Torque Explorer
by Lars Boldt · in Torque Game Engine · 08/10/2004 (4:12 pm) · 108 replies
Torque Explorer preview.
Introduction:
I got very tired of having 10 different applications running when working with Torque. Code editors, image applications, documentation papers, books, audio players, windows explorer and so on...
So I sat down I started working on an "almost all in one idea". The result so far you can see on the image. The application so far includes around $1500 of 3rd party licenses, all from icons to image format support.
Features:
- Treeview of your game files. Just like Windows Explorer. One click on a file and the program will automatically decide where to open it, code view, log view, image view or audio view.
- Automatic deletion of .dso files on game start, if you want.
- Supports opening the following image formats: JPG, TGA, PNG, BMP, CUR, ICO, TIF, PCX, PXM and GIF.
- Can convert all of the above formats into: JPG, TGA, PNG, BMP, TIF, PCX, PXM and GIF with 3 clicks. You can also resize the image in the process by selecting pre-defined Torque texture sizes or your own custom size.
- Supports wav and mp3 aswell as many well known video formats in the audio section.
- Change color, font and size in code view and log view. This only applies to the whole text, not individual words as for now.
- All you need to do to get started is name your game, select the starting directory, release exe and debug exe and you are good to go.
- Unique icons for all important file types to easily differ them from one another.
Features being worked on:
- OGG support.
- Conversion of audio formats, as in wav to ogg, mp3 to ogg etc...
I realize the code editor for instance cannot compete with a stand alone code editor which is nothing but that. But over time, it can be.
Features that would be really cool to have:
- Model viewer, support for 3ds, max, ma and so on. Maybe someone knows an ActiveX component that can read some of these file types?
I could use some help if anyone is interested with a few things. Application is being developed in Borland C++ Builder 6.
1) Implementation of OGG. Someone who can specifically point out what code is needed to play and what is needed to convert, and how to bind this to a graphical user interface.
2) Script documentation. Would really like to include a searchable script reference, made with Microsoft HTML Help. The one that creates .chm/.hlp files.
3) Someone who knows the windows API well. Specifically the file system. At this point i've written a file explorer indexer on a TreeView object. This is unfortunatly abit slow at this point, and I would like to speed it up. Additionally it's things like noticing file deletion or a sudden new file being added, and add it to the tree view without having to update the whole list. There is alot to keep track of here and that's why it's abit slow.
4) 3D model viewer implementation. Can be by ActiveX or Borland C++ Builder 6 components.
Suggestions are welcomed. If you want to help, email me at Lars.sp5am.@MagikaStudios.Com. without .sp5am.
Lars
About the author
#102
09/07/2004 (4:27 pm)
This goes right after TSE on my to-buy list. I hope its in the $20-$30 range though(I don't have a job :-o).
#103
there are enough images that it even takes a while to load this thread
even on broadband. Maybe call it Torque Explorer v2.0 or something :)
09/07/2004 (6:45 pm)
Speaking about starting a new thread, I think that would be a good idea... there are enough images that it even takes a while to load this thread
even on broadband. Maybe call it Torque Explorer v2.0 or something :)
#104
I will start a new one the next time I have something important to share :)
Btw: Join #torqueexplorer on irc.maxgaming.net if you want to chat about the app.
Lars
09/07/2004 (6:48 pm)
True, it does take some time to scroll to the end now hehe.I will start a new one the next time I have something important to share :)
Btw: Join #torqueexplorer on irc.maxgaming.net if you want to chat about the app.
Lars
#105
09/08/2004 (3:21 am)
I would like to beta test this. I could send you a report on it after a week. 
#106
Sorry to bring this up again, but this forum is already a mile long, so I figured what's another 10 feet.
I use Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Architect Edition myself (no it isn't cheap, even the upgrade is not cheap). I do have a copy of the latest borland compiler, but I quit using borland a few years back. There is nothing wrong with Borland, just personal preference as was already voiced on this forum. Either way, I honestly think that if you are going to be a "real developer" you need the big boy toys.... not the discount nickle and dime versions. I've used them all... trust me, I've been programming since the early 80's.
I've used the name-brand, all the spin-off freebies, cheap versions, stripped down versions, and shareware crap. You just can't beat the "latest" and "feature-rich" versions of Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Architect and Borland C++ Builder Enterprise. Now don't get me wrong, the cheap-o compilers do the trick and get the job done, but that can also be said for a 1970 Ford Maverick without A/C. It might get you to where you want to go, but your not going to be picking up any chicks in that lug, or turning any heads when you drive down the street in that clunker.
