Simulating a Roller Coaster via Splines

Simulating a Roller Coaster via Splines
Pranav Rathod

Date: March 27, 2024

In this project, I developed a 3D roller coaster simulation using OpenGL and Catmull-Rom splines. The simulation provides a first-person perspective of the ride while showcasing smooth curves, realistic lighting, and texturing.

Video Demonstration

Note: If the video does not play directly, please download the file and view it locally.

Source Code

You can explore the source code for this project on my GitHub repository: https://github.com/pranavsrathod/roller-coaster-splines.

Project Overview

This project was a significant step in understanding and implementing Catmull-Rom splines along with OpenGL core profile techniques. Key aspects of the project include:

• Spline-Based Track Generation:
  Catmull-Rom splines were used to design a realistic and smooth roller coaster track. The spline interpolation ensures the coaster follows a natural, visually appealing curve using defined control points.

• Shader Programming:

  • Texture Mapping: A custom texture shader was applied to the ground to enhance realism, simulating terrain textures effectively.
  • Phong Shading: The roller coaster rails were rendered using a Phong shading shader to provide per-pixel lighting for added depth and realism.

• First-Person Perspective:
  The simulation uses a first-person camera implemented via the Frenet Frame approach, dynamically adjusting the camera’s tangent, normal, and binormal vectors to ensure smooth and accurate orientation along the track.

• Customizable Track Files:
  Users can load different spline files (e.g., goodRide.sp, rollerCoaster.sp) to experience various track designs. Each file modifies the control points, resulting in unique roller coaster experiences.

• Animation Features:
  The project includes a pre-rendered animation of the roller coaster to showcase its functionality and aesthetics. Screenshots from the animation are available in the AnimationFrames folder.

Note: Due to specific tangent calculations (Sloan method), certain spline files like circle.sp and lefturn.sp may require manual adjustments in the computeUpVector() function for correct camera movement and orientation.

Citations

Special thanks to the following resources for their insights:

• OpenGL Programming Guide for foundational rendering concepts.
• WebGL documentation for shader programming insights.
• Mathematics for 3D Game Programming and Computer Graphics for guidance on spline implementations.