Recommend a map editor?
by Alan H · in Torque Game Engine · 05/31/2005 (11:56 am) · 11 replies
Hey all,
I looking for a map editor as the one built into Torque is very basic. I've looked through the forums and it seems there are alot of them to choose from. I am in the process of selling my 1969 SuperBee to fund the art side of my game and I want to make the money count as this is a BIG sacrifice for me.
Can someone recommend one? I'm not scared of a learning curve. I'm not a 3D artist by any stretch of the imagination. I've thought of using Bryce since someone did say it was great for terrain but I don't know if I'd be able to load in the buildings to add to it, etc. I've been learning gamespace lite recently and I do like it but am a little apprehensive about laying down 300 bucks though. However I will do it if it's recommended.
Maya, and 3D max are out, I ain't laying down that much dosh right now. Maybe IF I needed it to finish a game. But right now I'm still learning and would rather not kill the wallet.
Thanks!
I looking for a map editor as the one built into Torque is very basic. I've looked through the forums and it seems there are alot of them to choose from. I am in the process of selling my 1969 SuperBee to fund the art side of my game and I want to make the money count as this is a BIG sacrifice for me.
Can someone recommend one? I'm not scared of a learning curve. I'm not a 3D artist by any stretch of the imagination. I've thought of using Bryce since someone did say it was great for terrain but I don't know if I'd be able to load in the buildings to add to it, etc. I've been learning gamespace lite recently and I do like it but am a little apprehensive about laying down 300 bucks though. However I will do it if it's recommended.
Maya, and 3D max are out, I ain't laying down that much dosh right now. Maybe IF I needed it to finish a game. But right now I'm still learning and would rather not kill the wallet.
Thanks!
About the author
#2
I didn't think to break it down. Shows how much I know about the art side of the industry eh?
The one i was most concerned with was the second, world editor. I was hoping to use something more robust than the built in editor. It gets tedious placing the objects while having to "zoom" around in the map. Some way to work with the wire mesh of the terrain directly.
I haven't given Quark more than a cursory look. I have tried Milkshape, I managed to "blow up" the Jill content pack so bad I had to start over (several times).
Like I said, I'm new to the art side of this. I haven't had to be creative, artisticaly since I finished Art II class in High school back in 1989. Hard for us network admins to think this way. :)
05/31/2005 (12:23 pm)
Thanks Chris.I didn't think to break it down. Shows how much I know about the art side of the industry eh?
The one i was most concerned with was the second, world editor. I was hoping to use something more robust than the built in editor. It gets tedious placing the objects while having to "zoom" around in the map. Some way to work with the wire mesh of the terrain directly.
I haven't given Quark more than a cursory look. I have tried Milkshape, I managed to "blow up" the Jill content pack so bad I had to start over (several times).
Like I said, I'm new to the art side of this. I haven't had to be creative, artisticaly since I finished Art II class in High school back in 1989. Hard for us network admins to think this way. :)
#3
05/31/2005 (12:35 pm)
Alan - Try Silo for a 3d editor for models. It's $109 and worth every penny. You'll probably need Milkshape 3d for now to use as an exporter to Torque. Silo saves as 3ds which you can open in Milkshape 3d. Silo is easy to use but as powerful of a modeler as 3dstudio max and maya. Also, give the mission editor docs a chance before you give up on the mission editor. I have used every 3d game editor out there and Torque is the easier mission editor I have used. I wish it had full 2d ortho views but that is my only complaint.
#4
05/31/2005 (1:28 pm)
@Anton: Sounds interesting. Do you have a link to Silo? Google is failing atm... Thanks in advance!
#6
I'll bang my head against the torque editor some more. I'll tell ya, nothing has been more humbling than trying to wrestle torque into submission. I've had it 7 months now and except for a brief hiatus from it, I have been dinging away. Just when I think I've got it - I blow it up and have to reload and start again. I wish the editor allowed a nice top down view without all the flying about.
05/31/2005 (9:12 pm)
Anton - thanks man! I'm looking at Silo right now and it looks real good. Not a bad price at all. Is the learning curve bad?I'll bang my head against the torque editor some more. I'll tell ya, nothing has been more humbling than trying to wrestle torque into submission. I've had it 7 months now and except for a brief hiatus from it, I have been dinging away. Just when I think I've got it - I blow it up and have to reload and start again. I wish the editor allowed a nice top down view without all the flying about.
#8
06/01/2005 (12:17 am)
@Anton: Thanks a lot! Think I will give it a try soon.
#9
06/02/2005 (4:32 am)
@ Gonzo - I downloard obj2dts. I'll give it a try on some of the free stuff I've collected to see how it works. Thanks. 
#10
Its DTS exporter kick ass ;) and dont told anything yet, about its unbeatable modelling precision, and workflow. My greatest recommendation on the topic of 3D.
06/02/2005 (5:45 am)
Do not forget about Lightwave. Much cheaper (end even better) than "the best" competitor. (except the milkshape) Its DTS exporter kick ass ;) and dont told anything yet, about its unbeatable modelling precision, and workflow. My greatest recommendation on the topic of 3D.
Torque Owner Chris Labombard
Premium Preferred
For the first (.map files) you can use quark, or cshop, or soon you can use constructor.
For the second (placing objects on the terrain) you are stuck with the world editor (F11) or editing the .mis (text editor) file by hand...
For 3D modelling, 3dsMax is the best option, but since its out of your range... a lot of people use milkshape. It has a LOT more support the blender, and I think it costs like 20$ or something rediculously low.