Animation Downloads

SurfAnim is an integral part of CarSim, TruckSim, and BikeSim, which all use the simulation graphical user interface (SGUI). SurfAnim creates the simulated 3D world by reading files with shape information, motion information, and camera settings from the SGUI database. SurfAnim uses the OpenGL library to provide shading, transparency, texture, and dynamically sized objects, among other features.

SurfAnim also supports a very convenient form of exported animation: a self-contained EXE with the animator player and all information needed to animate specific simulation results. You can view example exported animations by downloading the EXE files from this site, launching them, and viewing them in full resolution with full control over camer point of view, zoom, speed, and other options. (See the Animator Hints page for instructions.) If you do not have a Windows PC, you can view a low-res QuickTime movie animations. (Of course, QuickTime must be installed to view the QuickTime movies.)

  Download Description
SurfAnim (4.5 MB)
 A 60.5-sec racing lap, with audio. This is the first download made with SurfAnim 3.3 with audio linked to engine RPM, wind speed, and tire slip. To hear this, you must first install OpenAL, as described in the sidebar. (March 27, 2007)
SurfAnim (2.2 MB)
QuickTime (588 KB)
 Double lane change in CarSim. The animation shows multiple images (ghosts) and tire vectors. This is the example animation used for the Animator Hints instructions.
SurfAnim (1.9 MB)
QuickTime (934 KB) 		Complicated driver control: Go in reverse to -45 km/h, then steer until yaw angle reaches 45-deg; then hit the brakes until the speed drops, then go full speed ahead while steering to regain control.
SurfAnim (2.5 MB) Compare two vehicle braking tests on a split-mu surface. One has ABS, the other doesn't. The animator compares two runs, and shows the use of brake lights.
SurfAnim (5.6 MB)
QuickTime (2.8 MB) 		Split screen. One shows a BikeSim rider point of view on a race course, chasing another bike. The other screen panel shows an aerial view of both riders.
SurfAnim Adding outriggers to a Fishhook Rollover Simulation.

Related Pages

Animator Hints
More animation downloads
Animator Overview

CarSim multimedia demo CD
Creating custom shapes

About These Downloads

Note the sizes of these EXE files. They are just a fraction of the size that would be needed for a large-screen multimedia file (AVI, MOV, etc.), yet they use the full resolution of your monitor and allow you to interact to move the camera, go into slow motion, show multiple images, and apply all the other advanced controls of SurfAnim.

Each downloaded EXE includes a copy of the animator, plus all shape and motion information. Similar files can be created by any CaSim, TruckSim, or BikeSim user. They run best on PCs with new video graphics cards (see the Animator Hints page for more information.)

Any user of CarSim, TruckSim, or BikeSim can make EXE files like these. Although a license is needed to generate the files, you can see that they will play just fine on any suitable Windows machine.

For Sound

New animation files with sound require OpenAL version 1.1 or newer, available from www.openal.org. Installation is free and just takes a minute or two. (There is just one file and it is not large.) After installing OpenAL, you might have to enable audio in your SurfAnim preferences (just check the box).