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Plan for Leadwerks

Name:	Leadwerks
Date Posted:	Nov 10, 2005
Rating:	3.8 out of 5
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Blog post

3D World Studio and Torque (Cartography Shop 5)

First, let me say hello to the Torque community. This is my first Plan, and I hope you find it useful.

3D World Studio is the new version of my map editor, Cartography Shop. I realized early on that I wanted the new editor to support many engines out-of-the-box, unlike its predecessor, which relied on many third-party plugins. During the process of integrating Torque into the workflow, I have learned much about this engine, and have come to appreciate its power and elegant design.

Brushes
The first phase I integrated was simple brush export. This is acheived using a .map exporter preset to call a map2dif compiler, included with the program. Of course, you can use your own custom copy of map2dif, or change the export options. I put a lot of work into making sure texture mapping coordinates translated 100% to Torque. Textures are automatically copied to the output directory.

Meshes
One of the important new features is support for referenced meshes, ala UT2004 staticmeshes. I have found these to be invaluable when building anything more than simple BSP scenes. I'm presently working on .dts import, which allows you to create instances of a .dts mesh in the map. After I am satisfied with the .dts import, I am adding .mis export, alongside the .map/.dif export. This will export a .map, compile it into a .dif, then save a .mis file listing the .dif to load, along with all .dts meshes that occur in the scene. It's a complicated task, but I think the end results will be worthwhile.

Entities
3D World Studio supports the main Torque light entity classes. Use the lightmapper to get a preview of your lighting, without having to launch Torque. A Torque light entity definition file is included, and is being added to, to make a complete entity definition file, listing all Torque entity classes.

Terrain
I won't say much about terrain yet, because I am just finishing it up in the editor. However, it is my intention for 3D World Studio to integrate with Torque as closely as possible, including terrain. I'll definitely keep you updated as more information becomes available. One cool feature is you can paint meshes right onto the terrain. You'll soon be able to select a .dts mesh like these grass clumps, paint them onto the terrain, and export a .mis file with all meshes positioned and oriented.

Further Integration
I'm in the process of adding a Torque viewer to include with the editor. This is not really a necessary option, but it's just an extension of the new "out-of-the-box" philosophy. It's pretty neat to be able to export a .dif in one step, launch the map in Torque straight from the editor, and have everything look the same in engine and editor. Exit Torque, go back and change a light setting or entity placement, and launch it again to see how your changes affect the engine. Ah, takes me back to the old days of Worldcraft and Quake editing.

www.leadwerks.com

Submit your own resources!

Jesse (Midhir) Liles (Nov 10, 2005 at 02:24 GMT)

Very cool. I will definitely take a look at buying 3D World Studio. I already own CShop 4 and I noticed thegamecreators.com is offering a big discount to CShop owners.

Chris \"C2\" Byars (Nov 10, 2005 at 02:32 GMT)

This is very cool. As a CShop 4.1 owner, I'm looking forward to 3D World Studio greatly.

Ray Noolness Gebhardt (Nov 10, 2005 at 02:40 GMT) Resource Rating: 1

I think most of you will be better off waiting for constructor. With the types of products that Garage Games puts out, its going to be a great release. That and the price will probably be less than half of the price of 3D World Studio.
Edited on Nov 10, 2005 02:41 GMT

Ray Noolness Gebhardt (Nov 10, 2005 at 02:41 GMT) Resource Rating: 1

For that matter, Torque the game engine costs less than 3D World Studio.

Josh Williams (Nov 10, 2005 at 03:05 GMT)

Cool looking stuff Josh. :) As for Constructor vs 3DWS / Cartography Shop.. we always say, use the tool that's best for you. If you need a better interior editor *now* then Cartography Shop has been a good choice for many people, and it might well work for you too. When Constructor is released, we think it'll be awesome, and we're working hard to make it so. But it's not done yet, and you can decide what tools you want to use when it comes out.

David Montgomery-Blake (Nov 10, 2005 at 03:15 GMT) Resource Rating: 5

Looks great! I haven't gotten to play with .33 yet since most of my development has taken a back seat to Real Life(tm).

Keith Bores (Nov 10, 2005 at 04:11 GMT)

I just wish there was a mac os x version

Jesse (Midhir) Liles (Nov 10, 2005 at 04:11 GMT)

For owners of CShop the basic version download is only $60~

Edit: And, I still fully plan on buying constructor when it comes out. But it's not out yet ;)
Edited on Nov 10, 2005 04:14 GMT

David .NfoCipher. Bunt (Nov 10, 2005 at 05:39 GMT)

So when can we expect a Linux version?

Leadwerks (Nov 10, 2005 at 06:25 GMT) Resource Rating: 3

Sorry David, there will never be a Linux version.

David .NfoCipher. Bunt (Nov 10, 2005 at 06:49 GMT)

Hrmm.. That's ok, it's common for people to fear what they don't understand. Good luck with your windows crowd!

Chris (Nov 10, 2005 at 06:58 GMT)

Wow, that was rude, and an over generalization, pointing boldly into your own fear of the unknown. Thanks for the window into your head David!

David .NfoCipher. Bunt (Nov 10, 2005 at 07:21 GMT)

The ol' pot calling the kettle black there Chris?
Anyways, if you flat out refuse to compile useful things on Linux, then I really have no use for the product/project. Potential customer lost, so I'll go elsewhere. Of course, if no one complains nothing get's done. So maybe at some point in the future Leadwerks will pick up a Qt book and start churning out cross-platform happy stuff. Until then, enjoy the window into my head..

Thomas \"Man of Ice\" Lund (Nov 10, 2005 at 07:24 GMT)

Good stuff Josh!

