Comments on: XNA Framework GameEngine Development. (Part 18, Brute Force Terrain with Physics)

By: roecode

roecode — Thu, 28 May 2009 19:22:24 +0000

Excellent question, heightmaps are commonly used for terrain for a few reasons. 1) They are easy to implement since the possibility of overhangs does not exist. 2) They are relatively small files sizes. 3) They fit into the evenly spaced latice structure easily. 4) Easier to do LOD calculations

Modelled terrain is nice for one small piece of land, but for an entire world landscape… you would need an army of artists. I simply do not have that. So what you see here is a heightmap that was created using readily available algorithmic methods.

By: alancastrocl

alancastrocl — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:42:42 +0000

Why heightmap and not terrain model maked with some 3d tool ?

By: andris

andris — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:16:59 +0000

Hello, the description of your engine on sourceforge says it is a managed DirectX engine

By: roecode

roecode — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:16:26 +0000

Zenox, yes I do plan to do animation. I have done some ragdolls, just have not discussed them yet. I do also plan to discuss file formats such as collada and custom file formats. Just keep reading, I will start a section on this after I complete the shadowing section.

By: Zenox

Zenox — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:58:25 +0000

Something I’d like to see added to this series is the ability to do animation, ragdolls etc (maybe importing models using the Collada format if necessary as X and fbx doesn’t seem to have this implemented)

By: roecode

roecode — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:59:51 +0000

Derth, yes I have moved to JigLibX. BulletX just didn’t have as clean of an interface as I would like. However, I am not completely happy about everything I have seen in the JigLibX either. Suppose I cannot be too picky though, they are both open source.

Glad you like the series.

By: Dracul86

Dracul86 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:20:04 +0000

Thank you for this tutorial. I think I will use your engine for a new 3D project. He is cleaner than mine. I’ll have to write a framework to use with a 3D screen, the latest 42″ Philips one, based on Wowvx technology. I’ll share my work if you want.

I’m looking forward to reading your shadowing articles.

By: Derth

Derth — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:37:21 +0000

hi,
like the tutorials they are very informative. btw have you changed your mind about BulletX or are you planning on updating the recent source codes to BulletX. I ask b’cuz I have no idea as to which physics library to pick up, BulletX or JigLibX.
anyways, thanks for the series.