RE: [Flightgear-devel] minimal instrument panel

[Norman V. <nh...@ca...>]

 Alex Perry writes:
>
>> >This is exposing a 'hack' I introduced long ago in the pre-configurable
>> >panel days
>> >so that the panel did not obscure all the terrain.
>
>At one point, David carefully figured out how to align the panel with the
>background for a realistic over-the-nose view.  I'm coming to the opinion
>that (to be realistic) we should not change the viewport for the scenery
>when the panel disappears and reappears.  We should just be able to see
>directly in front of the aircraft.

The 'normal' view has always worked and is simple enough to reinstall.

FWIW
The realistic over the nose view is impossible to get when you have a
2D panel superimposed in a 3D scene.  My 'hack' tries to compensate
for this and yes it normally takes those jumping into the viewing pipe an
iteration or two before they 'grasp' the ViewPort Adjustment for this, they
also usually claim to have finally fixed the problem when in fact it is a
rediscovery of the older method again :-))

If I remember you also accused the "Panel View Shift" < my 'hack' >
of changing the aspect ratio compared to the 'non panel' view until
I pointed out that it was just a shift in screenspace with the 'necessary'
decrease in FOVY to accomodate the Non3D Panel.
ie
it is the "natural view" with the "natural window" as restricted by the
panel

It is real easy to get rid of the 'Panel View Adjustment' part of the code
and we probably should make using it a property so that the behaviour
can be selected at runtime.

FYI
I haven't paid to much attention to this problem because the only true
solution is a true 3D panel, and the 'blank' screen space ugly has only
been exposed by the new, unrealistic but 'useful' panel shift capabilities.

To reiterate.
I should not have called my "Panel Viewport Adjustment Code" a 'hack'
in my earlier message in that it does the "appropriate thing" to accomodate
for the 2D Panel hack when trying to get a "normal" straight ahead over
the nose view of the 3D scene when the viewport is narrowed in the vertical
dimension.

Since the Panel is no longer gaurenteed to occupy the complete horizontal
extent of the viewport as determined by its vertical extent perhaps this
viewport adjustment should no longer be made.

Curt has stated that will only accept patches for 'fixes' and not code for
new features.  If we all agree that this is a 'bug' I will submit the
necessary
patch that makes the "viewport panel adjustment" a property.  Otherwise
I will wait till after the pending release to submit the patch.

'wagering-that-most-will-keep-the-adjustment-code-active'ly yrs'

Norman