TGB...Questions
by Hans Meyer · in Torque Game Builder · 04/01/2007 (3:24 am) · 15 replies
Perhaps i want to buy the gamebuilder but i have a few questions.
1. Can I connect to DataBases like MSSQL or MYSQL ?
2. Can I start the Editor in 1280x1024 Window mode?
I have 2 Screens and if i use fullscreen, everytime i switch the screen the screenmode change
3. Can i download a full reference of functionary to have an overview of what the gamebuilder can do exactly?
Thx...
1. Can I connect to DataBases like MSSQL or MYSQL ?
2. Can I start the Editor in 1280x1024 Window mode?
I have 2 Screens and if i use fullscreen, everytime i switch the screen the screenmode change
3. Can i download a full reference of functionary to have an overview of what the gamebuilder can do exactly?
Thx...
#2
In Window Mode I only can see one resolution under 1280x1024 (1152x864)...
Fullscreen works fine but I want the same in Window Mode.
3. I found a reference of all funcitons. But this documentation is not very good.
So is there another reference?
04/01/2007 (8:49 am)
2. Ok thx, but I want to use Window Mode not Fullscreen.In Window Mode I only can see one resolution under 1280x1024 (1152x864)...
Fullscreen works fine but I want the same in Window Mode.
3. I found a reference of all funcitons. But this documentation is not very good.
So is there another reference?
#3
2) You can configure the editors default "edit" resolution by modifying your preferences, I believe it's something like "Edit->Preferences" or something in the Level Builder menus ... you can only use a windowed mode that is one resolution below your screens resolution however, so if your running at 1024x768 your highest windowed mode resolution is 800x600 ...
3) The documentation provided with TGB is one of the best I've found for "game builder" applications -- it is filled with tutorials, which are from start to finish walk-thru's that showcase the major functionalities of TGB as well as build a functional game prototype ... the same documentation provided with the TGB Trial is provided with the licensed version -- HOWEVER, licensed TGB'ers also have access to TDN and the TGB Private Forums ... where tons of discussion threads and articles can be found that go into detail about some of the more obscure functionalities of the Game Builder that are not highlighted in detail in tutorials ...
The GG Community is one of the best I've found, if you have a question, ask ... someone is sure to know the answer, and they'll more then certainly provide it ..
04/01/2007 (12:13 pm)
1) You can use one of the various resources that community members have contributed for database access, not sure if there are any that connect specifically to MySQL or MSSQL ... have a look through the GG Resources page ...2) You can configure the editors default "edit" resolution by modifying your preferences, I believe it's something like "Edit->Preferences" or something in the Level Builder menus ... you can only use a windowed mode that is one resolution below your screens resolution however, so if your running at 1024x768 your highest windowed mode resolution is 800x600 ...
3) The documentation provided with TGB is one of the best I've found for "game builder" applications -- it is filled with tutorials, which are from start to finish walk-thru's that showcase the major functionalities of TGB as well as build a functional game prototype ... the same documentation provided with the TGB Trial is provided with the licensed version -- HOWEVER, licensed TGB'ers also have access to TDN and the TGB Private Forums ... where tons of discussion threads and articles can be found that go into detail about some of the more obscure functionalities of the Game Builder that are not highlighted in detail in tutorials ...
The GG Community is one of the best I've found, if you have a question, ask ... someone is sure to know the answer, and they'll more then certainly provide it ..
#4
And I agree with David the TGB is documentation if absolutely amazing.
04/01/2007 (2:06 pm)
I'm pretty sure you can TGB to connect with MySQL or even MS SQL. It could defintely be done using HTTP Object. Also I know for a fact that SQLite can be embedded into TGB (have it working). And I agree with David the TGB is documentation if absolutely amazing.
#5
As for MySQL, I don't believe they have a way to do that either ...
Writing your own MSSQL Data Layer system with the TCPObject is absolutely unrealistic ... the same goes for MySQL ... the only way to accomplish these two feats would be introduce there libraries into the TGB Source --
04/01/2007 (6:54 pm)
@Chip, last I checked, MSSQL did not have an HTTP access method -- it has Web Services, but TGB can't handle that without parsing the XML ... and generating the proper XML requests for the calls, etc, etc ...As for MySQL, I don't believe they have a way to do that either ...
Writing your own MSSQL Data Layer system with the TCPObject is absolutely unrealistic ... the same goes for MySQL ... the only way to accomplish these two feats would be introduce there libraries into the TGB Source --
#6
04/01/2007 (7:01 pm)
I thought it was possible using HTTP to call PHP scripts and the such that were on a server, thus accessing the database of choice there.
#7
http://www.garagegames.com/index.php?sec=mg&mod=resource&page=view&qid=5286
This could get you started. Its for TGE but you should be able to get an idea from it.
04/01/2007 (7:04 pm)
http://www.garagegames.com/index.php?sec=mg&mod=resource&page=view&qid=5286
This could get you started. Its for TGE but you should be able to get an idea from it.
