Torque Book: 3D Game Programming All In One
by Ken Finney · in General Discussion · 05/03/2004 (5:09 am) · 126 replies
(I think the hijacking of Stede Troisi's thread has gone on long enough :-)
This is a sort of continuation of the thread found here.
ISBN: 159200136X
Uses the Torque Engine throughout, also covers MilkShape 3D and QuArK, among other tools.
Click on this link to order. I understand that GG will have an order link of their own on this site sometime soon, and you will be able to order through them as well.
Chapter Preview
Chapter 9.pdf
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to 3D Game Development
2. Introduction to Programming
3. 3D Programming Concepts
4. Game Programming
5. Gameplay
6. Network
7. Common Scripts
8. Introduction to Textures
9. Skins
10. Creating GUI Elements
11. Structural Material Textures
12. Terrains and Skyboxes
13. Introduction to Modeling with Milkshape
14. Making a player model
15. Making a Vehicle Model
16. Making Weapons and Items
17. Making Structures
18. Making the Game World Environment
19. Creating and Programming Sound
20. Game Sound and Music
21. Creating the Game Mission
22. The Game Server
23. The Game Client
24. The End Game
Appendices:
A: The Torque Game Engine Reference
B: Game Development Resources on the Internet
C: Game Development Tool Reference
D: QuArK Reference
This is a sort of continuation of the thread found here.
ISBN: 159200136XUses the Torque Engine throughout, also covers MilkShape 3D and QuArK, among other tools.
Click on this link to order. I understand that GG will have an order link of their own on this site sometime soon, and you will be able to order through them as well.
Chapter Preview
Chapter 9.pdf
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to 3D Game Development
2. Introduction to Programming
3. 3D Programming Concepts
4. Game Programming
5. Gameplay
6. Network
7. Common Scripts
8. Introduction to Textures
9. Skins
10. Creating GUI Elements
11. Structural Material Textures
12. Terrains and Skyboxes
13. Introduction to Modeling with Milkshape
14. Making a player model
15. Making a Vehicle Model
16. Making Weapons and Items
17. Making Structures
18. Making the Game World Environment
19. Creating and Programming Sound
20. Game Sound and Music
21. Creating the Game Mission
22. The Game Server
23. The Game Client
24. The End Game
Appendices:
A: The Torque Game Engine Reference
B: Game Development Resources on the Internet
C: Game Development Tool Reference
D: QuArK Reference
About the author
#82
Anyway, we have been devouring this thing anytime we get some "free time" to fiddle and tweak.
This has to be the best resource made available to the GG community yet.
Kudos Ken! And thank you sooooooooo much. =)
05/21/2004 (6:17 am)
My partner bought this one from B&N about a week ago - the same day I ordered mine online (wanted to ensure ken got a direct kickback. =)Anyway, we have been devouring this thing anytime we get some "free time" to fiddle and tweak.
This has to be the best resource made available to the GG community yet.
Kudos Ken! And thank you sooooooooo much. =)
#83
LOVE this book.
It's very rare to find someone who understands the technology, concepts and implementations... AND can write in a way that's so pleasant to read.
Two thumbs up. ^^
05/21/2004 (12:39 pm)
Bought my copy last night.LOVE this book.
It's very rare to find someone who understands the technology, concepts and implementations... AND can write in a way that's so pleasant to read.
Two thumbs up. ^^
#84
@caf - !S
@everyone in Canada - if you find my book on the shelves anywhere in Canada - please let me know. It has been making it to the shelves in the US, but almost every book store in Canada I've spoken too can't keep stock due to special orders. I'm just curious.
@everyone else: thanks again for buying my book, and I'm glad you are enjoying it!
05/28/2004 (4:58 am)
@Rex - did you get the problem figured out?@caf - !S
@everyone in Canada - if you find my book on the shelves anywhere in Canada - please let me know. It has been making it to the shelves in the US, but almost every book store in Canada I've spoken too can't keep stock due to special orders. I'm just curious.
@everyone else: thanks again for buying my book, and I'm glad you are enjoying it!
#85
I just got the book! I'm almost done on chapter 3.
Thank you for writing this. I've been a TGE licensee for almost 2 years now and it's the first time I realized that were using right handed coordinate system. lol.
Although I have amassed a lot of similar tutorials (terrain, world items, environment effects, etc) off the web, I really appreciate it that I now have a coherent reference that binds all of it together. Looking at the book, I can only imagine the personal sacrifice that you did so you can write it. I only have one child and I believe that I would not be able to write a book as comprehensive as what you did and still spend quality time with my family.
The money spent is worth every peny but does not reflect how much I appreciate your effort.
Thank you for writing this.
r/Alex
05/28/2004 (5:29 am)
Ken.I just got the book! I'm almost done on chapter 3.
Thank you for writing this. I've been a TGE licensee for almost 2 years now and it's the first time I realized that were using right handed coordinate system. lol.
