comparison org/intro.org @ 27:9ad188a327d3

added links to intro
author Robert McIntyre <rlm@mit.edu>
date Mon, 24 Oct 2011 07:04:48 -0700
parents e965675ec4d0
children 6372c108c5c6
comparison
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26:bbffa41a12a9 27:9ad188a327d3
44 chambers experience hallucinations and can begin to loose their sense 44 chambers experience hallucinations and can begin to loose their sense
45 of reality in as little as 15 minutes[sensory-deprivation]. Most of 45 of reality in as little as 15 minutes[sensory-deprivation]. Most of
46 the time, the programs we write are in exactly this situation. They do 46 the time, the programs we write are in exactly this situation. They do
47 not interface with cameras and microphones, and they do not control a 47 not interface with cameras and microphones, and they do not control a
48 real or simulated body or interact with any sort of world. 48 real or simulated body or interact with any sort of world.
49
50 49
51 * Simulation vs. Reality 50 * Simulation vs. Reality
52 I want demonstrate that multiple senses are what enable 51 I want demonstrate that multiple senses are what enable
53 intelligence. There are two ways of playing around with senses and 52 intelligence. There are two ways of playing around with senses and
54 computer programs: 53 computer programs:
117 scratch, you must first invent the universe." I examined many 116 scratch, you must first invent the universe." I examined many
118 different 3D environments to try and find something I would use as the 117 different 3D environments to try and find something I would use as the
119 base for my simulation; eventually the choice came down to three 118 base for my simulation; eventually the choice came down to three
120 engines: the Quake II engine, the Source Engine, and jMonkeyEngine. 119 engines: the Quake II engine, the Source Engine, and jMonkeyEngine.
121 120
122 ** Quake II/Jake2 121 ** [[http://www.idsoftware.com][Quake II]]/[[http://www.bytonic.de/html/jake2.html][Jake2]]
123 122
124 I spent a bit more than a month working with the Quake II Engine from 123 I spent a bit more than a month working with the Quake II Engine from
125 ID software to see if I could use it for my purposes. All the source 124 ID software to see if I could use it for my purposes. All the source
126 code was released by ID software into the Public Domain several years 125 code was released by ID software into the Public Domain several years
127 ago, and as a result it has been ported and modified for many 126 ago, and as a result it has been ported and modified for many
149 clipping issues that are corrected in a way that only applies to the 148 clipping issues that are corrected in a way that only applies to the
150 main character and does not apply to arbitrary objects. While there is 149 main character and does not apply to arbitrary objects. While there is
151 a large community of level modders, I couldn't find a community to 150 a large community of level modders, I couldn't find a community to
152 support using the engine to make new things. 151 support using the engine to make new things.
153 152
154 ** Source Engine 153 ** [[http://source.valvesoftware.com/][Source Engine]]
155 154
156 The Source Engine evolved from the Quake II and Quake I engines and is 155 The Source Engine evolved from the Quake II and Quake I engines and is
157 used by Valve in the Half-Life series of games. The physics simulation 156 used by Valve in the Half-Life series of games. The physics simulation
158 in the Source Engine is quite accurate and probably the best out of 157 in the Source Engine is quite accurate and probably the best out of
159 all the engines I investigated. There is also an extensive community 158 all the engines I investigated. There is also an extensive community
160 actively working with the engine. However, applications that use the 159 actively working with the engine. However, applications that use the
161 Source Engine must be written in C++, the code is not open, it only 160 Source Engine must be written in C++, the code is not open, it only
162 runs on Windows, and the tools that come with the SDK to handle models 161 runs on Windows, and the tools that come with the SDK to handle models
163 and textures are complicated and awkward to use. 162 and textures are complicated and awkward to use.
164 163
165 ** jMonkeyEngine 164 ** [[http://jmonkeyengine.com/][jMonkeyEngine3]]
166 165
167 jMonkeyEngine is a new library for creating games in Java. It uses 166 jMonkeyEngine is a new library for creating games in Java. It uses
168 OpenGL to render to the screen and uses screengraphs to avoid drawing 167 OpenGL to render to the screen and uses screengraphs to avoid drawing
169 things that do not appear on the screen. It has an active community 168 things that do not appear on the screen. It has an active community
170 and several games in the pipeline. The engine was not built to serve 169 and several games in the pipeline. The engine was not built to serve