227 GENEVA (Switzerland) | UUCP: mcvax!cui!divsun.unige.ch!afzal Tel: +41/22/705 71 12 | FAX: +41/22/300 10 86 | http://issco_www.unige.ch/ ``I'm not artificially intelligent, I just work that way.''

>It is. Like you, I'm looking forward to the ultimate driving experience >cross country simulator. Are you listening PAPYRUS, BAO, MICROSOFT! >To make it saleable, it could be either a passive racing sim, or one of >those CAR BATTLE games, where you outfit your car with rocket launchers >and do battle on the streets of the world. He doesn't appear to want to make it saleable, which is admirable! And let me add my voice to those of the others - I want a CROSS-COUNTRY (ie. rallying, offroad racing) simulator. I realise that the graphics are more complex by nature than a road-racer but the game would be far more fun! ;-) I have experience in programming Pascal, C and 80x86 assembler; if anyone wants to have a go at writing a PC one or wants help with one (possibly the chap writing before, although he appears to be doing to programming himself) then count me in! -- +-------------------+-------------------------------------------------+ | /-- |_| /-- | (~ | "And the driving is like the driving of Jehu, | | \-- | | | | _) | the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously." | +-------------------+-------------------- Second Book of Kings 9 v20 -+

Everyone seems to be wanting an off-road/on-road/do-as-you-please simulator... What about the forthcoming 'Powerslide'? From what I've heard, it shuld be quite good, but you know how things get hyped.... Anyone have any concrete info? William