Problem with SceneNodes not displaying except at (0,0,0)

Granthus · Post by **Granthus** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:22 am

I will apologies up front if this is the wrong forum, and/or that this I fear will be a lengthy post.

Problem:
The code below performs the task is was designed for perfectly - except that when I use coordinates other than 0,0,0 origin, suddenly my planets stop displaying. I have double checked my output logs and the planets are there, and simply by unparenting them from the star they appear as expected.

Now while I have stepped the code countless times, double checked my data structures, verified the engines belief that the planets are there I cant get them to render - and I suspect it may be something rather simple I have overlooked :\

Offending Code:

Code: Select all

void T_Core::buildScene(core::vector3df secCoords, int sysNum)
{
	bool specSector;
	int numSystems;
	int cnt;
	T_Sector Sector = T_Galaxy::T_Galaxy().genSectorTmp(secCoords);
	T_System sSystem;
	T_Star sStar;
	T_Planet sPlanet;

	specSector = ( secCoords == core::vector3df(0,0,0) && sysNum == 0 ) ? true : false; 

	numSystems = (specSector) ? 1 : Sector.getSystemCount();
	//numSystems = 1;

	WriteLog("[-] =========================================");
	WriteLog("[?] Intro Sector Name: '%s'",Sector.getName());

	for (cnt = 0; cnt < numSystems; cnt++)
	{
		sSystem = Sector.getSystem(cnt);

		WriteLog("[?] System Name: '%s'", sSystem.getName());

		sStar = sSystem.getStar();

		// Lets try to create it
		WriteLog("[*] INIT System Draw");
		WriteLog("[-] -----------------------------------------");

		core::vector3df starPos;
		video::SColorf starCol;
		f32 lightRad;

		starPos = sStar.getCoords();
		starCol = sStar.color;
		lightRad = sStar.lightRadius;
		
		WriteLog("[-] -----------------------------------------");
		WriteLog("[*] CREATE STAR NODE (%s)", sStar.getName());
		WriteLog("[*] StarLightRadius (%f)", lightRad);

		// Generate STAR SceneNode
		scene::ISceneNode* ISNStar =	smgr->addLightSceneNode(0, starPos,	starCol, lightRad, TSYS_ID_STAR+cnt);

		WriteLog("[+] StarPos %d,%d,%d", (int)ISNStar->getPosition().X,(int)ISNStar->getPosition().Y,(int)ISNStar->getPosition().Z);

		//light2->setPosition(core::vector3df(0,0,0));
		scene::ISceneNode* bill;
		f32	starSize = (f32)sStar.getSize();
		WriteLog("[*] StarSize (%f)", starSize);
		// attach billboard to light
		bill = smgr->addBillboardSceneNode(ISNStar, core::dimension2d<f32>(starSize, starSize));
		bill->setMaterialFlag(video::EMF_LIGHTING, false);
		bill->setMaterialFlag(video::EMF_ZWRITE_ENABLE, false);
		bill->setMaterialType(video::EMT_TRANSPARENT_ADD_COLOR);
		bill->setMaterialTexture(0, driver->getTexture("data/textures/particlewhite.bmp"));
		// add particle system
		scene::IParticleSystemSceneNode* ps = smgr->addParticleSystemSceneNode(false, ISNStar);
		// create and set emitter
		scene::IParticleEmitter* em = ps->createBoxEmitter(	core::aabbox3d<f32>(-3,0,-3,3,1,3),	core::vector3df(0.0f,0.0f,0.0f), 20,50, video::SColor(0,255,255,255), video::SColor(0,255,255,255),400,1100);
		em->setMinStartSize(core::dimension2d<f32>(20.0f, 30.0f));
		em->setMaxStartSize(core::dimension2d<f32>(20.0f, 30.0f));

		ps->setEmitter(em);
		em->drop();

		// create and set affector
		scene::IParticleAffector* paf = ps->createFadeOutParticleAffector();
		ps->addAffector(paf);
		paf->drop();

		// adjust some material settings
		ps->setMaterialFlag(video::EMF_LIGHTING, false);
		ps->setMaterialFlag(video::EMF_ZWRITE_ENABLE, false);
		ps->setMaterialTexture(0, driver->getTexture("data/textures/particle.bmp"));
		ps->setMaterialType(video::EMT_TRANSPARENT_VERTEX_ALPHA);

		ISNStar->setVisible(true);

		// ##[ Now Generate planets ]########################################
		if ( cnt == sysNum )
		{
			int j;
			int iCnt = sSystem.getPlanetCnt();

			systemCoords = sStar.getCoords();

			WriteLog("[*] Planet Node Count (%d)", iCnt);
			for (j = 0; j < iCnt; j++)
			{
				sPlanet = sSystem.getPlanet(j);
				WriteLog("[-] -----------------------------------------");
				WriteLog("[*] CREATE PLANET NODE ( %d: '%s' )", j, sPlanet.getName() );
				f32 scaleValue;
				f32 radiusValue;
				f32 speedValue;
				core::vector3df Pcoords;
				core::vector3df rotateValue;
				core::vector3df directValue;

