[VIDEO][FAST ALGORITHM] Draw Thrown Projectile Pathing, Shows Predicted 3D Bounces

[Ouroboross]

Okay I got it, I don't know if I'll have enough time to incorporate it and make it work since next week (finishing time of my game production), I'll tell you
Thanks enough for everything ! =)

[evernewjoy]

class UDNProj_Champi_Platform extends UTProjectile;

simulated function PostBeginPlay()
{
	Super.PostBeginPlay();
	//SetTimer(10);                  //Grenade begins unarmed
	RandSpin(100000);
}


/*
simulated event Bump(Actor Other, PrimitiveComponent OtherComp, Vector HitNormal)
{
	local rotator myRot;
    SetPhysics(PHYS_None);

    MomentumTransfer = 50000;

    if ( Champi(Other) == none || Debris(Other) == none )
	{
                if (HitNormal.Z < -0.3)
                {
                        //Will Explode
                }

                else if (HitNormal.X < -0.5)
                {
                        //Will Explode
                }

                else if (HitNormal.X > 0.5)
                {
                        //Will Explode
                }				
				
                else if (HitNormal.Z < 0.5)
				{
                        myRot = rotator(HitNormal);
						myRot.Pitch -= 16384;
						SetRotation(myRot);
                        SpawnChampi_Wall(Other, vect(0,0,0));
                }

                else if (HitNormal.X < 0.5)
				{
                        //myRot.Pitch = (HitNormal.X * 32768/PI *-0.5);
                        SetRotation(rotator(HitNormal));
                        SpawnChampi_Ground(Other, vect(0,0,0));
				}

                else if ( Champi(Other) != none || Debris(Other) == none)
		{
                        //Will Explode
		}
	}

        Explode(Location, vect(0,0,1));
}
*/


simulated event HitWall(vector HitNormal, Actor Wall, PrimitiveComponent WallComp)
{
	local rotator myRot;
    SetPhysics(PHYS_None);

    MomentumTransfer = 50000;

    if (HitNormal.Z < -0.5)
    {
            //Will Explode
    }

	else if (HitNormal.Z < 0.75)
	{
			myRot = rotator(HitNormal);
			myRot.Pitch /= 3;
                        SetRotation(myRot);
			SpawnChampi_Wall(Wall, vect(0,0,0));
	}

    else if (HitNormal.X < -0.5)
    {
            //Will Explode
    }

    else if (HitNormal.X > 0.5)
    {
            //Will Explode
    }

	
    else if (HitNormal.X < 0.5)
	{
                if (HitNormal.X < 0)
                {
						myRot = rotator(-HitNormal);
                        myRot.Pitch += 16384;
                }

				else if (HitNormal.X >= 0)
                {
                        myRot = rotator(HitNormal);
						myRot.Pitch -= 16384;
                }

	SetRotation(myRot);
	SpawnChampi_Ground(Wall, vect(0,0,0));
    }

	else
	{
			//will explode
	}

	self.Destroy();
	//Explode(Location, vect(0,0,1));
}


simulated function SpawnChampi_Wall(Actor Wall, vector HitNormal)
{
	local Actor Champi_Wall;

        Champi_Wall = Spawn(class'UDNChampi_Platform_Wall');
        Champi_Wall.SetBase(Wall);
}


simulated function SpawnChampi_Ground(Actor Wall, vector HitNormal)
{
	local Actor Champi_Ground;

        Champi_Ground = Spawn(class'UDNChampi_Platform_Ground');
        Champi_Ground.SetBase(Wall);
}



/*	bBlockedByInstigator = true;

	if ( WorldInfo.NetMode != NM_DedicatedServer )
	{
		PlaySound(ImpactSound, true);
	}

