[Opensim-dev] Regions larger then 256x256

[Teravus Ovares]

Hey all,

I've been thinking about this supposed limitation of 256x256m sized
regions because of the recent discussion on integrating GIS data with
it and I wanted to discuss all of the known limitations, mitigating
factors, and potentially some solutions to dealing with this.

Now, from what I understand, the Linden client only really knows about
256x256.   However, also, so far, the only two things that I've found
that really make use of that limitation is terrain, and maptiles.
The terrain system is designed in such a way that it makes a region
have 256x256m split into 16x16 blocks and therefore there's only space
for that.     Map Blocks just assume 256x256.    Mind you, the client
also seems to use it for caching the terrain and objects as well, so
it really shouldn't change whatever it is or the client will have an
issue

Now, the kicker is object positions, avatar positions, textures,
border crossings and just about everything else *doesn't care about
256x256 on the client side*.    The rest of the 256x256 limitations
are in the service.

So, solutions..

Now, technically, it's possible to make a region 512x512 and have it
generate 4 maptiles and 3 'psudo regions' in the client stack..  the
psudo regions would simply be 'terrain senders' and 'terrain update'
mechanisms..   and that would work!

Any thoughts on this?

Best Regards

Teravus