				Pcoords = sStar.getCoords();
				scaleValue = (f32)(sPlanet.getSize()) / 15.0f; //
				radiusValue = sPlanet.radius;
				speedValue = sPlanet.speed / 2000.0f;
				rotateValue = sPlanet.rotation;
				directValue = sPlanet.direction;

				WriteLog("[*] Planet ScaleValue (%f)", scaleValue);
				WriteLog("[*] Planet RadiusValue (%f)", radiusValue);
				WriteLog("[*] Planet SpeedValue (%f)", speedValue);


				WriteLog("[ ] Load 'earth.x' Model (Planet)");
				scene::IAnimatedMesh * mesh;
				if ( radiusValue <= 150 )
				{
					WriteLog("    >> Load Earth RED  (%f)", radiusValue);
					mesh = smgr->getMesh("data/models/earthred.x");
				}
				else if ( radiusValue > 150 && radiusValue <= 220 )
				{
					WriteLog("    >> Load Earth NORM (%f)", radiusValue);
					mesh = smgr->getMesh("data/models/earth.x");
				}
				else
				{
					WriteLog("    >> Load Earth DEAD (%f)", radiusValue);
					mesh = smgr->getMesh("data/models/earthdead.x");
				}

				if (mesh)
				{
					//perform various task with the mesh manipulator
					scene::IMeshManipulator *manipulator = smgr->getMeshManipulator();

					// create mesh copy with tangent informations from original earth.x mesh
					scene::IMesh* tangentSphereMesh = manipulator->createMeshWithTangents(mesh->getMesh(0));

					// scale the mesh by factor 5
					core::matrix4 m;
					m.setScale ( core::vector3df(scaleValue,scaleValue,scaleValue) );
	//				m.setScale ( core::vector3df(8,8,8) );
					manipulator->transformMesh( tangentSphereMesh, m );

					scene::ISceneNode *sphere = smgr->addMeshSceneNode(tangentSphereMesh, ISNStar, ((cnt*10)+TSYS_ID_PLANET)+j);//
					//sphere->setMaterialFlag(video::EMF_LIGHTING, true);

	#ifdef _CREATOR
			core::vector3df bbcheck = sphere->getBoundingBox().getExtent();
			sphere->setDebugDataVisible(scene::EDS_BBOX);
			WriteLog("@@@ Planet getExtent() %f, %f, %f", bbcheck.X, bbcheck.Y, bbcheck.Z);
	#endif

						video::ITexture* earthNormalMap = driver->getTexture("data/textures/earthbump.bmp");
						driver->makeNormalMapTexture(earthNormalMap, 10.0f);
						sphere->setMaterialTexture(1, earthNormalMap);

						// adjust material settings
						sphere->setMaterialFlag(video::EMF_FOG_ENABLE, true);
						sphere->setMaterialType(video::EMT_NORMAL_MAP_TRANSPARENT_VERTEX_ALPHA);
					// add rotation animator
					scene::ISceneNodeAnimator* anim = smgr->createRotationAnimator(rotateValue);
					sphere->addAnimator(anim);
					anim->drop();
					scene::ISceneNodeAnimator* anim2 = smgr->createFlyCircleAnimator(Pcoords, radiusValue, speedValue, directValue);
	//				scene::ISceneNodeAnimator* anim2 = smgr->createFlyCircleAnimator(core::vector3df(0,0,0), 125.0f, 0.00003f, core::vector3df(-0.1f, 0.9f, 0.f));
					sphere->addAnimator(anim2);
					anim2->drop();

					// To be sure
					//sphere->setVisible(true);

					// drop mesh because we created it with a create.. call.
					tangentSphereMesh->drop();

					//WriteLog("        - Update Absolute Position");
					//sphere->updateAbsolutePosition();
				} // END Valid Mesh
			} // END For Loop (numPlanets)
		} // END (cnt == sysNum)
	} // END For Loop (numSystems)
}

This function is called in 2 locations within the project. First time it sets a random solar system set at origin - eg.

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buildScene(core::vector3df(0,0,0), 0);

The second call sets a specific system based on the coords.

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buildScene(core::vector3df(196,164,7), 0);

Results:

Scene(1) - First Call

Scene(2) - Second Call

Scene(2) - Second Call - NOT parent to Star

I am clearing any previous scenes using

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	camera = smgr->getActiveCamera();
	if (camera)
	{
		smgr->setActiveCamera(0);
		camera->remove();
		camera = 0;
	}
	smgr->getRootSceneNode()->removeAll();

prior to calling buildScene and the only things created after are a skydome and camera.

