Animated blocks

[max2veg]

Animated blocks - translation, rotation; attached blocks translate / rotate with those blocks; scriptable, w/ basic animations set directly via object properties in the editor (rotate around pivot point and x/y/z axis), in the long run perhaps with a simple in-game animation sequencer (not even an editor required), via in series queued commands (translate / rotate for n units on / around x/y/z axis, then... - like queuing commands for ships w/ AI captain on map).
This will allow for complex and interesting animations, such as rotating rings on space stations, cranes on factories moving around, making it look more life-like; trucks on mining asteroids transporting ore; ...

 

Edited February 3, 2021 by max2veg

[DangerFalcon]

I like this idea. Even simple animations such as "twinkling" or flashing lights on crew quarters would be a neat addition. Programable glow blocks that could strobe or sequence would also be super cool.

[Akeno017]

I would love rotating components like such, but the Engine and PC performance might not.

[max2veg]

3 hours ago, Akeno017 said:

I would love rotating components like such, but the Engine and PC performance might not.

What is your comment about "Engine" and "PC performance" based on? Do you know the programmatical complexity and computational impact of those?

Because one who has worked with and on games engines and has done 3D (Direct3D & OpenGL) programming, I can tell you that

1. It is a very simple feat to implement that.
2. There is literally no (or, very small, usually negligible) computational impact on both the GPU or the CPU - at least for basic translation and rotation of 3D objects.