Limb Position and Rotation/Direction with Animation

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Grasmann

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Posted: 27th Mar 2009 01:05 Edited at: 27th Mar 2009 10:24

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Hi there

I made something like a alpha version of a timer based Animation system for my game ... atm there are just different Animation-Parts that are timer based but later I want to make a global System out of that ... to use it everywhere needed in my game with just some Functions with parameters

To get the right motion when animating the Player I placed the Camera at the Playermodels head ... the idea was to catch the animation of the Playermodel and to apply it to the Camera ... that way cinematic Videos would be really easy and fun to do

But then again I noticed that somehow the Commands
(EDIT

f course I meant those XD

Limb Position()
Limb Angle()
Limb Direction()

seem to not include the animation from my .x file
(would it maybe a difference to make the object 3ds? I think those could hold animation data too?)

I need that working XD ... not only for the Camera

Is it somehow possible to get that working?

Maybe I have to Export the 3D-Model in a Special way? But I allready tried different methodes of exporting with milkshape.

Or is it impossible anyway?

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RiiDii

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Posted: 27th Mar 2009 19:21

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I don't think it is directly possible (although there might be a dll or plugin that can do it). The work-around is to export the limbs as separate objects and position them onto the object, then rotate and animate the limb-objects. You might need a plugin/dll for rotation and angles, like EZ-Rotate.

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Visigoth

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Posted: 28th Mar 2009 03:49 Edited at: 28th Mar 2009 03:49

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If I'm understanding you correctly, you want to "capture" animation into an .x file? Or, are you wanting to just play back an animation? If you have an animation in an .x file, all you need to do is use the command play object(), or loop object(), set object frame(), etc.
It is possible to actually capture an animation into an .x file, but, it would take some work. I've been studying .x file format pretty hard. Basically, all animations are are scale, position, and rotation transformations on meshes inside an .x file. If you had an .x file export function, you could say rotate a limb, then save the rotation into an array, and after you had all your animations loaded into an array, save it out into an .x file.
If you want to learn about the .x file fromat, here is a site I use for reference.

http://local.wasp.uwa.edu.au/~pbourke/dataformats/directx/

its a little dated, but, it still applies.

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Grasmann

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Posted: 28th Mar 2009 06:28 Edited at: 28th Mar 2009 06:31

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Nah you misunderstood me.

I made a timer based animation system ( or the preversion of it ) for my game ... that means I´m assigning the Frames seperately everytime the timer says I have to ... that works pretty well ... Animations have the same speed if I have 30 FPS compared to 270 FPS ... doesn´t matter.

What I want to do is to get the global limb positions (x,y,z) and the global rotation/direction (xr,yr,zr) of the Head of my Player object

That way I just can place the camera at x,y,z and rotate/point it at xr,yr,zr

So if I would like to do cinematic videos in first person view, where the playermodel or parts of it like an arm or something are still visible, I would just make a simple animation for the playermodel

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Visigoth

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Posted: 28th Mar 2009 06:42

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ok, I'm confused. If you want "global" rotation, I assume you mean where it is in world space. thats just limb space + root space, assuming root is at 0,0,0. If you are changing the actual positions of your limbs in the mesh, thats not really animation. Thats just repositioning the limbs. Its not the same thing as an animation. Like I said, if you have an animation, you have limbs or objects at a set position, and you apply rotation, scale, and position transforms on them. The actual mesh x,y,z remains the same. Maybe I'm still not getting what you are up to.

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RiiDii

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Posted: 29th Mar 2009 02:00

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Limb Position X/Y/Z(Object,Limb)

Quote: "This command will return the real number world x/y/z position of the specified limb of the 3D object "

Use that instead of Limb Offset X/Y/Z(Object,Limb), which returns the offset of the limb from the base object.

=================================

Limb Direction X/Y/Z(Object,Limb)

Quote: "This command will return the real number world x/y/z angle of the specified limb of the 3D object "

Use that instead of Limb Angle X/Y/Z(Object, Limb), which returns the local angle of the limb.

Here is a code I threw together quick to demo the different commands. The head is set back so you can see the body.

