I recently bought some programming books, one on math and physics, in it was a table on the coefficients of friction, I wrote it up in a word document if anyone wants to read it.

[edit] hold on let me host it on a word file..
Surface Friction

Remember to use these values "relatively" as in Wood has this much more friction relative to Stone.
You cannot incorporate these coefficients into the simulation as these friction coeffcients are to be used in the equation friction=coefficitent times normal force and the 3DGS PE works by setting a percentage value using ice and rubber as the extremes, as in 0 percent friction for ice on ice and 100 percent friction for rubber on rubber.

thanks, well you are right... you need to use these coefficients to find the actual friction
here is a snippet from the book I'm reading...

For Static Friction:

Fs = MUsN (the s's are meant to be subscripts)
(N = the normal force)

For Kinetic Friction:
Fk = -MUkN (the k's are meant to be subscripts)
(N = the normal force)

to find normal force convert the weigth of the object on the surface to newtons, then multiply it by -1 (this should yield a positive number)

So to find friction...
i.e. for a racing game rubber on dry concrete:
The car weighs 1.5k pounds ---> -6672.6N
the normal force = 6672.6N

Static Friction = -1.0(667.6N) = -6672.6N

Kinetic Friction = -.9(6672.6N) = -6005.3N


if anyone out their wanted to know..
I still haven't delved to far into the physics engine yet...

Again my warning.
The Newtons of Force that you have calculated as the Force of Friction still has nothing to do with the phent_setfriction value.

So you still need to generalize these Newtons into a percentage that the 3DGS PE can handle.

hmm.. maybe I should experiment with the engine...

...and not argue with a guy with a PhD in Physics.

LOL I dont see it as argueing at all!
He is exposing some very valid points and reinforcing the PE mantra: don't use "real" numbers in a "virtual" world.

ok, argue was probably the wrong word. But "you" were the one reinforcing that point. He was merely providing you an avenue in which to do it.

hey dave... you know.. you are starting to act like a father to me

Thanks for your contribution! Though, as Fastlane stated - it wont look right in 3dgs PE(even if it does in the real world).