From vdhamer@prl.philips.nl Tue Sep 20 09:50:11 1994 Newsgroups: rec.kites Path: gina.zfn.uni-bremen.de!news.dfn.de!scsing.switch.ch!swidir.switch.ch!newsfeed.ACO.net!Austria.EU.net!EU.net!howland.reston.ans.net!agate!msuinfo!gmi!usenet.eel.ufl.edu!news.ultranet.com!newsie.dmc.com!spdcc!das-news.harvard.edu!kites-gateway!prl.philips.nl!vdhamer From: vdhamer@prl.philips.nl Subject: KiteFlight 1.05 -> archives Message-ID: <9409160828.AA25287@isthp2.prl.philips.nl> Originator: kitenews@netop3.harvard.edu Sender: vdhamer@prl.philips.nl Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University Date: Fri, 16 Sep 1994 08:28:29 GMT Lines: 186 This week KFD 1.05 has been placed on the rec.kites archive sites. +------------------------------------+ | An introduction to KiteFlight 1.05 | +------------------------------------+ Brief release history: KiteFlight 1.05 (Sep 1994, 2nd release) * updated SuperVGA driver (solves certain Cirrus chip problems) [1.05c] * improved compilation speed (4-5x faster) [1.04a] * minor bug fixed: "strobed black kites" [1.03b] several changes were made which only affect the KF version of KiteFlight: * default trail mode changed to "Always on" [1.05b] * bug fixed: Run failed after New [1.03e] * mouse click can now halt animation [1.02c] * improved online help text [1.02f] KiteFlight 1.01 (June 1994, 1st release) _______________________________________________________________________________ KiteFlight is a DOS program which can simulate the motion of an individual sports kite or kite team. The motions are defined in a language we call KF1. VIEWER: For casual users, KiteFlight is thus the viewing program for KF1 files (in the same sense that there are various viewing programs for various animation formats). KiteFlight and KF1 have certain benefits related to the fact that they were specifically designed for simulating kite flying: + you get a smoother animation (typically >100 frames/second) + the display resolution is limited by your hardware rather than by the format of a (precalculated) video file + you can adjust the speed of flight, magnification and resolution + KF1 files are very compact (see example) Drawbacks: - Kites are shown only as simple triangles for computational reasons. LANGUAGE: For the non-casual kite-a-holics, KF1 is also a language in which to describe your own routines and ballets. Main benefits: + your computer doesn't have to calculate for hours to generate a few seconds of animation footage: the KF1 source file is animated in real time. This shortens the test cycle time (important for KF1 'authors'). + the source file *is* the animation file (no source file --> preview image --> high quality 'overnight' image) + you can adapt any KF1 file which you can beg, steal, borrow or FTP + KF1 was designed as a programming language for non-programmers. It is not particularly difficult to understand what an instruction does. We don't claim to make the design of new routines trivial: we only claim to make it easier, more effective and .. more fun. Main drawbacks: - Professional programmers may prefer a more abstract language with various more powerful abstractions. In case you are wondering, KiteFlight itself is programmed in ANSI C (Borland C++ 3.1 compiler + some assembly). The user interface code for the KF version is written in (real) C++. EXAMPLE: ; KiteDemo.KF1 - a demonstration file for KiteFlight KF1 1.00 ; start of file (written for KiteFlight Ver 1.00) KiteInit 1 -100 50 ">" "blue" ; kite #1 x=-100, y=50, heading to right KiteInit 2 -80 50 ">" "green" ; kite #2 x= -80, y=50, heading to right KiteXY 0 50 ; goto x=0 y=50 KiteArc 10 -360 ; loop 360 degrees counterclockwise (radius=10) KiteDH 70 ">" ; move 70 units to the right (or use: KiteDH 70 +90) For 1 ; for kite #1 only.. KiteArc 12.5 -180 ; rotate 180 degrees counterclockwise (r=12.5) Endfor For 2 ; for kite #2 only.. KiteDH 10 ">" ; compensate for half of headstart KiteArc 12.5 +180 ; rotate 180 degrees clockwise (r=12.5) KiteDH 10 "<" ; compensate for remainder of headstart Endfor ; at this point both kites are 'in synch' KiteDH 70 "<" ; fly back to center of screen (x=0) KiteArc 10 +360 ; simultaneously loop 360 degrees clockwise (r=10) KiteDH 90 "<" ; fly back to left side of screen (x=-90) EndKF1 ; end of routine Once you have a KF1 description of a routine or figure, KiteFlight (in its current form) allows you