Sync On:Sync Rate 0:Autocam Off

`Make the player
Make Object Cube 1,1
Make Object Sphere 2,1
Make Mesh From Object 2,2
Delete Object 2
Add Limb 1,1,2
Offset Limb 1,1,0,2,-3

`Make some 'terrain' to go by.
For i =100 to 200
   Make Object Cube i,1
   Position Object i,Rnd(1000)-500,0,Rnd(1000)-500
Next i

`Main Loop
Do
   _Player_Control(1,0)
   Update_Head()
   Update_Camera()
   TimeFactor_Sync()
Loop

Function Update_Camera()
   Position Camera 0,Limb Position X(1,1),Limb Position Y(1,1),Limb Position Z(1,1)
   Rotate Camera 0,Limb Direction X(1,1),Limb Direction Y(1,1), Limb Direction Z(1,1)
EndFunction

Function Update_Head()
   Rotate Limb 1,1,0,Limb Angle Y(1,1)+MouseMoveX()*TimeFactor(60),0
EndFunction

`When calling the TimeFactor() function, pass the target virtual frame rate (FrameRate)
`to achieve (i.e. 60 for 60 FPS, or 30 for 30 FPS). A value of 0 defaults to 60 FPS
`since previous projects use the array variable TimeFactor(0).
`Think of the return value as a percentage; multiply movement, turning, or other timer-based
`factor by the TimeFactor() return value.
Function TimeFactor(FrameRate as Integer)
   Dim TimeStamp(0) as Integer
   Dim TimeDiff(0) as Double Float
   If FrameRate=0 Then FrameRate=60
   MS#=1000.0/FrameRate
   TF#=TimeDiff(0)/MS#
   `If the frame rate is far too slow to support the virtual Frame Rate, the return value needs to be capped.
   `Using value of 2.0 maximizes the return value at 200%, or 1/2 target frame rate. For example, if trying to achieve
   `a virtual frame rate of 60, but the actual frame rate is less than 30, then this value will cap out at 200%
   If TF#>2 then TF#=2
EndFunction TF#

`Call the Update_TimeFactor() once each frame, ideally after the Sync command.
`Do not use this function if using the TimeFactor_Sync() function (in the same loop)
Function Update_TimeFactor()
   Dim TimeStamp(0) as Integer
   Dim TimeDiff(0) as Double Float
   If TimeStamp(0)=0 Then TimeStamp(0)=Timer()-16
   TimeDiff(0)=Timer()-TimeStamp(0)
   Timestamp(0)=Timer()
Endfunction

`Use this function to include a sync command while updating the TimeFactor values.
`Do not use this function if using the Update_TimeFactor() function (in the same loop)
Function TimeFactor_Sync()
   Dim TimeStamp(0) as Integer
   Dim TimeDiff(0) as Double Float
   Sync
   If TimeStamp(0)=0 Then TimeStamp(0)=Timer()-16
   TimeDiff(0)=Timer()-TimeStamp(0)
   Timestamp(0)=Timer()
Endfunction

`========================================================================
`_Player_Control Module
`Created On 03/28/09 15:48:47
`========================================================================

`========================================================================
`=EXPORT COPYLEFT PROTECTION=============================================
`========================================================================
`                                                                       =
`    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or      =
`    modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License =
`    as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of  =
`    the License, or (at your option) any later version.                =
`                                                                       =
`    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,    =
`    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of     =
`    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the      =
`    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.                =
`                                                                       =
`    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public   =
`    License along with this program.  If not, see                      =
`    <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.                                    =
`                                                                       =
`    EXPORT NOTE: This protection only applies to the exported code     =
`                 and/or data. The software used to create this export  =
`                 is protected separately and independently.            =
`                                                                       =
`========================================================================
`========================================================================

Function _Player_Control(ObjectID as DWord, GroundY as Float)
   _Initialize_Player_Control()
   _Main_Player_Control(ObjectID, GroundY)
   _Cleanup_Player_Control()
EndFunction

Function _Initialize_Player_Control()
    `The following lines prevent re-initialization, which is typically not needed.
    Dim Init_Player_Control(0)
    If Init_Player_Control(0) Then ExitFunction
    Init_Player_Control(0)=1
    `Note: Change the speed values below as desired.
    Dim MoveSpeed(0) as Float:MoveSpeed(0)=.1
    Dim TurnSpeed(0) as Float:TurnSpeed(0)=1.0
    Dim RunSpeed(0) as Float:RunSpeed(0)=.2
    Dim StrafeSpeed(0) as Float:StrafeSpeed(0)=.08
    Dim JumpSpeed(0) as Float:JumpSpeed(0)=.5
    Dim Momentum(2) as Float
    Dim Friction(0) as Float:Friction(0)=.95
    Dim Gravity(0) as Float:Gravity(0)=.02

`Insert any initialization code below this point.
    `Code...
    `Code...
    `Code...
EndFunction

