Overview
It is easy to create an "ok" vehicle, but it is much harder to create a stable and fully controllable one. This is why after studying how the game physics work, I am gonna explain you common mistakes and very Advanced Vehicle Systems.
Stable Suspension System
We tend to just add shocks here and there, but it is not a stable way to do it. The vehicle will often break when turning a little too fast. So here are few tips.
- I recommend this video tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwAq1BaJvc0
- Double Frame
- Build your car frame around Bob, then add shocks on the joints (under the main frame).
- Depending on what you want, you'll probably want to use a few struts to join the middle
- of both frames (to keep the first frame from sliding or crushing).
- Schocked Frame
- Make the main frame smaller, and add horizontal springs to enlarge the frame.
- The wheels will be place on it. It will keep to wheels from breaking, since
- the force wont be in a 90 degree angle against the join, but will instead flow with it.
- Double Frame + Shocked Frame
- In this case, the higher frame will stay the same, with the lower
- frame being the normal Shocked Frame. You will use shocks to close
- the corners with the wheels.
Bumper
- This is pretty simple, but you can't do it with every car or else they lose their balance.
- You simply add shocks on the front of the vehicle, and then add horizontal struts on them.
- This way, when hitting a wall, the bumper will smooth the crash or will break instead of
- the car main parts.
- Video tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOOD4TTUTDU
Vehicle Specific
Train/Trailer/Locomotive
Shocks are flexible. What does that mean? You may use them to link
to big parts, so that when turning, the vehicle will flex like a train.
Video tutorial for this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIEUk9VujRQ
Flying vehicles (Planes/Helicopters/Spaceship/Balloon)
- VIDEO TUTORIAL HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y51aPpqMuxY
- Helicopter in: Target Plateau Again!? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUjgndSrHF8
- Helicopter in: High in The Sky: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37m3NKzgeVY
I have not seen anyone building a 100% controllable flying vehicle, so I am the most well placed to explain how to do it.
First thing to understand is the "Basket Principle". If you go to the store and buy food, put it in a bag. the content of the bag is a force pulling down. Your hand or the handle is the force pushing up. What does that mean?
If you want to control the vehicle properly, you'll need to build a "Handle" system. The vehicle itself will be the "bag Content" system.
- Handle System
- You will need a top/corner/stick/strut at the top, as centered as possible,
- of your vehicle. You will need to place constant non-controlled rockets to it,
- in a solid way. The rockets are the replica of the "Pushing-Up" force.
- Handle System
- Now you will need the first "Balancing System", the forces that modify
- the "forward/backward" angle of the vehicle. That means a rocket on the back
- of the vehicle, assigned with key "s" and a rocket on the front of the vehicle,
- assigned with key "w". To get in the air, you may press both W and S to raise the vehicle, than you
- use W or S the modify the angle. it takes practice to pilot it properly.
- Now you will need the first "Balancing System", the forces that modify
- The second "Balancing System", which are used to stabilize the "to-the-right" and "to-the-left" angle.
- There are two ways to do it: The same as the above, expect it is a rocket on the left and the right,
- using J and K keys. The second being, instead of on the sides, would be placed UNDER the vehicle, pointing
- sideways. That can be used for skinny vehicle.
- The second "Balancing System", which are used to stabilize the "to-the-right" and "to-the-left" angle.
- The "Direction System". This is optional, since everything else is enough to make it fly properly.
- This is used to rotate the whole vehicle, so that you point to the right direction. Hard to do, but efficient and fun.
- You place two rockets in the back, assigning "a" and "d". One will point to the left, and one to the right.
- The "Direction System". This is optional, since everything else is enough to make it fly properly.
- If you followed and understood well, all you need is testing to make one as good as mine.
Video Tutorials
Vehicles By TheGuardian163 (article author)
Wikicar Showcase: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKebsDArBDM
Race Car: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANG6zOUAX7E
Advanced Suspension/Rally Car: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwAq1BaJvc0
Stable Motorbike: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svw0hPT8Qv4
Tank: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkBI4PZIp3w
Bumper/Pickup Truck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOOD4TTUTDU
Train/Truck Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIEUk9VujRQ
Player Controlled Helicopter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y51aPpqMuxY