Helicopter Simulator (C++, OpenGL)
This is a snapshot of my helicopter simulator. The rotor blades are spinning fast,
however the single-frame snapshot does not do it justice. This project took me about
a week to throw together.
For each frame, I draw the helicopter 3 times. Once for the shading (currently all
white), once for the wire frame outline and another for the shadow. The only difference
for the shadow is that the model is squished flat and drawn black. There's a little
more too it than that, but not too much more. The shadow is not something that OpenGL
or DirectX calculates. The shadow is just plain-old-normal geometry just like any
other object in your world.
The helicopter model is free, and thus crappy. If you want to create a replacement
model, open the existing model in 3DStudio max (or other tool) first and make yourself
familiar with it's orientation. It should be easy to import other models such as
buildings, trees, hangers, runways, etc. The code is very straight forward. If you
make a modification based on my code, please share it with me. If you have any questions
or experience any problems let me know and I'll try to help.
Project Details
- Language
- Visual C++ 2005 - Express Edition
- Platform
- Win32
- Graphics
- OpenGL
- Model Files
- 3D Studio Max (*.3ds) imported using the Lib3ds library.
- Input
- Joystick only; 3-axes plus throttle and hat-switches.