	// check to make sure we didn't hit a pawn

	if ( Pawn(Wall) == none )
	{
		Velocity = 0.75*(( Velocity dot HitNormal ) * HitNormal * -2.0 + Velocity);   // Reflect off Wall w/damping
		Speed = VSize(Velocity);

		if (Velocity.Z > 400)
		{
			Velocity.Z = 0.5 * (400 + Velocity.Z);
		}
		// If we hit a pawn or we are moving too slowly, explod

		if ( Speed < 20 || Pawn(Wall) != none )
		{
			ImpactedActor = Wall;
			SetPhysics(PHYS_None);
		}
	}
	else if ( Wall != Instigator ) 	// Hit a different pawn, just explode
	{
		Explode(Location, HitNormal);
	}
*/


simulated function PhysicsVolumeChange( PhysicsVolume NewVolume )
{
	if ( WaterVolume(NewVolume) != none )
	{
		self.Destroy();
                //Explode(Location, vect(0,0,1));
	}

	Super.PhysicsVolumeChange(NewVolume);
}


DefaultProperties
{
    ProjFlightTemplate=ParticleSystem'WP_RocketLauncher.Effects.P_WP_RocketLauncher_Smoke_Trail'

    ProjExplosionTemplate=ParticleSystem'WP_RocketLauncher.Effects.P_WP_RocketLauncher_RocketExplosion'
    ExplosionLightClass=class'UTGame.UTRocketExplosionLight'


    Speed=500.0
    MaxSpeed=500.0
    Damage=26.0
    DamageRadius=220.0
    MomentumTransfer=50000
    MyDamageType=class'UTDmgType_Grenade'
    LifeSpan=3.0
    ExplosionSound=SoundCue'A_Weapon_RocketLauncher.Cue.A_Weapon_RL_Impact_Cue'
    ExplosionDecal=MaterialInstanceTimeVarying'WP_RocketLauncher.Decals.MITV_WP_RocketLauncher_Impact_Decal01'
    DecalWidth=128.0
    DecalHeight=128.0
    bCollideWorld=true
    bBounce=false
    TossZ=+10.0
    Physics=PHYS_Falling
    CheckRadius=36.0

    ImpactSound=SoundCue'A_Weapon_RocketLauncher.Cue.A_Weapon_RL_GrenadeFloor_Cue'

    bNetTemporary=False
    bWaitForEffects=false


    CustomGravityScaling=0.5
}

I didn't modify anything over UTProjectile

to reference your projectile you can

1. obtain a variable for the projectile when it spawns, look through your UTweapon code to see where projectile is spawning

2. pass back a reference to the parent weapon in postbegin play of the projectile

3. look through your utweapons ProjectileFire() function to see where your projectile spawned

make sure you use a global variable

//near top of class
var projectile ThisIsAGlobalVar;

[evernewjoy]

Would it be possible to make a grenade system that works like this:?



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

The main Idea is that in addition to the path (Whick from what I can see is a sphere imported into udk) , There would also be a decal on the floor location (where the grenade lands and explodes) . And the radious of the decal can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the explosion radious of the projectile.

ya that could work, I personally would use a torus shaped static mesh to show the blast radius

