Blog for Brandon Maness at GarageGames.com

difExpress Setup Videos Added

Brandon Maness — 2006-07-08T21:29:39+00:00

After getting a few emails about not being able to get difEx up and running, I decided to make a few videos that show how to set it up. It was during this that I noticed the folder structure used on the zip I uploaded was wrong, which probably caused the issues.. oops! Anyway, the folder name was fixed and uploaded again, plus the videos are there in case you have troubles getting it to work. If they don't answer you questions, just let me know.

torque.smdlabs.com/difEx.htm

For those of you that don't know what difEx is, it is a one evening project of mine that allows you quickly view and associate .dts objects to the .dif interiors you are making in a map editor. The videos on the difEx page show it in action. I am pretty confident that "Constructor" will render this little utility obsolete, which is a good thing. But until then, enjoy!

Brandon.

difView download now available

Brandon Maness — 2006-03-18T19:29:28+00:00

My schedule looks daunting for the foreseeable future, so I thought I would go ahead and upload the difView project so people could get some use out of it. This started out as a simple way to quickly view a dif interior after export, but slowly developed into a dts management tool. The problem I had was managing dts shapes with their specific dif interiors. I found the existing workflow was dismal at best, so I spent some time streamlining the process. Now adding and managing dts shapes to specific interiors is a snap. It allows you to quickly bounce between map editor, and dts placement via TGE with only a couple of keystrokes. File loading, saving, texture copying, and .mis files are all automated, which allows you to focus on production, instead of fighting an awkward process.

The zip includes everything you need. The setup files and directory structure I used for integrating Hammer, and Quark with difView are included, as well as the settings for 3DWS. If you don't want to redo your map editor export settings, you should save your maps and locate your textures in the existing folder structure. This is officially an early alpha of difEX, but still has some naming of the original concept called difView.

This is a windows only solution, and I have no plans to port it, so sorry linux, and mac users.

The link to the webpage with the download is here: torque.smdlabs.com/difEx.htm

Enjoy!

EDIT:
The nVal~ in the GUI is the nudgeValue. When using the arrow keys to nudge objects, this is how far they will be moved.

The camSpd is the current speed of the camera. use "-" and "=" to increase or decrease the amount.

Shortcuts:

"[" decreases nudge amount by .1
"alt [" decreases nudge by .01
"]" increases nudge amount by .1
"alt ]" increases nudge by .01
"up/down arrow" moves selected object along the Y-axis
"left/right arrow" moves object along X-axis
"ctrl up/down arrow" moves object along Z-axis
"esc" and "enter" to save and exit difView.

"file" and "quit" to exit without saving changes.

Also Note:
You should unzip the zip file to c:\torque to ensure everything will work properly. I can't recall, but I'
m sure I didn't use relative naming everywhere yet, so c:\torque is your best bet.

DifEx webpage with videos added

Brandon Maness — 2006-02-16T02:11:42+00:00

I finally uploaded a webpage, and made some videos demonstrating the workflow and usage of difEx, formerly called difView. They say a picture is worth a thousand words.. I wonder what video is worth?

**If you had donated to the tutorial site in 2005, and did not receive the email I sent you with a link to the Early Alpha version of difEx, let me know your current email, and I'll email you the link. I used the email address you had on file from paypal.

The link to the webpage is:

torque.smdlabs.com/difEx.htm

As always, post any questions, comments, or suggestions right here!

Also, I'd like to thank GG for the Associate status. This is really a vibrant community that has been a joy to be a part of.

B--

Update: difView and logParse

Brandon Maness — 2006-02-01T08:17:38+00:00

Here's an update on the difView project:

All of the ini and setup files for Hammer, QuArk, and 3DWS have been completed. Now with one click your map will export from any one of the three map editors and load into Torque. I had to rewrite a couple of small sections of the map2dif_plus to accomplish the streamlined workflow. Now it has options to copy textures that the map uses, launch difView, pause before loading, etc. Also finished the file association setup so you can double click .dif files from your interior folder, and be taken directly to the world editor in difView.

Numerous other small additions like a skinned slider control, etc. (I always thought the thumb slider was ugly, so now you can skin it.. This has been posted as a resource BTW)

The screen shots show Hammer before clicking the export button.. The next thing you see is screen shot 2.

On other fronts there was the after lunch, full belly, logParse project:

While scanning though the console.log file for errors, I was reminded of the numberous posts from new Torque developers asking for a list of all the scripts that get loaded, and their order. The log file has the info, but it's mixed in with everything else. So, I threw together a small win32 console app that parses the log file, and saves a new file called consoleParsed.txt. This new file has just the script names, and folders listed in the order they were compiled.

You can download logParse from here: torque.smdlabs.com/content/logParser.zip

B--

Easy .dts placement for .dif interiors

Brandon Maness — 2006-01-23T09:05:34+00:00

I had created a free difView project some time ago that allowed precise placement of DTS shapes associated with exported .dif interiors. The concept was fast workflow from a .map editor into TGE; add and position DTS shapes to the imported .dif, and esc/enter to exit and save the associated .mis file.

