Re: [Plib-devel] DXF load/save

[Steve B. <sjb...@ai...>]

Dave McClurg wrote:

> - The trivial alias/AC3D triangle import/export was omitted from
> the loader/writer list.

I can add that easily.
 
> - I got permission from the author of IVCON, John Burkardt, to use
> his code in PLIB under LGPL

Cool!
 
> - For the loaders, would the following be wise:
> 
>         if ( glIsEnabled ( GL_LIGHTING ) )
>            load normal array
>         else
>            load color array
> 
> That way, you only get the data you need.  Or are there some cases
> which need both?

You need them both under both circumstances:

  if lighting is enabled:

      You can have both per-vertex colours (using GL_COLOR_MATERIAL)
      and per-vertex normals.

  if lighting is disabled:

      You obviously need per-vertex colours - but you may also
      want something like sphere-mapped texturing which makes use
      of per-vertex normals to do cheesy environment mapping.

So, this is not a wise change.

> Or is there a different way to decide which is needed?
> In my game, everything will be prelit so I will leave lighting disabled
> and I don't need vertex normals.

Perhaps we need to add a 'hinting' mechanism for the loaders to tell them
about this kind of thing.
 
> - you can make a "really nice" skybox in 3DSMAX.
> i would prefer that over a skydome.

It depends a lot on the application.

Skyboxes really stink when you want the eyepoint to move over large
distances at high speed - or if you want things like wind-blown clouds.

Curt's offer of his skydome code comes from FlightGear which *needs*
a dome for the sky.  Obviously as an SSG-Util function, it would be
optional.  If you have something to offer to make good use of 3DSMAX
sky boxes - then I'd be happy to consider it.

> - Welcome back Steve and Happy St Patricks Day!  I hope everyone has
> planted their potatoes in the northern hemisphere.

I always plant my potatoes in the northern hemisphere - it's too far
to walk to get to the southern hemisphere.   :-)

-- 
Steve Baker                  http://web2.airmail.net/sjbaker1
sjb...@ai... (home)  http://www.woodsoup.org/~sbaker
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