Where to start with FVD

So I have been using Newton lately, and I always get complaints about my transitions, and everyone always tells me that I should be using FVD instead of Newton. So, since I feel that I need to learn FVD to improve my coasters.

However, I don't know where to start. I downloaded the V1.1 FVD E Formulas, but I don't know what to do with them/how to even see the formulas. I read the readme and looked at Rebekka's charts, but its still just all letters to me. I feel like a total n00b right now, but I just need someone to nudge me in the right direction. I'm not asking for someone to hold my hand through the whole process, but I just need to know how to get started.

Shhh, the cake is a lie.

^ k...

The FVD formula works in the same way as Newton, but it allows you much more control over the process, with the exception of lateral forces, which you'll have to add yourself if you want them. So, you open up the formula editor, and here's the basic layout you see:

TOP BOX
time values for each banking and g-force (scroll down; they're not right at the top)
initial conditions (even further down)

BOTTOM BOX
the actual bankings and g-forces you want, along with their transitions.

These two parts of the formula work in tandem, so you've got to use them both in order to get what you want. Here's a real brief order of events for creating something simple:

1. Set the initial conditions (this should be much like Newton). Don't forget step size.
2. Alter some of the gTime slots in the bottom box. Try changing gTimeB to 3.
3. Now, give that gTime some length to work in. First, you'll probably have to extend bTimeA to make sure that it's longer than the two gTimes, because FVD stops when it reaches the end of either bankings or g-forces. Set bTimeA to 5 and gTimeB to 2.
4. Run the formula and see what happens. Would adding one of those lovely tFunk transitions to the bottom box in gTimeB help?

OK, hopefully those are enough hints to get you somewhere. If you've already done Newton, this should catch on quickly once you figure out how to enter the values.

Alright, but what is the differences between say the 18 zones and 18 zones U formulas? And what are the banking transitions and banking shadow formulas for? And is the only difference between 18 zones and 6 zones just the number of zones that you can fill up with inputs? If so, then why not just use 18 for everything?

Thanks so much for getting me started, I really appreciate it.

^ most people do use 18 for everything.

This is so depressing, I want to build so bad and I can't because my harddrive crashed and I lost everything. mehh.

All of the formulas work in the exact same way. I believe the ones labeled "U" don't have as many comments, making them more streamlined once you've gotten to know the formula. The only blank one I have on my hard drive is the 18-zone unmarked!

The smaller formulas in the transition pool are used when you want to vary a value within a time-zone, which happens most of the time. Check the help files again and experiment to see how the different ones work.

Using FVD will not yield better transitions automatically if you don't know why they are awkward to begin with. It is often stated that using interweaving force/roll zones (which FVD allows and newton currently doesn't) will lead to improved transitions--but this is not always the case. What interweaving zones *does* allow you to do is create a wider variety of shapes that would be difficult/impossible otherwise.

It's a bit technical which transitions are smoother and why--it involves multiple derivatives, understanding a bit of rigid body dynamics...nothing too bad but probably best left to private discussions--but I'd be happy to offer any suggestions if wish to send me some of your *.newt files. Even if you go the FVD route, it might help you to avoid common pitfalls by understanding some these principles.

^I don't think a single one of my banking times and g-force times matched up in my FVD contest coaster. I don't see how I would ever have done it with Newton. So I am going to say that FVD is generally better as long as you can understand it. Definitely keep working on it, RaptorTC. It's worth the effort.