Two Questions...

#1 Also, is the RTS starter pack any good?
I really useless at creating my own art and models and textures and stuff and I want to know whether or not the RTS starter pack comes with terrain textures, interiors, models, and some helpful documentation telling you how to add army's and units etc easily.

MArk Grooby.

#2 Hey, you said only Two Questions! No it's okay. But to answer them:

1. Yes, TGB Script is the EXACT same. TGB is essentially TGE with the 3D elements replaced with 2D elements.
2. The RTS Kit will not work Out Of Box. But there are a few people who have worked on getting it in, with fair results if i remember correctly.

And your third question: I for one think that it is worth it. No, there aren't any terrain textures, and it only comes with three models, but all in all it is pretty straight forward and easy to learn from.

Hope that helps!

#3 Heh heh heh...
I wish I could change the title.
Thanks you helped alot.
I just bought The Game Programmers Guide to Torque, and I want to know, would this help me with TGB? Or does it tell me about TGE specific stuff. Also, is it faster and easier to create a game using TGB, or is TGE just as fast. I would prefer to be making 3d games but I don't really have that much spare time you see...
Anyway, please reply ASAP.

-Mark Grooby

#4 TGPGT will teach you to use TGE specifically but TorqueScript is the same (with additions and certain subtractions) in TGB. So it is a good source for both.

It is easier to learn to make games in TGB. It has great documentation and assets are easier to make in 2D...though it still takes an artist to make high-quality art regardless of the number of dimensions.

EDIT:
Actually, that shouldn't be "easier" but that TGB has a lower bar for getting started.

#5 What program should I use for drawing 2D images?
Also would you be able to get me started with something?
I need some script to make a basic platformer.
I'm new to Torque, and pretty hopeless at programming, so I would appreciate it if you would be able to give me some script that handles gravity, controls, possibly acceleration and de-acceleration.
Also is TorqueScript similar to basic C programming? Because in about 2 weeks I might be taking a basic C programming course. Just wondering if that would help me with TorqueScript.

-Mark Grooby

#6

Quote:What program should I use for drawing 2D images?

Depends on your budget. Start out with gimp.... it is free.

Quote:Also is TorqueScript similar to basic C programming?

yes, the syntax is similar to c++.

I would highly recommend buying the book "The Game Programmer's Guide to Torque" by Edward F. Maurina III.

#7

Quote:I just bought The Game Programmers Guide to Torque

Not meaning to be rude, but if you had read my earlier posts you would know that I already have bought it.
I haven't received it yet, because I bought it only a day or two ago.

Thanks for showing me Gimp, I'll try it out.

-Mark Grooby

#8 Also, for creating 2D art, you might want to consider Project Dogwaffle. Version 1.2 has been released for free and it's great for certain kinds of painted elements. Smoke, fire, explosions, grass, leaves, ground-cover of all sorts and anything that needs an organic feel. If you anticipate doing a lot of drawing, you might consider getting a Wacom tablet. It will make life a lot easier -- and more fun. :)

#9 Sorry about the book, I did a quick scan. Do you have TGB, TGE, or both?

#10 TGB is much easier to start on due to the documentation and the removal of some of the more complex areas of Torque (eg with most games you won't need to bother with the client-server setup). There is even a tutorial for platformers so you should be able to get going straight away :)

#11 There is a tutorial for creating a platformer on the Torque Developer Network for TGB. tGPGtT will give you the basics for a 3D platformer. There are a couple of gotchas in terms of creating a traditional 3D platformer (such as moving platforms) which you will need to research and see how other people have gotten them working (moving interiors).

TorqueScript is a C-styled language. Your difficulty will probably come in learning two similarly styled languages without a common background.

GiMP and Photoshop's powers lie in photo manipulation rather than in base art creation (which does not mean that art cannot be created in them--far from it--but that was not their intended function. Painter, ProMotion, SketchPad Pro, Manga Artist, etc are more generation tools than manipulation tools.

Like Aaron, I also would suggest a Wacom tablet if your budget permits. They're great if you are an artist (and more intuitive if you are not since they work like a traditional drawing table ergonimically). And while some people love using them for 3D tools, I find them extremely irritating in 3-space. Just my bias. After using it with Painter/Sketchbook Pro/Manga Studio, I can't imagine going back to a mouse, though.

