T3D Tools and Gui Feature Update (Video)
by Vince Gee · 10/22/2013 (4:51 pm) · 20 comments
UPDATE: The package now includes the window break out code to enable any GuiWindowCtrl to be put into it`s own window! The converted World Editing tools are included in this service release!
The Advanced User Interface System & Tools is a collection of enhancements for the T3D gui control system and the World Editing Tools. The primary purpose is to improve the end-user experience of a game built on T3D. This System allows users to change UI settings dynamically, but also allows developers to specify which functionalities they want exposed.
This new addition to the UI opens up a whole new world to the users, customizing the User Interface as per their preferences, giving it their touch which best suits them, or define their aura. The users can change the UI settings on the go and save them. Not only this, it allows the editors more flexibility in defining each control that they think would fit the best for the users.
Some of them are listed below:
1. Font color,
2. Fill color,
3. Font size,
4. Background color (In some cases acts the same as fill color),
5. Alpha level,
6. Mouse-over alpha level,
7. Alpha-fade time,
8. Maximum extent,
9. Set title
10. Pop GuiWindowCtrl`s off the play canvas
11. World Editing tools can now be put into their own windows.
For a limited time you can still purchase the Advanced User Interface & Tools for $19.99, a $15.00 discount from normal price.
The Advanced User Interface is priced at $34.99.
This promotion expires November 5th, 2013.
To Purchase it go to Winterleaf Entertainment L.L.C. Website
The Advanced User Interface System & Tools is a collection of enhancements for the T3D gui control system and the World Editing Tools. The primary purpose is to improve the end-user experience of a game built on T3D. This System allows users to change UI settings dynamically, but also allows developers to specify which functionalities they want exposed.
This new addition to the UI opens up a whole new world to the users, customizing the User Interface as per their preferences, giving it their touch which best suits them, or define their aura. The users can change the UI settings on the go and save them. Not only this, it allows the editors more flexibility in defining each control that they think would fit the best for the users.
Some of them are listed below:
1. Font color,
2. Fill color,
3. Font size,
4. Background color (In some cases acts the same as fill color),
5. Alpha level,
6. Mouse-over alpha level,
7. Alpha-fade time,
8. Maximum extent,
9. Set title
10. Pop GuiWindowCtrl`s off the play canvas
11. World Editing tools can now be put into their own windows.
For a limited time you can still purchase the Advanced User Interface & Tools for $19.99, a $15.00 discount from normal price.
The Advanced User Interface is priced at $34.99.
This promotion expires November 5th, 2013.
To Purchase it go to Winterleaf Entertainment L.L.C. Website
About the author
www.winterleafentertainment.com
#3
10/22/2013 (7:30 pm)
cool stuff! 
#4
The most important part of this kit I felt was the popout feature ( A much needed one ), Vince did a great job on that!
On my part, I've to say the the opacity controls and the In-game controls make this product worth it!
Still hell lotta things planned for the next build! :D
10/22/2013 (10:00 pm)
Thanks Vince!The most important part of this kit I felt was the popout feature ( A much needed one ), Vince did a great job on that!
On my part, I've to say the the opacity controls and the In-game controls make this product worth it!
Still hell lotta things planned for the next build! :D
#5
The pop-off windows now makes this pack worth the cost ... IMO ... don't flame me ... *aaarrrgggghhhhh*
Please excuse the craziness ... it is just one of those days.
10/23/2013 (12:21 am)
Kaching ... off to the shop I go ... hi-ho hi-ho. :)The pop-off windows now makes this pack worth the cost ... IMO ... don't flame me ... *aaarrrgggghhhhh*
Please excuse the craziness ... it is just one of those days.
#6
10/23/2013 (2:36 am)
Very cool! eMail sent :) 
#7
It's very common for MMO's to want to let users configure the UI, repositioning it, and get UI that doesn't matter out of the way so it only shows when you need it.
Since all these settings can be saved to a XML file, this product allows you to do just that, let the users customize their UI without giving them access to the tools windows (since you can customize it by rightclicking on the GUIControls) granted, this product may not be for everyone, but for RPG's it is a must (IMO) and I'm sure other games can make use of this customizability as well!
Edit: Btw not a flame, just trying to make clear what this product actually gives you, since not all of it can be shown through a video ;)
10/23/2013 (3:17 am)
@Quinton, I believe if you looked at this as a way for users (tertiary users i.e. the gamers) to customize the UI on a per-user basis you might see the value of it.It's very common for MMO's to want to let users configure the UI, repositioning it, and get UI that doesn't matter out of the way so it only shows when you need it.
