possible to create space based level or such with T3D ?
by Jeff Yaskus · in Torque 3D Beginner · 05/24/2011 (2:46 pm) · 5 replies
The game idea I'm working on has both tactical FPS mode as well as a strategic "space view" of planets and/or the entire solar system.
(think of the rotating planets from X-COM, but more than 1 planet available)
examples here;
openxcom.ninex.info/wp-content/gallery/pre-0-1/23052010_globevertical.png
ufoai.ninex.info/wiki/images/Nation_Overlay.jpg
I've spent all day searching through old forums and such for anything relating to how this might be implemented.
The closest I came was this post from 2002 - relating to TGE;
www.garagegames.com/community/resource/view/3007
Any ideas what it would take to implement something like this in T3D ?
Could it be done with mangling the code ? Seems like it ought to be possible by using a space "sky box" and then placing the planet objects in the 3D space.
I'm guessing that others have had the same question, but given up after lack of ideas how to get started.
If I get it working, would be glad to share as a resource for all!
(think of the rotating planets from X-COM, but more than 1 planet available)
examples here;
openxcom.ninex.info/wp-content/gallery/pre-0-1/23052010_globevertical.png
ufoai.ninex.info/wiki/images/Nation_Overlay.jpg
I've spent all day searching through old forums and such for anything relating to how this might be implemented.
The closest I came was this post from 2002 - relating to TGE;
www.garagegames.com/community/resource/view/3007
Any ideas what it would take to implement something like this in T3D ?
Could it be done with mangling the code ? Seems like it ought to be possible by using a space "sky box" and then placing the planet objects in the 3D space.
I'm guessing that others have had the same question, but given up after lack of ideas how to get started.
If I get it working, would be glad to share as a resource for all!
About the author
Long time gamer, hacker and programmer. With dreams of making video games -
#2
Any specific resources/guides/tutorials/examples that do so? No.
Recommendations: Skysphere (skyboxes for space generally have an unusual visual perspective delusion), starfield rendering (optional), atmosphere shader (eyecandy), dynamic gravity (useful), non-terrain based shapeReplicator placement (think asteroids - much more optimized than placing a bunch by hand, and there is an old Resource just for this which is 'easy' to make work in T3D), etc... and what Steve said.
05/24/2011 (5:31 pm)
Possible? Yes.Any specific resources/guides/tutorials/examples that do so? No.
Recommendations: Skysphere (skyboxes for space generally have an unusual visual perspective delusion), starfield rendering (optional), atmosphere shader (eyecandy), dynamic gravity (useful), non-terrain based shapeReplicator placement (think asteroids - much more optimized than placing a bunch by hand, and there is an old Resource just for this which is 'easy' to make work in T3D), etc... and what Steve said.
#3
Tried searching for the older resource on non-terrain shapeReplicator but no luck. Might be due to the search tool issues -
Will start with making a space sky box and placing planet models to test the basic theories.
05/25/2011 (9:57 am)
Thanks guys! I will pursue your suggestions and let you know how it goes. Tried searching for the older resource on non-terrain shapeReplicator but no luck. Might be due to the search tool issues -
Will start with making a space sky box and placing planet models to test the basic theories.
#4
edit:removed links to not existing screenshots.
I removed the default level stuff ... added a basic sun and sky map using example from Space scape 0.3
Rather than remove the ground space, I just used a transparent image for its material and it vanished.
Then found and placed a 3d model of earth ... just a start, but promising.
05/25/2011 (11:32 pm)
Off to a decent start ...edit:removed links to not existing screenshots.
I removed the default level stuff ... added a basic sun and sky map using example from Space scape 0.3
Rather than remove the ground space, I just used a transparent image for its material and it vanished.
Then found and placed a 3d model of earth ... just a start, but promising.
#5
But for grins, I was messing around with TGB and had a working rotating zoom-able earth in only a couple hours. So, gives me hope this can still be done fairly "simply" with T3D.
09/17/2011 (11:06 pm)
spent a few more hours on this again ... trouble is that the camera rotates around the center of the 3d Model. And all the models I have are not centered properly, so it zooms in/out as your rotate. (i.e center of the model is not the accurate center for rotating, as most objects seem to sit above the ground rather than centered at ground level)But for grins, I was messing around with TGB and had a working rotating zoom-able earth in only a couple hours. So, gives me hope this can still be done fairly "simply" with T3D.
Associate Steve Acaster
[YorkshireRifles.com]
(caution: untested madness ahead!)
Just have a new point-click gametype with your world's model in the level, nice skybox via Spacescape0.3, have the planet as the camera's object to rotate around. Point and click to select an area, store info of that area in a global, load FPS gametype with terrain, enemy, info etc based on that global.