Torque Constructor to be Released as a Free Download April 9

Submitted:	Eric Fritz
Posted:	Apr 01, 2007
Synopsis:	Customizable brush-based level editor simplifies the game creation art pipeline.
Keywords:	GarageGames Development Torque Constructor developer art level editor

Article

GarageGames is pleased to announce that Torque Constructor will be available for download on April 9, 2007 for Windows and Mac. Torque Constructor is a Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) WYSIWYG brush editor that supports export of buildings and structures to numerous industry-standard CSG model (.map) formats, or seamlessly exports directly into Torque Game Engine (TGE) or Torque Game Engine Advanced (TGEA).

Torque Constructor features the ability to modify and expand any of the basic scriptable functions with TorqueScript, from plugins, tools, and widgets to customization of the GUI. Additional features include:

MODELING

Included Basic Brush Primitives (Cube, Cylinder, Sphere, Pyramid, Ramp)
User-Scriptable Custom Tools
CSG Subtraction, Intersection, Knife, Slice & Clip
Hide, Lock, Edit Selection Only for precise control
Face and Vertex Editing
Concave Brush Detection
Export and Import of Prefabricated Shapes
Support for various brush types (Detail, Collision, etc.) and groups
Duplication and Cloning tools
Custom Workplanes allow you to work off-axis

TEXTURING

Material Browser lets you view and organize your textures
Import textures into albums
Lift textures from selection
Copy and Paste textures from one face to another with coordinates intact
Justify, Fit, and Alignment tools
Multi-face texture unification

DTS INTEGRATION

Place DTS Static Meshes in your scene for added detail
Static Meshes are baked into Constructor DIFs and act as part of the object in the TGE Mission Editor (TGE 1.5.1 & TGEA 1.01 only)
Static Meshes receive lighting and cast shadows with their collision volumes as if they were part of your interior
Place Reference Shapes for scale comparisons

LIGHTING

Flexible Light entities
Dynamic Lighting Previews
Support for custom lighting systems
Light maps created in constructor are used directly in TGE and TGEA - no more guesswork!

EXPORT

Export Constructor DIFs with baked in detail meshes and light maps for use in TGE 1.5.1 and TGEA 1.01
Legacy DIF format support for older versions of TGE and TGEA (does not support baked in detail shapes)
Support for command line .map exporters for output to custom formats and other game engines!
Export Debug Previews allow you to view the results of the DIF export process on your map's geometry

TORQUE INTEGRATION

Detail shapes are baked into Constructor DIFs and act as part of the object in the TGE Mission Editor (TGE 1.5.1 & TGEA 1.01 only)
Legacy DIF format support for older versions of TGE and TGEA (does not support baked in detail shapes)
Light maps created in constructor are used directly in TGE and TGEA - no more guesswork!

But perhaps best of all, Torque Constructor will be free to download for registered users of GarageGames.com. So check back April 9, and until then, you can find out more about Constructor on the Constructor Landing Page.

Screenshot

Submit your own resources!

Tom Feni (Apr 01, 2007 at 23:33 GMT)

Yay!

now lets talk about how its april 1st today :)

TomFeni

Rubes (Apr 01, 2007 at 23:34 GMT)

TGE 1.5.1....?

Ben Versaw (Apr 01, 2007 at 23:44 GMT)

I just wanted to make sure you guys know that because its April 1st today no one really knows whether to believe you or not. But have you considered that if this _is_ a joke, you are going to have some very serious back lash because of how long many of us have been waiting for this.

Remember, always think before you joke...

Chris \"C2\" Byars (Apr 02, 2007 at 00:00 GMT)

I think they got the idea from my "Constructor Released!" thread... which would make me even more upset coming from GG. :)

DodongoXP (Apr 02, 2007 at 02:45 GMT)

hahaahahha...yeah right... specially on april fools day hahaha

ArmedGeek (Apr 02, 2007 at 03:10 GMT)

now how good of a joke would it be to announce an real news item like this on April 1st ?

Tom Spilman (Apr 02, 2007 at 03:25 GMT)

This is real folks.

David Byrge (Apr 02, 2007 at 06:06 GMT)

Well, the part that really grabs my attention is the "FREE" part!!!! That they cannot escape for advertising it. Joke or not. Time will tell.

Vladimir T (Apr 02, 2007 at 06:19 GMT)

Muahahahhaha - GG is really great by all means: I was waiting for Constructor for so long and finally couldn't wait and bought 3dworldstudio (i bought second for anotehr teammate) - releasing it for free is like a WOW for me!!!

Oliver Rendelmann - DerR (Apr 02, 2007 at 06:37 GMT)

Will it be free for good or only on that day?

Ron Nelson (Apr 02, 2007 at 06:37 GMT)

SWEEET!

Christopher Dapo (Apr 02, 2007 at 07:54 GMT) Resource Rating: 5

Just massive, you guys are awesome! It's just what us indie developers need to speed up the flow.

