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Show HN: A web-based pool (billiards) simulator to improve your real-life game

35 points by vinaypai 3y ago

MillionBalls is a web-based simulator meant to improve your real-life game. This is targeted beginner-intermediate level players who want to learn to visualize shots better. Unlike typical pool simulators this one constrains you to the views you see as a player at a pool table rather than overhead or other unrealistic views. You'll receive immediate feedback about your aim and historical performance.

Majora320 3y ago
I tried the first drill (/drills/1), and I wasn't able to take a shot - pressing space did nothing. I was also able to aim while in c-mode, which the tutorial says isn't allowed.
- vinaypai 3y ago
  I know there are still bugs at this point, but it's weird that you couldn't even take q shot. If you don't mind, can you check the dev console in the browser for any errors?
  - Majora320 3y ago
    I tried again and it worked this time. I do get these two errors upon loading the page, though: Error: <line> attribute x1: Expected length, "NaN". Error: <line> attribute x2: Expected length, "NaN".
    - econonut 3y ago
      I think the error is coming from pressing space before pressing C. I made the that mistake multiple times after lining up my shot and had to refresh the page so I could try again.
      - vinaypai 3y ago
        It's unrelated. Even though the prompt says to press C, pressing space actually has the same effect if you're standing up.
        wasyl 3y ago
        > Even though the prompt says to press C, pressing space actually has the same effect if you're standing up. 100% of the time when I press space first, which switches to c-mode, I can't make the shot (on Firefox)
        vinaypai 3y ago
        It should be fixed now, thanks!
    - vinaypai 3y ago
      That's a bug, but fairly benign. It's happens while trying to render the chart with no prior data, so the range ends up being Mean. It doesn't affect anything though.
- GuyFromNorway 3y ago
  Found a bug where if you press space when in aim mode, it will go into c-mode, but then you're not allowed to shoot the ball, and I need to do a page refresh. Seems to be the same as this user experienced.
- vinaypai 3y ago
  Thanks for reporting this bug, I managed to track it down and it should be fixed now. You might have to hit refresh to make sure you have the latest version.
pyth0 3y ago
This is very cool. It would be nice if you could aim precisely on the cue ball to impart spin onto it. Also a free form sandbox where you could place different balls down and setup your own scenarios to play would make this incredibly replayable. Great work!
- vinaypai 3y ago
  Yeah, that's definitely in the plan. You actually can impart spin right now with an undocumented feature. Use WASD to move the bridge hand and/or IJKL to move the grip hand. You can even play jump shots by elevating the bridge hand a lot and increasing the speed with +. The UI does get very awkward though, so all that needs work. Ball-rail interactions need some tuning though. Things generally work, but they don't feel right to the experienced eye, so I don't want to set up more elaborate scenarios yet. It will be very cool to be able to play through scenarios and figure out the most reliable route etc. .
bradknowles 3y ago
So, how do you play this if you're on an iPad or other mobile device, and you can't use a keyboard?
- vinaypai 3y ago
  Unfortunately there isn't a way to do that yet. I still need to figure out the controls on touchscreens.
celaleddin 3y ago
This looks great! I'll play around with it more later this week. A thought: I suppose Virtual Pool is a pretty popular game/simulation in the billiards circles. Maybe you can get insights for keyboard/mouse interaction and graphical interface. I remember playing Virtual Pool and I really liked the way they designed the interactions with the game.
underratedbug 3y ago
You should absolutely prioritize mobile (after fixing any egregious bugs). I like pool but would rather actually play (real pool) if I’m at home on my computer. When I’m out and about and have a minute or two to spare is exactly when this would come in handy.
- vinaypai 3y ago
  Yeah, agreed. Mobile friendliness is definitely the next major update I'm planning on.

35 points by vinaypai 3y ago

Majora320 3y ago

I tried the first drill (/drills/1), and I wasn't able to take a shot - pressing space did nothing. I was also able to aim while in c-mode, which the tutorial says isn't allowed.

vinaypai 3y ago
I know there are still bugs at this point, but it's weird that you couldn't even take q shot. If you don't mind, can you check the dev console in the browser for any errors?
- Majora320 3y ago
  I tried again and it worked this time. I do get these two errors upon loading the page, though: Error: <line> attribute x1: Expected length, "NaN". Error: <line> attribute x2: Expected length, "NaN".
  - econonut 3y ago
    I think the error is coming from pressing space before pressing C. I made the that mistake multiple times after lining up my shot and had to refresh the page so I could try again.
    - vinaypai 3y ago
      It's unrelated. Even though the prompt says to press C, pressing space actually has the same effect if you're standing up.
      - wasyl 3y ago
        > Even though the prompt says to press C, pressing space actually has the same effect if you're standing up. 100% of the time when I press space first, which switches to c-mode, I can't make the shot (on Firefox)
        vinaypai 3y ago
        It should be fixed now, thanks!
  - vinaypai 3y ago
    That's a bug, but fairly benign. It's happens while trying to render the chart with no prior data, so the range ends up being Mean. It doesn't affect anything though.
GuyFromNorway 3y ago
Found a bug where if you press space when in aim mode, it will go into c-mode, but then you're not allowed to shoot the ball, and I need to do a page refresh. Seems to be the same as this user experienced.
vinaypai 3y ago
Thanks for reporting this bug, I managed to track it down and it should be fixed now. You might have to hit refresh to make sure you have the latest version.

pyth0 3y ago

This is very cool. It would be nice if you could aim precisely on the cue ball to impart spin onto it. Also a free form sandbox where you could place different balls down and setup your own scenarios to play would make this incredibly replayable. Great work!

vinaypai 3y ago
Yeah, that's definitely in the plan. You actually can impart spin right now with an undocumented feature. Use WASD to move the bridge hand and/or IJKL to move the grip hand. You can even play jump shots by elevating the bridge hand a lot and increasing the speed with +. The UI does get very awkward though, so all that needs work. Ball-rail interactions need some tuning though. Things generally work, but they don't feel right to the experienced eye, so I don't want to set up more elaborate scenarios yet. It will be very cool to be able to play through scenarios and figure out the most reliable route etc. .

bradknowles 3y ago

So, how do you play this if you're on an iPad or other mobile device, and you can't use a keyboard?

vinaypai 3y ago
Unfortunately there isn't a way to do that yet. I still need to figure out the controls on touchscreens.

celaleddin 3y ago

This looks great! I'll play around with it more later this week. A thought: I suppose Virtual Pool is a pretty popular game/simulation in the billiards circles. Maybe you can get insights for keyboard/mouse interaction and graphical interface. I remember playing Virtual Pool and I really liked the way they designed the interactions with the game.

underratedbug 3y ago

You should absolutely prioritize mobile (after fixing any egregious bugs). I like pool but would rather actually play (real pool) if I’m at home on my computer. When I’m out and about and have a minute or two to spare is exactly when this would come in handy.

vinaypai 3y ago
Yeah, agreed. Mobile friendliness is definitely the next major update I'm planning on.