Efficient orbit lines for planets?

[d13]

Hi Everyone!

Can anyone suggest an efficient way to dynamically draw an ellipse that represents the orbit of a rotating planet?

I've tried a few different things but so far they've all been too performance heavy.

 

First, I added simple spheres trailing each planet that acted as orbit trace markers.

That works, but is way too slow.

Second, I tried creating a tube to represent the orbit by capturing an array of planet positions, and then using Path3D and getCurve to create a tube.

That also works, but is again too slow.

 

However, something like this *might* be fast enough:

1. Capture the planet's positions at point A and point B.

2. Use those two points to extrapolate an ellipse.

3. Draw the ellipse.

 

Does that make sense, and, if so, does anyone know how to do that?

Thanks!!

 

 

[GameMonetize]

You can clearly rely on a torus to simulate your ellipse (based on the computation you mentioned)

[d13]

Hi Everyone,

I've been trying to use dashed lines to create planet orbit lines in this Playground:

http://www.babylonjs-playground.com/#35LJSZ#2

It works for a while, and then stops.

Does anyone know what the problem might be?

Thanks!

[Pryme8]

too may points. wait one second.
http://www.babylonjs-playground.com/#35LJSZ#4

I think its capped at 400.

[d13]

@Pryme8 That's awesome, thanks so much!!!