Comments on: Actually, You Can Be Told What the Matrix Is

By: Ben Supnik

Ben Supnik — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 02:40:40 +0000

In reply to Tim. Just read it. All three matrices are read-only. If you were to write to them, other internal data structures would not be changed and the engine would end up out of sync. Furthermore, the datarefs can only be sanely read during a 3-d drawing callback, because they provide data for -that- drawing pass. (So for example, if you opt into reflections or shadows in your plugin, during a drawing callback for shadows or reflections you'll have a totally different world matrix set that reflects that pre-pass.)

By: Ben Supnik

Ben Supnik — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 02:39:30 +0000

In reply to Martin.

It may not be that useful for that – the datarefs are only valid during DRAWING. But the aircraft’s local_x/y/z datarefs -are- already available in double precision. (This matrix is only necessary because the world matrix isn’t available in double precision.)

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 20:33:40 +0000

Will we be able to write to the projection matrix or just read it?

By: Martin

Martin — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 19:49:34 +0000

Sounds like I can make use of this for my sling load plugin. Currently, I have a hard time calculating the point where the hook will connect the load sitting on the ground as precise as I would like.

Keep it coming!

By: DS

DS — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 15:58:02 +0000

In reply to Ben Supnik. OK, thanks, I thought it was a Laminar thing actually. Maybe it should be :-)

By: Ben Supnik

Ben Supnik — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 15:02:26 +0000

In reply to Rod. Just a gentle reminder to EVERYONE that if anyone starts that ridiculous discussion about version numbers again, I _will_ go on a comemnt-deleting spree!

By: Rod

Rod — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 14:45:14 +0000

I enjoy these posts and please keep showing us what is under the kimono. Explanations like this help me to understand that Laminar Research is continuing to find ways to improve the program and not necessarily only adding on new features without improving the underlying system.

I am looking forward to the 10.50 (TEN DECIMAL FIFTY) beta series.

By: Ben Supnik

Ben Supnik — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 13:54:03 +0000

In reply to DS.

Maybe – the plugin system was never (and is actually still not) a Laminar Research thing – LR has contributed some hosting resources over time. I do agree the docs could be improved – the real problem is that the website is base on MediaWiki, which is both a PITA to use and a PITA to replace.

By: DS

DS — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 12:09:50 +0000

Nice with the new datarefs.

But… isn’t it time Laminar provides better info for plugin developers? I have a hard time finding good information: wiki has dead links, out of date examples, or missing examples.

IMHO it is important to provide good info on writing plugins — advanced aircraft need plugins, so it seems to me in everyone’s interest to provide it.

By: bert

bert — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 10:15:28 +0000

publishing the datarefs now will be a great, so we can implement it already