Although I have amassed a lot of similar tutorials (terrain, world items, environment effects, etc) off the web, I really appreciate it that I now have a coherent reference that binds all of it together. Looking at the book, I can only imagine the personal sacrifice that you did so you can write it. I only have one child and I believe that I would not be able to write a book as comprehensive as what you did and still spend quality time with my family.
The money spent is worth every peny but does not reflect how much I appreciate your effort.
Thank you for writing this.
r/Alex
#86
One minor correction though: the link to the ToRK website in the Appendix has changed: it's http://tork.beffy.de now, maybe you can correct that in a future re-print :)
05/28/2004 (6:09 am)
Very comprehensive book, Ken! You really did an awesome job!!One minor correction though: the link to the ToRK website in the Appendix has changed: it's http://tork.beffy.de now, maybe you can correct that in a future re-print :)
#87
Received the book on last tuesday. GREAT WORK !
Finished chapter three but had a bug. The bug was solved. It had to do with audio emitters running on client or server.
The thread that solved it was [url] http://www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=18702[/url].
I don't know if that happened because I have a mac.
Best Regards
Bruno
05/29/2004 (12:48 pm)
Ken,Received the book on last tuesday. GREAT WORK !
Finished chapter three but had a bug. The bug was solved. It had to do with audio emitters running on client or server.
The thread that solved it was [url] http://www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=18702[/url].
I don't know if that happened because I have a mac.
Best Regards
Bruno
#88
I do have a minor complaint though. There seems to be 3 versions of the example source code, with subtle differences that can be the diff between being able to run the examples, or not
1) The book code (printed)
2) The code on the CDROM in RESOURCES/CH4/control (for example)
3) The code that gets installed, by the setup.exe on the CDROM, into C:\3DGPAi1
My current understanding is that code 2) is the most correct and currect. But this is really something which should be cleaned up for future editions because it can get a little frustrating.
05/30/2004 (11:45 pm)
A fantastic, much needed book!I do have a minor complaint though. There seems to be 3 versions of the example source code, with subtle differences that can be the diff between being able to run the examples, or not
1) The book code (printed)
2) The code on the CDROM in RESOURCES/CH4/control (for example)
3) The code that gets installed, by the setup.exe on the CDROM, into C:\3DGPAi1
My current understanding is that code 2) is the most correct and currect. But this is really something which should be cleaned up for future editions because it can get a little frustrating.
#89
There are only two variations:
1) The book code (item 1) above) and the installed support code (item 3) above) are mutually exclusive and complementary. ie. run installer + type in book code = completed program. That's one variation of the sample programs, and it is the primary (canonical, if you will) form of the sample programs. There are no known functional problems with this.
2) The other variation is the CD copyable code (per Alex's item 2) above). The CD copyable programs are provided as a courtesy so that users don't have to type everything if they don't want to. The functional discrepencies (there were two places) appear only as errors in this CD copyable code. One file naming error and one incorrect line of code (that uses the wrongly named file). These were already addressed several weeks ago, and the corrected CD copyable versions appear on the CD in the next (2nd) printing.
Other minor corrections that didn't affect functionality were also applied to the code printed in the book. No changes were made to the installer support code. Note that the installer only works on Windows systems, and the book only supports using Windows even though it appears that Macintosh users are able to get the programs to go.
@Bruno:
Good that you solved the problem ! I saw your post and tried to replicate the problem, but couldn't. You might be right, it may indeed be a Mac-only problem...if you gain more understanding about using the book with a Macintosh, please let me know.
05/31/2004 (5:36 am)
Re Alex-There are only two variations:
1) The book code (item 1) above) and the installed support code (item 3) above) are mutually exclusive and complementary. ie. run installer + type in book code = completed program. That's one variation of the sample programs, and it is the primary (canonical, if you will) form of the sample programs. There are no known functional problems with this.
2) The other variation is the CD copyable code (per Alex's item 2) above). The CD copyable programs are provided as a courtesy so that users don't have to type everything if they don't want to. The functional discrepencies (there were two places) appear only as errors in this CD copyable code. One file naming error and one incorrect line of code (that uses the wrongly named file). These were already addressed several weeks ago, and the corrected CD copyable versions appear on the CD in the next (2nd) printing.
Other minor corrections that didn't affect functionality were also applied to the code printed in the book. No changes were made to the installer support code. Note that the installer only works on Windows systems, and the book only supports using Windows even though it appears that Macintosh users are able to get the programs to go.
@Bruno:
Good that you solved the problem ! I saw your post and tried to replicate the problem, but couldn't. You might be right, it may indeed be a Mac-only problem...if you gain more understanding about using the book with a Macintosh, please let me know.
#90
1. I didn't understand what the difference between the setup.exe and the QuArk application icon next to it, but I had to manually install the miniPython and then QuArk opened fine!
2. Table 17.1 which was to make the actual screenshot image more legible made two 'errors?'. In Table 17.1 3rd Program's parameters are listed as "-v -p -o ./maps -t ./textures %mapfile%...and 6th Program's listed as "-v -g -o ./maps -t ./textures %mapfile%....Figure 17.4 [Torque configuration page]...and QuArk had them swapped -g for -p...hope that made sense.
