What tools do I need to get started?
by Joel Schilling · in General Discussion · 09/09/2009 (5:30 pm) · 3 replies
I want to make a demo level containing a medium size level with a small village of about 10 - 15 houses, a mountain range, a swamp area, and a fortress/castle and a wall with a gate.
How much of this can I do within TGEA and how much do I need to do in an external tool? Can the TGEA editor generate decent looking landscapes, or do they have to be created in another app? Does TGEA have stock fantasy models? I don't care if they are low polygon, or if they even look very good. Just something to play around with for placeholders. I don't plan on making any models at first, but I'm more than willing to buy some art packs if I have to.
Basically what I am asking is what tools/resources do I need to buy to make this demo assuming I am not going to make any models myself.
Also, is the Torque book worth buying even though it's for TGE and not TGEA?
Thanks!
How much of this can I do within TGEA and how much do I need to do in an external tool? Can the TGEA editor generate decent looking landscapes, or do they have to be created in another app? Does TGEA have stock fantasy models? I don't care if they are low polygon, or if they even look very good. Just something to play around with for placeholders. I don't plan on making any models at first, but I'm more than willing to buy some art packs if I have to.
Basically what I am asking is what tools/resources do I need to buy to make this demo assuming I am not going to make any models myself.
Also, is the Torque book worth buying even though it's for TGE and not TGEA?
Thanks!
#2
I'll see if I can find a book about TGEA. "The Game Programmer's Guide to Torque" that is listed on this site seems to be about TGE.
09/09/2009 (5:53 pm)
Yeah, I'm pretty impressed with the art packs. So all I really need to get started is TGEA and a few art packs?I'll see if I can find a book about TGEA. "The Game Programmer's Guide to Torque" that is listed on this site seems to be about TGE.
#3
Any Torque book will teach you the scripting language, and most functions (99%?) will be similar across TGE and TGEA. The main new stuff in TGEA is a different way of doing terrains (which sadly was removed in T3D because it was messy :P) and shaders. Plus possibly more optimal code.
If GPGT is the Maurina book, there is also a very good script bundle related to it (but available to all).
09/09/2009 (7:08 pm)
You can get by with just TGEA and some art packs (models, texture packs and more). I'm sure there are some neat tools to make it better, too. Most models have a nice little selection of animations, but there is an animation pack sold here which would pretty much cover all your needs.Any Torque book will teach you the scripting language, and most functions (99%?) will be similar across TGE and TGEA. The main new stuff in TGEA is a different way of doing terrains (which sadly was removed in T3D because it was messy :P) and shaders. Plus possibly more optimal code.
If GPGT is the Maurina book, there is also a very good script bundle related to it (but available to all).
Torque 3D Owner Ronny Bangsund
Torque Cheerleaders
TGEA doesn't have much in the way of stock models. It's just an engine with some simple examples, but there are many packs of the sort you want. Check out today's new posts here on the forums - there's a medieval market, and the same folks have lots of other village and castle models :)
You can do some decent landscapes with the landscaping tools in the editor. Some good textures on top of your hills and valleys can do wonders.