Point being, spend some money, get the proper tools, and learn to program. Learn the fundamentals. And if you are going to program games, you better know algebra, calculus, physics, geometry, graphics hardware, OpenGL/DirectX and their underlying algorithms inside and out. Almost anyone can copy and paste code into a cheap compiler and get it to spit something out.
Lars, keep up the excellent work man. You are obviously a dedicated, hard-working programmer with skills. Your work is the perfect example of what a "real programmer" can crank out using the best tools available to them. I'll be waiting for the release.
Well, I'll step down off of my soap box now....
09/08/2004 (7:43 am)
Quote:$3000? For $99 you can get C#.NET from Microsoft, and it can do everything that Borland 6 can do plus it's
much easier to use. C#.NET is a much easier language to learn, because it's a combination of VB, C++, and Java.
All you have to do is type MessageBox. and a list of commands for the MessageBox comes up. When you
click on the oone you want it adds it to the line and even shows what has to be in the command. It's the best language
out there and it's cheap.
Sorry to bring this up again, but this forum is already a mile long, so I figured what's another 10 feet.
I use Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Architect Edition myself (no it isn't cheap, even the upgrade is not cheap). I do have a copy of the latest borland compiler, but I quit using borland a few years back. There is nothing wrong with Borland, just personal preference as was already voiced on this forum. Either way, I honestly think that if you are going to be a "real developer" you need the big boy toys.... not the discount nickle and dime versions. I've used them all... trust me, I've been programming since the early 80's.
I've used the name-brand, all the spin-off freebies, cheap versions, stripped down versions, and shareware crap. You just can't beat the "latest" and "feature-rich" versions of Visual Studio .NET 2003 Enterprise Architect and Borland C++ Builder Enterprise. Now don't get me wrong, the cheap-o compilers do the trick and get the job done, but that can also be said for a 1970 Ford Maverick without A/C. It might get you to where you want to go, but your not going to be picking up any chicks in that lug, or turning any heads when you drive down the street in that clunker.
Point being, spend some money, get the proper tools, and learn to program. Learn the fundamentals. And if you are going to program games, you better know algebra, calculus, physics, geometry, graphics hardware, OpenGL/DirectX and their underlying algorithms inside and out. Almost anyone can copy and paste code into a cheap compiler and get it to spit something out.
Lars, keep up the excellent work man. You are obviously a dedicated, hard-working programmer with skills. Your work is the perfect example of what a "real programmer" can crank out using the best tools available to them. I'll be waiting for the release.
Well, I'll step down off of my soap box now....
#107
I already have 6 wonderful people testing and reporting back to me. I don't want to send out more copies just yet, because then I will keep getting the same feedback over and over :)
Once more things get fixed and added, I will evaluate the current bugs "seriousness" and then decide wether to test it more or release it. If more testing is in order, i'll send a copy to all you guys who wants to help out too.
Thanks for helping make this a kick ass Torque tool!
Thanks for the kind words Trenton!
Lars
09/08/2004 (1:21 pm)
Thanks all for wanting to help with beta.I already have 6 wonderful people testing and reporting back to me. I don't want to send out more copies just yet, because then I will keep getting the same feedback over and over :)
Once more things get fixed and added, I will evaluate the current bugs "seriousness" and then decide wether to test it more or release it. If more testing is in order, i'll send a copy to all you guys who wants to help out too.
Thanks for helping make this a kick ass Torque tool!
Thanks for the kind words Trenton!
Lars
Torque Owner Lars Boldt
Quote:
Perhaps in the short term you could simply allow people to specify their own script editor to use whenever they 'explore' a code file?
I totally plan to support specifying your own applications for each file, in a version somewhere between 1.0 and 2.0 :)
The first update after release will focus on project management.
It will include things like "easily shared design document" between project members, calendar where you can specify an event at a specific time in your timezone, this will then be displayed at the correct timezone in another team members calendar. And of course, a TODO list! Yay.
Anyways, no time estimates on when this will be done yet.
Quote:
Do you have a set (Or at least approximate) cost yet?
Even if I had, I won't post it here, because that is a 100% sure method of creating an off topic discussion about what everyone think this software is worth. :)
Lars