*EDIT* Sample Data - Scene(1)

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[-] =========================================
[?] Intro Sector Name: 'AA-0000.00'
[?] System Name: 'Ackda'
[*] INIT System Draw
[-] -----------------------------------------
[-] -----------------------------------------
[*] CREATE STAR NODE (Ho)
[*] StarLightRadius (1600.000000)
[+] StarPos 0,0,0
[*] StarSize (110.000000)
[*] Planet Node Count (4)
[-] -----------------------------------------
[*] CREATE PLANET NODE ( 0: 'Andmasen' )
[*] Planet ScaleValue (5.333333)
[*] Planet RadiusValue (234.000000)
[*] Planet SpeedValue (0.000034)
[ ] Load 'earth.x' Model (Planet)
    >> Load Earth DEAD (234.000000)
@@@ Planet getExtent() 10.666667, 10.666667, 10.666667
[-] -----------------------------------------
[*] CREATE PLANET NODE ( 1: 'Canfomi' )
[*] Planet ScaleValue (5.333333)
[*] Planet RadiusValue (158.000000)
[*] Planet SpeedValue (0.000035)
[ ] Load 'earth.x' Model (Planet)
    >> Load Earth NORM (158.000000)
@@@ Planet getExtent() 10.666667, 10.666667, 10.666667
[-] -----------------------------------------
[*] CREATE PLANET NODE ( 2: 'Laio' )
[*] Planet ScaleValue (6.666667)
[*] Planet RadiusValue (295.000000)
[*] Planet SpeedValue (0.000038)
[ ] Load 'earth.x' Model (Planet)
    >> Load Earth DEAD (295.000000)
@@@ Planet getExtent() 13.333333, 13.333333, 13.333333
[-] -----------------------------------------
[*] CREATE PLANET NODE ( 3: 'Soex' )
[*] Planet ScaleValue (7.333333)
[*] Planet RadiusValue (356.000000)
[*] Planet SpeedValue (0.000047)
[ ] Load 'earth.x' Model (Planet)
    >> Load Earth DEAD (356.000000)
@@@ Planet getExtent() 14.666667, 14.666667, 14.666667

Sample Data - Scene(2)

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[-] =========================================
[?] Intro Sector Name: 'TQ-0604.07'
[?] System Name: 'Negre'
[*] INIT System Draw
[-] -----------------------------------------
[-] -----------------------------------------
[*] CREATE STAR NODE (Hecan)
[*] StarLightRadius (1000.000000)
[+] StarPos 12955,11295,8246
[*] StarSize (150.000000)
[*] Planet Node Count (3)
[-] -----------------------------------------
[*] CREATE PLANET NODE ( 0: 'Ackwa' )
[*] Planet ScaleValue (7.333333)
[*] Planet RadiusValue (224.000000)
[*] Planet SpeedValue (0.000028)
[ ] Load 'earth.x' Model (Planet)
    >> Load Earth DEAD (224.000000)
@@@ Planet getExtent() 14.666667, 14.666667, 14.666667
[-] -----------------------------------------
[*] CREATE PLANET NODE ( 1: 'Nearmi' )
[*] Planet ScaleValue (5.333333)
[*] Planet RadiusValue (178.000000)
[*] Planet SpeedValue (0.000031)
[ ] Load 'earth.x' Model (Planet)
    >> Load Earth NORM (178.000000)
@@@ Planet getExtent() 10.666667, 10.666667, 10.666667
[-] -----------------------------------------
[*] CREATE PLANET NODE ( 2: 'Masioan' )
[*] Planet ScaleValue (8.000000)
[*] Planet RadiusValue (122.000000)
[*] Planet SpeedValue (0.000026)
[ ] Load 'earth.x' Model (Planet)
    >> Load Earth RED  (122.000000)
@@@ Planet getExtent() 16.000000, 16.000000, 16.000000

*phew*
Any suggestions as to what I have overlooked which causes the undesirable output would be much appreciated.

G

Acki · Post by **Acki** » Tue May 12, 2009 3:20 pm

I guess it's a culling problem...
e.g. if the star is the parent and get's out of sight it will be culled and all it's children, too !!!

maybe disable culling for testing this...

Granthus · Post by **Granthus** » Wed May 13, 2009 4:00 am

Thanks for the reply Acki

While I am unable to test this now (Im at work) I am puzzled as to what could cause the culling to be a problem.

I say this because aside from the planets themselves, nothing else in the 'system' scene moves. ie planets orbit star, camera and star are stationary and are core::vector3df(300,0,0) apart.

I will however give this a try when back at my dev box.

G

Granthus · Post by **Granthus** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:40 am

Well I believe I have found the cause of my problem.

Line in Question:

Code: Select all

scene::ISceneNodeAnimator* anim2 = smgr->createFlyCircleAnimator(Pcoords, radiusValue, speedValue, directValue);

In particular Pcoords. When my scene was at origin, this worked fine. I was however forgetting that the 'center' was relative coords to its parent :\

Thus I ended up with a star at 12955,11295,8246 and my planets orbiting some location (12955,11295,8246) away from the star (parent).

I have my Planets orbiting their parent star correctly .. now if only I can find why they arnt using the light from the star *sigh*

G

wITTus · Post by **wITTus** » Wed May 13, 2009 11:19 am

This is why you should include a lot of ready to use debug code. You can still delete it afterwards.

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#define IRR_VEC3DF_OUT(V) cerr << "\033[36m" << #V; cerr << "(\033[32m"<<V.X<<"f,"<<V.Y<<"f,"<<V.Z<<"f\033[0m)"<<endl;

\033[36m are color codes for the linux console. You can leave them out when developing for Windows.