proposed interaction physics <=> graphics

[Carli]

Hi,
we (the Toast Engine developement team) want to use newton in our Engine but we want to get an issue, how we should handle graphics/physics.
Should we
a) Load a graphic and convert it to a newton collision
b) generate a newton Collision and generate a newton mesh
c) should we generate newton collision and mesh separatly

thanks for helping.

[JernejL]

Hi,
we (the Toast Engine developement team) want to use newton in our Engine but we want to get an issue, how we should handle graphics/physics.
Should we
a) Load a graphic and convert it to a newton collision
b) generate a newton Collision and generate a newton mesh
c) should we generate newton collision and mesh separatly

thanks for helping.

It really depends on what kind of environment it is, for example if you have big worlds, it would be benefical, to create low-poly meshes of the world to use for newton trimeshes, usually a collision mesh has less faces, because it doesn't need detailed precision (like all windows on a building, etc..), GTA games all use this approach (gta3, vc, sa, IV..).

That's one example for trimeshes, you should show how your game looks like so we can give better suggestions.

[Carli]

It would be a greater world, that means i should use simple newton bodies like boxes, spheres, cylindres and cones and the "real" model for graphics?


or is it better to generate a low-poly model? (when yes: what is the easiest format to generate a newton collision from a mesh?)

[JernejL]

It would be a greater world, that means i should use simple newton bodies like boxes, spheres, cylindres and cones and the "real" model for graphics?

You can still use compound collisions, convex hulls, trimeshes, etc.. if you meant a greater free-roaming world (like gta).

or is it better to generate a low-poly model? (when yes: what is the easiest format to generate a newton collision from a mesh?)

It is.. if you have enoremous worlds, otherwise you'll use up a lot of ram.

[Stucuk]

If you have a football in your world, you could just make it a NewtonSphere. If however you had a wrist watch (Which you wanted to have a precise physics body) then making a low poly model for the physics would be a good idea. It all depends on the objects in your world and the level of precision you want from there bodies. In general most objects should be able to be made out of compound collisions, but there are always things that can't without sacrificing precision.

[Carli]

ok, i will se how