[x3d-public] RE: [www-vrml] Walking Kamala

["Len Bullard" <cbullard@hiwaay.net>]

Righto.   Looking forward to it, Dave.   I just use terms for it that
correspond to the things a writer might think about.  Telling a lit major
about 'smart objects' is like telling a bat about stereo; eventually, they
get it but only if you can find out what they call a 'reflective surface'
and work your way backward.  It takes too long.  That is the point.
X3D/VRML is at the sweet spot of complexity for the 'graphics-not-hardware'
level, but for the story line editor, it is still too hard.  We are hybrids
who learn what we must to do the job, but while we are doing it, we can also
create descriptions for those who aren't.  That's our value-add.

Situation-management for a reactive character:  dynamic creation, as Rick
and Joe point out are important, of course.  More basic, though,  knowing
what events are available, and adding and deleting ROUTEs would be high on
my list of things to manage because that enables reassignment of the sensors
to new situations (eg, Kamala's personal space sensor has to be aware of
what is around her at some given time and space to change her reactions). 

Then remembering that the fraction_changed eventOuts of sensors (eg, the
time sensor) can be applied to different parts of the act.  For example,
when she walks to the temple, a way to stop the walk cycling and add some
gestures to complete the act:

	function walkPosition(value) {
         if (value = 1.0){ 
	   tsGesture[11].loop = FALSE;
	   tsGesture[10].startTime = Browser.getTime(); 
	   tsGesture[9].startTime = Browser.getTime() + 4;

	}
      }

ROUTE TS13.fraction_changed TO doAct.walkPosition

Then disable the sensor so the user won't stumble into it.

Merry Christmas!

len


From: owner-www-vrml@web3d.org [mailto:owner-www-vrml@web3d.org] On Behalf
Of Dave A

Len, thanks!

I have a comprehensive answer for all of this, but time and the holidays
prevent me from typing it all up until next week.
In short: from a gamer's perspective, you're talking about 'smart objects',
'bots', and 'pawns'. Sorry I can't be more specific right now, you wouldn't
believe my schedule (which includes me being asleep in 2 minutes).
The things I've been working on with Tony (several projects) deal with many
such issues.
More Tuesday

Merry Christmas to all

Dave A




-------------------------------------------------------------------------
for list subscription/unsubscription,
go to http://www.web3d.org/cgi-bin/public_list_signup/lwgate/listsavail.html