[Csantucci]

I'm implementing the possibility to define in the .eng or .wag file customized brakeman viewpoints, that override the standard viewpoint. More than one viewpoint can be defined for both front view and rear view.
Here is the section of the .eng file (within the Wagon() block used to define three front and three rear viewpoints for the default Dash9.

	ORTSFrontBrakemanViewPoints (
		ORTSBrakemanViewPoint (
			BrakemanHeadPos ( 1.267 3.00 9.35 )
			StartDirection ( 10 0 0 )
		)
		ORTSBrakemanViewPoint (
			BrakemanHeadPos ( -1.267 3.00 9.35 )
			StartDirection ( 15 20 0 )
		)
		ORTSBrakemanViewPoint (
			BrakemanHeadPos ( 1.4 3.00 1.2 )
			StartDirection ( 10 20 0 )
		)
	)
	ORTSRearBrakemanViewPoints (
		ORTSBrakemanViewPoint (
			BrakemanHeadPos ( 1.25 3.55 -7 )
			StartDirection ( 15 180 0 )
		)
		ORTSBrakemanViewPoint (
			BrakemanHeadPos ( -1.27 3.55 -8 )
			StartDirection ( 15 -160 0 )
		)
		ORTSBrakemanViewPoint (
			BrakemanHeadPos ( 1 3.35 -9.5 )
			StartDirection ( 20 -150 0 )
		)
	)

Attached six screenshots of the viewpoints. Clearly the quality of the viewpoint is related to the quality of the model.








Switching from one viewpoint to next one occurs pressing Shift+6.

Feedback is welcome before the code for this will be maybe published.

[Weter]

Great advance.
Bravo, maestro.

Is total quantity unlimited, or it have to be strictly six?
Same question about co-ordinates of viewport's cameras.

[Csantucci]

Thank you! The quantity is unlimited.
I don't understand your question about the coordinates.

[Weter]

I mean: are there any restrictions to front-rear location, or these are just analog of 5-passenger cam, called by 6-key, so, it can be placed anywhere around RS model?

Furthermore: as we know, Alt-Home/End will switch 6-cam's location to the other end of "train" automatically - by swapping its X and Z coordinates.
Same - for case of "head-changing" by ctrl-E.
But non-symmetric rolling stock is possible... How do you plan to combine that fact to multiple 6-cam instances: would ORTS tell "front-seeing" cameras from "rear-seeing" properly?

[Csantucci]

You can enter any coordinates for these customized viewpoints.
Dash9 is a non-symmetrical trainset, and this is managed by the code. The code also manages flipped trainsets, and train front-rear views, with the same rules as previously, from the point of view of the player. The viewpoints are "glued" to the trainset, therefore, if a viewpoint is near the front cab of the loco (let's say cab A), and it is looking forward with respect to cab A, it will be near the front cab of the loco and will look forward with respect to cab A independently from the position of the loco in the train (front or rear) and independently from the fact that the loco is flipped or not. The code will select the viewpoint type (front or rear) depending from the actual conditions (position of the loco in the train, flipped/not flipped, running forwards/running backwards).

[Weter]

Saying "non-symmetrycal" I mean, that just flipping coordinates can place viewport to the "wrong location"

But -9 is an excellent instance, as it is twice non-symmetrical: not only front end is different from the rear one, but right side doesn't match left.

Excuse me, please, the last phrase is a bit unclear for me.

Does that mean just direction (whether Y-axle angle is 0 or 180) relative to RS unit's current direction and reverser's setting will the determinative condition?

[Laci1959]

Well, I'll try this tomorrow in a brake car.

[Csantucci]

 Weter, on 23 October 2021 - 06:55 AM, said:

So, that six viewpoints form your example will be duplicated (more correct to say-flipped), if change of direction will occur?

No, they aren't duplicated. Each of the two ends of the locomotive (front-rear) have their own viewpoint set (in my case, each end has three of them). That's enough even if the locomotive is flipped. You will only have to select the correct set. As I said, the viewpoint is "glued" to the locomotive, both as position and as rotation. Flipping a locomotive corresponds a rotation of 180 degrees. The glued viewpoint will automatically rotate too by 180 degrees.

[scottb613]

Hi Carlo,

Just a thought - since you’re looking at cameras - would it be possible or convenient to look into isolating the camera views from the motion of the locomotive? This adds massively to the immersion factor of driving trains. Once you try it you will never want to go back. With steam locomotives - we’ve been replicating this by placing the “passenger views” in the tender but positioning the view where the typical headout positions on the locomotive would be. This makes it appear that your head is isolated from the bouncing, vibrations, and movement of the locomotive. For those of us who’ve grown accustomed to this isolated view - it makes the switch to diesels or electrics seem stale and lifeless.

If you need a working example of how it looks on a working model - I can gladly send you one. All my steam locomotives are intended to be driven from the [5] [Shift 5] passenger views.

Thanks for the consideration.

Regards,
Scott

[Csantucci]

Hi Scott,
yes, I see your point. This requires graphics know-how, and I'm a bit weak on this. I hope that someone else will try that. If this won't occur, maybe I'll be able to have a look some time.