#8
As for the database resources, all the ones I've seen are TGB friendly as they aren't tied into the core engine and are usually just based off of SimObject which exists in both ... for example, the SQLite resource is TGE/TGB friendly ... so I would assume the MySQL resource is as well, unless it somehow has some tie in's to the Shape classes in TGE so you can store your shape data in MySQL with a simple "saveToMySQL" function call (but I doubt it, ;p)
-- David
04/01/2007 (7:31 pm)
@Chip, ok, if you used a wrapper layer such as a web ... yes, you could do that ... though, it's not really the best way to go about it ... all depending on what your trying to accomplish ... though, for a 2D game, I see no reason for it to have access to a network based database system, unless it's simply updating a web based profile system with high score stats or player information, etc, etc ... at which point, a web page call would be the best approach ... as you don't want to build your data layer access into the game itself ...As for the database resources, all the ones I've seen are TGB friendly as they aren't tied into the core engine and are usually just based off of SimObject which exists in both ... for example, the SQLite resource is TGE/TGB friendly ... so I would assume the MySQL resource is as well, unless it somehow has some tie in's to the Shape classes in TGE so you can store your shape data in MySQL with a simple "saveToMySQL" function call (but I doubt it, ;p)
-- David
#9
I actually released a TorqueScript based HTTPObject, that basically implements the same functionality as the HTTPObject, but by using the TCPObject and is completely written in TorqueScript, so you can easily modify it to do extra things (like add POST abilities, which the HTTPObject has, but its missing the code to actually do the job ;p)
04/01/2007 (7:33 pm)
Also, if your going to do the web based thing, I would highly suggest extended the TCPObject and not using the HTTPObject as it has 'issues' ... ;)I actually released a TorqueScript based HTTPObject, that basically implements the same functionality as the HTTPObject, but by using the TCPObject and is completely written in TorqueScript, so you can easily modify it to do extra things (like add POST abilities, which the HTTPObject has, but its missing the code to actually do the job ;p)
#10
And yes TCPObect would be the better solution. Apologies my dyslexia kicked in ;)
04/01/2007 (7:48 pm)
SQLite works great. I recommend it for any "local" db needs. It's efficient and a small footprint.And yes TCPObect would be the better solution. Apologies my dyslexia kicked in ;)
#11
Yes you can use any db that can link via ODBC,you can get source for this in the private forums - for free.
when you purchase the Pro version you can then just compile it into your exe.
"I thought it was possible using HTTP to call PHP scripts and the such that were on a server, thus accessing the database of choice there."
Yes you can do that even to asp, aspx and php any web technology by using the TCPobject - I tried it and it works 100
04/01/2007 (9:01 pm)
"1. Can I connect to DataBases like MSSQL or MYSQL ?"Yes you can use any db that can link via ODBC,you can get source for this in the private forums - for free.
when you purchase the Pro version you can then just compile it into your exe.
"I thought it was possible using HTTP to call PHP scripts and the such that were on a server, thus accessing the database of choice there."
Yes you can do that even to asp, aspx and php any web technology by using the TCPobject - I tried it and it works 100
#12
My opinion to TGB is not growing...
Several times the Visual Studio debugger had started and I got an error. I think this problem
came if I close the game sometimes...
The collision detecting is not very perfect...
Sometimes objects intersects or jumps around.
04/01/2007 (11:05 pm)
Ok thx...My opinion to TGB is not growing...
Several times the Visual Studio debugger had started and I got an error. I think this problem
came if I close the game sometimes...
The collision detecting is not very perfect...
Sometimes objects intersects or jumps around.
#13
04/02/2007 (11:01 am)
Hans, it is extremely possible to crash the engine by writing scripts incorrectly ... scripts which generate infinite loops, or perform impossible math or just simply do something that shouldn't be done ... can crash the engine ... I've found that in every TGB Crash that when I stepped through the debugger and walked back through the call stack ... that the problem was in fact my poorly written scripts ... which happens from time to time when I'm speed prototyping ... ;)
#14
The crash was not because of a wrong script... I did not write any code since then.
04/03/2007 (10:01 am)
I'm not sure if I should buy it.The crash was not because of a wrong script... I did not write any code since then.
#15
Also like David says you can do quite a bit in script, because you have this power you are able to even crash the engine in script... I still make big mistakes from time to time that result in an infinite loop, crashed engine, etc... always being an error in my script.
04/03/2007 (10:14 am)
What problems are you having with the collision Hans? One area you might run into some problems (which we do know about and are always trying to improve the engine :) is the circle collision. If you are having problems with that just make it a polygon collision with many sides.Also like David says you can do quite a bit in script, because you have this power you are able to even crash the engine in script... I still make big mistakes from time to time that result in an infinite loop, crashed engine, etc... always being an error in my script.
Ricardo Vladimiro
Default Studio Name
2. Yes. I have the same setup and it works. Check your preferences. You need to choose full-screen and after you can choose your full-screen definition.
3. I don't understand the question, but if you did the tutorials and you are wondering if it's more deep than that, than yes, the tutorials are a bit too simple compared with what you can do. There are several successful commercial titles done with TGB at the moment. That says enough of the product.