First steps
by Robert Ternes · in Torque Game Engine · 05/20/2004 (2:27 am) · 9 replies
Hallo!
At first: I'm a german pupil and can't speak English perfectly, but I hope you can understand me ;)
I've bought Torque yesterday and downloaded its sourcecode via CVS. But now I don't know what to do. And the "First Steps" FAQ isn't written clear enough for me to understand. The only thing I understood is that I have to compile this source code with Visual C++ 6.0, 7.0, or 7.1. GCC - because I don't want to buy other software, I downloaded the freeware compiler "Mingw". But it doesn't seem to work! It says that I have to edit AUTOEXEC.BAT, but in XP this file doesn't exist and the possibility in XP to make the same doesn't work either (http://csjava.occ.cccd.edu/~gilberts/mingw/) What do I have to compile and how I can compile?
Thank you very much for your answers!
At first: I'm a german pupil and can't speak English perfectly, but I hope you can understand me ;)
I've bought Torque yesterday and downloaded its sourcecode via CVS. But now I don't know what to do. And the "First Steps" FAQ isn't written clear enough for me to understand. The only thing I understood is that I have to compile this source code with Visual C++ 6.0, 7.0, or 7.1. GCC - because I don't want to buy other software, I downloaded the freeware compiler "Mingw". But it doesn't seem to work! It says that I have to edit AUTOEXEC.BAT, but in XP this file doesn't exist and the possibility in XP to make the same doesn't work either (http://csjava.occ.cccd.edu/~gilberts/mingw/) What do I have to compile and how I can compile?
Thank you very much for your answers!
About the author
#2
Do I only have to compile the Torque engine one time or do I also have to compile my games later with an theird compiler like Visual C++ 7.1? When it is only for one time, than it isn't worth the money!
So: Do you know other easy to use compilers which are freeware? When I've compiled Torque, do I have the world editor as a exe or what do I habe to do? Sorry for this question, but I only read the documentation till this compiler chapter and stays there with my question ;)
05/20/2004 (7:17 am)
And are there other free compilers than Mingw or DEV-C++ which can be used for Torque? I've read the documentation (the beginning of it) and the thing with the compilers. But I've bought Torque because the demo was good and the price finde. When I have to buy Visual C++ 7.1 for 144EUR (German) than I would stay with my "old" 3DGS.Do I only have to compile the Torque engine one time or do I also have to compile my games later with an theird compiler like Visual C++ 7.1? When it is only for one time, than it isn't worth the money!
So: Do you know other easy to use compilers which are freeware? When I've compiled Torque, do I have the world editor as a exe or what do I habe to do? Sorry for this question, but I only read the documentation till this compiler chapter and stays there with my question ;)
#3
In my opinion, there are no truly easy to use free compilers, for beginners. Free compilers certainly work.. and are easy once you know what you're doing, but we don't recommend that people start out with them.
That is why we recommend the use of VC++ 7.1. It's easy for beginners.
However, your point about cost is certainly understandable. Torque definitely can be compiled with many different compilers, and lots of people here use compilers other than VC++.
But you need to recognize that in order to save money with a free compiler, you are trading off some time and frustration. It will take some time to get used to a free compiler, especially if you go with one without a GUI.
GarageGames does not offer any *official* support for these compilers, but that does not stop you from asking for help here in the forums from community members. If you take the time to do some forum searches, you will see a number of posts addressing such issues already.
As for the World Editor, it is a part of the engine itself. So, yes, once you've compiled Torque, you will have the mission editor to use. Also, you can just download the Torque demo from our site and use the mission editor through the demo to create your missions.
05/20/2004 (11:32 am)
Robert,In my opinion, there are no truly easy to use free compilers, for beginners. Free compilers certainly work.. and are easy once you know what you're doing, but we don't recommend that people start out with them.
That is why we recommend the use of VC++ 7.1. It's easy for beginners.
However, your point about cost is certainly understandable. Torque definitely can be compiled with many different compilers, and lots of people here use compilers other than VC++.
But you need to recognize that in order to save money with a free compiler, you are trading off some time and frustration. It will take some time to get used to a free compiler, especially if you go with one without a GUI.
GarageGames does not offer any *official* support for these compilers, but that does not stop you from asking for help here in the forums from community members. If you take the time to do some forum searches, you will see a number of posts addressing such issues already.
As for the World Editor, it is a part of the engine itself. So, yes, once you've compiled Torque, you will have the mission editor to use. Also, you can just download the Torque demo from our site and use the mission editor through the demo to create your missions.
#4
The benefits of a graphcial debugger are well worth the price of a good compiler. You said you were a student? There are great prices for compilers, if you are a student. Look for academic pricing. The best compiler I know of, and one that has great student pricing, is Metrowerks Codewarrior. Personally, I greatly prefer it over MS Visual C++. The interface is much easier for first time users than VC++.
Looking around on Froogle, it looks like you can get either one of those compilers for around 100 euro. In my experience, the price of an easy to use compiler pales in comparison to the headaches it will save you.