but if you want to spawn decals here's the code I wrote for that

~~~

Spawning Decals

function spawnDecal(vector hitLoc){
   local MaterialInstanceTimeVarying MITV_Decal;

   MITV_Decal = new(self) class'MaterialInstanceTimeVarying';

         //does not have to be a time varying, could be any kind of material interface
	MITV_Decal.SetParent( MaterialInstanceTimeVarying'yourMITV' );

	WorldInfo.MyDecalManager.SpawnDecal( 
		MITV_Decal, 
		hitLoc,//Location, 
		rot(-16384,0,0), 
		randRange(384,512),//ImpactEffect.DecalWidth,
		randRange(384,512),//ImpactEffect.DecalHeight, 
		1000.0, 
		false,
		RandRange(0, 360)
	);
	
        //material instance time varying specific
	MITV_Decal.SetScalarStartTime( 
		'DissolveAmount', 
		RandRange(7, 12) 
	);
}

enjoooy

[Ouroboross]

class UDNProj_Champi_Platform extends UTProjectile;

simulated function PostBeginPlay()
{
	Super.PostBeginPlay();
	//SetTimer(10);                  //Grenade begins unarmed
	RandSpin(100000);
}


/*
simulated event Bump(Actor Other, PrimitiveComponent OtherComp, Vector HitNormal)
{
	local rotator myRot;
    SetPhysics(PHYS_None);

    MomentumTransfer = 50000;

    if ( Champi(Other) == none || Debris(Other) == none )
	{
                if (HitNormal.Z < -0.3)
                {
                        //Will Explode
                }

                else if (HitNormal.X < -0.5)
                {
                        //Will Explode
                }

                else if (HitNormal.X > 0.5)
                {
                        //Will Explode
                }				
				
                else if (HitNormal.Z < 0.5)
				{
                        myRot = rotator(HitNormal);
						myRot.Pitch -= 16384;
						SetRotation(myRot);
                        SpawnChampi_Wall(Other, vect(0,0,0));
                }

                else if (HitNormal.X < 0.5)
				{
                        //myRot.Pitch = (HitNormal.X * 32768/PI *-0.5);
                        SetRotation(rotator(HitNormal));
                        SpawnChampi_Ground(Other, vect(0,0,0));
				}

                else if ( Champi(Other) != none || Debris(Other) == none)
		{
                        //Will Explode
		}
	}

        Explode(Location, vect(0,0,1));
}
*/


simulated event HitWall(vector HitNormal, Actor Wall, PrimitiveComponent WallComp)
{
	local rotator myRot;
    SetPhysics(PHYS_None);

    MomentumTransfer = 50000;

    if (HitNormal.Z < -0.5)
    {
            //Will Explode
    }

	else if (HitNormal.Z < 0.75)
	{
			myRot = rotator(HitNormal);
			myRot.Pitch /= 3;
                        SetRotation(myRot);
			SpawnChampi_Wall(Wall, vect(0,0,0));
	}

    else if (HitNormal.X < -0.5)
    {
            //Will Explode
    }

    else if (HitNormal.X > 0.5)
    {
            //Will Explode
    }

	
    else if (HitNormal.X < 0.5)
	{
                if (HitNormal.X < 0)
                {
						myRot = rotator(-HitNormal);
                        myRot.Pitch += 16384;
                }

				else if (HitNormal.X >= 0)
                {
                        myRot = rotator(HitNormal);
						myRot.Pitch -= 16384;
                }

	SetRotation(myRot);
	SpawnChampi_Ground(Wall, vect(0,0,0));
    }

	else
	{
			//will explode
	}

	self.Destroy();
	//Explode(Location, vect(0,0,1));
}


simulated function SpawnChampi_Wall(Actor Wall, vector HitNormal)