Thanks in advance, I can't wait!
- Ronixus

Bobby Leighton (Apr 02, 2007 at 08:15 GMT)

Hats off to Garage Games and all who work with and are affiliated. You guys have don't us an awesome service, thank you so much!! I have been wait for constructor for as long as you've been working on it and is one of the cornerstone developing tools I need, and i need to stop using world-craft..Thanks again GG!!

Bobby Leighton
Imagn' Games

Gary Patterson (Apr 02, 2007 at 10:08 GMT)

This looks like an April Fool's joke. I hope it's not, but it's a fairly mean one if it is.

(edit) Reading the site though... Well... I was ready to pay up some money for this, but there are some excellent content packs deserving of money instead.
Edited on Apr 02, 2007 10:10 GMT

Christian S (Apr 02, 2007 at 10:18 GMT)

Submitted: Eric Fritz
Posted: Apr 02, 2007

So it cant be aprils fool but a valid promishe ?

Edward (Apr 02, 2007 at 12:15 GMT)

can we get a second notice frm the GG guys, this is too good to be true on several accounts. :P, now that its not April first..
Edited on Apr 02, 2007 12:17 GMT

Christian S (Apr 02, 2007 at 14:14 GMT)

Submitted: Eric Fritz
Posted: Apr 01, 2007

Hmmm how did you change that one ?

*Edit
Hmm and now it shows the 2nd again..... wth :(
Edited on Apr 02, 2007 14:15 GMT

bank (Apr 02, 2007 at 14:16 GMT)

@ Christian S:
On "Snapshot" - it's 1st, and here, in "news" - 2nd :) May be this is why it's confusing you?

Yannick Lahay (Apr 02, 2007 at 15:19 GMT)

This is a very good news !!
I tried to use QuArK but I hate its interface, the way to configure it, ...
So, I tried to use tools for 3ds Max but I got some problems to configure them properly.

I'm looking forward to using Constructor !! :D
A very nice tool, made exclusively for Torque :)
Thx GG !

Corey Punches (Apr 02, 2007 at 15:26 GMT)

This is wonderful news! Thank you GG! Now if I hadn't just purchased CS and the Torque pipeline (great product btw :)) only a few short weeks ago...

Oh well this is gonna rock!

Andrea (Apr 02, 2007 at 15:46 GMT)

This is a solution for more more more problems that my Artists and not alone have until this day !!!

Thanks very much to GG for this news !!!

^_^
Edited on Apr 02, 2007 15:48 GMT

Sparkling (Apr 02, 2007 at 15:59 GMT)

Maybe I will be able to sucessfully export a DIF finally... DTS I can do but DIF perpetually evades me. Looking forward to giving this a try. Thanks GG!

-Sparkling
http://www.visionsgame.com

Ben Garney (Apr 02, 2007 at 17:24 GMT)

Hey, it's april 2 and it's still up... Weird.

Sparkling (Apr 02, 2007 at 17:32 GMT)

Yeah I decided to wait until today to see if it was still here today. :) Whadaya know it is!

-Sparkling

Andrew Lehmer (Apr 02, 2007 at 17:51 GMT)

This is just too unbelievable... I was saving up for this and boom! It's free?! GG, you know how to make everyone happy. Keep up the outstanding work!

BigPapa (Apr 02, 2007 at 23:50 GMT)

I'm sorry but refuse to believe it until it's installed and running on my computer. :)

Sam Horton (Apr 03, 2007 at 00:58 GMT)

Arigato GG!

I vowed never to use Torque again until the day Constructor was released. If it is free, then consider me back on board!

This is going to seriously breathe new life into the GG community!
Edited on Apr 03, 2007 00:59 GMT

Kevin McLaughlin (Apr 03, 2007 at 02:51 GMT)

This is pretty cool. Have to admit though, there's one real concern I have. Posted here:
http://www.garagegames.com/products/torque/constructor/issues/

One issue is: "Constructor DIF export does not yet directly support portals and zones. (Coming Soon)"

That's a crucial issue. A DIF exporting program that does not support portalizing is not very useful for most complex modeling. Is this issue still existant? If so, what sort of timeline are we looking at for a fix?

Jason Howard (Apr 03, 2007 at 03:38 GMT) Resource Rating: 5

Will artists be able to buy it if they are not registered engine owners?

JoZ (Apr 03, 2007 at 08:17 GMT) Resource Rating: 5

Oh thanks, this is absolutely a great way to pay-out the long waiting for it...

Just one thing it's not clear to me...

Will it be free for download only 9th April or longer?

Oliver Rendelmann - DerR (Apr 03, 2007 at 08:22 GMT)

That's what I was thinking aswell... if it's only on the 9th everyone will try to snag a copy and everyone knows what that means. :)

coxosclassic (Apr 03, 2007 at 17:17 GMT) Resource Rating: 5

HELL YEAH!
Right on time! I was getting seriously mad with Quark!

