What do I need to design from A to Z ?
by Browser_ice · in Torque Game Engine · 10/15/2007 (2:54 pm) · 10 replies
Ok, I am starting to get confused. I see references (official tech infos, tools, SDK) on your site for things needed to design new worlds (from scratch and A to Z) which aren't clear enough about if they are freely available, for a short period or only if we buy an official license AND the whereabouts of having a centralized place for ALL specs infos.
At the office, they started a virtual world project using a licence for TGE 1.5.1 and they invited all employess to contribute to the project. Well I want to contribute and build a brand new world to show them what can be done as their current world which has nothing in it to realy show what can be done or shown.
So all I have is a copy of their Torque engine to try out and use to design my own world and objects.
I am not a beginner and not a professional either but I know lots of stuffs like maping, modeling, texturing, shaders and scripting.
So what do I need to design my own world with my own objects, textures, shaders and script, all from scratch and not having to look for scathered partial/missing tech infos (and I do mean ALL specs on all aspects of designing with Torque) using tools that will not expire ? I have no access to engine code and do not want to anyway.
I am short on time as my contract for the office ends in December so I cannot waste time looking for crucial informations on how to do things. I am counting on my final designed world to be hired on this project so I need a final working product using their engine. If I cannot get started withing this week with a steady progress I simply cannot continue on this and drop it.
At the office, they started a virtual world project using a licence for TGE 1.5.1 and they invited all employess to contribute to the project. Well I want to contribute and build a brand new world to show them what can be done as their current world which has nothing in it to realy show what can be done or shown.
So all I have is a copy of their Torque engine to try out and use to design my own world and objects.
I am not a beginner and not a professional either but I know lots of stuffs like maping, modeling, texturing, shaders and scripting.
So what do I need to design my own world with my own objects, textures, shaders and script, all from scratch and not having to look for scathered partial/missing tech infos (and I do mean ALL specs on all aspects of designing with Torque) using tools that will not expire ? I have no access to engine code and do not want to anyway.
I am short on time as my contract for the office ends in December so I cannot waste time looking for crucial informations on how to do things. I am counting on my final designed world to be hired on this project so I need a final working product using their engine. If I cannot get started withing this week with a steady progress I simply cannot continue on this and drop it.
#2
10/16/2007 (8:51 am)
I didn't say I want to learn everything in a week, I said I need to get the infos within a week so I can start working this week. Anyway, I am starting working on it this week but progress is way too slow without having proper infos. 
#3
10/16/2007 (10:00 am)
Check your local bookstores and/or libraries for Kenneth C. Finney's "3D Game Programming All In One" and "Advanced 3D Game Programming All In One" books.
#4
10/16/2007 (10:37 am)
Are there other ways or is this the ONLY way ? 
#5
10/16/2007 (11:42 am)
Well, you could read through all of the documentation on the site, TDN, search resources, and spend a lot of time on the forums, but I can't imagine there is an all-inclusive "everything" reference out there. Ken and Edward have tried it with their books and they are very good, but I don't know what 3D application you are using (other than Constructor) for your models, your scripting prowess, if you need accurate network ghosting, etc. Even with that information, references are spread around.
#6
10/16/2007 (1:28 pm)
I already had a look at the TDN and onsite documentations, alot of parts are missing or not fully explained. Some parts mention that I have to have an SDK to access. 
#7
are you looking for a in-depth tutorial that goes step by step form begining to end? doubt you will find anything that specific, beside the books that have already been written. Now if your looking into how to make your own interiors and shapes and find it confusing then maybe you should look into premade things wether it be free or for a nominal fee.
Tdn and the forums are what they are.. free resources to use as you see fit. and being free you will find them to be as finished as the people who wrote them felt they had the time to write.
Like I said it will take time to learn what your looking to learn and unfortunately, around here money talks. Your either going to have to learn these things as you go or pay someone to do them for you.
Not saying this is a bad place to get answers but you have to realize that developers who know what their doing normally charge for their knowledge. Your other option is join the Mirc channel and chat with people who may be able to help ( in real time ) but dont expect people there to make your game for you tho, alot of them are doing their own projects, but usually take time to help lead people in the right direction. And may have some art assets that are being unused.