{
	local Actor Champi_Wall;

        Champi_Wall = Spawn(class'UDNChampi_Platform_Wall');
        Champi_Wall.SetBase(Wall);
}


simulated function SpawnChampi_Ground(Actor Wall, vector HitNormal)
{
	local Actor Champi_Ground;

        Champi_Ground = Spawn(class'UDNChampi_Platform_Ground');
        Champi_Ground.SetBase(Wall);
}



/*	bBlockedByInstigator = true;

	if ( WorldInfo.NetMode != NM_DedicatedServer )
	{
		PlaySound(ImpactSound, true);
	}

	// check to make sure we didn't hit a pawn

	if ( Pawn(Wall) == none )
	{
		Velocity = 0.75*(( Velocity dot HitNormal ) * HitNormal * -2.0 + Velocity);   // Reflect off Wall w/damping
		Speed = VSize(Velocity);

		if (Velocity.Z > 400)
		{
			Velocity.Z = 0.5 * (400 + Velocity.Z);
		}
		// If we hit a pawn or we are moving too slowly, explod

		if ( Speed < 20 || Pawn(Wall) != none )
		{
			ImpactedActor = Wall;
			SetPhysics(PHYS_None);
		}
	}
	else if ( Wall != Instigator ) 	// Hit a different pawn, just explode
	{
		Explode(Location, HitNormal);
	}
*/


simulated function PhysicsVolumeChange( PhysicsVolume NewVolume )
{
	if ( WaterVolume(NewVolume) != none )
	{
		self.Destroy();
                //Explode(Location, vect(0,0,1));
	}

	Super.PhysicsVolumeChange(NewVolume);
}


DefaultProperties
{
    ProjFlightTemplate=ParticleSystem'WP_RocketLauncher.Effects.P_WP_RocketLauncher_Smoke_Trail'

    ProjExplosionTemplate=ParticleSystem'WP_RocketLauncher.Effects.P_WP_RocketLauncher_RocketExplosion'
    ExplosionLightClass=class'UTGame.UTRocketExplosionLight'


    Speed=500.0
    MaxSpeed=500.0
    Damage=26.0
    DamageRadius=220.0
    MomentumTransfer=50000
    MyDamageType=class'UTDmgType_Grenade'
    LifeSpan=3.0
    ExplosionSound=SoundCue'A_Weapon_RocketLauncher.Cue.A_Weapon_RL_Impact_Cue'
    ExplosionDecal=MaterialInstanceTimeVarying'WP_RocketLauncher.Decals.MITV_WP_RocketLauncher_Impact_Decal01'
    DecalWidth=128.0
    DecalHeight=128.0
    bCollideWorld=true
    bBounce=false
    TossZ=+10.0
    Physics=PHYS_Falling
    CheckRadius=36.0

    ImpactSound=SoundCue'A_Weapon_RocketLauncher.Cue.A_Weapon_RL_GrenadeFloor_Cue'

    bNetTemporary=False
    bWaitForEffects=false


    CustomGravityScaling=0.5
}

I didn't modify anything over UTProjectile

[evernewjoy]

I think I'm still missing this part, actually I do not know how to reference my own projectile in my weapon classes as I don't have any code for this, my firing process is all inherited from UTWeapon, and I didn't overwrite this anywhere.

You've still done everything for my game without even knowing it, if you could just finish helping me with this, it would be really nice !

What projectile class is your current weapon system using?

Can you post that code?

Rama

[Ouroboross]

Up ! Sorry to ask, but I'd really need your help for this ^^ Last feature missing in my game é_è !

}
function YourProjectileObject throwTracer() {
	
	//pc is ref to your controller class
	//see my other tutorials on giving
	//this class a ref to your pc using
	//post begin play
	pawnRot = Vector(pc.pawn.Rotation);
	throwDir = pawnRot;// * 1000;
	throwDir.z *= 3;
	
	spawnLoc = pc.pawn.Location + pawnRot * 64;
	spawnLoc.z += 64;
	
	//spawn
	p = spawn(Class'YourProjectileObject',,, spawnLoc, rot(0, 0, 0) );
	
	//init
	//p.InitializeProjectile(pc, throwDir);
	//implementation dependent
	return p; 

}