05/20/2004 (12:09 pm)
You have to recompile every time you change some C/C++ code in the engine. So, you'll be doing a lot of compiling!The benefits of a graphcial debugger are well worth the price of a good compiler. You said you were a student? There are great prices for compilers, if you are a student. Look for academic pricing. The best compiler I know of, and one that has great student pricing, is Metrowerks Codewarrior. Personally, I greatly prefer it over MS Visual C++. The interface is much easier for first time users than VC++.
Looking around on Froogle, it looks like you can get either one of those compilers for around 100 euro. In my experience, the price of an easy to use compiler pales in comparison to the headaches it will save you.
#5
I dont know about your school, but at my school they have VS educational for student use for free. I had to ask and dig though to find out, its not a thing they publicize!! Beware though, the academic versions DO NOT allow you to sell anything you make with them (at least VS).
Good luck!
-s
05/20/2004 (1:06 pm)
Compiling torque is not an easy task with any IDE/compiler, as there are what, 450ksloc (code lines) at least!? Yes, get an academic copy of VS or CW, you will need the debugger at some point. You will most likely be compiling again and again, as what the base torque can do in script is somewhat limiting. You will also probably want to add some of the many fine resources available here on GG as well, and most of those require engine changes. I dont know about your school, but at my school they have VS educational for student use for free. I had to ask and dig though to find out, its not a thing they publicize!! Beware though, the academic versions DO NOT allow you to sell anything you make with them (at least VS).
Good luck!
-s
#6
I need your help again:
I have Visual C++ 6.0 now and have compiled this demo how it is written in the documentation. But I don't know hwo to start my own project now. And there is nothing about that in the documentation or in any tutorial!
What _exactly_ do I have to do? Please describe it step by step. Thank you!
One comment:
Can I compile the engine with the editors without that demo? Or how do I habe to do it?
THANK YOU!
05/28/2004 (8:29 am)
Hello!I need your help again:
I have Visual C++ 6.0 now and have compiled this demo how it is written in the documentation. But I don't know hwo to start my own project now. And there is nothing about that in the documentation or in any tutorial!
What _exactly_ do I have to do? Please describe it step by step. Thank you!
One comment:
Can I compile the engine with the editors without that demo? Or how do I habe to do it?
THANK YOU!
#7
For a step-by-step guide to making a game, right now the best resource is Ken Finney's 3D Game Programming All In One. That book is very good and covers building a game from the ground up with Torque. I don't know how much it will cost for you to pick up though, if you live outside the U.S.
Other than that, there are a number of good free guides here on the site. Check out the main Torque information page.
Edward Maurina's Essential Guide to TGE also rocks, and while it's not complete yet, it's already an outstanding resource.
Devon Ly's Tourniquet guide is also good.
The CodeSampler tutorials are pretty technical, but very good if you are a scripter/programmer.
You will have to spend some time reading. :) Building a quality game is not a point-and-click process. But if you are willing at leat to put the time into reading these guides, you will be well-rewarded with the knowledge it takes to begin building your game with Torque.
06/02/2004 (1:09 pm)
Robert,For a step-by-step guide to making a game, right now the best resource is Ken Finney's 3D Game Programming All In One. That book is very good and covers building a game from the ground up with Torque. I don't know how much it will cost for you to pick up though, if you live outside the U.S.
Other than that, there are a number of good free guides here on the site. Check out the main Torque information page.
Edward Maurina's Essential Guide to TGE also rocks, and while it's not complete yet, it's already an outstanding resource.
Devon Ly's Tourniquet guide is also good.
The CodeSampler tutorials are pretty technical, but very good if you are a scripter/programmer.
You will have to spend some time reading. :) Building a quality game is not a point-and-click process. But if you are willing at leat to put the time into reading these guides, you will be well-rewarded with the knowledge it takes to begin building your game with Torque.
#8
06/05/2004 (7:30 am)
Thank you very much!
#9
You have to set your folder options to allow you to see hidden files and folders, and you have to unprotect pretected OS files. Then you will find a buch of new files you have never seen on your C drive including autoexec.bat.
06/05/2004 (7:34 am)
Autoexec.bat does exist on WinXP.You have to set your folder options to allow you to see hidden files and folders, and you have to unprotect pretected OS files. Then you will find a buch of new files you have never seen on your C drive including autoexec.bat.
Torque Owner Jeff Tunnell
If you do not understand what is going on, please do not attempt to use MingW, as it is way too complicated. The only recommended compiler for Torque on WIN, especially for beginners, is VC++ 7.1 (.Net). Here is a link to MSVC++ 7.1: www.garagegames.com/index.php?sec=mg&mod=resource&page=view&qid=5288 I'm not sure, but there used to be some problems with the German version of C++ that required some registry changes. Here is info on that: www.garagegames.com/index.php?sec=mg&mod=resource&page=view&qid=5060.