Constructor Portal Fix Test
by Jaimi McEntire · in Constructor · 03/28/2008 (10:08 am) · 8 replies
I'm looking for volunteers to test some fixes to the portal code. If you have had problems with portals in the past, and would like to test this, please get this new version, and POST your results.
www.aztica.com/images/constructor_portaltest.zip
Specifically, this fixes an issue where the portal code chooses the wrong face as the portal face -- This could potentially happen when the portals were transformed or scaled (ie, if you didn't create the portal in the correct size to begin with).
I've seen a case where the portal was NOT assigned to a portal entity in the CSX file. This can cause an error during export. If this is the case, you need to reload the map, turn the portal back to a structural brush, and then back to a portal brush again. I'm currently looking for a way to automate this fix.
www.aztica.com/images/constructor_portaltest.zip
Specifically, this fixes an issue where the portal code chooses the wrong face as the portal face -- This could potentially happen when the portals were transformed or scaled (ie, if you didn't create the portal in the correct size to begin with).
I've seen a case where the portal was NOT assigned to a portal entity in the CSX file. This can cause an error during export. If this is the case, you need to reload the map, turn the portal back to a structural brush, and then back to a portal brush again. I'm currently looking for a way to automate this fix.
#2
03/28/2008 (4:18 pm)
Yes, please. Thanks! 
#3
One thing I forgot to mention in my email. In the first test, I even used the portal brush for the CSG Subtract operation.
03/28/2008 (6:52 pm)
I just sent you an email with 2 different tests. One, I transformed and moved the portal brush. This didn't work. Two, I positioned a structural brush and then changed it to a portal afterwards. This worked.One thing I forgot to mention in my email. In the first test, I even used the portal brush for the CSG Subtract operation.
#4
03/28/2008 (9:34 pm)
OK - I found out one thing: It's really bad to transform portals. I fixed the one issue above, but after that there are several more. I'll try to fix this, but until then, everyone should try to create the portals in the right size and location. (it's okay to move it around and resize it while it still isn't "made"). 
#6
I should have this transform problem fixed today (I'm going to collapse the transform on any portal brush, and then recreate it).
I'm also considering Modifying Q3Map2, and making a "dif exporter" out of it, and getting all the stuff it does for free (better lightmap generation, automatic portals (see the caveat above), etc.).
03/29/2008 (9:43 am)
No, I haven't yet, but I'll mark it and save it for later use. The only problem with automatic portal generation is that it doesn't allow you to specify different portal properties (e.g. having ambient light pass through). I should have this transform problem fixed today (I'm going to collapse the transform on any portal brush, and then recreate it).
I'm also considering Modifying Q3Map2, and making a "dif exporter" out of it, and getting all the stuff it does for free (better lightmap generation, automatic portals (see the caveat above), etc.).
#7
03/29/2008 (4:10 pm)
Modifying Q3Map2 sounds cool. Would it still support the 'dts' baking functions? 
#8
Just wanted to say that Yadar (or Randy as some know him!) was(is) an awesome guy IMO,
his development of Q3MAP2 stood out to me as the definitive example of community work
within the Q3 engine scene (incuding Q3, RtCW, ET, JK etc).
ok thats it... but also would like to thank you Jaimi for your efforts improving constructor,
which I believe, with some more TLC from guys like you will become an awesome tool.
Hewster
03/29/2008 (4:49 pm)
Hi Jaimi & everyone :)Just wanted to say that Yadar (or Randy as some know him!) was(is) an awesome guy IMO,
his development of Q3MAP2 stood out to me as the definitive example of community work
within the Q3 engine scene (incuding Q3, RtCW, ET, JK etc).
ok thats it... but also would like to thank you Jaimi for your efforts improving constructor,
which I believe, with some more TLC from guys like you will become an awesome tool.
Hewster
Torque 3D Owner Kerry Lyon
I just did another simple cube test (like the files I emailed you a couple of days ago). I made sure to transform and adjust the portal each time to get it into position. Unfortunately, the portal didn't work on any of the 3 tests (one for each axis). Would you like me to email you these new portal tests?
Kerry