So I would say your going to have to spend alot of time foraging for info or but ken, or eds book and learn that way. But I do wish you well in your endevour and hope you get things worked out.
TomFeni
10/16/2007 (3:13 pm)
Well to start you should get to know the ingame editor and learn how to create a new mission, terraofrom it, texture it and get a general idea how you want the ambience to be. Then decide if you want to go with dif or dts shapes for buildings and decor.are you looking for a in-depth tutorial that goes step by step form begining to end? doubt you will find anything that specific, beside the books that have already been written. Now if your looking into how to make your own interiors and shapes and find it confusing then maybe you should look into premade things wether it be free or for a nominal fee.
Tdn and the forums are what they are.. free resources to use as you see fit. and being free you will find them to be as finished as the people who wrote them felt they had the time to write.
Like I said it will take time to learn what your looking to learn and unfortunately, around here money talks. Your either going to have to learn these things as you go or pay someone to do them for you.
Not saying this is a bad place to get answers but you have to realize that developers who know what their doing normally charge for their knowledge. Your other option is join the Mirc channel and chat with people who may be able to help ( in real time ) but dont expect people there to make your game for you tho, alot of them are doing their own projects, but usually take time to help lead people in the right direction. And may have some art assets that are being unused.
So I would say your going to have to spend alot of time foraging for info or but ken, or eds book and learn that way. But I do wish you well in your endevour and hope you get things worked out.
TomFeni
#8
I am looking at in-depth knowledge about designing for the engine. I do not want to do code changes.
I already have 3d max 7, milkshape and Quark for a while.
I've always been the kind to go ahead and if there is a proble, look it up in the specs instead of waiting a couple of days for an answer.
Already I started 4 hours ago and been stopped by my first problem. I did a search and didn't find anything on it so I posted about it (still didn't get a conclusive answer).
I simply do not want to wait days for answers. My time is short and need to get this thing going.
10/16/2007 (4:23 pm)
Well I know my ways around modeling, texturing and leveling and will probably have no problems learning Torque scripts. I am no beginners.I am looking at in-depth knowledge about designing for the engine. I do not want to do code changes.
I already have 3d max 7, milkshape and Quark for a while.
I've always been the kind to go ahead and if there is a proble, look it up in the specs instead of waiting a couple of days for an answer.
Already I started 4 hours ago and been stopped by my first problem. I did a search and didn't find anything on it so I posted about it (still didn't get a conclusive answer).
I simply do not want to wait days for answers. My time is short and need to get this thing going.
#9
you say:
I cannot waste time looking for crucial informations on how to do things. I am counting on my final designed world to be hired on this project so I need a final working product using their engine.
you mention having a first problem but i don't see it defined (what is the problem)
10/17/2007 (12:02 am)
From a students point of view, the books are an awesome resource being game specific code is usually needed it's hard to learn "just what you want" you usually have to learn the process involvedyou say:
I cannot waste time looking for crucial informations on how to do things. I am counting on my final designed world to be hired on this project so I need a final working product using their engine.
you mention having a first problem but i don't see it defined (what is the problem)
#10
the page here. Type in the topic I'm looking for, like the other day I was looking for
"Flying Vehicle". Type that in, clock on OK and the Google search presents you with
a dop down so you can narrow your search. I usually choose "Resources" as those
tend to be the most complete instructions for what I'm looking for.
Give that a try, if you don't find what you're looking for, present your problems
to the forums. You'll either get an answer, or you'll get a link to a resource you couldn't
find earlier.
There are plenty of us here willing to help if we can.
10/17/2007 (9:04 am)
Many times when I'm looking for something specific, I go to the Search at the top ofthe page here. Type in the topic I'm looking for, like the other day I was looking for
"Flying Vehicle". Type that in, clock on OK and the Google search presents you with
a dop down so you can narrow your search. I usually choose "Resources" as those
tend to be the most complete instructions for what I'm looking for.
Give that a try, if you don't find what you're looking for, present your problems
to the forums. You'll either get an answer, or you'll get a link to a resource you couldn't
find earlier.
There are plenty of us here willing to help if we can.
Torque 3D Owner Tom Feni
TomFeni