...it was fine as defaulted, I didn't change them and the default interior compiled perfectly and I found it where described[whoops another note: book's path="~/data/structures/hovelb.diff", my working path had to become "~/data/structures/hovels/hovelb.diff"]....I did notice in 3rd person, the lights inside the interior didn't dynamically light my player avatar? is this to be expected...and I need to place light items via the Mission Editor?...thanks, I've done more in the past few weeks than an entire year of stumbling along by myself, Ken.
05/31/2004 (9:23 am)
Another note:...working thru QuArk Chapter now, all went well after noting these items: 1. I didn't understand what the difference between the setup.exe and the QuArk application icon next to it, but I had to manually install the miniPython and then QuArk opened fine!
2. Table 17.1 which was to make the actual screenshot image more legible made two 'errors?'. In Table 17.1 3rd Program's parameters are listed as "-v -p -o ./maps -t ./textures %mapfile%...and 6th Program's listed as "-v -g -o ./maps -t ./textures %mapfile%....Figure 17.4 [Torque configuration page]...and QuArk had them swapped -g for -p...hope that made sense.
...it was fine as defaulted, I didn't change them and the default interior compiled perfectly and I found it where described[whoops another note: book's path="~/data/structures/hovelb.diff", my working path had to become "~/data/structures/hovels/hovelb.diff"]....I did notice in 3rd person, the lights inside the interior didn't dynamically light my player avatar? is this to be expected...and I need to place light items via the Mission Editor?...thanks, I've done more in the past few weeks than an entire year of stumbling along by myself, Ken.
#91
I just bought your book the other day (actually got a copy in australia! woohoo! :D)
I really like it so far, you have a good writing style and I'm going to plough through it until I get to the end. I feel like I know more about torque now than I have learned by experimenting since I bought it almost a month ago :)
I've just finished chapter 5, game runs pretty much as it should but I'm getting the following error/s.
control/server/misc/item.cs (40): Unknown command StartFade.
control/server/misc/item.cs (41): Unknown command Hide.
What would cause this? I had been typing in everything up until the weapon code and then I copied the .cs files from the cd (long long day at work) so I'm thinking this might be the cause - but would just like to know for sure :)
Thanks, and again - good job :)
06/02/2004 (3:12 am)
Hi Ken,I just bought your book the other day (actually got a copy in australia! woohoo! :D)
I really like it so far, you have a good writing style and I'm going to plough through it until I get to the end. I feel like I know more about torque now than I have learned by experimenting since I bought it almost a month ago :)
I've just finished chapter 5, game runs pretty much as it should but I'm getting the following error/s.
control/server/misc/item.cs (40): Unknown command StartFade.
control/server/misc/item.cs (41): Unknown command Hide.
What would cause this? I had been typing in everything up until the weapon code and then I copied the .cs files from the cd (long long day at work) so I'm thinking this might be the cause - but would just like to know for sure :)
Thanks, and again - good job :)
#92
BTW: Great book ;)
06/02/2004 (3:22 am)
Quote: just bought your book the other day (actually got a copy in australia! woohoo! :D)Where did you get it? I got mine from Amazon?
BTW: Great book ;)
#94
06/02/2004 (3:34 am)
Now you tell me ;) Well it's $89 AUD :o Amazon had it for around $50 AUD with delivery :p
#95
I was going to order it sunday night, dymocks.com.au said they needed to confirm availability so I decided to check with them monday morning before ordering off amazon :)
06/02/2004 (3:44 am)
True, although I am an impatient person :)I was going to order it sunday night, dymocks.com.au said they needed to confirm availability so I decided to check with them monday morning before ordering off amazon :)
#96
06/03/2004 (10:46 am)
Well, I wish you luck with the book guys.
#98
Currently, "Computer Manuals" seems to offer the best price, but that may change. Fortunately, that page is created dynamically.
06/05/2004 (2:36 am)
If you're in the UK, you can find out the best price and who has it in stock using this Kelkoo page.Currently, "Computer Manuals" seems to offer the best price, but that may change. Fortunately, that page is created dynamically.
#99
Best Regards,
Patrick
06/05/2004 (8:03 pm)
Having received my book from Amazon a couple weeks ago, I know this has been a great book for me as a relatively new user of Torque. Thanks Ken for all your work in putting this great resource together!Best Regards,
Patrick
#100
Is the book dedicated to teaching development with Torque, or is it a side topic or something?
Thanks. :)
06/06/2004 (5:43 am)
I am a new owner of Torque myself. I was going to buy Ken's book after all the acclaim on this thread when I realized that the description on amazon.com does not even mention the word Torque. I also realized the title of the book does not have the word Torque in it either. This all leads me to wonder how much of the book is about Torque after all.Is the book dedicated to teaching development with Torque, or is it a side topic or something?
Thanks. :)
Torque Owner Thijs Sloesen
Scattered Studio