AFX 1.1.2 for TGEA 1.7.0 Open Beta
by Jeff Faust · 04/17/2008 (9:45 am) · 12 comments
Recently GarageGames officially released TGEA 1.7.0, a rather vast update to the TGEA engine. For several months we have been tracking the evolution of this release and in parallel, have been porting AFX for TGEA to it. Since the open beta releases for TGEA 1.7 went so well we are doing the same for AFX.
Right now, if you have a license to AFX for TGEA (ComboPack or CoreTech), you can download a copy of the AFX 1.1.2 for TGEA 1.7.0 Beta from the AFX for TGEA download page on your account page.
Please refer to this thread in the AFX private forums for more details regarding the open beta:
www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=74306
There were so many changes to the TGEA engine between version 1.0.3 and 1.7.0 that we decided to keep the AFX update for 1.7.0 as simple as possible. As such, this AFX upgrade adds little in the way of new AFX capabilities and focuses on making existing capabilities compatible with TGEA 1.7.0. However, we have been prototyping many exciting new AFX features in our development branch and look forward to releasing much of this tech in a future release. Also, we are just beginning to work with some of the excellent new assets available in TGEA 1.7.0, many of which would look great in some sci-fi oriented demos.
Finally, I just want to extend a big thanks to GarageGames for granting us early access to the TGEA 1.7.0 project. Without this we could never have released a compatible version of AFX so soon after the TGEA 1.7.0 release.
Enjoy the AFX 1.1.2 for TGEA 1.7.0 Beta!
Right now, if you have a license to AFX for TGEA (ComboPack or CoreTech), you can download a copy of the AFX 1.1.2 for TGEA 1.7.0 Beta from the AFX for TGEA download page on your account page.
Please refer to this thread in the AFX private forums for more details regarding the open beta:
www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=74306
There were so many changes to the TGEA engine between version 1.0.3 and 1.7.0 that we decided to keep the AFX update for 1.7.0 as simple as possible. As such, this AFX upgrade adds little in the way of new AFX capabilities and focuses on making existing capabilities compatible with TGEA 1.7.0. However, we have been prototyping many exciting new AFX features in our development branch and look forward to releasing much of this tech in a future release. Also, we are just beginning to work with some of the excellent new assets available in TGEA 1.7.0, many of which would look great in some sci-fi oriented demos.
Finally, I just want to extend a big thanks to GarageGames for granting us early access to the TGEA 1.7.0 project. Without this we could never have released a compatible version of AFX so soon after the TGEA 1.7.0 release.
Enjoy the AFX 1.1.2 for TGEA 1.7.0 Beta!
About the author
Jeff Faust creates special effects indie middleware and games for Faust Logic. --- Blog: Effectronica.com --- Twitter: @FaustLogic
#2
04/17/2008 (10:57 am)
Awesome work Jeff! And yes, that image is too cool :D 
#3
Also, I'm really digging that new logo.
04/17/2008 (11:12 am)
Awesome, I can't wait to start playing with this.Also, I'm really digging that new logo.
#4
04/17/2008 (2:02 pm)
Good work as always! With how fast you've gotten things working, if you take longer than a week to get out of Beta, people will think you're slacking! 
#5
04/17/2008 (4:35 pm)
Sweet! Thanks Jeff! 
#6
This is a no brainer selection.
I only hope that someone starts pumping effect packs. I will need them for my game.
Luck!
Guimo
04/17/2008 (4:51 pm)
I have no use for AFX for TGEA right now, but I've had such a good experience from AFX to the date and the prompt support from Jeff and Dave is so helpful that I will get this one as soon as it is finally released even if I wont use it right now. This is a no brainer selection.
I only hope that someone starts pumping effect packs. I will need them for my game.
Luck!
Guimo
#7
Does this afx version for 1.7 have fixes for the sfx-audio and the texture cache problems found in tgea1.7 ?
Thanks ahead of time for any links to explanations I most likely missed. Much appreciated.
..and cheers to your hard work Mr. Faust...brilliant package AFX.
P.S. I am curious about the guidelines/licenses surrounding someone like myself creating AFX effect packs for sale.
EDIT: The main post informs people to visit a private forum to get information on an OPEN BETA. However, only AFX licensees can enter that forum. - Is the open beta only open to paying people ? ..I am curious as this is a bit giggle.
04/17/2008 (7:49 pm)
Not to be a spoil-sport here but I have some tough-love queries...Does this afx version for 1.7 have fixes for the sfx-audio and the texture cache problems found in tgea1.7 ?
Thanks ahead of time for any links to explanations I most likely missed. Much appreciated.
..and cheers to your hard work Mr. Faust...brilliant package AFX.
P.S. I am curious about the guidelines/licenses surrounding someone like myself creating AFX effect packs for sale.
EDIT: The main post informs people to visit a private forum to get information on an OPEN BETA. However, only AFX licensees can enter that forum. - Is the open beta only open to paying people ? ..I am curious as this is a bit giggle.
#8
04/17/2008 (8:26 pm)
Quote:I am aware of three SFX problems that I've posted about and I haven't seen any fixes. I haven't studied the texture cache problems very carefully. None of these are areas that we are likely to give special focused attention on, but if fixes emerge during the beta period, we'll have the opportunity to include them in final release.
Does this afx version for 1.7 have fixes for the sfx-audio and the texture cache problems found in tgea1.7 ?
Quote:I believe the stock license doesn't currently allow it, but this doesn't mean we're against it, it just means you would have to negotiate a special license. We're especially open to collaborations if the concept fits our goals.
I am curious about the guidelines/licenses surrounding someone like myself creating AFX effect packs for sale.
Quote:As explained above the open beta is open to users who "have a license to AFX for TGEA (ComboPack or CoreTech)" as opposed to a closed beta that is only open to a few hand selected users. This is just like the TGEA 1.7.0 open betas which were open to all owners of TGEA licenses. I suppose "open beta" can have different interpretation. Personally, I would refer to a beta that was open to everyone as a "public beta". This is not a public beta.
The main post informs people to visit a private forum to get information on an OPEN BETA. However, only AFX licensees can enter that forum. - Is the open beta only open to paying people ? ..I am curious as this is a bit giggle.
#9
04/17/2008 (8:52 pm)
Cheers Jeff. Thank you for being thorough. ..and GPs on the beta portion. 
#10
04/18/2008 (3:45 am)
Great work as always Jeff :)
#11
04/18/2008 (4:25 am)
Jeff, thanks for all your hard work 
Torque 3D Owner Stephen Zepp
Getting AFX up and running on TGEA 1.7 was very important to us, and I'm glad that you were able to leverage the early development access to such a quick turn around for an update :)
To the mostly script user, TGEA's underlying structure changes aren't all that noticeable, but as Jeff testifies, there were some major changes that impacted AFX, so it's pretty amazing he's got this ready for beta so quickly.
Thanks Jeff and Faust Logic!