Function _Main_Player_Control(ObjectID as DWord, GroundY as Float)
    lx#=Object Position X(ObjectID)
    ly#=Object Position Y(ObjectID)
    lz#=Object Position Z(ObjectID)
    `Move Forward
    If KeyState(17)
        Move Object ObjectID, MoveSpeed(0)*TimeFactor(60)
    EndIf
    `Turn Right
    If KeyState(32)
        Turn Object Right ObjectID, TurnSpeed(0)*TimeFactor(60)
    EndIf
    `Turn Left
    If KeyState(30)
        Turn Object Left ObjectID, TurnSpeed(0)*TimeFactor(60)
    EndIf
    `Strafe Right
    If KeyState(18)
        Move Object Right ObjectID, StrafeSpeed(0)*TimeFactor(60)
    EndIf
    `Strafe Left
    If KeyState(16)
        Move Object Left ObjectID, StrafeSpeed(0)*TimeFactor(60)
    EndIf
    `Move Back
    If KeyState(31)
        Move Object ObjectID, (MoveSpeed(0)*-.5)*TimeFactor(60)
    EndIf
    `Run
    If KeyState(19)
        Move Object ObjectID, RunSpeed(0)*TimeFactor(60)
    EndIf
    `Jump
    If KeyState(57)
        If Object Position Y(ObjectID)<=GroundY
            Move Object Up ObjectID, JumpSpeed(0)*TimeFactor(60)
        EndIf
    EndIf

Position Object ObjectID, Object Position X(ObjectID)+Momentum(0), Object Position Y(ObjectID)+Momentum(1)-Gravity(0), Object Position Z(ObjectID)+Momentum(2)
    If Object Position Y(ObjectID)< GroundY
        Position Object ObjectID, Object Position X(ObjectID), GroundY, Object Position Z(ObjectID)
    EndIf
    Momentum(0)=(Object Position X(ObjectID)-lx#)*Friction(0)
    Momentum(1)=(Object Position Y(ObjectID)-ly#)*Friction(0)
    Momentum(2)=(Object Position Z(ObjectID)-lz#)*Friction(0)
    `Insert additional code below this point.
    `Code...
    `Code...
    `Code...
EndFunction

`Use the following function to cleanup after the module (close files, null-out strings, undim, etc.)
Function _Cleanup_Player_Control()
    `Code...
    `Code...
    `Code...

EndFunction

`========================================================================
`End of Module _Player_Control
`========================================================================

+ Code Snippet

Sync On:Sync Rate 0:Autocam Off


`Make the player
Make Object Cube 1,1
Make Object Sphere 2,1
Make Mesh From Object 2,2
Delete Object 2
Add Limb 1,1,2
Offset Limb 1,1,0,2,-3

`Make some 'terrain' to go by.
For i =100 to 200
   Make Object Cube i,1
   Position Object i,Rnd(1000)-500,0,Rnd(1000)-500
Next i


`Main Loop
Do
   _Player_Control(1,0)
   Update_Head()
   Update_Camera()
   TimeFactor_Sync()
Loop



Function Update_Camera()
   Position Camera 0,Limb Position X(1,1),Limb Position Y(1,1),Limb Position Z(1,1)
   Rotate Camera 0,Limb Direction X(1,1),Limb Direction Y(1,1), Limb Direction Z(1,1)
EndFunction

Function Update_Head()
   Rotate Limb 1,1,0,Limb Angle Y(1,1)+MouseMoveX()*TimeFactor(60),0
EndFunction


`When calling the TimeFactor() function, pass the target virtual frame rate (FrameRate)
`to achieve (i.e. 60 for 60 FPS, or 30 for 30 FPS). A value of 0 defaults to 60 FPS
`since previous projects use the array variable TimeFactor(0).
`Think of the return value as a percentage; multiply movement, turning, or other timer-based
`factor by the TimeFactor() return value.
Function TimeFactor(FrameRate as Integer)
   Dim TimeStamp(0) as Integer
   Dim TimeDiff(0) as Double Float
   If FrameRate=0 Then FrameRate=60
   MS#=1000.0/FrameRate
   TF#=TimeDiff(0)/MS#
   `If the frame rate is far too slow to support the virtual Frame Rate, the return value needs to be capped.
   `Using value of 2.0 maximizes the return value at 200%, or 1/2 target frame rate. For example, if trying to achieve
   `a virtual frame rate of 60, but the actual frame rate is less than 30, then this value will cap out at 200%
   If TF#>2 then TF#=2
EndFunction TF#

`Call the Update_TimeFactor() once each frame, ideally after the Sync command.
`Do not use this function if using the TimeFactor_Sync() function (in the same loop)
Function Update_TimeFactor()
   Dim TimeStamp(0) as Integer
   Dim TimeDiff(0) as Double Float
   If TimeStamp(0)=0 Then TimeStamp(0)=Timer()-16
   TimeDiff(0)=Timer()-TimeStamp(0)
   Timestamp(0)=Timer()
Endfunction

