fxGenericObject for TGEA 1.8.1

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fxGenericObject is a sample class that shows how to create a complete, networkable, rendered object. This is similar to Melv May's fxRenderObject, but since it's a complete rewrite, I didn't presume to use the same name.

The purpose of this code is to create a simple and easy to read class that people can use to create their own new objects. This object is not very spectacular graphically - It shows a cube or a sphere, depending on whether a texture is set or not.

To use the object, download the attached file, and move the two included files (fxGenericObject.cpp and fxGenericObject.h) into the Engine/Source/T3D/fx directory. Then open your solution, and add these two files to the Source/T3D/fx folder.

In addition to this, You'll need to make a couple of script changes to make this work:

Open the file Tools/MissionEditor/Scripts/Editors/creator.ed.cs, and add this to the the environment tree (you can create a new group if you want, but this is simpler):

for example, here's my Environment items, with fxGenericObject last:

%Environment_Item[18]  = "Atlas";
      %Environment_Item[19]  = "twSurfaceReference";
      %Environment_Item[20]  = "fxGenericObject";       // Added fxGenericObject

Be sure to place it last and increment the index number.

now that you have it on the menu, you'll need to provide a Builder, so the editor can construct it. To do this, open up Tools/MissionEditor/Gui/ObjectBuilderGui.ed.gui, and add this function:

function ObjectBuilderGui::buildfxGenericObject(%this)
    {
       %this.className = "fxGenericObject";
       // You could add fields here to get the editor to prompt you at add time.
       %this.process();
    }

Once you've done that, it will appear in the menu under "environment" in the creator.

Drop the object in - and you will see it create a yellow sphere. If you supply a texture, it will draw a textured cube instead.

The C++ code is documented internally. Comments and suggestions are always welcome, I hope this helps.