Aerofoils

So if we want to make a plane do we just model an aerofoil, or do we have to script in lift functions and drag ourselves? Just wondering how the air physics in this game work.

 

Lift and drag is calculated by the shape of a vehicle's physics skeleton "n/b" and the drag coefficient(s) "dragCoef" defined in the collision triangles section of the jbeam. Groups of triangles can be assigned unique dragCoefs allowing for greater design freedom and behaviour. Each triangle has its aero calculated independent of others, meaning airflow is not simulated, and triangles facing backward/out of the logical airstream contribute to drag as if there were no other triangles in front of it.

In essence, lift and drag is done purely by the physics engine and the construction of the n/b; no magic cheating forces are applied to a vehicle to make it fly, and no separate aero code is used for different types of vehicles.