`Use this function to include a sync command while updating the TimeFactor values.
`Do not use this function if using the Update_TimeFactor() function (in the same loop)
Function TimeFactor_Sync()
   Dim TimeStamp(0) as Integer
   Dim TimeDiff(0) as Double Float
   Sync
   If TimeStamp(0)=0 Then TimeStamp(0)=Timer()-16
   TimeDiff(0)=Timer()-TimeStamp(0)
   Timestamp(0)=Timer()
Endfunction


`========================================================================
`_Player_Control Module
`Created On 03/28/09 15:48:47
`========================================================================

`========================================================================
`=EXPORT COPYLEFT PROTECTION=============================================
`========================================================================
`                                                                       =
`    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or      =
`    modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License =
`    as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of  =
`    the License, or (at your option) any later version.                =
`                                                                       =
`    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,    =
`    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of     =
`    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the      =
`    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.                =
`                                                                       =
`    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public   =
`    License along with this program.  If not, see                      =
`    <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.                                    =
`                                                                       =
`    EXPORT NOTE: This protection only applies to the exported code     =
`                 and/or data. The software used to create this export  =
`                 is protected separately and independently.            =
`                                                                       =
`========================================================================
`========================================================================


Function _Player_Control(ObjectID as DWord, GroundY as Float)
   _Initialize_Player_Control()
   _Main_Player_Control(ObjectID, GroundY)
   _Cleanup_Player_Control()
EndFunction


Function _Initialize_Player_Control()
    `The following lines prevent re-initialization, which is typically not needed.
    Dim Init_Player_Control(0)
    If Init_Player_Control(0) Then ExitFunction
    Init_Player_Control(0)=1
    `Note: Change the speed values below as desired.
    Dim MoveSpeed(0) as Float:MoveSpeed(0)=.1
    Dim TurnSpeed(0) as Float:TurnSpeed(0)=1.0
    Dim RunSpeed(0) as Float:RunSpeed(0)=.2
    Dim StrafeSpeed(0) as Float:StrafeSpeed(0)=.08
    Dim JumpSpeed(0) as Float:JumpSpeed(0)=.5
    Dim Momentum(2) as Float
    Dim Friction(0) as Float:Friction(0)=.95
    Dim Gravity(0) as Float:Gravity(0)=.02

    `Insert any initialization code below this point.
    `Code...
    `Code...
    `Code...
EndFunction


Function _Main_Player_Control(ObjectID as DWord, GroundY as Float)
    lx#=Object Position X(ObjectID)
    ly#=Object Position Y(ObjectID)
    lz#=Object Position Z(ObjectID)
    `Move Forward
    If KeyState(17)
        Move Object ObjectID, MoveSpeed(0)*TimeFactor(60)
    EndIf
    `Turn Right
    If KeyState(32)
        Turn Object Right ObjectID, TurnSpeed(0)*TimeFactor(60)
    EndIf
    `Turn Left
    If KeyState(30)
        Turn Object Left ObjectID, TurnSpeed(0)*TimeFactor(60)
    EndIf
    `Strafe Right
    If KeyState(18)
        Move Object Right ObjectID, StrafeSpeed(0)*TimeFactor(60)
    EndIf
    `Strafe Left
    If KeyState(16)
        Move Object Left ObjectID, StrafeSpeed(0)*TimeFactor(60)
    EndIf
    `Move Back
    If KeyState(31)
        Move Object ObjectID, (MoveSpeed(0)*-.5)*TimeFactor(60)
    EndIf
    `Run
    If KeyState(19)
        Move Object ObjectID, RunSpeed(0)*TimeFactor(60)
    EndIf
    `Jump
    If KeyState(57)
        If Object Position Y(ObjectID)<=GroundY
            Move Object Up ObjectID, JumpSpeed(0)*TimeFactor(60)
        EndIf
    EndIf

    Position Object ObjectID, Object Position X(ObjectID)+Momentum(0), Object Position Y(ObjectID)+Momentum(1)-Gravity(0), Object Position Z(ObjectID)+Momentum(2)
    If Object Position Y(ObjectID)< GroundY
        Position Object ObjectID, Object Position X(ObjectID), GroundY, Object Position Z(ObjectID)
    EndIf
    Momentum(0)=(Object Position X(ObjectID)-lx#)*Friction(0)
    Momentum(1)=(Object Position Y(ObjectID)-ly#)*Friction(0)
    Momentum(2)=(Object Position Z(ObjectID)-lz#)*Friction(0)
    `Insert additional code below this point.
    `Code...
    `Code...
    `Code...
EndFunction

`Use the following function to cleanup after the module (close files, null-out strings, undim, etc.)
Function _Cleanup_Player_Control()
    `Code...
    `Code...
    `Code...

EndFunction

`========================================================================
`End of Module _Player_Control
`========================================================================

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DarkBASIC Professional Discussion / Limb Position and Rotation/Direction with Animation