Spring RTS Engine

Is this possible currently, will it be possible in the next release, or no?

I mean, make a custom explosion, then make it so that whenever that particular explosion goes off, it leaves a unique groundscar, or chooses randomly from a set of unique groundscars.

Would be used for, off the top of my head, maybe things like a special Commander explosion that makes the ground look like it's extra brutalized.

You can do this in the next version, but without randomness, by simply using nulls for the existing groundscars, and using long-lasting custom Groundflashes as groundscars, instead (if we could only randomize it, it'd be perfect).

is there any possibility the left over groundflash can lag the game though? after all they are not limited like the decals of the ground impact decal.

I dunno. I'd guess that they are limited by the number of particles, and I'd certainly think that anybody using this would be very wise to give them an eventual decay time, even for giant ones. But that's just me.

From what I can tell the groundflash is a very simple effect, you'd need a lot to lag the game down. Would just depend on modder's good judgement, like any other effect.

Now that you mention it, it would be nice to see scars appropriate to their explosions.
Make a nuke leave a nice radiation symbol burn-mark in the ground.

groundflash is also an additive blend if I understand it correctly and will be a GLOWING spot not a burn mark iirc.

smoth wrote:groundflash is also an additive blend if I understand it correctly and will be a GLOWING spot not a burn mark iirc.

All the better for radiation!

I think you're speaking at cross purposes, Eaglebird is talking about scars, you're talking about flashes.

...Now, a glowing groundscar, that might have some use actually....

I think I've gotta make a thread about that.

caydr, the thread is talking about using groundflashes as a sort of controlled groundscar. Please do not create another needless thread, many other users have threads that are of interest to them. It is not fair for you to monopolize the forum.

Caydr, who started this topic wrote:I mean, make a custom explosion, then make it so that whenever that particular explosion goes off, it leaves a unique groundscar, or chooses randomly from a set of unique groundscars.

Eaglebird wrote:Now that you mention it, it would be nice to see scars appropriate to their explosions.
Make a nuke leave a nice radiation symbol burn-mark in the ground.

smoth wrote:groundflash is also an additive blend if I understand it correctly and will be a GLOWING spot not a burn mark iirc.

Now go back to derailing my post, I wouldn't want to monopolize it.

In case anyone does't want me to keep ideas to myself, here's that other idea I was talking about.

in case you find something else that you want and isn't built into the engine:
http://trepan.bzflag.bz/spring/groundquad.jpg
(using the LuaUI/Cob/Gaia/Rules gl.DrawGroundQuad() call)

Argh wrote:You can do this in the next version, but without randomness, by simply using nulls for the existing groundscars, and using long-lasting custom Groundflashes as groundscars, instead (if we could only randomize it, it'd be perfect).

oh my god.... I think this is what we were discussing.

No, I don't think that's what I was asking about. Actually I don't really understand what Argh said too well, but the gist I got was, "No, it's not possible qute as you said, but you can use this in the meantime."

Can anyone help me understand what Trepan said? I got lost at LUA.

I know, I was just continueing the conversation in the vein that argh started. I have been gone all weekend visiting my mom so I was unable to post that tidbit and I also happened to think that the new guy was also in the same discussion.

Trepan is saying that you can draw your groundscar with lua and skip diddling with spring's stuff all together.

How's your mom?

pretty good, thanks for asking. We chilled out watched some movies etc.

Cool. You should rent The Notebook next time you go, she'd probably like it. Good story.

The hunt for red October was on. That is always good. other then that, not really.

On topic: Did I clarify what trepan was saying?

I think so, though my ineptitude with LUA means I have no idea how to implement what he just said.