Since all these settings can be saved to a XML file, this product allows you to do just that, let the users customize their UI without giving them access to the tools windows (since you can customize it by rightclicking on the GUIControls) granted, this product may not be for everyone, but for RPG's it is a must (IMO) and I'm sure other games can make use of this customizability as well!
Edit: Btw not a flame, just trying to make clear what this product actually gives you, since not all of it can be shown through a video ;)
#8
I might be mistaken, but the impression I got from this was that it gave you ability to changes things in the GUI ... using the GUI Editor ... I never even got a hint that it could be used to help gamers customise their UI.
Anyway ... bought and paid for ... so I am happy. :D
10/23/2013 (3:30 am)
@Lukas: Noted. I think the misconception here comes from the marketing material and not the ability to allow users to customise their UI.I might be mistaken, but the impression I got from this was that it gave you ability to changes things in the GUI ... using the GUI Editor ... I never even got a hint that it could be used to help gamers customise their UI.
Anyway ... bought and paid for ... so I am happy. :D
#9
10/23/2013 (3:44 am)
If you have ever played one of the big mmo's you will realise they all have this functionality. a MUST buy for anyone making an mmo, rpg or anything else that allows the user to modify their HUD, great :-D
#10
Firstly, you only mention "games" in the agreement. If I use Torque for non-game applications, would I be in breach of the agreement?
Secondly, the agreement specifically states reverse engineering is not allowed. Does this include back-porting the code to TGE?
10/23/2013 (4:50 am)
I'm thinking of getting this, simply for the pop-out GuiWindowCtrl. However, I need to clarify a few things regarding the license.Firstly, you only mention "games" in the agreement. If I use Torque for non-game applications, would I be in breach of the agreement?
Secondly, the agreement specifically states reverse engineering is not allowed. Does this include back-porting the code to TGE?
#11
10/23/2013 (4:52 am)
Wow someone actually reads the agreement! I will get Paul Yoskowitz on this asap.
#12
In regards to "Games", we intended to include "Serious Games" which would be simulations etc.
We add that clause so that no one can take our product and build Tools off it or include it in there own game engine. So as long as your not building your own game engine or a Tools add-on which uses our code, your fine license wise. (If you are building tools or your own engine, talk to us, we would be interested in hearing from you)
Second, that is correct, you can't reverse engineer the code.
This is the catch,
If your retro fitting the code into TGE for your own purposes, that's fine as long as you own a license.
If you are retro fitting into TGE to sell it as a add-on for TGE or as a separate product, you would need to contact us.
If you did port it back to TGE, you would only be able to distribute the source code only to other license holders of the AUI.
The best way to handle this of course would to email PYoskowitz@winterleafentertainmnet.com with what you are exactly wanting to do. We are usually VERY liberal with our licensing and can work out deals with other companies quite easily.
Paul, it comes down to this. We need to cover our bills. So giving away code which generates revenue is bad for us. But, with that said, we don't want to leave people high and dry and we want to work with the community.
Vince
Winterleaf Entertainment L.L.C.
10/23/2013 (5:06 am)
@Paul,In regards to "Games", we intended to include "Serious Games" which would be simulations etc.
We add that clause so that no one can take our product and build Tools off it or include it in there own game engine. So as long as your not building your own game engine or a Tools add-on which uses our code, your fine license wise. (If you are building tools or your own engine, talk to us, we would be interested in hearing from you)
Second, that is correct, you can't reverse engineer the code.
This is the catch,
If your retro fitting the code into TGE for your own purposes, that's fine as long as you own a license.
If you are retro fitting into TGE to sell it as a add-on for TGE or as a separate product, you would need to contact us.
If you did port it back to TGE, you would only be able to distribute the source code only to other license holders of the AUI.
The best way to handle this of course would to email PYoskowitz@winterleafentertainmnet.com with what you are exactly wanting to do. We are usually VERY liberal with our licensing and can work out deals with other companies quite easily.
Paul, it comes down to this. We need to cover our bills. So giving away code which generates revenue is bad for us. But, with that said, we don't want to leave people high and dry and we want to work with the community.
Vince
Winterleaf Entertainment L.L.C.
#13
i know right?!
@Paul
Vince is correct. If you need any more clarification or youd like to discuss the license with me in more detail, dont hesitate to contact me. I can either make changes to the EULA or possibly made a personal addendum between WLE and you.... depending on whats needed.
like Vince said, we want to work with everyone as much as possible.
