It has been 18 weeks since the release of version 1.0, and now, version 1.2 provides the next major update to openBVE.
This version focuses on the introduction of 3D cabs, which feel vastly different from the old-fashioned 2D cabs. You are now able to move and rotate the camera freely in all directions and can observe controls which could not have been previously depicted.
You can manually adjust the camera, be it with the keyboard, or - new - with the mouse. Just right-click at any time to enable mouse grab and move the mouse to rotate the view. Right-clicking again disables the grab. Not only can you take a look at scenery and stations from new angles, but can also track signs and signals easier, as well as anticipate curves. There is a new interior camera mode which you can access by pressing CAMERA_INTERIOR (F1 key), which is called Interior (look-ahead). This camera mode focuses the view on the upcoming track and thus rotates the view automatically so that the focused part of the track is in the center of the screen.
In addition to these things, 3D cabs also employ a new body/head model. Upon accelerating or braking, the body pitches forward/backward, and in curves, the body might roll to the sides before adjusting to the forces. Rotating the camera view actually rotates the head. If you look closely, you can see the perspective differences resulting from the new body/head model. This is due to the fact that the eyes are not stationary, but move in space whenever the body or head rotate.
All in all, the experience should be one step closer to reality as you can "feel" the forces in the train, and can look freely around as you like. Now, the one question you'd probably like to ask is: Where can I get some trains which have a 3D cab from? Well, as the new version has just been released, you might need to be a bit patient before the first real content is released by their developers. Until then, you can try the 113-1000atccab-3D add-on I developed for demonstrational purposes - just don't expect any serious content here.
Hopefully, the first real trains employing 3D cabs will arrive soon. When they do, I hope you will enjoy... |