~~~

YourProjectileObject Class

This is implementation dependent, as to whether you are using an actual Kactor or a projectile.

As I said I wrote my own physics engine for a ut projectile for maximum use in all types of collision including per poly.

~~~

I think I'm still missing this part, actually I do not know how to reference my own projectile in my weapon classes as I don't have any code for this, my firing process is all inherited from UTWeapon, and I didn't overwrite this anywhere.

You've still done everything for my game without even knowing it, if you could just finish helping me with this, it would be really nice !

[Neoptolemus]

It should be quite simple to do that kelt'ar. Using Evernewjoy's method you could have the projectile spawn a decal or particle effect to mark the explosion radius when it 'explodes', or simply when it reaches the end of the array.

[Kelt'ar]

Would it be possible to make a grenade system that works like this:?



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

The main Idea is that in addition to the path (Whick from what I can see is a sphere imported into udk) , There would also be a decal on the floor location (where the grenade lands and explodes) . And the radious of the decal can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the explosion radious of the projectile.

[Ouroboross]

Well, the thing is I'm not supposed to have my inherited class in game Ever. I would just like the code to be on one and only weapon class instead of my 4 other classes.
Also, I don't understand what you want to say when you say "targetting feature".

In fact, my real Weapon classes are all inherited from UDNWeapon, in which I copy/past your code, which is inherited from UTWeapon.

One example from my 4 weapons classes :

 

class UDNWeap_Champi_Platform extends UDNWeapon;



defaultproperties
{
        WeaponFireTypes(0)=EWFT_Projectile
        WeaponProjectiles(0)=class'UDNProj_Champi_Platform'

	FireOffset=(X=16,Y=10)

	CurrentRating=+0.75
	bInstantHit=false
	bSplashJump=false
	bRecommendSplashDamage=false
	bSniping=false
	bCanThrow=false

	AmmoCount=1
	LockerAmmoCount=1
	MaxAmmoCount=1
	
	InventoryGroup=1
}

class UDNWeapon extends UTWeapon;

var UDNPlayerController pc;

var vector throwDir;
var vector pawnRot;
var vector spawnLoc;
var UDNProj_Pathway p;

//============Display Path ============
var YourProjectilePathNode pathNodes[40]; 
var UDNProj_Pathway tracer;
var int curPathNodeCount;
//=================================

var int v;
var vector vc;
var YourProjectilePathNode pnode;


simulated function PostBeginPlay()
{
	
	//~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
	super.PostBeginPlay();
	//~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
	pc = UDNGameInfo(WorldInfo.Game).CurrentPlayer;

	createNodesRunOnceEntireGame();
}

//============ Draw Path ===============


//=================
//Memory Management
//=================

//Create Once For Entire Life of this Weapon
function createNodesRunOnceEntireGame()
{
	for (v = 0; v < ArrayCount(pathNodes); v++ )
        {
		
		//last spawn parameter makes sure spawning occurs regardless of obstructing collision
		pnode = spawn(Class'YourProjectilePathNode',,,
                                                 pc.pawn.Location, rot(0, 0, 0),, true);
		
		//pnode.staticmeshcomponent.setMaterial(0);
		pathNodes[v] = pnode;
		
		//pc.optimize("node set"@v);
	}
	
	//hide from view
	clearPathNodes();
}

//when this class is destroyed,
//destroy the objects spawned into world
//to act as path node indicators

//this is an actor event and is called by unreal engine
simulated event Destroyed()
{
	super.Destroyed();
	for (v = 0; v < ArrayCount(pathNodes); v++ ) 
        {
		if (pathNodes[v] == none) continue;
		pathNodes[v].destroy();
	}
}


function stopDrawingPathNodes() 
{
	
	if(tracer != none)
        {
		tracer.destroy();
	}
	ClearTimer('drawPathNodes');
	clearPathNodes();
}


function startDrawingPathNodes()
{

	//already running
	if (isTimerActive('drawPathNodes')) return;
	
	//clear any remaining previous path nodes
	//clearPathNodes();
	
	//throw the tracer
	tracer = throwTracer();

	//hide
	tracer.setHidden(true);
	
	curPathNodeCount = 0;
	SetTimer(0.01, true, 'drawPathNodes');
	
	//max life span of 12 seconds
	SetTimer(12, false, 'clearPathNodes');
}



function drawPathNodes() 
{
	
	//end case
	if (curPathNodeCount >= ArrayCount(pathNodes) ) {
		ClearTimer('drawPathNodes');
		return;
	}
	
	//lost tracer case
	if (tracer == none) {
