3D Driving Simulator on Google Earth
What's this?
This is an experimental variation of 2D Driving Simulator. Thanks to the Google Earth plug-in, you can now drive in the real 3D world!
This is a very CPU and GPU intensive program; therefore it would be advisable to use a high-performance PC. Furthermore, if any problem arises, try using other browsers.
Presently this program introduces a Pacejka tire model and a load shift in a simplified manner. I might implement more vehicle mechanisms and dynamics (at a slow pace). Please note that the driving feel will be changed accordingly.
How to drive
Gamepad is available on Chrome (Xbox360 controller is recommended). Press the A/B/X/Y button to activate it.
Change Log
- Apr 23, 2013
- Removed some preset locations (see FAQs)
- Mar 26, 2013
- Assigned hazard flashers to the gamepad (down key)
Added Laguna Seca to the preset locations. You might enjoy the famous Corkscrew.
Some minor camera tweaks - Oct 31, 2012
- Support for Windows 8 (IE10)
Fixed an error of the tire physics - Sep 15, 2012
- Improved stability
- Aug 26, 2012
- Initial release
Known Issues and FAQs
- The plug-in crashes / Rendering is broken
-
It seems the Google Earth plug-in is a bit unstable (this plug-in is doing a really hard task). Please try re-installing the plug-in or deleting the Google Earth data folders.
- C:\Users\[username]\AppData\LocalLow\Google\GoogleEarth
- C:\Users\[username]\AppData\LocalLow\Google\GoogleEarthPlugin
- The lamps are not rendered at the correct positions
- Reset your browser zoom level to 100%.
- The car bounces at the driver's viewpoint
- Looks like we can't get accurate altitudes when the camera is near the ground (from Google Earth 7). Need to investigate more.
- Can you add a bus (and other vehicles) ?
- I want to do it but it takes a lot of work. Don't expect much.
- Some places are too bumpy and hard to drive
- Google Earth introduced a new automated terrain and building generation algorithm. It's great for Google Earth but the roads and trees generated by it are not suitable for driving. Unfortunately nothing can be done on my side.
- Precise collision detection, nighttime, navigation map, mirrors etc...
- Because Google Earth is originally not made for driving simulation, there are many technical limitations. Please understand that this program can't become a full-featured driving simulator.
Credits
"3D Driving Simulator on Google Earth"
Programming and car modeling / Katsuomi Kobayashi (@KatsuomiK)
This program is built using many amazing technologies.
I would particularly like to thank the followings:
- Google Earth API
- Needless to say, this features the ultimate open world!
- Haxe
- This program is written in Haxe. Haxe is a strictly typed, object oriented language which can compile to JavaScript. This language is very useful for developing large web applications.