eXtends: B3D vs normal commands - GameCreators Forum

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CocaCola

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Posted: 4th Sep 2010 02:35 Edited at: 4th Sep 2010 03:23

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theres some commands in eXtends that are like "B3D make object sphere" and such, is that faster and better than the original DBpro commands?

Also in darklights how do I make a light? Or do I just use make light 1, and is that a darklights command or basic darkbasic pro?
This is the keywords for darklights

LM Start=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Start.html=*No Parameters*
LM Add Collision Object=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Collision Object.html=Object Number
LM Build Collision Data=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Build Collision Data.html=*No Parameters*
LM Build Light Maps=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Build Light Maps.html=Texture Size, Quality, Blur Radius, [ Num Threads ]
LM Set Blend Mode=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Set Blend Mode.html=Blend Mode
LM Add Point Light=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Point Light.html=PosX, PosY, PosZ, Radius, Red, Green, Blue
LM Add Directional Light=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Directional Light.html=DirX, DirY, DirZ, Red, Green, Blue
LM Add Spot Light=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Spot Light.html=PosX, PosY, PosZ, DirX, DirY, DirZ, Ang1, Ang2, Range, Red, Green, Blue
LM Clear Lights=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Clear Lights.html=*No Parameters*
LM Clear Collision Objects=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Clear Collision Objects.html=*No Parameters*
LM Clear Light Map Objects=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Clear Light Map Objects.html=*No Parameters*
LM Reset=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Reset.html=*No Parameters*
LM Set Ambient Light=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Set Ambient Light.html=Red, Green, Blue
LM Add Custom Point Light=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Custom Point Light.html=PosX, PosY, PosZ, Radius, Zero Range, Attenuation, Red, Green, Blue
LM Build Light Maps Thread=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Build Light Maps Thread.html=Texture Size, Quality, Blur Radius, [ Num Threads ]
LM Get Percent=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Get Percent.html=( *No Parameters* )
LM Get Status=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Get Status.html=( *No Parameters* )
LM Get Complete=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Get Complete.html=( *No Parameters* )
LM Add Light Map Object=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Light Map Object.html=Object Number, Base Stage
LM Add Transparent Collision Object=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Transparent Collision Object.html=Object Number, Transparency Mode
LM Set Mode=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Set Mode.html=Mode
LM Set Shadow Power=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Set Shadow Power.html=Power
LM Set Ambient Occlusion On=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Set Ambient Occlusion On.html=Num Of Rays, Ray Distance, Pattern
LM Set Ambient Occlusion Off=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Set Ambient Occlusion Off.html=*No Parameters*
LM Set Light Map Name=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Set Light Map Name.html=Filename
LM Add Light Map Object=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Light Map Object.html=Object Number, [ Base Stage, [ Dynamic Light Mode, [ Flat Shaded ] ] ]
LM Add Shaded Light Map Object=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Shaded Light Map Object.html=Object Number, [ LM Stage, [ Flat Shaded ] ]
LM Set Light Map File Format==Mode
LM Set Light Map Folder==Folder
LM Set Verbose==Mode

+ Code Snippet

LM Start=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Start.html=*No Parameters*
LM Add Collision Object=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Collision Object.html=Object Number
LM Build Collision Data=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Build Collision Data.html=*No Parameters*
LM Build Light Maps=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Build Light Maps.html=Texture Size, Quality, Blur Radius, [ Num Threads ]
LM Set Blend Mode=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Set Blend Mode.html=Blend Mode
LM Add Point Light=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Point Light.html=PosX, PosY, PosZ, Radius, Red, Green, Blue
LM Add Directional Light=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Directional Light.html=DirX, DirY, DirZ, Red, Green, Blue
LM Add Spot Light=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Spot Light.html=PosX, PosY, PosZ, DirX, DirY, DirZ, Ang1, Ang2, Range, Red, Green, Blue
LM Clear Lights=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Clear Lights.html=*No Parameters*
LM Clear Collision Objects=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Clear Collision Objects.html=*No Parameters*
LM Clear Light Map Objects=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Clear Light Map Objects.html=*No Parameters*
LM Reset=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Reset.html=*No Parameters*
LM Set Ambient Light=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Set Ambient Light.html=Red, Green, Blue
LM Add Custom Point Light=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Custom Point Light.html=PosX, PosY, PosZ, Radius, Zero Range, Attenuation, Red, Green, Blue
LM Build Light Maps Thread=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Build Light Maps Thread.html=Texture Size, Quality, Blur Radius, [ Num Threads ]
LM Get Percent=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Get Percent.html=( *No Parameters* )
LM Get Status=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Get Status.html=( *No Parameters* )
LM Get Complete=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Get Complete.html=( *No Parameters* )
LM Add Light Map Object=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Light Map Object.html=Object Number, Base Stage
LM Add Transparent Collision Object=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Transparent Collision Object.html=Object Number, Transparency Mode
LM Set Mode=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Set Mode.html=Mode
LM Set Shadow Power=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Set Shadow Power.html=Power
LM Set Ambient Occlusion On=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Set Ambient Occlusion On.html=Num Of Rays, Ray Distance, Pattern
LM Set Ambient Occlusion Off=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Set Ambient Occlusion Off.html=*No Parameters*
LM Set Light Map Name=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Set Light Map Name.html=Filename
LM Add Light Map Object=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Light Map Object.html=Object Number, [ Base Stage, [ Dynamic Light Mode, [ Flat Shaded ] ] ]
LM Add Shaded Light Map Object=commands\DarkLIGHTS\LM Add Shaded Light Map Object.html=Object Number, [ LM Stage, [ Flat Shaded ] ]
LM Set Light Map File Format==Mode
LM Set Light Map Folder==Folder
LM Set Verbose==Mode

So i wanted to know if theres a special light command i'm suppose to use to make, color, position, strength etc.