With the release of TGE1.4 the arrow key nudge functions needed to be reworked along with some other bugs, so while repairing that, I went ahead and skinned the interface while I was at it. I'm working on a QuArk, and 3DWS integration package, so sometime within a week or so I should have the update ready for download.

I'll have a more complete list of features, fixes, and usage in the following days, but until then here are some screen shots of the loading screen and skinned interface.

If you have any bright ideas for streamlined .dif and associated .dts placement, speak up!

B--

Monday Nov 7 14:15

Brandon Maness — 2005-11-07T14:15:17+00:00

Video Document System Nov05 Update pics.

I've been wrapping up the Online/Offline Video Document System these last few weeks. Everything is just about ready to go. I've also started working on content for a complimentary Java programming resource targeting beginning College level programmers.

Right now you can develop content through the VDS once, and deliver it via a Webpage, through a Windows executable, or a CD/DVD with both a web and executable version. This should make it easy to deliver content over a variety of situations, without having to modify the content for re-distrubution.

I'm sure you are wondering what Java and a VDS have to do with Torque.. Well, not much; but after the VDS gets out of beta, an 'Intro to Torque' series is in the works.

Here are some screen shots of the latest beta version.

Want to see the web beta version? java.smdlabs.com

It is early beta, so not everything is ironed out just yet, but enjoy!

B--

Thursday Sep 29 4:49

Brandon Maness — 2005-09-29T04:49:44+00:00

VDS moved from mProjector to MFC, and after hours mapEditor project started.

Just a quick update:

The Video Document Project has been moved from mProjector to MFC. I gave mProjector a whirl, but it had issues playing compressed game engine footage, and also had about double the memory footprint of MFC. So, the file loading/saving, and file download were implemented from C++. The project hosts an ActiveX control which houses the video/document/forum system. So when time permits the tutorials online will be available offline through the VDS on win32 platforms. Here's a screen shot of the VDS.exe shell in action.

I also created a web space for the mapEditor open source project. The idea is to take the Genesis3D map editor project and customize it for use with Torque. Much work is needed, so if you're interested in helping visit the link below and join the party!

torque.smdlabs.com/media/mapEditor/mapEditor.htm

Sunday Aug 28 4:37

Brandon Maness — 2005-08-28T04:37:33+00:00

The Video Document System or VDS is just about complete. Here are some screen shots for everyone who has asked about how the 'offline' video tutorials are coming.

Just an update:

I'm about 80% complete with the VDS extension for the tutorial site. I still have to code the dynamic document updater, but that is another story.

So far the VDS has a main 'html' style document viewer, video, and forums all wrapped into one. Before I had sat down to create the website, this was the original plan, so it is good to see it just about complete. The screenshots below show (1). the document viewer with video link being hovered over, (2). video playing after the button was pressed, (3). video playing with the sideNav visible, and the integrated forums.

With most of the XML backend and document viewer in place, it is time for the real work to begin.. TGE documentation!

One of the things I'm looking forward to creating is an 'offline' searchable cookbook with code blocks, screenshots, and video. The VDS will be just about complete when the framework for the cookbook is integrated.

NOTE: Any interested MAC testers should email me at my profile email!

B--

Friday Aug 19 22:24

Brandon Maness — 2005-08-19T22:24:27+00:00

The offline Video Document System is coming along. Right now it will launch with Windows support only. There is a $200 Mac solution I would be willing to invest in if there is enough Mac interest and beta test support of course, since I do not have a Mac.

Since I occasionally find myself working offline, I enjoy having all of my documentation in offline form. The design of the initial video tutorial system does not make this any easy endeavor since each video step is really many .swf clips stitched together. To make things worse, these videos grow and develop through time, which also makes the process of keeping the offline documentation up to date a bear. Combine this with the desire to keep the existing forum system intact and you have the beginning of a nightmare. Not to mention cross platform issues.

Here are some design goals of the offline VDS - Video Document System:

1. Easy to navigate menu system that allows you to update, download, and manage tutorials on your local hard drive for offline use.

2. Integrated online forums with optional offline snapshot mode.

3. Text and Picture document viewer to enhance and support each step in the tutorial.

4. Easily update the VDS 'core' without installer and setup issues.

5. Streamlined 'What's new' section so you can easily browse through the new stuff.

6. Optional Mac support - depending on beta test volunteers and amount of interest.

I'm not sure about Linux support.. If there are any Linux guru's willing to point me in the right direction give a shout!

I'm just starting on the VDS, but here is a screenshot of the very early alpha interface.

Again, if you are a Mac or Linux user speak now or forever hold your peace.

B--

Wednesday Aug 10 1:43

Brandon Maness — 2005-08-10T01:43:54+00:00

Platforms, platforms, platforms. I started messing around with DTS shape platforms that would move with players on them this evening, so I though I would share the progress so far.

Last week I started a 'developerDiary' to give a small glimpse into some things that were going on behind the scenes. I started the diary with the idea of a platform type FPS game that would really serve as a test bed for future tutorial content, so here is a quick look into DTS platforms that move with players on them.

And here is a link to the video if you want to see it in action.

B--

torque.smdlabs.com/media/dDiary/dDiary.htm