10/23/2013 (5:30 am)
@Lukasi know right?!
@Paul
Vince is correct. If you need any more clarification or youd like to discuss the license with me in more detail, dont hesitate to contact me. I can either make changes to the EULA or possibly made a personal addendum between WLE and you.... depending on whats needed.
like Vince said, we want to work with everyone as much as possible.
#14
I've been caught out too many times with poorly written/explained LAs/EULAs in the past, so I actually read them all now. As most of my code is for work and/or contracts, I need to be legal.
@Vince
Thanks. That answers my questions.
I use a highly modified and stripped-down TGE for various applications at work, mostly relating to MySQL, SQLBase and Informix database queries (Crystal Reports is great for snapshot reports, but not so great for anything live). The tools are for my own personal use and only I have access to the source (not including the SVN host).
If I do port the code to TGE, I will likely email the port to someone at WLE anyway.
10/23/2013 (8:20 am)
@LukasI've been caught out too many times with poorly written/explained LAs/EULAs in the past, so I actually read them all now. As most of my code is for work and/or contracts, I need to be legal.
@Vince
Thanks. That answers my questions.
I use a highly modified and stripped-down TGE for various applications at work, mostly relating to MySQL, SQLBase and Informix database queries (Crystal Reports is great for snapshot reports, but not so great for anything live). The tools are for my own personal use and only I have access to the source (not including the SVN host).
If I do port the code to TGE, I will likely email the port to someone at WLE anyway.
#15
10/23/2013 (10:13 am)
You used TGE do do reporting? I'm curious now, could I see a screenshot?
#16
Sure. Remember, most of what I do is bespoke for the industry I work in, so the image won't make a whole lot of sense.
Names have been blurred to protect the innocent.
I have a report that shows me the same information in the same layout, but I have much better control over how the data is displayed through torque script. I have also integrated/duplicated many of the features from our ordering system into the application, allowing me to directly influence the ordering system from the "report", something Crystal is not able to do.
Most of my other reporting applications are not visual, they email and/or print the report in txt/csv or xlsx formats.
10/24/2013 (2:16 am)
@VinceSure. Remember, most of what I do is bespoke for the industry I work in, so the image won't make a whole lot of sense.
Names have been blurred to protect the innocent.I have a report that shows me the same information in the same layout, but I have much better control over how the data is displayed through torque script. I have also integrated/duplicated many of the features from our ordering system into the application, allowing me to directly influence the ordering system from the "report", something Crystal is not able to do.
Most of my other reporting applications are not visual, they email and/or print the report in txt/csv or xlsx formats.
#17
10/24/2013 (4:45 am)
I... wait... what? That's cool and all, but using TGE for this mystifies me. Ah well, whatever gets the job done!
#18
Yeah, I don't see why we couldn't grant you a license exclusion for the AUI&T for this if it is needed.
Vince
10/24/2013 (5:04 am)
That is pretty cool, it's a shame you can't shoot your boss while he is looking at the report. (Chuckle)Yeah, I don't see why we couldn't grant you a license exclusion for the AUI&T for this if it is needed.
Vince
#19
At the time, about 7 years ago now, TGE was the best cross-platform tool for getting the exact same UI on all devices and OS'. I've simply stuck with it as I have not found anything easier to work with.
If I need a new GUI control that does not already exist, I simply write one. I cannot easily do that with pure C++, .NET or just about any other game engine. Nor can I simply add features, like ODBC, to most existing game engines. TGE, with all of the scene related code stripped out, is a pretty good "scripting" engine, and makes a much better base application than writing an application from scratch every time.
EDIT: And when I eventually get DNT, it might even be easier.
10/24/2013 (6:23 am)
@DanielAt the time, about 7 years ago now, TGE was the best cross-platform tool for getting the exact same UI on all devices and OS'. I've simply stuck with it as I have not found anything easier to work with.
If I need a new GUI control that does not already exist, I simply write one. I cannot easily do that with pure C++, .NET or just about any other game engine. Nor can I simply add features, like ODBC, to most existing game engines. TGE, with all of the scene related code stripped out, is a pretty good "scripting" engine, and makes a much better base application than writing an application from scratch every time.
EDIT: And when I eventually get DNT, it might even be easier.
#20
10/26/2013 (1:16 am)
I have to Have it :) Awsome job Guys 
Associate Ron Kapaun
3tdstudios.com
Ron