Code-based (CB) and Animation-based (AB) are two display processing pipelines (model/animation) for hands and guns in the FPS view.
GDE is a tool that helps modders bring their weapons into the game quickly and conveniently, ensuring the requirements of both pipelines are met as accurately as possible.
2. Characteristics
The CB pipeline plays a core role in making a gun function with minimal parameters.
CB provides a fast workflow, at the cost of "poorer" animation compared to the AB pipeline.
The AB pipeline, while independent, still partially depends on CB for its operation.
CB can work without AB, but without AB it means missing out on the polished animations that give gunplay its real soul.
During quick-test phases, CB ensures the gun functions while AB is an important "addition".
3. Code-based Hand/Gun (C_Hand/Gun)
C_Hand is the default hand model, built directly into the game's package.
C_Gun has 2 roles, used in the FPS View and as the weapon's "World model".
C_Hand is the parent of C_Gun; C_Hand applies the appropriate poses to match C_Gun's mesh.
All behavior of C_Hand and C_Gun is coordinated by "procedural" algorithms.
3.1 C_Hand Animation
C_Hand's animation is 1-frame, with 3 poses:
Normal pose
The right hand grips the hand grip, with the index finger resting on but not pulling the trigger.
The left hand grips C_Gun's hand guard.
Mount pose
The right hand is the same as in the normal pose,
The left hand grips the magazine (if any) of C_Gun.
Shield pose: the stance used while holding a ballistic shield.
3.2 C_Gun Animation
C_Gun has 3 animations: 2 x 1-frame and 1 x motion.
Original pose: the default position.
Dry pose: the position when the bolt is locked, typically used for pistols or guns with a bolt-lock mechanism; if the dry pose isn't provided, C_Gun falls back to the original pose.
Shoot motion: the bolt travels a full cycle from its starting position, recoiling back to the casing-ejection position and returning.
4. Animation-based Hand/Gun (A_Hand/Gun)
In 3D software, A_Hand and A_Gun animations are created in sync. In-game, however, the two objects are processed separately — because the attachment system needs A_Gun to be independent so items can be attached to it.
In practice, A_Hand and A_Gun run 2 identical animations in parallel, creating the feeling that they're fused into one.
