Lua, a scripted and light-weight programming language which builds better Behaviors is available in VR-Forces 4.1.
 
 
We’ve got a new member coming on board to the VR-Forces team - say hello to Lua, a scripted and light-weight programming language, soon to be available in VR-Forces 4.1. Because of Lua’s light-weight and fast nature, in addition to its ability to bind to C++ toolkits, it’s become quite popular in the video game industry as the preferred way to extend game engines; these same reasons will make Lua a wonderful part of MÄK’s software arsenal. By taking advantage of Lua, MÄK will make scenario generation in VR-Forces significantly easier for several reasons.
 
The process of developing a new task will be more approachable, meaning that task developers will not need to configure a large and complicated C++ environment. For example, you won’t need a compiler installed when writing or maintaining a task. If your team has developed a custom task and you discover a small issue with it, you can edit the task quickly through VR-Forces without having to set up (or go back to) your development environment.
 
The lightweight/scriptable nature of Lua tasking will offer a whole new approach to task development, which is not possible with a compiled language. Because Lua is a run-time interpreted scripting language, you can develop tasks while running VR-Forces and simultaneously developing a test scenario. You still need to write and test the task with Lua, but there is no requirement to open and close applications, or compile anything. You can test your work in real time by just replaying your scenario.
 
MÄK plans to write a number of “higher level tasks” in Lua to distribute with VR-Forces. Once tasks start focusing on more complex maneuvers like refueling a fighter or battle drills, we believe different customers may want slightly different behaviors. Because MÄK will write these tasks in Lua, it will be easy for you to edit the tasks in real time (while VR-Forces is running) to tailor them for your specific environment and tactical philosophy. When Lua scripting is available in VR-Forces 4.1, customers who have always been able to write tasks in C++ can now use Lua to write their tasks. The Lua scripted tasks will appear in the task menu with all C++ tasks and the end user will not be able to tell the difference between a C++ and a Lua task. Expect to see Lua and the new features of VR-Forces 4.1 at the end of Q4 2012.
 
And VR-Forces 4.1 - Supporting Import and Export of MSDL
 
The next release of VR-Forces (4.1 - due to release in Dec 2012) will support the import and export of Military Scenario Definition Language (MSDL). MSDL is a SISO Standard (SISO-STD-006-2010) that provides a format for specifying force and entity lay-downs. With MSDL, you can define where all your players are located in a given scenario. By supporting MSDL, VR-Forces will be able to import scenario placements from other compliant simulation tools, such as OneSAF, greatly increasing the speed and ease of building a new scenario. Supporting MSDL is part of MAK’s continuing commitment to open standards.
 
About EDS Technologies
 
EDS Technologies Pvt. Ltd (EDST), established in 1995, is the largest PLM and Real-Time Visual Simulation solutions provider in India, with its corporate office in Bangalore and having direct presence in Chennai, Gurgaon, Noida, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Pune, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Kolkata and Ahmedabad. EDST, an established Value added reseller with global leaders like Dassault Systemes, Presagis, VT-MAK  provides PLM and 3D Visual simulation COTS solutions, PLM Training and Trained on-site resources bringing in the most complete solution for any size and type of industry.

EDST's differentiation is its domain expertise, consultative approach and hands-on understanding of customer requirements required to drive successful implementations with world class training and technical support. Having more than 17 years of experience, EDST has the largest customer base in the Indian market with more than 1000 customers from aerospace, automotive & supply chains, industrial machinery, high-tech and electronics, railways, infrastructure, consumer packaged goods, engineering service providers, defense, research and education sectors.
 
For more information log on to www.edstechnologies.com