07 Feb 2020 13:16
Automated Velocity In Relation To The Nearest Object
I'm curious to see if there's interest in implementing a feature into Space Engine that could be toggled where the velocity of you (your camera or ship) can accelerate or decelerate through automation dependent on your immediate surroundings.
For example, if you have this switched on, when you approach say a star within a galaxy that you just entered (having just traveled from another galaxy), your velocity would gradually and smoothly adjust down to a relatively appropriate one for star to star travel. Then, if you approach a star even closer, the same deceleration effect would engage again for a more appropriately-set velocity for planet to planet travel.
Inversely, travelling outwardly out of one solar system with the intent of seeking out another solar system that is parented by a different star, automation would again engage to gradually and smoothly increase the velocity to an appropriately-set value. And so...the further you travel across increasingly larger objects, the greater the velocity increases and vice versa.
[EDIT: Simply put, the greater the distance between objects, the higher the velocity. The lesser the distance between objects, the lower the velocity. And when you get REALLY close to objects, the velocity dives down fast, preventing what would otherwise be an abrupt stop/impact/jolt/hault.] This could be a fourth mode of travel like the "free," "spaceship," or "aircraft" modes; call it "automated."
I think this would be a great addition to Space Engine because of the heightened travel-immersion, especially for the great potential in stylishly smooth fly-bys of celestial objects.
Thoughts?
I love me some f****** space.