Physics [split from network thread]

[stenyak]

Yes, i'm the main developer of Motorsport. The url is www.motorsport-sim.org , but right now the domain isn't renewed yet (wait 2 days or so, until the DNSs are updated).

Nigo pointed me to some of these multiplayer discussions. I haven't coded much really, but i do have some ideas, and have talked to several commercial car sim developers, so i can definitely offer some suggestions. I'll prolly let you do the coding though


Regarding ODE... it's a good library, but do not think that you can use it for replacing everything. Suspension is relatively easy to set up with ODE, but the performance is a nightmare. It's the main reason Motorsport runs so slow the more cars there are. Using a simpler, game-ish, up-down axis suspension is way faster than a proper double wishbone one. In this case, IK is the way to go.
For tire modelling, what can i say... ODE is a rigid body sim, and tires are not rigid. You're on your own for that piece of code too.

As you can see, ODE is not great for simulating a car. But it's probably the best you've got if you don't want to start from scratch. You go from nothing, to proper generic physics, in just a couple of minutes. It can always be used for trackside objects and fallen car parts.

Anyway, keep in mind that ODE collision detection code can be reused. They have had some cool additions recently, like a new trimesh collider code ("gimpact", instead of the old "opcode" one).

Sorry for the offtopic, i guess this is not multiplayer anymore O: -)