Water Blockset

The Water blockset contains blocks which may be used with the <RIPPLE> tag to create water ripple effects.

To use the Water blocks in your spot, include the following tag in the HEAD section of your 3DML file:
Low Resolution Blocks: <BLOCKSET HREF="http://www.mikejost.com/3dml/Blocksets/water/water.bset"/>
High Resolution Blocks: <BLOCKSET HREF="http://www.mikejost.com/3dml/Blocksets/water/water2.bset"/>

All the available blocks define a water surface 256 by 256 pixels in the X and Z direction. The water surface is defined to be at 256 in the Y direction. Each block differs in the number of vertices used to create the water surface. The higher number of vertices gives a higher resolution ripple effect.

A demo of the water blockset is here: Water Blockset Demo

Blocks in water.bset:

	Pattern15x15	-	water surface consists of an array of vertices 15 by 15
			Single Symbol = "a", Double Symbol = "aa"
			Parts: water
	Pattern21x21	-	water surface consists of an array of vertices 21 by 21
			Single Symbol = "b", Double Symbol = "bb"
			Parts: water
	Pattern31x31	-	water surface consists of an array of vertices 31 by 31
			Single Symbol = "c", Double Symbol = "cc"
			Parts: water
	Pattern43x43	-	water surface consists of an array of vertices 43 by 43
			Single Symbol = "d", Double Symbol = "dd"
			Parts: water
	Pattern63x63	-	water surface consists of an array of vertices 63 by 63
			Single Symbol = "e", Double Symbol = "ee"
			Parts: water

Blocks in water2.bset:

	Pattern87x87	-	water surface consists of an array of vertices 87 by 87
			Single Symbol = "f", Double Symbol = "ff"
			Parts: water
	Pattern127x127	-	water surface consists of an array of vertices 127 by 127
			Single Symbol = "g", Double Symbol = "gg"
			Parts: water

Textures in water.bset and water2.bset:

water1.jpg

water2.jpg

water3.jpg

water4.jpg

water5.gif

Water Blockset Usage:

The water blockset may be used with the RIPPLE tag to simulate raindrops or waves. The RIPPLE tag should be placed in an ACTION tag with the trigger set to "timer". The timer will set the speed of the RIPPLE effect.

The RIPPLE tag has three forms: RIPPLEX, RIPPLEY, and RIPPLEZ. RIPPLEX creates ripples in the X direction. RIPPLEY creates ripples in the Y direction. RIPPLEZ creates ripples in the Z direction. RIPPLEY is most commonly used to simulate water.

The RIPPLE tag takes four parameters: FORCE, DROPRATE, DAMP, and STYLE.
	FORCE	-	The FORCE parameter tells how many pixels high the ripple effect will be when the drop is started.
	DROPRATE	-	The DROPRATE parameter tells how often drops are started on the block. DROPRATE=100% simulates a heavy downpour, while DROPRATE=10% is more like a light sprinkle.
	DAMP	-	The DAMP parameter tells how fast the ripple effect decays. DAMP=100% means the ripple effect will never fade away, it will continue forever. DAMP=0% means the ripple effect will fade away instantly.
	STYLE	-	The STYLE parameter tells whether to simulate raindrops or waves. STYLE="raindrops" gives the rain drop ripple effect. STYLE="waves" gives a wave ripple effect. The default value of STYLE is "raindrops" if the parameter is not specified.

An example water block definition to simulate raindrops is shown below:

<create symbol="wa" block="Pattern15x15">

<action trigger="timer" delay="0.1">

<rippley force="15.0" droprate="10%" damp="94%" style="raindrops"/>

</action>

</create>

When using multiple blocks with the RIPPLE tag each block must be defined as a separate symbol, i.e. define all blocks with a separate CREATE tag.