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I would like to get feedback from anyone in this community on the ability to use DarkBasic Pro as an industrial simulation and training tool. Specifically, my thoughts are to take 3D AutoCAD Revit or MEP drawings, convert them to 3D in 3DS Max, and import them into a program like DarkBasic. In our industry, we have industrial machinery, piping, electrical controls, valves, etc., that all must be considered if we're going to make an industrial simulator.

What I would like to do is create scenarios where we have emergency situations as well as normal operational situations (ie: Turn a machine on using the proper standard operating procedures), and the student 'player' would then have to choose which machine to turn on or off, what valves to open or close, etc., and then show the consequences of the right and wrong actions. Yes, we can even show a machine or pipe exploding, although that's relatively low on our list. It would be helpful for the program to, in a way, keep 'score' so that we can review what the student did right and wrong and use that as a learning tool.

From an interface standpoint, I think we could import the equipment and build a 3D model of the 'player's' engine room. He can then 'walk' around the room and react to any scenario by turning on/off equipment, valves, etc. I want to make it as realistic as possible.

We're versed in Cad at our company, but we really have no coding training or experience in-house. I'd like to know if DarkBasic Pro would be an appropriate program, and is it easy enough to use for non-code types like us? If not, do you have any suggestions for a program that might fit our needs?

I want to thank everyone in advance for their advice.

John

Hi. I'm sure there are lots of other people here who can give better advice but my initial thoughts would be these.

I've never worked with AutoCAD but I don't think DarkBASIC Pro supports the 3ds format so unless it exports in another format or you are prepared to use another 3D drawing package, DBP might not be right for you.

Everything you have described seems perfectly possible to achieve in DBP. If I understand you correctly, you are not trying to actually simulate the mechanical malfunctions, you are simply trying to offer the user a way of training to respond to various events. If this is the case, then it should also be reasonably straightforward to program. 3D environments like this are something which DBP is particularly good at so in that regard, I would certainly recommend it for your project.

That said, DBP is still a programming language, albeit a very intuitive one. Most people naturally start with something a little simpler than this for their first programs. The real question is how long you are prepared to spend on it. Although there would obviously be alternative ways of developing your program, I can't immediately think on any which would be any easier or quicker than DBP. To answer your question about how easy it is for non-code types to use, I would say this. If you have no previous programming experience but are prepared to learn to program, then I can vouch for how good DBP is. DBP offers a very good introduction to programming. However if you wish to remain a non-coder, DBP will obviously not be for you. DBP is not a graphical software development tool. Almost everything is achieved through code.

I'll try and give you an example of what you might be letting yourself in for if you decide to go ahead and develop this software in DBP. To load one of your machines which the user would need to interact with, you could simply use a command such as:

load object "myobjectfile.x",1

and then position it to position 0,10,10 in the virtual environment with a command like:

position object 1,0,10,10

Thus you need to achieve everything through code but the code is quite readable and intuitive. Naturally there are many factors to consider but I would say that if you need to develop this project, then you are probably going to need to learn to code and if your going to learn to code, DBP would be a great place to start, especially given that it would also be very well suited to the kind of software you aim to develop. I would also add that I've found the community here on the forums extremely helpful so I'm sure if you start developing this in DBP and run into difficulties, there will always be people here who are more than happy to help.

I hope this has answered at least some of your questions. Please do ask follow ups if anything I've said didn't make any sense.

If your goal is to load the object and then run or walk around with a camera. Then, yes DBP is the right tool for you.

You can use your Autocad designs and saave them in the format which autocad uses, then import it in 3ds max. After the importing part.. you can save your file as a .x file, but you will need a plugin which allows you to do that.
the plugin name's PandaDirect x. The plugin is free, just download it from the internet.

The coding part in DBP is actually real simple; even if you have no knowledge in programming. A few commands and your model is ready to go.

so yes you could try it, but it will take a many tries to get your desired result.

Wish you luck on your purpose.
Sephisel



Merry Xmas to everyone.
hohohoho
lol

There are almost always options as far as model formats go. Just google for a converter.

I think DBPro would be the perfect tool to do this. You can really take your mind off of most of the 3d aspects, and focus on the logic (in your case, pipe pressure, pipe relations, etc.)

If you're looking for a higher quality product, you could always hire a coder, and describe what you want to them (I know a friend who does this - scientists or mathematicians or some sort explain all the details to him, and he turns that logic into cold hard code).

I've done projects like this where I used to work. From AutoCAD, TurboCAD, or whatever you use to make the model, you export to 3DS. Then you import into Truespace, a free program, and export from there into .X (Direct X format). DBP loads .X models quite well.

Actually DB Pro does support 3DS, only it was taken out awhile back, still possible to get them in directly though, just not straight forward. Still.x is the way to go really, and the dbo format would be better still, for loading speed(you can save your object after you have got it loaded into db pro as dbo for faster loading times.). I would imagine it a fairly straightforward project if you have all the media and such, as that would take the main development time in this type of scenario. The code, dependent on exactly what you need sounds like a relatively quick job.