Developing CIGI-compatible image generators with FLAMES and Unreal Engine

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The incredible 3D graphics rendering capability of today's computer game engines is contributing to a new generation of image generators used in flight simulators. But game engines offer much more than graphics rendering. Embracing the modern way computer games are developed and integrating game engines directly into serious constructive simulations can transform not only image generators but also all forms of live, virtual, and constructive simulation.

The Modern Way Computer Games are Developed

The computer gaming industry has exploded, and the technology employed in games is advancing at a breathtaking pace. One of the main reasons for this advancement is the way in which games are developed.

Today, nearly all computer games are developed using a game engine. Game developers have learned that more capable games can be developed much more quickly and at a much lower cost by leveraging the capabilities available in an existing game engine.

Game engines are not games. They are open, development frameworks that deliver the core capabilities required by today’s advanced games in a package that is independent of any specific game. Game engines are constantly improved and tested to deliver reliable, cutting-edge features and performance. Developers can focus on the unique features of their games because the hard problems are already solved by the game engine.

The Antiquated Way Simulations are Developed

In contrast to computer games, nearly all military simulations are still large, monolithic systems. Rather than building upon the capabilities of an existing simulation framework, simulations are composed of unique, simulation-specific software that must be developed, tested, and maintained. As a result, military simulation development and maintenance are usually very expensive and time consuming, and simulations often lack capabilities and do not stay up to date with the latest technology.

A Better Way to Develop Simulations

The FLexible Analysis, Modeling, and Exercise System (FLAMES®) developed by Ternion Corporation is a family of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software products that provide a framework for developing constructive and virtual simulations and interfaces between live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) simulations.

FLAMES provides to simulation developers what game engines provide to game developers. FLAMES is not a simulation. It is an open development framework that delivers the core capabilities required by today’s advanced simulations in a package that is independent of any specific simulation. FLAMES dramatically reduces the time and money required to develop and maintain extremely capable, easy-to-use simulations. Like game engines, FLAMES is constantly improved and tested to deliver reliable, cutting-edge features and performance. Developers who use FLAMES can focus on the unique features of their simulations because the hard problems are already solved by FLAMES.

The Best of Both Worlds – FLAMES and Unreal® Engine

There is a growing interest in using game engines in the development of simulations. However, many don’t realize that game engines alone are not well suited for developing simulations. They lack built-in support for many of the capabilities needed by serious military simulations.

Recognizing the benefits that game engines can bring to simulations, Ternion developed the Unreal Engine option for FLAMES. This option allows games developed using Unreal Engine, a state-of-the-art game engine, to be directly integrated into simulations developed using FLAMES. Data is automatically shared between the simulation and the game to create a single, shared synthetic environment. This near-seamless integration of FLAMES and Unreal Engine makes all the features of FLAMES and Unreal Engine available simultaneously in a single application. The powerful, flexible, and open architectures of FLAMES and Unreal Engine allow serious games and constructive and virtual simulations with stunning capabilities to be developed quickly and inexpensively.

Use Case: Simulations Integrated With CIGI-compatible Image Generators

One of the many ways that FLAMES and Unreal Engine can be used together is to develop computer generated forces (CGF) simulations and integrated image generators (IGs) that are compatible with the Common Image Generator Interface (CIGI) protocol.

The IGs are developed as Unreal Engine game clients that exploit the industry-leading 3D content creation and rendering capabilities of Unreal Engine. The IGs use the free FLAMES CIGI IG Plugin for Unreal to communicate with a host simulation (HS) that is responsible for simulating the motion of the “host” aircraft that is flown by a pilot.

The CGF simulation is developed using FLAMES and is responsible for simulating all the entities in the simulation other than the host aircraft. The FLAMES-based CGF internally integrates the Unreal Engine game server, and all the entities in the FLAMES-based simulation exist simultaneously in the game server.

The CGF and the IG clients use the Unreal Multiplayer Communication system (which is exceedingly more capable than DIS or HLA) to transmit visual effects and entity state information and to support the simultaneous execution of multiple IGs. DIS and HLA are supported by the CGF to allow interoperability with legacy simulations.

The Korea Aerospace Industries, LTD (KAI) Korea Utility Helicopter (KUH-1) Virtual Flight Trainer (VFT) is a prime example of a simulator developed using FLAMES and Unreal Engine as described above.

Conclusion

FLAMES dramatically reduces the time and money required to develop and maintain constructive and virtual simulations with unmatched capabilities. The optional integration with Unreal Engine extends FLAMES to provide the ultimate framework for the creation of serious games and visually stunning, entity-level constructive and virtual simulations. For more information on FLAMES or to download the FREE FLAMES Developer, visit flamesframework.com.