2D GUI HUD Creator - Work in progress #1
by Jules · 06/26/2011 (2:15 am) · 35 comments
2D GUI HUD Creator will help you to rapidly create artwork for your games. The finished product will contain a library of tools and resources that can be used on their own or combined with other elements.
This is a work in progress blog to get your initial feedback and ideas that you'd like to see in the 2D GUI HUD creator. There are many reasons why I decided to create the 2D GUI HUD creator, mainly to increase the productivity workflow by saving you valuable time and if you're no artist it will help you to create a basic or professional looking HUD in no time at all. You can even combine elements together and save your results into a PNG file, with the option to export to Torque, creating a .gui file ready for you to import into your game.
I'll be giving away 5 free copies of the 2D GUI HUD Creator, for those that show their interest. Launch date will be in July.
PS. There is also a 3D version in the works that will hook into Torque 3D with an API to create fully working GUIs instead of just the HUD artwork, but still very early in R&D and too early to blog about this yet, as other projects are taking priority first. 2D version will be out first at a very affordable price.
Anyway, keep an eye out for more WIP progress blogs.
Thanks!
#3
@Spencer - thanks.
06/26/2011 (5:31 am)
@Kory - the 2D version you can also use in Torque 3D games, it depends if you want a 2D look on the GUIs or a 3D look and feel using 3D shapes created in a 3D art package, or using the stock GUI containers that will be provided.@Spencer - thanks.
#4
06/26/2011 (5:33 am)
Almost forgot, with a bit of work on the 2D version you can simulate 3D effects with the shapes, by making them look 3D. I'll create a few demos at the time of the launch so you can see what I mean. 3D version will hook into an API so you can use it with TorqueScript variables to update the state of the GUI artwork. 
#5
06/26/2011 (10:36 am)
sounds good I'll be interested!
#6
06/26/2011 (11:01 am)
@Kory - great, I'll put your name down for a free copy of the 2D version. 4 free remaining! (I'll ask you to send me an email once the other 4 have been taken, keep watching this thread via the checkbox at the top). 
#7
06/26/2011 (1:13 pm)
sounds interesting, any GUI pipeline improvement helps :-D
#8
06/26/2011 (1:38 pm)
@David - thanks, I'll put you down for a free copy.
#9
Anyway I'm interested. Any idea for the retail price?
06/26/2011 (1:59 pm)
Wow someone is really busy. I'm amazed how fast you can crank out new products that make our life easier :-)Anyway I'm interested. Any idea for the retail price?
#10
I like to keep busy (doing this full time at the mo) - Normally I'm the director/manager who comes up with the ideas and then my team creates them but now I'm working for myself I have to do both :) - hopefully my game(s) and the tools/packs I create will sustain an income, else I'll be using all that I've created as a portfolio to get a job. I also try to release them as feature complete and bug free as I possibly can, which reduces the time spent on support.
06/26/2011 (2:06 pm)
2D version - $19.99 with shapes and a bunch of stock art, additional artwork GUI packs (optional). I'll put you down for a free copy Hans once it's ready. (2 free remaining!).I like to keep busy (doing this full time at the mo) - Normally I'm the director/manager who comes up with the ideas and then my team creates them but now I'm working for myself I have to do both :) - hopefully my game(s) and the tools/packs I create will sustain an income, else I'll be using all that I've created as a portfolio to get a job. I also try to release them as feature complete and bug free as I possibly can, which reduces the time spent on support.
#11
Current WIP, ideal for creating button controls and then scale down for use in Torque 2D/iTorque.
06/26/2011 (2:45 pm)
Current WIP, ideal for creating button controls and then scale down for use in Torque 2D/iTorque.
#12
06/26/2011 (5:01 pm)
Looks good...I always like an intuitive, simple-to-use interface. =)
#13
06/26/2011 (5:37 pm)
@Joe - Would you like a free copy when its ready? (2 free spaces left)
#14
06/26/2011 (6:03 pm)
Sure, that'd be great. Thanks!
#15
This version will come with a selection of shapes, compass artwork, speed indicators, ammo boxes, ready made buttons for you to apply text to and more.
06/26/2011 (6:13 pm)
Good man. Just 1 more left... anyone interested in getting a free copy of 2D GUI HUD creator when it's available? (around a months time).This version will come with a selection of shapes, compass artwork, speed indicators, ammo boxes, ready made buttons for you to apply text to and more.
#16
Will
dlstorminc@yahoo.com
06/26/2011 (8:23 pm)
Yeah would love a free copy of it if theres one left? Way to go, hope this works out for you. Congrats and thanks for creating this, to me, its been a much needed product that I've never seen come around til now. Good luck on it and can't wait to see it! Let me know if I win a copy :D Thx and be safe!Will
dlstorminc@yahoo.com
#17
@Everyone who has a copy assigned to them. Drop me an email address to:
helpdesk (at) something2play (dot) com
I'll email you once its available.
06/27/2011 (12:19 am)
Hi Will, yes you've got the last one! :)@Everyone who has a copy assigned to them. Drop me an email address to:
helpdesk (at) something2play (dot) com
I'll email you once its available.
#18
06/27/2011 (7:12 am)
Interesting. Looking forward to see how this complements with the Torque GUI designer.
#19
Glass filters have also been added. This will enable you to add any colour filter on the stock artwork resources provided to change its original state which is then saved with the end result. This way you should not see that many (if any) games released with the same type of artwork. You can import your own work also, or purchase further art packs if you're not that great at art.
For example, the same compass is used below for both images with 2 different transparent filters.
06/27/2011 (8:37 am)
Thanks Novack. Glass filters have also been added. This will enable you to add any colour filter on the stock artwork resources provided to change its original state which is then saved with the end result. This way you should not see that many (if any) games released with the same type of artwork. You can import your own work also, or purchase further art packs if you're not that great at art.
For example, the same compass is used below for both images with 2 different transparent filters.
#20
I'm useless when it comes to art/design so a tool like this would be invaluable.
06/28/2011 (11:53 pm)
This sounds really awesome. Looking forward to more information on it. I'm useless when it comes to art/design so a tool like this would be invaluable.
Torque Owner Kory Imaginism
innovative imaginations