#12 Hi all.

@Aaron
Cool I'll give it a DogWaffle a try.
What is a wacom tablet, where can I buy one, and how much does it cost?

@Mark
I have both TGE and TGB

@Tom
The platformer tutorial is broken. Half of it doesn't seem to be there. For instance, it tells me to add things to a certain function, without telling me previously to create that function. Also, it told me to add a certain thing to actionCommands.cs, but never told me to exec it, or to create it. Would you be kind enough to post some basic platformer script? (moving and jumping) This would not need to include going up or down ramps, or collecting powerups, or dying, just basic movement.

@David
I was actually talking about a 2D platformer using TGB, not a 3D one using TGE, but I would hugely appreciate it if you could show me some documentation where I could change my movement in TGE from FPS style movement, to Platformer style like Jak & Daxter. Also, out of the programs you listed, which ones are free (if any), and out of the free ones which would you most recomend.
EDIT: I re-read your post and forgive me if I'm mistaken but to me it seemed like you implied that you can make a 3D platformer using TGB? Please explain. Thanks

Thanks to you all.

-Mark Grooby

#13 No confusion intended. I was mixing art tools with engines, which are completely different beasts.

TGB is a 2D engine, which while allowing 3D models to be loaded and represented in 2 dimensional space is at base a 2D engine. TGE, which was the base for TGB's 2D functionality, is a 3D engine. They do two things and it would take a talented programmer and artist to make either do the others' job (and Melv was talented enough to make TGB from TGE). But he is the exception, not the rule.

The platformer tutorial is for a previous version of TGB and that is the reason that it doesn't work completely. I am sure that upgrade work is in place for its "official" incarnation as it would be a huge boon for TGB developers.

I don't know if I could actually show you a place where TGE movement is shifted on the forums or in the documentation. I did it because I was using the advanced camera resource and playing. Then I hated the gameplay that I was prototyping. I don't even know if I have the source anymore. That was a LONG time ago. Searching should take you a long way since I've seen it come up on the forums, but getting into the camera and control code will take you further. I wish I could be more helpful, but I don't remember yesterday let alone two years ago.

#14 Oh... I see...

But I wouldn't really say "It doesn't work completely." It doesn't work at ALL. If you can't get your character to move left and right, then you can make a platformer. Simple as that.

Quote:Also, out of the programs you listed, which ones are free (if any), and out of the free ones which would you most recomend.

Would you mind answering the question above? Thanks

-Mark Grooby

#15 A Wacom tablet is a drawing device that consists of a sensor 'panel' (tablet) and a stylus. Basically, you use it like a pad and pencil. It allows you to create art directly on your computer in a very natural manner. It is best used with painting and image editing software, but can be used with other apps as well. In my opinion, Wacom (www.wacom.com) makes the best tablets, which are worth their weight in gold. :)

Dogwaffle has a quirky interface, but it can do a lot of cool things. Painter is worth getting as well. A feature-limited version of painter should come bundled with your Wacom tablet. Again, if expect to do a lot of drawing and painting, a Wacom tablet is the way to go.

#16 There's also Inkscape. I haven't used it myself, but apparently it's quite good.

#17 Mark G,

While I'm at it, let me recommend going to Google (www.google.com) and doing some research on the following tools and software. Look for official or company sites. Also, pull up the product pages and features lists. Those should whet your appetite for construction.

Anim8tor
Blender
MilkShape
SoftImage XSI
3DS Max
Maya
LightWave
trueSpace
gameSpace
FragMotion
Hexagon
Rhino
ZBrush
Terragen
Bryce

Poser
Daz Studio

DeepExploration
DeepPaint
DeepUV
Torque Show Tool Pro

QuArK
Cartography Shop
Hammer (Worldcraft)
GTK Radiant
Torque Constructor

Project Dogwaffle
Painter
Photoshop
PaintShopPro
ProMotion,
SketchPad Pro
Manga Artist

Fraps
VirtualDub
ffmpeg2theora
Camtasia

Aaron E.


[Edit: remembered a couple more]