		ClearTimer('drawPathNodes');
		return;
	}
	
	positionPathNode();
	
}


function clearPathNodes() 
{
	
	//position doesnt update if hidden for some reason
	//so move node way far away from player to simulated being hidden
	//still faster than spawning/destroying
	
	//would like to know how to make location update properly even while its hidden
	//some sort of low-level or native optimization that is getting in the way here
	for (v = 0; v < ArrayCount(pathNodes); v++ ) {
		
		//set the loc
		vc.x = (v + 1) * 4000;
		vc.y = (v + 1) * 4000;
		vc.z = pc.pawn.Location.z - (v + 1) * 4000;
		
                //make sure not going below killz
                if (vc.z < worldinfo.killz) 
			vc.z = worldinfo.killz + 5;
		
		pathNodes[v].move(pc.pawn.Location + vc - pathNodes[v].Location);
	}
}


function positionPathNode() 
{
	
	//end case
	if (curPathNodeCount >= ArrayCount(pathNodes)) return;
	
	//lost the tracer
	if (tracer == none) return;

	//move is way faster than SetLocation
	//this code says "move path node the amount that is the difference
	//between its current location and the desired goal position"
	pathNodes[curPathNodeCount].move(
                           tracer.Location - pathNodes[curPathNodeCount].Location
        );
	
	curPathNodeCount++;
}


function UDNProj_Pathway throwTracer() 
{

	//pc is ref to your controller class
	//see my other tutorials on giving
	//this class a ref to your pc using
	//post begin play
	pawnRot = Vector(pc.pawn.Rotation);
	throwDir = pawnRot;// * 1000;
	throwDir.z *= 3;
	
	spawnLoc = pc.pawn.Location + pawnRot * 64;
	spawnLoc.z += 64;
	
	//spawn
	p = spawn(Class'UDNProj_Pathway',,, spawnLoc, rot(0, 0, 0) );
	
	//init
	//p.InitializeProjectile(pc, throwDir);

        //implementation dependent
	return p;
}



defaultproperties
{
}

There's no Firing Process over these codes, actually, I think you'll have to help me out finding it in UTWeapon Class.

Part in italic is what I suppose to be the part when my "scout" projectile (called UDNProj_Pathway) is spawned.
I had to add lots of variables, and change such things as UDNGameInfo, 'cause I didn't have created these classes yet, and I got many errors from UnrealFrontend.

Now I don't get any errors or warnings, but I don't get no traces in game. My weapon class UDNWeapon is not working, even if I assign a Projectile to itself, but my UDNProj_Pathway is.

Sorry for my misunderstanding, and for my english too, young french guy who's trying to figure out things in someone's else language... ^^'

[nonder]

I cannot figure out how to use move or setlocation while the object is hidden, and have it update its position properly.

I did not test it but you can try to hide just component, not actor.

[evernewjoy]

If you post your code, all the critical parts relating to when you fire your projectile / use the targeting feature / spawn the tracer /scouting projectile

then I / rest of Community can be of more help

Rama

[Ouroboross]

Yes ! Thank you so much, been looking for this for a while now and didn't see you've posted a code a week ago !!

But, I still have some issues, as I have 4 different weapons firing 4 different projectiles, I was trying to make them inherit from one single class, which is inherited from UTWeapon itself. And nothing happens, I don't know why.
I've created my own mesh for the Scouting Projectile, as the real projectiles are some particle systems with mesh datas. I thought it could come from here.

If you could help me, I'd really appreciate, I'd love to share a video of my game to you with your system implemented, I'd give you back the whole credit !
Tranks a lot for this, I'll keep trying to make it work, waiting for some help

[evernewjoy]

Yay I'm glad you like them!

I can always hear requests yes, though usually my tutorials are based on what I myself am working on

Rama

[Kelt'ar]

Your tutorials are amazing!
DO you take requests?

[evernewjoy]

oooh I see

That's a great idea btw, thanks for mentioning it to everyone.


My response was to what I saw in your video where the redrawing of the arc was pretty infrequent, and I wanted to let you know how you could make it happen more often.

Let me know if you encounter any issues with raising the time dilation later on in your game development!


I personally like the slower drawing because it feels like the computer assisted aiming mechanism is taking time to calculate things, just a personal choice really


But thanks for showing everyone a way around that if that's their preference



Rama