Creating Mirrors Using Viewports (Rendering to Texture) or a Standard Material
This example covers some aspects of using viewports and cameras as well as demonstrates 2 different ways of implementing mirrors:
- Using the planar reflection option of the standard mesh_base material.Planar reflections don't reflect each other and miss post-effects.
- Using the Viewport class to render an image from a certain camera to the TextureRender interface and then setting the texture as albedo texture of the mirror material.
- 3 rearview mirrors implemented using viewport texture rendering
- large top rearview tilted mirror implemented using the planar reflection option of the mesh_base material.
- 2 modes:
- Single viewport for multiple cameras
- Separate viewport for each camera
- Keyboard control of car movement.
Using the Standard mesh_base Material
You can create mirrors by simply using the planar reflection option the mesh_base material. The basic workflow here is as follows:
- Create a mesh, that is going to represent a mirror.
- Inherit a material from the mesh_base.
- For the new inherited material perform the following actions:
- Enable the planar reflection option for the new inherited material.
For metalness workflow:
- Set the value of the metallness parameter to 1.
- Set the value of the roughness parameter to 0.
For specular workflow:
- Set the value of the gloss parameter to 1.
- Set the value of the microfiber parameter to 0.
- Tune the reflection_pivot_rotation parameter to compensate rotation of the surface if any.
- Assign the new inherited material to the reflecting surface.
- Enable rendering of planar reflections using the render_reflection_dynamic console command.
Using Viewports (Rendering to Texture)
Another way of creating mirrors is to use a viewport to render an image from a camera placed behind the mirror to a texture and set it as albedo texture for the material of the reflecting surface. This approach can also be used to create various portals or monitors showing an image from a certain camera etc. The basic workflow here is as follows:
- Create a mesh, that is going to represent a mirror.
- Inherit a material from the mesh_base.
- Create a camera and set its projection and modelview matrices (in case of implementing a mirror the camera should be placed behind the mirror looking in the direction of the normal to the reflecting surface).
- Create a 2D texture to render the image from the camera to.
- Create a viewport to render the image from the camera to the texture.It is recommended to use a separate viewport for each camera. In case of using several cameras with a single viewport rendering of post effects should be skipped to avoid artefacts (See the render_skip_post_materials console command).
- Save current render state and change necessary settings.
- Render an image from the camera to the texture using the renderTexture2D() method of the Viewport class.
- Restore the previously saved render state.
- Set the texture as albedo texture for the material of the reflecting surface.
Using Both Approaches to Create Mirrors for a Car
First let us declare our Car class and all necessary variables and constants.
// Car.h
#ifndef __CAR_H__
#define __CAR_H__
#include <UnigineEngine.h>
#include <UnigineObjects.h>
#include <UnigineMaterials.h>
#include <UnigineViewport.h>
#include <UnigineEditor.h>
#include <UnigineGame.h>
#include <UnigineRenderState.h>
enum
{
MODE_VIEWPORT_SINGLE = 0, // use a single viewport for multiple cameras
MODE_VIEWPORT_MULTIPLE // use a separate viewport for each camera
};
const float MOVING_SPEED = 10.0f; // speed of objects movement
const float DELTA_ANGLE = 60.0f; // delta angle of objects rotation
const int ASPECT_RATIO = 2; // aspect ratio
const double HFOV = 60; // horizontal field of view for mirror cameras
const double VFOV = HFOV / ASPECT_RATIO; // vertical field of view for mirror cameras
// rearview mirror
struct Mirror {
Unigine::ObjectMeshStaticPtr mesh; // mirror mesh
Unigine::String m_type; // mirror type (left/right/mid)
Unigine::TexturePtr texture; // mirror texture
Unigine::PlayerDummyPtr camera; // mirror camera
Unigine::ViewportPtr viewport; // mirror viewport
Unigine::Math::Vec3 position; // mirror position
};
class Car
{
public:
Car() { }
~Car() { }
int create_top_mirror();
int init();
int update();
int render();
int shutdown();
Unigine::ObjectMeshStaticPtr car_frame;
Unigine::ObjectMeshStaticPtr material_mirror;
Mirror mirrors[3];
Unigine::ControlsPtr controls;
};
#endif // __CAR_H__
And implement all methods using the approaches described above.
