RAF74_Buzzsaw
Aug-29-2017, 02:12
Salute All
There was a complaint not too long ago about the way some aircraft collision models were implemented... the suggestion was these planes, when hitting first with their propellors, were invulnerable in collisions. Thanks to the persons who brought it to our attention. :thumbsup:
Below is a example of the problem... it only affected the Spitfire:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcvkw6zu2RU
Because we obviously take bug issues seriously we investigated the problem.
What in fact is happening is not the prop causing the damage, its the nose of the aircraft... in the case of the Spitfire, for some reason the original developers did not make the nose detachable... therefore it is invulnerable.
The propellors are not causing the damage. In fact the first aspect which came to light was the fact there is no collision model for propellors versus other objects... only versus the ground.
Here is a sample systems collision model for the Spitfire.
https://ibb.co/h27cK5
You can see there are no collision boxes for the prop.
What is in place for CLIFFS OF DOVER is a collision model for the prop contacting the ground, shown below. Props have 'clips' on the end of the prop models, which when contacting the ground, signal to the game engine to change the visual model and also cause engine damage. But only if the prop contacts the ground. There is no effect for contacting other objects.
https://ibb.co/ceoTRk
Someone looking quickly at the collision modelling might think the 'clips' also interact with objects, but not the case.
What is actually needed is to build a complete set of collision hit boxes for the prop and write a new system into the code. The graphics models are relatively simple and have been built.
https://ibb.co/iuZGe5
But the real issue is the code work and that is not possible for TF 4.5... because we do not want to delay the release any more than necessary.
We have fixed the bug with the non-detachable Spit nose section... and that provides a temporary fix which will eliminate the issue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQScvJiprCo
But the real fix which will allow props to cause damage to objects and to be damaged by them, i.e. the 'Taran' effect, will have to wait.
By the way, we have to mention another fact.
There has been a considerable amount of hysteria about this collision bug... but in fact it was not a big issue. While it is true a player in SP may be able to slow down his computer to 1/8th speed and creep up on another friendly flying aircraft, in real practice at normal flying speed, there is almost zero chance of a collision occurring which would leave a Spitfire without damage. And yes, you saw I could do it on the ground... (and notice the Spit took wing damage) but CLIFFS OF DOVER is not a lawnmower simulation. There is almost no chance to creep up on an enemy aircraft... if that aircraft is a bomber, its rear gunner will shoot you to pieces long before your prop gets anywhere near it. And a single engined type will maneuver out of the way 99% of the time.
Most of the collisions which occur online on the servers and which see one aircraft damaged but the other unaffected are due to connectivity and lag.
Thanks for everyone's patience. ;)
There was a complaint not too long ago about the way some aircraft collision models were implemented... the suggestion was these planes, when hitting first with their propellors, were invulnerable in collisions. Thanks to the persons who brought it to our attention. :thumbsup:
Below is a example of the problem... it only affected the Spitfire:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcvkw6zu2RU
Because we obviously take bug issues seriously we investigated the problem.
What in fact is happening is not the prop causing the damage, its the nose of the aircraft... in the case of the Spitfire, for some reason the original developers did not make the nose detachable... therefore it is invulnerable.
The propellors are not causing the damage. In fact the first aspect which came to light was the fact there is no collision model for propellors versus other objects... only versus the ground.
Here is a sample systems collision model for the Spitfire.
https://ibb.co/h27cK5
You can see there are no collision boxes for the prop.
What is in place for CLIFFS OF DOVER is a collision model for the prop contacting the ground, shown below. Props have 'clips' on the end of the prop models, which when contacting the ground, signal to the game engine to change the visual model and also cause engine damage. But only if the prop contacts the ground. There is no effect for contacting other objects.
https://ibb.co/ceoTRk
Someone looking quickly at the collision modelling might think the 'clips' also interact with objects, but not the case.
What is actually needed is to build a complete set of collision hit boxes for the prop and write a new system into the code. The graphics models are relatively simple and have been built.
https://ibb.co/iuZGe5
But the real issue is the code work and that is not possible for TF 4.5... because we do not want to delay the release any more than necessary.
We have fixed the bug with the non-detachable Spit nose section... and that provides a temporary fix which will eliminate the issue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQScvJiprCo
But the real fix which will allow props to cause damage to objects and to be damaged by them, i.e. the 'Taran' effect, will have to wait.
By the way, we have to mention another fact.
There has been a considerable amount of hysteria about this collision bug... but in fact it was not a big issue. While it is true a player in SP may be able to slow down his computer to 1/8th speed and creep up on another friendly flying aircraft, in real practice at normal flying speed, there is almost zero chance of a collision occurring which would leave a Spitfire without damage. And yes, you saw I could do it on the ground... (and notice the Spit took wing damage) but CLIFFS OF DOVER is not a lawnmower simulation. There is almost no chance to creep up on an enemy aircraft... if that aircraft is a bomber, its rear gunner will shoot you to pieces long before your prop gets anywhere near it. And a single engined type will maneuver out of the way 99% of the time.
Most of the collisions which occur online on the servers and which see one aircraft damaged but the other unaffected are due to connectivity and lag.
Thanks for everyone's patience. ;)