Tools needed to build 3D game?

[griz]

You mention 3DS and Maya. Not actually knowing what these are Confused (but assuming they're file types) this brings up the question of formats, etc. What should I look for or be wary of here?

3D Studio (3DS) and Maya are BIG, EXPENSIVE 3D tool packages. There is a free (limited) trail version of Maya. Blender is a bit odd at first, but It does get easier once you get used to the interface ... and of course it's FREE.


Blender : http://www.blender3d.org

3DS Max 8 : http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/in ... eID=123112

Maya : http://www.alias.com/glb/eng/products-s ... Id=3900009

[Dare2]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the help here and via PMs. I think the engine3D is the go IF I can get some decent free-to-use models somewhere for my avatars/characters. Otherwise (even when I get to the point where I know what I'm doing) it will take too long to create the models/meshes. Time consuming stuff.

Some questions. (Using old engine, can't get new engine up and running)

CreateBillboardGroup does not support X,Y,Z optional parameters?

How to make a transparent colour on the billboards?

AnimateEntity cannot be stopped? Returned to default state? Does the SetEntityAnimationTime have something to do with this?

AnimateEntity is cumulative? Eg, using Fred's neat robot:

• Default (no animate) just stands.
  Then "Idle" moves shoulders or "Walk" walks.
  However "Idle" and then on keypress "Walk" leads to Walking with shoulder movements, and an increasingly agitated robot (gets faster).

Is there a quick way to paint the background, eg, simple blue for sky? SkyDome is heavy rendering (<400 triangles without, almost 4000 with and around 4000 triangles has a noticable impact on speed on my gear). Do we have to create some objects to surround a scene and act as backdrop? BillboardGroups? Or some simple thing like a 3D clearScreen command.

If in a windowed screen and another window is moved across the windowed screen it goes white and stays that way. How to overcome?

PS: How to get a spotlight effect?


Once again, thanks for all the help. If I can get modelling (or freebie models) and the animation sorted out, I can use the 3D stuff! This is going to be a neat fun project!



BTW: With the new engine, how to install it properly?

Path: C:\Program Files\PureBasic3.94

Renamed:

• Engine3D.dll -> OLD_Engine3D.dll (in compiler subfolder)
  Examples\Sources\Data -> Examples\Sources\OLD_Data

Copied to compilers subfolder:

• Engine3D.dll
  stlport_vc646.dll

Copied data download zip to (creating new) Data subfolder.

Shut down editor. Restarted editor.

Crashes with reference to invalid memory when trying to load Fred's robot and associated (in my own code).
Shows nothing with the new ManualMesh example (but no crash)

I'm doing something wrong but not sure what.

[dagcrack]

I'm doing something wrong but not sure what. Smile

Yes.. you're using ancient forgotten technology. (laughs hard hard hard)
' Soon your worst nightmare will come true, mr.ogre, and please mr.ogre, get a shower '

[Fred]

Dare2: did you copied the whole purelibraries as well ? It should work correctly, especially if the old engine worked.

[NoahPhense]

Blender kicks ass.. and especially with the free yafray renderer:

http://www.yafray.org/sec/8/common/show ... richie.jpg

Here is a gallary:
http://www.yafray.org/index.php?s=8&p=0

- np

[thefool]

yafray is really nice!

[Dare2]

Hi Fred,

It is possible I did not copy the libs. But not sure exactly what I did now. However I restored the old stuff, redownloaded, and recopied.

I also deleted old Engine3D.dll from my working folder (where it was needed for executables) and where I do all my testing and general work.
Perhaps this was the culprit?


Anyhow, it works now. Just quick testing of examples, it seems to me to be crisper and faster!

BTW, the billboard example needs line 29 changed, delete the "Data/" in the path as this now seems to go with the Add3dArchive pathing.


PS: How does AnimateEntity entity work? How do you get the default state (no animation) or stop an animation so another can be started (without the cumulative effect)?


Hi dagcrack:

lol. You've lost me? What ancient technology? My abacus won't cut it anymore? What should I be using?

[Fred]

AnimateEntity() now work as expected in the new engine (no more cumulative). To stop an animation, just pass a null string too it ("").

[Dare2]

Hi Fred,

Thanks!

Now as soon as I can work out how to make my manual meshes work again you'll be able to see your robot in action in a crude 3D walkthrough.

He's got attitude, that fellow!