// Car.cpp
#include "Car.h"
#include <UnigineConsole.h>
using namespace Unigine;
using namespace Math;
// setting viewport mode (single/multiple)
int VMODE = MODE_VIEWPORT_MULTIPLE;
/// method creating a mirror using the mesh_base "planar reflection" option
int Car::create_top_mirror() {
// creating a mesh with a plane surface for the top mirror
MeshPtr mesh = Mesh::create();
mesh->addPlaneSurface("plane", 1.97f, 0.3f, 1.0f);
// rotating the mesh surface by 108 degrees around the X-axis
mesh->setSurfaceTransform(rotateX(108.0f));
// creating a top mirror and setting its position
material_mirror = ObjectMeshStatic::create(mesh);
material_mirror->setPosition(Vec3(0.0f, 0.73f, 1.60f));
// passing the node to the Editor and adding it as a child to the car frame
material_mirror->release();
Editor::get()->addNode(material_mirror->getNode());
car_frame->addChild(material_mirror->getNode());
// creating a new mirror material named "planar_reflector"
MaterialPtr mesh_base = Materials::get()->findMaterial("mesh_base");
MaterialPtr reflector_material = mesh_base->inherit("planar_reflector");
// enabling planar reflections for the mirror material
reflector_material->setState("planar_reflection", 1);
// setting metallness and roughness parameters to make the surface look like a mirror
reflector_material->setParameterSlider(reflector_material->findParameter("metalness"), 1.0f);
reflector_material->setParameterSlider(reflector_material->findParameter("roughness"), 0.0f);
// compensating the 108-degree rotation angle of the mesh surface
reflector_material->setParameter(reflector_material->findParameter("reflection_pivot_rotation"), vec4(108.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f));
// assigning new mirror material to the surface of the mirror
material_mirror->setMaterial("planar_reflector", 0);
// enabling planar reflections rendering using the corresponding console command (render_reflection_dynamic)
Console::get()->run("render_reflection_dynamic 1");
return 1;
}
int Car::init()
{
int width = 512;
int height = width / ASPECT_RATIO;
// preparing a mesh for the car body
MeshPtr bodymesh = Mesh::create();
bodymesh->addBoxSurface("body", vec3(2.0f, 5.0f, 1.2f));
bodymesh->addBoxSurface("body", vec3(0.05f, 0.05f, 1.1f));
bodymesh->setSurfaceTransform(translate(vec3(0.96f, 0.8f, 0.91f)), 1);
bodymesh->addBoxSurface("body", vec3(0.05f, 0.05f, 1.1f));
bodymesh->setSurfaceTransform(translate(vec3(-0.96f, 0.8f, 0.91f)), 2);
bodymesh->addBoxSurface("body", vec3(1.88f, 0.05f, 0.05f));
bodymesh->setSurfaceTransform(translate(vec3(0.0f, 0.8f, 1.435f)), 3);
// creating car body using a mesh and passing it to the Editor
car_frame = ObjectMeshStatic::create(bodymesh);
car_frame->setMaterial("mesh_base", "*");
car_frame->setMaterialParameter("albedo_color", vec4(1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f), 0);
car_frame->release();
Editor::get()->addNode(car_frame->getNode(), 1);
// creating a top rearview mirror using the mesh_base material
create_top_mirror();
// setting type and position for all mirrors
mirrors[0].m_type = "left";
mirrors[1].m_type = "mid";
mirrors[2].m_type = "right";
mirrors[0].position = Vec3(-1.08f, 0.77f, 0.9f);
mirrors[1].position = Vec3(0.0f, 0.35f, 1.25f);
mirrors[2].position = Vec3(1.08f, 0.77f, 0.9f);
// initializing mirrors
for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
{
// creating a mesh for the current mirror
MeshPtr mesh = Mesh::create();
mesh->addPlaneSurface("mirror_plane", 0.2f, 0.1f, 1);
// creating the current mirror and setting its transform
mirrors[i].mesh = ObjectMeshStatic::create(mesh);
mirrors[i].mesh->setTransform(Mat4(translate(vec3(mirrors[i].position))*rotateX(90.0f)));
// creating and setting materials for the current mirror mesh
String str = String::format("car_mirror_%s", mirrors[i].m_type.get());
MaterialPtr mesh_base = Materials::get()->findMaterial("mesh_base");
mesh_base->inherit(str.get());
mirrors[i].mesh->setMaterial(str.get(), 0);
// adding mirror mesh to the Editor as a runtime node
mirrors[i].mesh->release();
Editor::get()->addNode(mirrors[i].mesh->getNode(), 1);
// creating a camera for the current mirror and setting its parameters
mirrors[i].camera = PlayerDummy::create();
mirrors[i].camera->setProjection(perspective(VFOV, 2.0, 0.05, 10000) * scale(-1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f));
mirrors[i].camera->setPosition(mirrors[i].position);
mirrors[i].camera->setDirection(vec3(0.0f, -1.0f, 0.0f), vec3::UP);
// adding mirror mesh and camera as children to the car frame
