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Torque Video Tutorials

Name:	Thomas Oliver
Date Posted:	Jan 05, 2008
Rating:	4.5 out of 5
Public:	YES
Comments:	YES
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Profile Page:	View profile page for Thomas Oliver

Blog post

So its been awhile since my last blog. So I figured to kick off my new blog postings with the first concept Torque Video Tutorial (TVT).

This firs video was designed more as a proof of concept then an actual working video. But i figured there was some good information included in it for people that have just purchased TGE and have no idea where to start.

Link for the time being to the first TVT.
http://www.siteapps.net/tom/index.html

The TVT is encoded in DivX and is setup in such a way that it will stream via the DivX Webplayer. The video run time is around 36 mins and is roughly 151mb in size. I'm still playing with the video quality to size ratio as I could easly get it down to around 100mb without loseing anymore video quality. Thats not so bad for a half hour video.

I am open for feedback, ideas, comments and what you think and what you would like to see in the next TVT. The plan is to roll out a TVT once every other day (3 a week).

The TVTs will not be limited to just TGE. Theres plans for TGB, TGEA, Torque X videos also as time permits there creation.

For the time being the TVTs will be offered up for free watching and download at the upcoming TVT website as soon as time permits me to finish it. However there will come a time when the bandwidth becomes such that donations will be accepted. At that time those that donate to keep the website running will gain access to TVTs a week or two prior to them being moved to open public. Donationers will also have high influce over upcoming TVTs.

** Edit: Just to make sure there is a part in this first TVT where it talks about torque script and the ./ used in path names. The ./ is relative to the files location that the ./ path appears in. Not just the projects directory.

Recent Blog Posts

List:	01/19/08 - Gearo the Hero - Update 01/12/08 - TVTs and the future? 01/11/08 - Torque Video Tutorial #2 - Precipitation 01/05/08 - Torque Video Tutorials 05/19/06 - Website Operation and Lessions Learned from MMO Kit Launch.. 12/27/05 - Project Raven "The Nuts and Bolts" 06/26/05 - Plan for Tom Oliver 04/24/04 - Plan for Thomas (TooKool) Oliver

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Glenn Thomas (Jan 05, 2008 at 08:26 GMT)

Man I can't wait to see the series!

Phil Carlisle (Jan 05, 2008 at 09:17 GMT)

Why not host them on stage6?

Khaled AlMoukhtar (Jan 05, 2008 at 14:53 GMT) Resource Rating: 4

I guess that's what we all waiting for ... I hope you got the time to complete this FANTASTIC series .... ...............Buffering ..............63%

Pesto126 (Jan 05, 2008 at 18:06 GMT)

nice... but a bit slow with the buffer.. I always prefer to download and then watch locally over and over - you might want to move the file to yousendit or something...

Brett Seyler (Jan 05, 2008 at 21:19 GMT) Resource Rating: 5

Nice Job! I can't wait to see more. This could be a really helpful resource. Thanks Thomas.

Khaled AlMoukhtar (Jan 06, 2008 at 10:18 GMT) Resource Rating: 4

I watch it ... It is REALLY promising .... can't wait for the rest of TVT

UZON (Jan 07, 2008 at 01:03 GMT)

Nice work, good help for those that are starting

Deborah Marshall (Jan 07, 2008 at 18:57 GMT)

Very nice. I especially liked the walk-through of the camera modes, the GUI editor, etc. Those things are really hard to explain in text, but easy to visualize in a video.

Thomas Oliver (Jan 08, 2008 at 17:10 GMT)

Thank you all.. Sorry the next one has been abit slow coming. I blame this squarely on the extra contract work that has appeared. But never fear this week we will get another 2 TVTs.

I am looking at maybe moving the files over to Stage6. Theres just afew issues with that. One being that the reasion I wanted to keep them in a more concealed environment is that at some point there will be parts where source code will need be shown in the videos. By keeping them on my own host and website I can keep it regulated to people that have the required licenses to see said videos. Not looking for any legal issues to arise from the videos.

But so far I havent had to show any source code or anything that would be a breach of the agreement. Atleast not one that I have seen / read yet (I could be mistaken here).

I will tweak the buffer abit. Right now I believe its set to just afew seconds. Theres afew options where I cant set it to wait for the entire file, half of the file, ect. As far as the saving of the videos goes. Great thing about the DivX Webplayer is that it gives you the option to save DivX videos to your HD for later viewing. To do so just right click on the divx webplayer window and select "Preferences". Then click the "Download Cache" tab and check the "Enable Download Cache" check box. Then setup a size limit. To open the Download Cache Folder just click the "Open Cache Folder" button and you will see all of the videos there.

David Horn (Jan 09, 2008 at 18:06 GMT)

Very well done

I'd love to see some examples of different effects that might not totally be covered in the documentation.

For instance, how to create snow, how to have multiple camera angles, how to create fire, different things like that.

Thomas Oliver (Jan 09, 2008 at 19:53 GMT)

Its funny that you mention snow / rain effects. As the next one that I have plan deals with adding in the script for custom effects and then placeing them within your level. It should be finished and encoded up for tomarrow. May also touch abit on particles and particle creation.

Kory James (Jan 11, 2008 at 06:00 GMT)

This is a great idea, keep up the great work

Syn (Jan 12, 2008 at 07:20 GMT)

Tom, THANK YOU for these videos! I will be a subscriber if you choose to go that route! I really REALLY appreciate these, you have no idea.

And also, FYI, you do a pretty good job at teaching as well.

-Pete

Syn (Jan 12, 2008 at 07:21 GMT)

I live about 15 minutes from Beaverton (Scappoose), I would love to buy you coffee some time if you're interested!

Thomas Oliver (Jan 12, 2008 at 14:23 GMT)

I may take you up on that offer some time. :D

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