Is trailing torch flame possible?

[6934637]

I'm using Embers XD at the moment and torches look amazing as long as they're not being carried. If you or another character run with a torch the flame looks like a rigid object. If the mesh or particles could bend in the direction the torch bearer is traveling from it would mimic actual flame behavior a little better. 

[Karna5]

I've noticed this effect with cigarette smoke in Fallout 4. Most of the stream of smoke travels with the hand when its waving, and only some of the smoke drags as a stream with the motion.

The issue is probably a limitation with the Bethesda game engine itself in how it renders flames and smoke. Theoretically a more modern game should be able to have the graphic card itself render the flames and smoke, but the 2011 through 2019 Bethesda engines don't do this. In addition, they're probably trying to make the game work with all graphics card manufacturers and generations.

Even if Nvidia or AMD created the capability in their firmware software (like Nvidia did with HBAO+, which AMD doesn't have), that doesn't mean older PCs or other models could do it. My best guess is it'll be years before we see truly realistic flames and smoke in PC games, though I'd love to be wrong.

[Karna5]

Post script to clarify what I mean about having the graphics card render it. Debris and Bullet Holes rendered by Physx is an example of it. The game engine isn't technically what's rendering those if they use Physx (which Bethesda games do). The graphics card handles it. But they'd need something like Phsyx for flames and smoke like they have for debris and bullet holes.

[anjenthedog]

If you were able to attach collisions to them, I suppose they'd even blow in the wind. But aren't torch flames static animations (effectively 3D anigifs.ie no attachment to the Skyrim environment outside the one point that defines their origin)?