car_frame->addChild(mirrors[i].mesh->getNode());
car_frame->addChild(mirrors[i].camera->getNode());
// creating a 2D texture to be set for the mirror material
mirrors[i].texture = Texture::create();
mirrors[i].texture->create2D(width, height, Texture::FORMAT_RGBA8, Texture::USAGE_RENDER);
// checking viewport mode and creating necessary number of viewports
if (VMODE == MODE_VIEWPORT_MULTIPLE)
{
mirrors[i].viewport = Viewport::create();
}
else if ((VMODE == MODE_VIEWPORT_SINGLE) && (i == 1))
{
mirrors[i].viewport = Viewport::create();
}
}
// setting up player and controls
PlayerSpectatorPtr player = PlayerSpectator::create();
player->release();
car_frame->addChild(player->getNode());
player->setWorldPosition(Vec3(0.0f, -0.5f, 1.1f));
player->setControlled(0);
Game::get()->setPlayer(player->getPlayer());
Game::get()->setEnabled(1);
player->setFov(60.0f);
player->setDirection(vec3(0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f), vec3(0.0f, 0.0f, -1.0f));
player->setCollision(0);
controls = player->getControls();
return 1;
}
float ifps;
int Car::update()
{
ifps = Game::get()->getIFps();
// get the current world transformation matrix of the mesh
Mat4 transform = car_frame->getWorldTransform();
// get the direction vector of the mesh from the second column of the transformation matrix
Vec3 direction = transform.getColumn3(1);
// checking controls states and changing car frame transformation
if (controls->getState(Controls::STATE_FORWARD) || controls->getState(Controls::STATE_TURN_UP))
{
car_frame->setWorldPosition(car_frame->getWorldPosition() + direction * MOVING_SPEED*ifps);
}
if (controls->getState(Controls::STATE_BACKWARD) || controls->getState(Controls::STATE_TURN_DOWN))
{
car_frame->setWorldPosition(car_frame->getWorldPosition() - direction * MOVING_SPEED*ifps);
}
if (controls->getState(Controls::STATE_MOVE_LEFT) || controls->getState(Controls::STATE_TURN_LEFT))
{
car_frame->setWorldRotation(car_frame->getWorldRotation() * quat(0.0f, 0.0f, DELTA_ANGLE*ifps));
direction.z += DELTA_ANGLE*ifps;
}
if (controls->getState(Controls::STATE_MOVE_RIGHT) || controls->getState(Controls::STATE_TURN_RIGHT))
{
car_frame->setWorldRotation(car_frame->getWorldRotation() * quat(0.0f, 0.0f, -DELTA_ANGLE*ifps));
direction.z -= DELTA_ANGLE*ifps;
}
return 1;
}
int Car::render()
{
ViewportPtr viewport;
for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
{
MaterialPtr material = mirrors[i].mesh->getMaterialInherit(0);
if (VMODE == MODE_VIEWPORT_MULTIPLE)
{
// using a separate viewport for each camera
viewport = mirrors[i].viewport;
}
else if (VMODE == MODE_VIEWPORT_SINGLE)
{
// using a single viewport for all cameras
viewport = mirrors[1].viewport;
// skipping post effects when using a single viewport for multiple cameras
viewport->appendSkipFlags(Viewport::SKIP_POSTEFFECTS);
}
// rendering
RenderState *render_state = RenderState::get();
// saving current render state and clearing it
render_state->saveState();
render_state->clearStates();
// enabling polygon front mode to correct camera flipping
render_state->setPolygonFront(1);
// rendering and image from the camera of the current mirror to the texture
viewport->renderTexture2D(mirrors[i].camera->getCamera(), mirrors[i].texture);
// restoring back render state
render_state->setPolygonFront(0);
render_state->restoreState();
// setting rendered texture as albedo texture for the material of the current mirror
material->setTexture(material->findTexture("albedo"), mirrors[i].texture);
}
return 1;
}
int Car::shutdown()
{
car_frame.clear();
for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++)
{
mirrors[i].mesh.clear();
mirrors[i].texture.clear();
mirrors[i].camera.clear();
}
return 1;
}
Let us integrate our car with the AppWorldLogic class.
// AppWorldLogic.h
#ifndef __APP_WORLD_LOGIC_H__
#define __APP_WORLD_LOGIC_H__
#include <UnigineLogic.h>
#include <UnigineStreams.h>
#include "car.h"
class AppWorldLogic : public Unigine::WorldLogic {
public:
/* .. */
Car car;
};
#endif // __APP_WORLD_LOGIC_H__
And let us insert the following code into the AppWorldLogic.cpp file.
// AppWorldLogic.cpp
#include "AppWorldLogic.h"
/* .. */
int AppWorldLogic::init() {
// creating and initializing a car
car.init();
return 1;
}
// start of the main loop
int AppWorldLogic::update() {
// calling car update
car.update();
return 1;
}
int AppWorldLogic::render() {
// calling car render
car.render();
return 1;
}
int AppWorldLogic::shutdown() {
// calling car shutdown
car.shutdown();
return 1;
}
/* .. */