Status of MPL3D Solar System v1.2 features

[MPL3D]

We are currently working in the new version v1.2, it includes so far:

- New logarithmic brightness system for the stars and the starfield. It is based on the real apparent magnitude of the stars, that fits the logarithmic perception of the human eye, giving a more natural sensation to the star rendering.

- Exponential camera zoom for planets and moons. Right now, it allows to get 10,000 times closer to these bodies, enhancing the experience of large magnitudes in sizes and distances.

- New camera speed algorithm. The camera speed is now directly proportional to the distance to the surface of the closest body. In this way, the closer the camera gets to the surface, the slower it goes, allowing a much better control.

- Camera collision system for the solid bodies. This prevents the camera from entering the planets interior (as well as stars, etc.) For example, the orbiting bodies will 'push' the camera if the camera lies in its orbital path.

- Many other little changes, including a new star flare system, affected by the 'solar filter' option, as well as new textures to be applied accordingly. These are samples of the Sun and its new looks:

(all pictures show work in progress)


Upper pics show solar filter on, while right most ones show solar flare on. Maximum brightness (and standard setup) is the bottom-right picture.

Also, have a look to the new star flavours:



We still would like to add some other features for this version, including at least:

- Atmosphere shader, for planets with atmosphere.

- Better textures for the main planets.

As well as other improvements that are being studied, and that will be incorporated into the simulation, as time allows us, being it v1.2 or other future versions.

[MPL3D]

Please have a taste of the new gravitatory stellar particles, that we are evaluating for replacing the current ones:

http://www.4shared.com/file/76823841/a1b1649f/MPL3D_Solar_System_-_WIP_stellar_particles_v12.html

They can be seen affected by the different parameters. By now the future use would be the one shown at the very beginning of the video, although other uses could be studied.

Feel free to comment. All feedback is appreciated.

[GalaxyExplorer]

Nice refinements - looking forward to it .

[MPL3D]

[GalaxyExplorer]

A nice improvement on particle effects, are there other graphical refinements planned in this release ?

[MPL3D]

Well, to answer the question, yes.
As stated above, at least it is pending to:

- Apply an atmosphere shader (shader already developed).
- Revise textures for main planets.

The new particles were not really planned for this release, it happens that the current particles poped up with a technical problem when trying to apply the exponential camera zoom on them.
And so, due to this and other issues, we have already spent the major part of the scheduled time for the update. To be honest, this is getting longer than what we initially thought.

Although exponential camera zoom is already working, it must be polished for a better integration into the current system.

[MPL3D]

Here is a detailed report of the current advance:

http://www.mpl3d.com/Featuresv12.htm

[GalaxyExplorer]

Looking good, I'm looking forward to the release .

[MPL3D]

Thanks, GalaxyExplorer. I'll get in touch with you to make sure that you are one of the firsts to enjoy the new version.

There are two new Work In Progress (WIP) videos available:

Betelgeuse video:

http://www.4shared.com/file/92729362/79f5dcd6/MPL3D_Solar_System_-_Betelgeuse_v12__WIP_.html

Shows the surface animation for such a big star like Betelgeuse, that it is not able to maintain a completely spherical shape. Video is in time speed +1. Also, the 3d star sound can be heard.

Gravitatory particles video:

http://www.4shared.com/file/92727112/d5efe94c/MPL3D_Solar_System_-_Gravitatory_particles_v12__WIP_.html

Here can be seen two close stars in the Algieba star system (Eta Orionis).
These stars are very massive, and so they are their gravity forces.
The stars are not close enough to produce a direct mass transfer. However, solar winds and big Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) can be captured by close stars, specially if the eruption heads towards the companion star. 3d star sound has been recorded too.

These videos have been recorded in 16:10 (panoramic). If you see the videos stretched in the web page, download and play them with the Windows Media Player or any other player of your choice.

[GalaxyExplorer]

[MPL3D]

Thanks again for your kind encouragement, GalaxyExplorer. The simulation keeps reaching more people every day, although it is not having the proper promotion, as we have limited resources for that.

Now for the latest images. Please enjoy these views of the Earth, as the latest WIP version of MPL3D Solar System v1.2:







(Click on the images to enlarge.)

Other advances since last news:

-Camera speed algorithm: + 5% (total advance 100%).
-Camera collision system: + 5% (total advance 95%).
-Exponential camera zoom: + 10% (total advance 95%).
-Planetary shaders: + 30% (total advance 60%).
-High resolution textures: + 10% (total advance 40%).
-Angular Size in Pixels: + 70% (total advance 95%).

A normal map shader for the rocky planets is going to be included, if available, so base feature number 7 has changed its name from 'Atmosphere shader' to 'Planetary shader'. It should not add many time to the task itself, as it has been easily integrated. See the complete report: http://www.mpl3d.com/Featuresv12.htm.

[GalaxyExplorer]

Your welcome

OK, well I must say these new screen shots of Earth do look remarkably realistic. They certainly made my jaw drop the first time I looked . The new model feels bigger and looks smoother than the old model. I think it's because the mountain ranges aren't as pronounced in the new one and it looks better for it. The terminator is shaded with more range this time around and the atmospheric effects works well with the model.

I encourage you to post these in the Frontier forum to show them what you've managed to achieve or you may want to wait until the whole release has been finalized first.

Lastly, and sorry as this is off topic, but I'd like to ask if you have visited the "Infinity: Quest for Earth" website yet ? If not then I'll just mention that it's an online game in development that will attempt to simulate the entire Milky Way procedurally with a great many real systems included. So far it's looking great but could be a year before the beta phase starts.

[MPL3D]

Thanks for the feedback, we are currently attempting to improve the Earth even a little bit more, now that it is on target.

We are replacing the shaped mountains for normal maps, while the current 3d 'extradet' objects could be renamed to something like 3d-topological objects.

It is pending to show the exponential zoom in action, the Earth becomes huge in dimensions, and it is possible to enter the atmosphere, although the final configuration is not decided yet, as the current result can be improved. Nevertheless, we expect to produce soon a WIP video about this.

Also thanks for the idea about the Frontier forum, but I think that it would be more appropiated to wait, otherwise I think that it is a little bit intrusive to post there.

Yes, I'm aware of "Infinity: Quest for Earth", thanks anyway for the comment, as it could have happened that I wasn't.

[GalaxyExplorer]

[MPL3D]