James Thompson (Apr 03, 2007 at 20:28 GMT)

Every product launch happens when im away on holiday...

Great work though :)

Simon Love (Apr 03, 2007 at 20:28 GMT)

Receiving the newsletter and reading that it was not an april's fools joke made my day.
TGB 1.5 behaviors also redefine my way of thinking. GG, I love you

MriGame3Dhimself (Apr 03, 2007 at 21:18 GMT)

Its going to be the best year ever.

Kyle Hagin (Apr 03, 2007 at 22:04 GMT) Resource Rating: 5

Drrrrun Dun Dun Dun Duuuuunnnnnnn Yesssss. GG is the best. Only six more days. (crazy tribal dancing and singing).... Hmm.. excuse me ...I mean that is very good news.

Thanks for all your hard work and free.... (more crazy tribal dancing and singing).... that is too awesome.

Vickie Eagle (Apr 04, 2007 at 03:28 GMT) Resource Rating: 5

This looks great! I have been using 3DWS so it will be cool to see what this program offers

Can't wait!

Dee (Apr 04, 2007 at 03:43 GMT)

What about import of .map format, for those who need to convert their work from one program to this?
Does such an option exist in it yet?

Antonios Dimitrelis (Apr 04, 2007 at 10:33 GMT)

A Big Thanks to you guys if this is really true! :D
I was waiting for this tool since the first day that it got announced and I can't wait to get my fingers on it.
It will help my team a lot!
Most of all because of the exporting problems.

Brian Peal (Apr 04, 2007 at 12:15 GMT)

You are invited to attend the funeral of an old friend. He is expected to pass away on April 10th following the release of GG's Constructor. This friend is extremely aged and was well past his prime. Unfortunately he will not be missed. So let's all raise a toast to QuArk's passing on to his digital coffin.

Scott Peal

Robert Alsing (Apr 05, 2007 at 06:24 GMT)

Was wonderful to read in the newsletter but now my summer will be ruined thanks to you giving me a tool that'll draw me away from the summer fun and hot beaches.

Rob

Vashner (Apr 08, 2007 at 06:22 GMT)

One day.. OMG...

Brian Peal (Apr 08, 2007 at 13:47 GMT)

Not one day. It is available now!!!

http://www.garagegames.com/products/88/

Roger Dean (Apr 08, 2007 at 14:31 GMT)

OMG! I just upgraded to 1.5.1 in anticipation for tomorrow and...here it is!

Maddermadcat (Apr 08, 2007 at 16:59 GMT)

OMFG, Constructor! Finally!

I'd like to thank jesus...
...Oh yeah, and the development team. =D

Tony Saunders (Apr 08, 2007 at 20:34 GMT) Resource Rating: 5

Just downloaded it. Installation a breeze. Can't thank you enough GG for this freebie!

Sparkling (Apr 08, 2007 at 21:28 GMT)

Just downloaded it. But I noticed on the download page they call it a "Demo" wich suggests the idea that this is not the full version, and that after we try the "Demo" there will be a more complete software to buy later? Can someone clear this up please? I'm not complaining or whining, I just want to know what to expect. Thanks!

And HAPPY EASTER!!!! http://www.visionsgame.com/#Video-Clips
Looking forward to playing with constructor. :)
-Sparkling
Producer of Visions

coxosclassic (Apr 08, 2007 at 22:15 GMT) Resource Rating: 5

YEAAAAH! FINALLY! THANKS GG!

Jesse (Midhir) Liles (Apr 08, 2007 at 22:45 GMT)

Thank you all for giving us Constructor!

Christopher Castillon (Apr 09, 2007 at 00:05 GMT)

One more day!!!

Josh Presseisen (Apr 09, 2007 at 11:02 GMT)

today is the day!

Will Tremblay (Apr 09, 2007 at 18:33 GMT)

OMG not an april fools joke! This is so handy : ). I actually already made a quake3 map in it. Cross engine support, works on anything (Truevision 3D, Quake, HL2).

Thanks so much garage games : ). This *almost* makes me want to license tgea... Though only almost ;).

Dobie (Apr 09, 2007 at 21:48 GMT)

Thank you GG very...very much.

JoZ (Apr 09, 2007 at 22:07 GMT) Resource Rating: 5

Guys tnx for this, just tried and it looks great!!! :)
I love you (ok but please no kisses!) :P

Dion Scheper (Apr 10, 2007 at 06:55 GMT)

Thank you,

The dynamic/mapped mode view is very cool. You can see your object as it will look like in your game, i dont see this function coming in Quark or 3D World Studio! And the fact that it is free is amazing!

Thanks a lot

Bob "Colonel_Klink" Watt (Apr 11, 2007 at 03:05 GMT)

Thank you very much. I always found Quark difficult. This looks a lot more straight forward. Well done.

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