source: orxonox.OLD/orxonox/branches/particleEngine/src/lib/graphics/particles/particle_emitter.h @ 3932

/*! 
    \file particle_e,otter.h
    \brief Definition of a ParticleEmitter
*/

#ifndef _PARTICLE_EMITTER_H
#define _PARTICLE_EMITTER_H

#include "p_node.h"

// FORWARD DEFINITION 
struct Particle;
class ParticleSystem;

typedef enum EMITTER_TYPE {EMITTER_DOT,
                           EMITTER_PLANE,
                           EMITTER_SPHERE,
                           EMITTER_CUBE};

//! A default singleton class.
class ParticleEmitter : public PNode {

 public:
  ParticleEmitter(const Vector& direction, float angle = 20.0, float emissionRate = 1.0, 
                  float velocity = 1.0);
  virtual ~ParticleEmitter(void);

  /* controlling the emitter: interface */
  void start();
  void stop();
  void tick(float dt, ParticleSystem* system);

  /* controlling the behavour: these can be used as Animation interfaces */
  void setEmissionRate(float emissionRate);
  void setSpread(float angle, float randomAngle = 0.0);
  void setVelocity(float velocity, float random = 0.0);

 private:
  Vector direction;     //!< emition direction
  float angle;          //!< max angle from the direction of the emitter
  float angleRandom;    //!< random emission angle (angle +- angleRandom is the emitted angle.
  float emissionRate;   //!< amount of particles per seconds emitted by emiter
  float velocity;       //!< the contant speed a particle gets if been emitted

  float saveTime;       //!< The time that was missing by the last Tick (otherwise there would be no emission when framefate is too big).
};

#endif /* _PARTICLE_EMITTER_H */