[ODE] Programmer request (car physics)

[Jon Watte]

Can't help on a paid basis, but here's what I've found:

1) You should lower the center of mass of the main body. This is done by lowering the entire body, and raising the collision geom (maybe using a GeomTransform). Lower it so the center is just above the ground for that ground-hugging feel. Make sure it's still POSSIBLE to flip the car, though :-)

2) You want sideways slip, something like Slip2 = 0.004 * v, in your contacts. If not, then you'll easily roll the car.

3) You want the Approx contact friction model, because the other model just limits the force exerted, rather than calculating something based on actual contact force.

That being said, the behavior of the kind of car I've been able to make with a Hinge2 and a sphere for each wheel, and a box for the body, is still pretty beach-buggy-like, rather than race car; even on flat ground. I've had better success simulating cars with a box and four rays in the past.

Cheers,

			/ h+


-----Original Message-----
From: ode-bounces at q12.org [mailto:ode-bounces at q12.org]On Behalf Of Alex
Amsel
Sent: Monday, July 26, 2004 5:41 PM
To: ode at q12.org
Subject: [ODE] Programmer request (car physics)


Hey all, been a web-based reader on ODE due to a small internal 
project here so firstly thanks for the various helpful peeps posting.

As have others I've noticed, we've run into a few teething troubles 
with race car physics that are driving one of our programmers around 
the bend (excuse the pun).

I'm looking for someone prepared to help out over the next few days - 
primarily just getting some parameters right but possibly more & 
longer term bit-part work if we decide to build things up.

Work would be paid for so if you already have such things running in 
a stable manner and you can help us stabilise the system then give me 
a shout.

Email me off-list (alex at tunatech dot com)

Regards



Alex Amsel 
Tuna Technologies Ltd (Sheffield, UK)
PC/Console Game Development
Tel: +44 (0)114 266 2211  Mob: +44(0)7771 524 632

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