For me, I've always liked what I can get now over "whats comming sometime up ahead". Not dizzing GG for their efforts on Constructur, but I can buy this now - and it works - and is battle tested. And its way way more productive than Quark in the hands of someone like me :-D

Clint S. Brewer (Nov 10, 2005 at 08:26 GMT)

I downloaded a CShop demo a few months ago and found it a bit too buggy. But, I tried the 3DWS demo this weekend and it seemed pretty nice, didn't run into any problems playing with it. It felt like worldcraft but legal :) . Having the lightmap preview is a huge bonus over worldcraft, but then I couldn't see if that would be what I get in torque or not. If only the demo had let me save so I could test the entire process out you might have had a sale right there. Any chance of seeing some sort of time limited demo? even a 1 day trial with full features would really help people like me decide.

edit: thought I'd try it again: d'oh seems a bit buggy still? the tool tips are doing odd things, when you mouse over them it seems to change the text that belongs to the icons. Try mousing over the carve, hollow, slice, extrude group going left to right, then back from right to left. small problem, but a bit confusing for a new user
Edited on Nov 10, 2005 08:36 GMT

Chris (Nov 10, 2005 at 09:05 GMT)

3dWS kicks ass, its really customizable, and like Man of Ice says, ita available now :)

@ Clint, never experienced anything like that. Might try reinstalling.

David Tiernan (Nov 10, 2005 at 14:43 GMT) Resource Rating: 5

I have been using 3DWS for about a month now, Also I used Cshop for over a year. Either one beats Quark hands down. 3DWS has come a long way from Cshop and after using it you can see why it was a paid upgrade. I see alot of people getting into heated disscussions about which is better 3DWS or Constructor. Very simply if you are working on your project now then 3DWS is the way to go.

One thing always comes to mind when people get into heated comparisons. (not picking on anyone here) Tim Aste which I am sure everyone here can say does incredible artwork, he works with several 3d applications not one single one. Keeping that in mind it is best off to own both 3DWS and Constructor.

One incredible feature I read Josh is planning on adding as well will be a geometry check button to check it against bsp rules and highlight any brushes you made bad. When this comes about the compile errors will be cake to track down.

I suggest if you are unsure about 3DWS to check out the forums, there you will be able to see just what is being done.

Great work Josh and thanks for the wonderfull software.

Johnny Hill (Nov 10, 2005 at 16:13 GMT)

Great to hear Josh, I have CS4 and plan on getting 3D world studio. And GG guys have already mention if your waiting on Constructor then great, if not then go with some of these great alternatives and 3D world studio is at the top,.

A Well establish product, and supported. Plus the author is willing to add features and enchancements that he doesnt really have to but he does because he supporting something he feels is another great product.

So yeah Iam buying 3D world studio, and whenever constructor comes maybe it will have something I need :) dont know until it does.

Matt Huston (Nov 10, 2005 at 17:13 GMT) Resource Rating: 5

The Terrain Editor looks extremely useful for myself.

Jameson Bennett (Nov 10, 2005 at 18:26 GMT)

does 3dws call map2dif or are you generating the dif using the 3dws executable? This makes a big difference to us who need to alter the .dif generation due to our own local customizations.
Thanks for the reply.

Leadwerks (Nov 10, 2005 at 18:50 GMT) Resource Rating: 3

The .map exporter has optional parameters that allow you to call map2dif to compile the map. So yes, you can change this to point to your own version of map2dif.
Edited on Nov 10, 2005 18:51 GMT

Josh Williams (Nov 10, 2005 at 23:51 GMT)

Hey again Josh,

I just noticed again that you haven't bought a Torque license yet. Just so you know, we granted you a license just now. Hopefully this will be helpful as you work on 3DWS and Torque-compatible features. :) The license also grants you access to the private Torque SDK forums, which can be a big help if you have questions. And hey, if you ever want to make a game in the future, now you're set. ;)
Edited on Nov 11, 2005 00:02 GMT

Leadwerks (Nov 11, 2005 at 00:03 GMT) Resource Rating: 3

Thanks Josh, that is very generous of you and GarageGames. I will take a look at the source.

Chris (Nov 11, 2005 at 00:42 GMT)

Wow, now thats very cool of GG.

Mark Barner (Nov 12, 2005 at 17:51 GMT)

I have to agree with David Tiernan comment:

Quote:
Tim Aste which I am sure everyone here can say does incredible artwork, he works with several 3d applications not one single one. Keeping that in mind it is best off to own both 3DWS and Constructor.

Just like I use several modeling programs and several game engines. Depends on what I want to use or is best to use at that time. I plan on buying both 3DWS and Constructor in the future. I will still use QUARK also.

I think it is very awesome of GG to give a license to Leadwerks to help in development of their product. Alot of people have stated that they would buy both programs. Hopefully together this will fill the void of the .map/.dif editing of Torque that has had people complaining about for several years.

Best of luck to GarageGames and Leadwerks in development of their programs. Hopefully this will lead to some awesome games made with Torque and more of them completed.

edit:spelling
Edited on Nov 12, 2005 17:54 GMT

Robert Stewart (Nov 15, 2005 at 19:22 GMT)

This is awesome, I will buy this the instant you get the .dts importing and the terrain editor working.

Pete Goodwin (Aug 16, 2006 at 11:34 GMT) Resource Rating: 5

Of all the 3D editors I've tried this is the most useful one I've found. I'm currently using it for creating tech demos with DarkBasic Pro, Blitz3D. I really ought to try for something in Torque - I'm just missing physics which I have in DBP.

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