On activating the IR goggles I could apply a 'night vision' shader for that turn. I want to get some feedback. I don't see any other proposals like this:
http://ufoai.ninex.info/wiki/index.php/ProposalsMy motivation is I can't see much in the night maps, even after tweaking lots of settings. I know I'm not alone. I like that the darkness is for realism but it is too strenuous on the eyes.
I'm interpreting the IR goggles as a device that magnifies the amount of received photons:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Nightvision.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/83/PEO_ANAVS-6_NVG.jpg/800px-PEO_ANAVS-6_NVG.jpgNot thermal imaging:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InfraredAre the IR goggles intended as a thermal imaging devices? If so, I could make a different piece of headgear for my night vision purpose.
I noticed that clicking the IR goggles takes up 12 TU. When exactly does the improved visibility for that unit end? (I apologize I could look in the code and see what really happens, but I'd rather ask)
I have not submitted a patch as things aren't perfect yet. I'll do this all myself but I'd appreciate any tips & directions from those more intimate with this project. For example I see I may need to write some code in ./src/client/renderer/r_program.c, and all my GLSL will be in ./base/shaders/world_fs.glsl
This is a screenshot without the UI with my night vision (dated Aug 23rd) applied:
http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss30/andrewusu/ufoai/Screenshot-UFOAI.jpgI plan to:
- Use a darker shade of green in the shader to make the green selection box more distinct.
- Apply the 'night vision' algorithm after the glow effect (so that the yellow/red/blue glows will glow green).
- I could make things slightly fuzzy looking like in the wikipedia pictures for realism (uses a little more GPU resources).
- Sharply fade into the 'night vision' when the IR goggles are applied and sharply fade out when the IR goggles' effect ends.
- Apply the normal battlescape shader when a different unit is selected, and reapply the 'night vision' if an IR wearing soldier is selected.
- I've heard looking at a bright light source while wearing night vision (that amplifies light from the moon and stars) temporarily blinds the wearer; even looking up into the night sky is blinding. I can white everything out if it is a day map; In the night maps I can also bias brighter colors to be more white (lights will be much brighter and will appear to have a bigger radius).