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Board » General Discussion » Realism

Posted by
Rod


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2010-06-24 22:30:48
2011-03-18 01:50:58 - Realism
I attach a number of images from a sailing program called VirtualSailor7 which is entirely contained within my own computer. It includes a chart of the land and the Aegean Sea, with tracks etc of other boats.May I suggest that this concept be explored for use in the SailonLine program, to add to the realism of the sailing program. While VS7 has limitations to 24 boats only and cannot be used for a many boat racing experience as extensive as SOL, it shows what can be done to make SOL a more versatile racing program.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
Rod


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2011-03-18 01:53:45 - Re: Realism
My attachments didn't attach--- but here now. Is there something that blocks attachments when you start a new thread?
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
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Posted by
AGage


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2011-03-18 02:05:58 - Re: Realism
Im not sure that is really the point of SOL (VSK has similar graphical POV), but I did recently have the idea of creating a 3D boat model and animating its sails etc (maybe even some waves?) based on current SOL data, and allowing user to pan and zoom etc, to provide a life like view of your boat in SOL.

Thing is nothing that you mention adds any realism in terms of the simulation - only graphically...
I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__
Posted by
Rod


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2011-03-18 03:30:28 - Re: Realism
VS7 has vastly more versatility. I can fly like an aircraft, wander around among the buildings of the town of Rhodes or Piraeus, stand on the railing of a light house, submerge beneath the seas in a submarine, drop the sails and anchor in many different harbours, stand on the bridge of a freighter, examine my surroundings by radar, the depth with a depth sounder, take sun and star sights to calculate my position.... and race with 23 other sailboats over a course with mark boats and way points. The ports and the topography are a bit 'generic', but correspond largely with reality.
All of this is downloaded once, but I can alter all the waves and weather at will. (you want snow, thunder and lightning, rain, fog, sunshine? You got it)
The point is that it CAN be done, and the realism of sailboat racing can be extended well beyond just the calculation of navigational commands.
Because all of this is a downloaded program, it allows the server to update only the boat positions and all the weather and currents. This will greatly reduce server load, probably to about what it is now.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
K3 (Bernd)


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2008-08-25 12:34:07
2011-03-18 06:53:19 - Re: Realism
but the steering wheel is drawed as a polygon only…

;) Bernd
Posted by
Rod


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2011-03-18 09:43:58 - Re: Realism
True, but I can take it off auto-pilot and turn the wheel by the mouse pointer, as I can the main and jib sheet winches. I can adjust the sheet winches separately to change weather helm, and hold course entirely manually. I can partly lower the sails to 'reef' in heavy winds, I can sail wing-on-wing or raise the spinnacker. I can even have water over the deck or in the cockpit. And it addition, there is a chart of boat positions and tracks. It can be done, which is my main point, not using VS5, but extending SOL to the same capabilities.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
AGage


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2011-03-19 23:40:58 - Re: Realism
Rod said @ 2011-03-18 03:30:28:
VS7 has vastly more versatility.
I want comparing the 2 programs other than the graphical 1st and 3rd person POVs...

Rod said @ 2011-03-18 03:30:28:
This will greatly reduce server load, probably to about what it is now.

So what is server load being reduced from exactly if it will be reduced to current levels?

What you are proposing would have absolutely no effect on server load anyway, as it is all client side graphical detail. Which would likely detract from the routing/tactical nature of the game.

Anyway, it you can do all that in VS7 (why would you want to fly in a sailing game?) why do you also want it in SOL?

And how much did you pay for VS7?

Actually it is entirely possible to create a new client without any support from sailonline.org (all the data and commands are via public http), so go ahead and write one...
I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__
Posted by
Rod


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2011-03-20 01:24:56 - Re: Realism
Ah musta kicked yo' daw'ig.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.

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