Terrain Tunnels

[scskwirl]

To add a third dimension to the map, include a terrain implementation that allows units to go under map tiles (natural bridges, caves, etc.) Probably use a value that tracks how high a tile is, and where a unit is?

In lieu of #6357, It would be cool to have these just as easily destroyed, but suppose a nuke or chronoshift was used; how will the engine know if it wants to teleport/destroy the tiles inside or out?

[phrohdoh]

What you're wanting is Heightmaps, which will be Paul's doing when he gets the time/motivation, and is needed for TS/RA2.

[LipkeGu]

it seems this ticket is related to: #6409 or maybe to 80% the same idea!

[phrohdoh]

This feature is actual terrain differences while the GLA tunnels just faked distance travel. One entrance stores actors (when they enter) and either can eject them.

[pchote]

This can be implemented in two stages:

1. Implement an explicit move-through-tunnel order and activity:
   • When issued the order units move to the tunnel footprint, are removed from the actor map, lerp across the map to the linked tunnel, then are reinserted into the actor map.
   • Units should remain selectable when they are "in" the tunnel, but are made invisible (using an upgrade?)
   • Tunnel activity is non-cancelable, so any orders issues while in the tunnel are queued until after it leaves.
2. Implement automatic pathing through tunnels:
   • Change the pathfinder to explicitly track connections from each cell to adjacent neighbours.
   • Tunnels (and later high bridges) insert new connections into this layer - for tunnels this is simply a direct link from one entrance to the other, with a fixed cost.

[GraionDilach]

Units should remain selectable when they are "in" the tunnel, but are made invisible (using an upgrade?)

The rendering behaviour of the units-in-tunnels in WW games were the same as the ones underground. Maybe grant an upgrade for below-ground-level?

[penev92]

Once the current actor-behind-cliff issue (the actor being rendered above the cliff) is resolved, wouldn't simply hacking the actor's CenterPosition.Z hide it underground?

[pchote]

yes, but tunnels are a reasonably straightforward feature that i'm hoping will make it in long before we finish the renderer rewrite needed for that.