Tool for exporting TGB Config Datablock file from Calc spreadsheet

TGB Users,

Datablock files are a great way to configure game objects that use the same scripts, with unique stats and animations. Unfortunately, TGB doesn't have a good way to tweak these files, except by hand. Editing these values in a spreadsheet makes this process a lot easier. That's why I've made an exporter for OpenOffice Calc.

You can quickly open the spreadsheet, change a few values and re-export all your object configs.

I made a very similar tool for a game I was working on in TGB, and it proved very useful. We used it to tweak values for enemies, player characters, objects, effects, you-name-it...

Here's an example spreadsheet:


And the .cs file ouput using the exporter:

datablock t2dSceneObjectDatablock(objectA_Config)
{
    field1 = "1";
    field2 = "35.35";
    field3 = "fun";
};

datablock t2dSceneObjectDatablock(objectB_Config)
{
    field3 = "time";
};

datablock t2dSceneObjectDatablock(objectC_Config)
{
    field1 = "1";
    field3 = "zone";
};

Once you have your object data defined in a spradsheet, editing values, re-exporting, and seeing the change in game becomes quick and easy.

If this sounds like something you could use for your project, get the free trial version here:

www.roboticarmsoftware.com/downloads/TorqueConfigExporterTrial.zip

The trial version will only export a single datablock object from the Calc document. The full version will export all rows from all sheets. When you're ready to try the full version, go here:

www.shareit.com/product.html?productid=300385261

You must have Torque Game Builder (available at www.torquepowered.com/) and OpenOffice (available for free at: www.openoffice.org/) installed to use the exporter. Be sure to read the README.txt file for installation and usage instructions.

Good luck and have fun building great games.

Dan.