EDIT: I just tried this "B3D make object sphere 20" and it came up with an error, I even tried "B3D make object sphere 1,20" and an error too, whats up?

I want coke, not Pepsi!

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Mobiius

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Posted: 4th Sep 2010 16:29

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The extends 3D commands are like a combination of create object and find free object.

It returns the ID of the newly created object.

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Indicium

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Posted: 4th Sep 2010 16:34

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That seems stupid to me lol

+ Code Snippet

function make_object_cube( size )
id = find free object()
make object cube id, size
endfunction id

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CocaCola

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Posted: 4th Sep 2010 17:28

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Oh, so it doesn't actually create an object?

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Mobiius

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Posted: 4th Sep 2010 22:11

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Yes it does, you just don't need to tell it what object to use, as it find's it's own.

Quote: "That seems stupid to me lol"

Why? It simplifies your code so you use less. Really, all plugins make it easier/quicker to do what native code can do.

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James H

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Posted: 5th Sep 2010 00:07

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I haven`t got this installed currently but from what I remember it does more than just create objects without being fed an ID http://www.thegamecreators.com/?m=view_product&id=2080
Besides MAKE OBJECT SPHERE RND(RANGE),1 is only a few charactors difference; havent tested for speed differences but theres a pretty good chance its faster - the billboard system maybe faster and likely simpler to code than in native. I never looked into it properly and removed it from my system a long time ago because it had to be run in 98 compatability mode to get xgui and a few other examples working(which limits memblock sizes) what I wanted the billboards for required very large memblocks, but I didn`t know then what I know now. Time for another look I think

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Mobiius

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Posted: 5th Sep 2010 02:58

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Quote: "MAKE OBJECT SPHERE RND(RANGE),1"

And this works great, until you randomly get the same number twice which will crash your program. Oh yeah, and since you don't know what object number you've just created you can't texture, move or do anything with it.

Suddenly, the B3D code isn't so pointless. lol

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James H

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Posted: 5th Sep 2010 11:59

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"And this works great, until you randomly get the same number twice which will crash your program. Oh yeah, and since you don't know what object number you've just created you can't texture, move or do anything with it" hehe; sure extra code would be required to maintain a record of whats created(not much though), or the use of an existence check would be needed, but you would still require a return id from b3d commands if the created object is to be of any use - which would also mean keeping a record of them - simplifying code at creation would just mean having to use extra code later on. At least if you decide your own id`s you might not need to keep a record of them. Guess it depends what you require overall - for my own work I found that maintaining a record or deciding specific ids for specific objects was a must for frustrum checks alone, which is another reason I didn`t have a use for extends although I wouldn`t ever say its pointless - I`m sure it has its uses, which is why I intend to revisit to reinvestigate!(Although I can only think of simple uses for them such as objects that dont require further control) If you have any specific suggestions I would love to hear them.

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Mobiius

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Posted: 6th Sep 2010 09:19

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Extends DOES return the object ID! That's the point of the command! lol

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James H

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Posted: 6th Sep 2010 11:46

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Yes I know, I have purchased it - I wasnt being ignorant of that deliberately. I made a poor choice of words - what I`m highlighting is that the simplification is there, its just barely worth it when at the most all you save is one short line at the cost of losing control of which object numbers you want to use. I wasnt going to point out it does return an id - was hoping the OP would realise from my last post why he/she gets the error they mention in the OP

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=PRoF=

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Posted: 6th Sep 2010 11:53 Edited at: 6th Sep 2010 12:06

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@James H:

This is how I do it. (Not actual code, just typing it now to show u a simplified version of how I do it...)

+ Code Snippet


type dPlayer
    score as integer
    lives as integer
    x as float
    y as float
    z as float
    objNo as integer
endtype

dim player(2) as dPlayer

player(1).objNo=find free object()

load object "files/player.dbo",player(1).objNo

This way is much easier than having a list of thousands of object No's which you need to keep refering to.

>edit<

I only say this because I used to have a list of thousands of object No's running sequentially, which was a right pain when I suddenly needed 7 extra door objects, or a couple of extra shadow objects, lol

>edit 2<

to the OP, not sure if your question was answered or not, but you need to put a variable at the front for it to return the Object Number to..

e.g.

ObjNo=B3D make object sphere(whatever parameters it takes)

Sorry I can't be more specific, I haven't actually got extends installed atm.

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Indicium

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Posted: 6th Sep 2010 15:54

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Quote: "Why? It simplifies your code so you use less. Really, all plugins make it easier/quicker to do what native code can do."

It seems stupid having to buy a plugin that does what you could do in a 4 line function, unless it's a free plugin of course.

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Mobiius

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Posted: 6th Sep 2010 18:57 Edited at: 6th Sep 2010 18:58

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Plugins are generally faster. Most people are prepared to pay a little to make their life easier/quicker. I know I am! lol

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CocaCola

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Posted: 6th Sep 2010 19:00

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Quote: "ObjNo=B3D make object sphere(whatever parameters it takes)"

Thank you!!! and is that command faster than the regular "make object sphere num,size" ??

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=PRoF=

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Posted: 6th Sep 2010 19:33

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I dunno if there is much of a speed difference, but it saves a few lines of typing

@Mad Nightmare:
a) You don't have to buy the plug in, lol

and b) the eXtends plug in does much more than just the object commands, the real time sky sphere stuff is awesome; and it has pixel perfect sprite collisions and a whole heap of other stuff, as detailed >here<

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Indicium

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Posted: 6th Sep 2010 20:35

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I know, I know, it must look like I came on this thread to criticize the plugin lol, sorry. It wasn't my intention.

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