New animation codes in EAWPRO

[VonBeerhofen]

Next to the added control surface animations and added animations on groundobjects, I've managed to add two new animations, bulletholes and oil leak, and created the possibillity for 4 more to be used for other plane damage or whatever comes along.

These are not really animations in the true sense of the word but more a state change of a textured polygon. Some of these animations can use multiple states making them a true animation, but most only use one or two states. The new ones only use a single state, so on or off, but their placement on the 3D models can be anywhere and for instance turn the front canopy into a partially blackened window with bulletholes, which will make it harder to see properly. It can also be used to blacken the engine area or cowlings, remove plating and show underlying struts or add tearing or cracks in the windshield, etc. 

These animations work both inside as outside the plane but there are a few snags. First of all the cockpit can be switched on or off with a key pressure, unless this feature is disabled in the EAW.INI, but when switched off the animation is also switched off and you'll have a clear view inspite of the animation being active. A huge advantage is that the realtime event triggers for these animations have always been there already, so there's no additional cost to framerates.

Ofcourse new plane and cockpit models have to be created which will use these animations, 30 planes is probably doable but it will take a long time to get them all working. Besides that none of the default cockpits have glass panels in them and adding them is another tough job which requires proper knowledge about the Rendering Sequence and the use of 3DZ parts. However I have a few new cockpits which do have glass panels already, so these are most likely to get these new animation codes first.

I can't see any issues for the stock planes but I can't say how far it can be taken, they need sufficient room in their textures to add new drawings, plus new polygon overlays and possibly a recalculated R/S, which is always a pain. So further devellopment is on a plane to plane basis as there is no easy bulk solution yet, but there are a few old tricks I may be able to use.

VonBeerhofen
 

[MarkEAW]

Are these "animations" for the virtual cockpit views?

To understand a bit, your using swappable 3dz models that would look like an animation when they swap back and forth?
(Just a raw guess)

[VonBeerhofen]

Here's trick Nr. 1 a very quick and easy way to implement a cockpit oilleak. Two simple oil drawings placed over the front windshield. In these pictures only one drawing is active, the other one on the right had the bullet holes animation in it but it remained unactivated since the right criteria for it weren't met.

one step zoomed out

There are various possibillities but I think this one probably gives the best result as it's using a standalone 3DZ and can easily be added to a number of planes. Each plane can have it's own drawing, or cheaper, all can use the same drawing with variations in te 3DZ's texture mapping.

Sorry for the dark screenies, it wasn't easy to get myself shot in the right spot to activate the animation, by the time I got there it was dusk and the sun was sinking behind the horizon

VonBeerhofen

[RIBob]

Anything that adds to the realism of the Sim is always worthwhile.  Congrats, VB!

Now, a mechanical oil pressure gauge will have a pipeline/tube connected to its' gauge, running from engine, through the firewall, into the cockpit dashboard.  This oil pipeline will contain oil under pressure supplied from the engine.  If ruptured, it will spew oil, under considerable pressure, as long as the supply of oil lasts. An electrical oil pressure gauge will have an electrical sensor mounted on the engine, which will transmit its' findings to the electrical gauge on the cockpit dashboard.  Same thing goes for other sensors, such as water/coolant or even vacuum.  In the case of electrical gauges, if the wire from sender to gauge is cut, only the signal is lost, and there is no leakage due to such.  There are mechanical ways to configure such gauges (more reliable/simpler), and electrical (more accurate/less chance of cockpit intrusion of unwanted fluids/ less impact due to leakage caused by damage).

It is my understanding that most aircraft mfrs gradually made the transition from mechanical gauges to electrical gauges.  When this transition occurred, and in what exact aircraft, remains a subject of research as to particular aircraft/time of transition.  I suspect that the increasing reliability of aircraft electrical systems played a part, particularly in combat aircraft, where damage could be a frequent occurrence. As one who once had a mechanical oil pressure gauge fail within the cockpit of my car, I can say the oil sprayed out over my legs, and did not spew from the gauge.  Of course, this incident was the result of a oil tube failure, and not because the gauge was struck by a bullet.  thank heaven.

That said, and presuming state-of-the-art military aircraft mfrs had foresworn mechanical gauges at some ill-defined point, then the leakage of fluids, both coolant and oil, onto the windscreen were possible, depending on the exact damage to the engine.  IOW, One, or Both might occur, depending on the  type of engine (air-cooled vs. water-cooled), or circumstances.  Likely that a engine-damaged aircraft will be subsequently struck with more bullets, and additional engine damage resulting, thus resulting in possible leakage of other vital fluids.

Certainly, oil AND coolant leakage from the engine, striking the front windscreen would create quite a mess, the two fluids being Immiscibale (not being able to be mixed), and creating a complete visual mess.  Of course, given such catastrophic damage to one's engine--BOTH Coolant AND OIL loss, the pilot might be reasonably thinking about bailing out, at least in a single-engine aircraft.

I know for certain that the Brits, say from the advent of the Jean Paul Defiant aircraft, used Glycol as an engine anti-freeze.  There are written songs about it losing its coolant.  German A/C not so much knowledge.  Possibly, instead of glycol, simple alcohol.  Germans had lots of brewing/alcohol capacity.

So, good for you, VB, in creating fluids impacting the front air screen, which is all that is really necessary.  Engine coolant (as appropriate to the aircraft) would probably be less visually detrimental than engine oil loss,, but either one would be a signal to the pilot of a single-engine aircraft that they would bailing-out pretty soon.  In fact, some sort of time-limit might be added to visual signs of coolant/oil leaks and subsequent engine failure.  Such is certain to happen once such vital fluids have begun to leak.

Submitted with all due respect, and for consideration..

[VonBeerhofen]

Good info RiBob, knowing how things work will always be of use, :) Is there any knowledge you have about propellors flying off aircraft?

VonBeerhofen