We have 3 basic surface types: horizontal, vertical and both. Surfaces like asphalt with lines or grass would be a horizontal surfaces. Surfaces like fence or tire wall would be a vertical surfaces. Concrete could be both. The track editor has predefined surface lists for track, border, side and barrier. I would like to replace the predefined surface lists with dynamically queried lists but I wouldn't want to for example present a fence or a tire wall as a possible road surface so I would like to add an additional xml variable for surface type. The type would only be for the track editor so it can populate the surface combo boxes with appropriate options. That way we can add new default surfaces and not have to worry that the track editor would be in sync. For backward compatibility a type of both (or all) would be assumed when no type is specified.
Horizontal, vertical or both is one possibility for the variable values or make it a bit mask for track, border, side and barrier. The second option is probably better but more complicated.
Another thing we might want to consider is adding a description to surfaces. We could then say that it is for example low grip or high grip asphalt or compacted or loose dirt or concrete with groves for higher grip when wet. The description could be added to the combo box tool tip texture preview we already have.
It would be relatively easy to add this information to the default surfaces. Adding it to the track specific surfaces would be a big task. Adding it to the track editor is not trivial but I'm willing to do that work.
Let me know what you think.
Last edit: Robert Reif 2023-03-10
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We have 3 basic surface types: horizontal, vertical and both. Surfaces like asphalt with lines or grass would be a horizontal surfaces. Surfaces like fence or tire wall would be a vertical surfaces. Concrete could be both. The track editor has predefined surface lists for track, border, side and barrier. I would like to replace the predefined surface lists with dynamically queried lists but I wouldn't want to for example present a fence or a tire wall as a possible road surface so I would like to add an additional xml variable for surface type. The type would only be for the track editor so it can populate the surface combo boxes with appropriate options. That way we can add new default surfaces and not have to worry that the track editor would be in sync. For backward compatibility a type of both (or all) would be assumed when no type is specified.
Horizontal, vertical or both is one possibility for the variable values or make it a bit mask for track, border, side and barrier. The second option is probably better but more complicated.
Another thing we might want to consider is adding a description to surfaces. We could then say that it is for example low grip or high grip asphalt or compacted or loose dirt or concrete with groves for higher grip when wet. The description could be added to the combo box tool tip texture preview we already have.
It would be relatively easy to add this information to the default surfaces. Adding it to the track specific surfaces would be a big task. Adding it to the track editor is not trivial but I'm willing to do that work.
Let me know what you think.
Last edit: Robert Reif 2023-03-10