to use this information in three different ways: (1) - you can simulate the kite's motion on the screen (2) - you can display the kite's path ("trail") on the screen (3) - you can create a printable file showing a trail segment Items (2) and (3) resemble the diagrams used to represent compulsories on paper. TEAMS: The above example illustrates the main ingredients of KF1. In the first lines, two kites are 'following': both kites take the same route, but one has a head start. In the For..Endfor blocks, the kites are flying independent (but similar) motions. In the last few lines, both kites are flying in formation: they are doing the same moves simultaneously. COLORS: The individual kites in a team can be displayed in the same color, or with one kite highlighted (you!) or with each team member in a different color. KF1 will even let you change colors in midflight (although you may find this hard to duplicate in reality). PURPOSE: KiteFlight was originally developed as a tool for use by the Dutch team The Dike Hoppers. This team uses KiteFlight as a tool to visualize, develop and learn their ballet and precision routines and to make hardcopies for taking home. In their experience, it is less work to develop, discuss and optimize a routine using KiteFlight than by making lots of sketches and a series of paper diagrams. COMPULSORIES: KiteFlight is also suitable for expressing individual and team compulsories. A typical compulsory is about 10-20 lines of KF1, can be automatically simulated, is unambiguous and can be transferred on floppy or via E-mail. Simo has compiled a library containing most of the AKA/STACK compulsories. HARDWARE: KiteFlight supports all major PC color graphics modes (EGA, VGA, SuperVGA), prefers a 386 or better (but can run on antiques too). Note that the speed of flight is NOT influenced by the speed of your hardware ("real time"): slower machines sometimes produce somewhat jerkier motions than faster ones. DISTRIBUTION: KiteFlight is (loosely) bundled KiteFlight with the new book "Stunt Kites II. New designs, buggies and boots" released in June 1994 in English, German and Dutch editions (authors are Dutch). The software is distributed through the same channels as the book (kite stores and book stores). The book and floppy are loosely bundled in the sense that each is useful stand-alone, but both will benefit from each other (symbio-whachamacallit). AVAILABILITY: The KiteFlight floppy was released in late June 1994, and was first sold (in a CD enclosure!) at the 1994 kite festival in Scheveningen (the Open Dutch Grand Prix and areal art show ;-). VERSIONS OF KITEFLIGHT: There are 3 different versions of KiteFlight: KF, KFC and KFD. The release numbers (e.g. 1.05) of all 3 are synchronized: KF 1.05 and KFC 1.05 and KFD 1.05 were compiled from the same library and thus contain the same 'engine', and thus have the same basic features. If there is a (non-UI) bug in KF 1.05, it will thus also be in KFD and vice versa. Command Line Windowing User Interface User Interface ----------------|---------------- | | | | KFD | doesn't | Freeware | | | *demo* | on rec.kites | exist | versions | archive sites | | Note that the Command Line | | | version actually has a simple ----------------|---------------| menu system (in addition to | | | command line control). | KFC | KF | Commercial| | | | on disk with | on disk with | | Stunt Kites II| Stunt Kites II| | | | --------------------------------- The difference between KFC and KFD is that the latter does not accept large input files. KF is a lot fancier than KFC: the difference is roughly comparable to a Windows and a DOS version of the same program (both versions run under DOS, but KF provides a windows-style look and feel). Summary: KF - the best version (on Kites 1.0 floppy) KFC - same, but with simpler user interface (on Kites 1.0 floppy) KFD - demo version of KFC (freeware/demoware/anywhere) WANTED: We are still looking for top class teams who are interested in having their routines on the KiteFlight distribution floppy (free publicity & free copy of program & KF1 support in exchange for permission to 'publish' your KF1 file on the KiteFlight floppy). Are you listening, World Champions of 1994: Tsunami (USA), Airkraft (Great Britain) and Crazy Diamonds (France)? --- Peter van den Hamer Karel de Stoutelaan 6 5583 XD Waalre The Netherlands vdhamer@prl.philips.nl