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DarkBASIC Professional Discussion / Ok here we go...

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zamfir
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Posted: 5th Nov 2003 05:23 Edited at: 5th Nov 2003 06:03
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I've been goofing with programming games since the C64, but I'm an artist, so I tend not to prefer the complicated solution to ANYTHING (Except, perhaps, art). I bought DB and now DB Pro and I'm at a loss. I'm trying to make a game with a style of play comparable to the original GTA 1 and 2, with an overhead perspective that follows the player, and thus have no need for walls. I've tried using MatEdit and frankly found it counterintuitive. I'd love to use Cartography shop IF it is compatible with DBPro AND can make fairly large (if simplistic) maps. Think PacMan type mazes with doors and stuff. I do NOT want to program my own map editing program, to me this would be akin to a radio hobbyist making his own transistor radio in his basement. Fun, maybe, but pointless as the technology already exists. I'm looking for a final, definitive answer as to the best map (or matrix) editing software for DB Pro. What is the consensus? (And PLEASE don't say "program your own"... It smacks of nerd elitism and doesn't answer the question.)

Thanks,

Mark "zamfir" Kuykendall
[email protected]

zamfir
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Nemo
23
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Joined: 31st Oct 2002
Location: Bangor, Northern Ireland
Posted: 5th Nov 2003 17:28
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Hi there.
I must say I am not keen on matrix editors. I like to build a separate terrain model in Lightwave and export it as an X file. I don’t know anything about cartography shop but I would guess it is capable of doing this. You can then use one of the collision types available in db to make your player object follow the terrain.

For your buildings again you can build them and export them as X files from a 3d modeller of your choice. If you want a gta style collision you can use basic box collision.

I know this is probably not what you were looking for but I like this way of doing things as I love Lightwave and with it can make objects quickly and texture them very nicely without having to rely on someone else's code. I also like to know as much as possible about what I am doing (That’s the nerd in me talking) so I suppose this way just suits my obsessive nature.

It might be worth looking into bsp maps because as I understand it they cut down the amount of coding you have to do and you can use a few editors that come with games (Don't know which ones, maybe warhammer) but I don't know if this would suit your purpose.

Also, this is a very mighty forum and I have had endless invaluable help from the beasts that lurk here. If people see that you are making the effort to learn stuff they will be more than willing to help.

Good Luck Mate
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QuothTheRaven
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Posted: 5th Nov 2003 18:58
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Matricies are the devil.

Either way, when exploring level design options, you're going to have to forget ever starthing you already know and learn everything from scratch.

Cshop is good, and duh, it's compatible with dbp, but it's something you'll have to take time to learn, because level design is filled with unusual and arbitrary concepts.

If you want a matrix editor, use magic world. It's the best out there.

You could also try Milkshape and Gmax, or Valve Hammer editor for .bsp maps. If you want your level to be BSP (which is what half life uses, and what half-life 2 will use), then Hammer is the only way to go. No matter what program you use, (and you're going to have to use a program), you're entering completely new territory.

Every program listed here is compatible with dbp.
But the problem is picking the best one. I myself use 3ds max, which I only can because I have a few years exprience with the program. It's difficult stuff.

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Inkybro
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Posted: 5th Nov 2003 20:08
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Quote: "Women are the DEVIL!"

Waterboy

Quote: "Foosball is the DEVIL!"

Waterboy

Quote: "Matrices are the DEVIL!"

QuothTheRaven

lol..


http://fingaming.0wns.org/nANo/
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Inkybro
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Posted: 5th Nov 2003 20:09
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Never played any of the GTAs but I saw a remake here once and it looked like 2d art. If it is you'd want to look for sprites and develop your own 2d map system

If you can't do pixel art (which is what you'd want, probably) I could do some for you


http://fingaming.0wns.org/nANo/
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the_winch
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Location: Oxford, UK
Posted: 5th Nov 2003 21:11
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I think you will have to write your own editor.
Existing level editors are generally too limiting and most are aimed at the rpg style games.

It would be easier and quicker to write a custom level editor that only deals with the info you need to deal with and can edit it in a quick and efficent way.
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Inkybro
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Posted: 5th Nov 2003 21:15
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Agreed.


http://fingaming.0wns.org/nANo/
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zamfir
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Posted: 6th Nov 2003 16:16
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God I just KNEW someone was going to say "Program your own editor. It's better." Can't anybody READ? I specifically said I did NOT want to program my own $%*! level editor!

Aaargh!




I'm buying Cartography shop.

zamfir
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