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DarkBASIC Professional Discussion / How long would it take...

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Shadow
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Posted: 18th May 2003 21:12
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I want to make an RPG. This in itself, is not the problem, however.

My concern is with giving it graphics worth looking at. I'm wondering whether it is worth me bothering to try and use good graphics.

I know how to do basic things with 3d objects, and how to do matrices for them to move around on, but I do not know how to use my modeller yet, or how to control 3d animation in DBPro. I also wouldn't know how to do interior areas.

Another concern is menu systems (e.g. levelling up). I could make something simple (using text x,y,string and box x1,y1,x2,y2) but it would be nice to have something that looks good.

Would this stuff take a long time to learn about and implement?

Otherwise here is my plan:

Objects - Images drawn in Paint
Menus - Box and Text commands
Worlds - whatever attempt has least bugs.
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Kangaroo2
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Posted: 18th May 2003 22:35
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It depends what you mean by a long time If I were you, I'd get Paint Shop Pro, Milkshape and Lithunwrap, and use the many many tutorials on the web to learn them inside out They are comparitively easy to learn, cheap, and will stand you in good stead for every other project you'll ever do

Coming Soon! Kangaroo2 Studio... wait and quiver with anticipation! lol
[email protected] - http://www.kangaroo2.com - If the apocalypse comes, email me
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Shadow
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Posted: 18th May 2003 22:48
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Maybe I'll make a simple RPG first (so I actually get to grips with the basics before jumping headfirst into more difficult stuff), and then later make a better one based upon the first.

I assume the software you mentioned costs money. Plus, what kind of software is Lithunwrap?

I should point out that I have only made small games so far. Are there any pitfalls I should watch out for in making a larger game?
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CompuWiz
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Posted: 18th May 2003 23:38
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Larger games equals more source. That's obvious, and about it. And I believe Lithunwrap is a texture program, but I'm not sure.

The only way to prevent all lag in a game is not to make the game.
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andrew11
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Posted: 19th May 2003 00:51 Edited at: 19th May 2003 06:52
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Paint Shop Pro, Milkshape = $$$$
Lithunwrap = free

Or you can get a free program like Wings or Anim8or.
Quote: "
Are there any pitfalls I should watch out for in making a larger game?"


Make sure you keep your code organized. It will be alright for the first 500 lines, but later on you will make no progress because you don't feel like working on it. I know, it happens to me.

You should start with just the engine and then worry about graphics last.

"Food is güd!" -Dean
"All programmers are playwrites and all computers are lousy actors" -Anon
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Rob K
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Posted: 19th May 2003 01:39 Edited at: 19th May 2003 01:40
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Milkshape = £12

Paint Shop Pro 8 = £100

PSP used to be a nice, little, cheap package, but with PSP 8, it has turned into another monolithic application. I received the upgrade the other day. Whilst it is VERY powerful (it has an entire scripting language built in!) - It has lost some of the simplicity and speed of older versions. If you are new to graphics packages though, it is easier to learn (just "old-timers" like me having to "unlearn" PSP 3/4/5/6/7) This, will probably lead to increased piracy... when it was £70, people would pay for it.

Do you want Windows menus in your DBP apps? - Get my plugin: http://snow.prohosting.com/~clone99/downloads/tpc_menus_102.zip
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Kangaroo2
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Posted: 19th May 2003 08:47
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Ouch! Agreed Rok K

It should b noted that most computer retailers sell paint shop pro 5 for around £10 however Its slightly buggy, but stil great, and comes with Animation Shop free too

Oh and Lithunwrap is for "wrapping" textures around 3d models, for precise spacing and positioning of detail

Coming Soon! Kangaroo2 Studio... wait and quiver with anticipation! lol
[email protected] - http://www.kangaroo2.com - If the apocalypse comes, email me
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Shadow
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Posted: 19th May 2003 15:47
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Quote: "You should start with just the engine and then worry about graphics last."


That's what I have done in the past (graphics last/graphics never, same thing).

I know about keeping code organised. I have made programs in the past with this:



separating:

Stuff that only happens when program starts up
Main Loop
Data statements
Subroutines
Functions

As well as a title for every sub, function or task.

Looks nice, but a hellava lot of scrolling!
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Shadow
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Posted: 22nd May 2003 00:31
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Oh, and I already have Anim8or, I just don't know how to use it.

My game so far is a character creation screen - you can choose a gender, an alignment (good/neutral/evil), a character class and set your initial stats.

This is done mostly with buttons. Whenever you can click on something a shrinking/expanding circle appears at the mouse pointer.

No media files used yet.
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UberTuba
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Posted: 22nd May 2003 00:45
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I have trouble wit media 2. I cant find any tools simple and cheap enough apart from wings. and that doesnt animate.

Life is a terminal disease.
You never survive it.
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Shadow
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Posted: 22nd May 2003 00:50
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I think I can do the coding ok, and if that works out, maybe I can just alter some of my functions to use 3d.
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