Problem: If the client renders the game with no skyboxes, or with two skyboxes and one is later deleted, the game crashes.
Solution #1: Add networking to the Sun and Sky classes that allow some of their more prominent properties to be changed on-the fly.
I am requesting the following functions be added to the engine.
Class: Sun
::setAmbient(ambient)
::setAzimuth(azimuth)
::setColor(color)
::setElevation(elevation)
Class: Sky
::setFogColor(color)
::setMaterialList(dml file location)
::setSkySolidColor(color)
Solution #2: A quickfix that lets the client render the game without a skybox. This will allow the developer to delete and recreate the skybox without worrying that latency will cause the client to crash.
Why should Badspot add this?: Add-on development has reached a cap. The limitations of Torque and the lack of engine goodies has stymied production of new and interesting toys and features. This is a very simple thing that will open up a new dynamic the game has yet to see done well: Day and Night Cycles.
If you support this change, leave a post.