Starting out with my project
by MrSpaceGame · in Torque Game Builder · 04/20/2012 (2:10 pm) · 7 replies
Hey folks.
I finally bought Torque2D and I am currently fiddling around with it. I looked into the source code a bit, did my prototype, but there are still questions left. I hope you guys can help me.
First of all, please let me say that the documentation is a pain in itself. It misses so many things and the TDN is really hard to use since you never clearly know for which version of Torque it is and if it is 2D or 3D.
1.) Can anyone give me a link to a really good book about Torque2D? One that is still up to date. I know I can google for it, but I actually want a recommendation. And I found only 2 or 3 outdated so far.
2.) Where do I set the screen resolution properly and whats the best way of dealing with multiple resolutions or let's say config files. I tried to do it in initializeProject() with setScreenMode(), but when I use that function, there is no window somehow.
3.) Camera: I am making a 2D Shooter in an arena. Pretty much a robotron clone in space. I currently design the game on 1280x720 and the camera is set to that. But if I want to allow lower resolutions, I am not sure how that will pay out and I can't change resolution atm. Do you have any advice on design-resolution?
4.) When I want other ships to chase the player, do I need an empty tilemap over the scene to use the AStar Pathfinding? Or is there a different method to make them hunt the player?
Phew, quite some questions. I hope it is not too much.
I finally bought Torque2D and I am currently fiddling around with it. I looked into the source code a bit, did my prototype, but there are still questions left. I hope you guys can help me.
First of all, please let me say that the documentation is a pain in itself. It misses so many things and the TDN is really hard to use since you never clearly know for which version of Torque it is and if it is 2D or 3D.
1.) Can anyone give me a link to a really good book about Torque2D? One that is still up to date. I know I can google for it, but I actually want a recommendation. And I found only 2 or 3 outdated so far.
2.) Where do I set the screen resolution properly and whats the best way of dealing with multiple resolutions or let's say config files. I tried to do it in initializeProject() with setScreenMode(), but when I use that function, there is no window somehow.
3.) Camera: I am making a 2D Shooter in an arena. Pretty much a robotron clone in space. I currently design the game on 1280x720 and the camera is set to that. But if I want to allow lower resolutions, I am not sure how that will pay out and I can't change resolution atm. Do you have any advice on design-resolution?
4.) When I want other ships to chase the player, do I need an empty tilemap over the scene to use the AStar Pathfinding? Or is there a different method to make them hunt the player?
Phew, quite some questions. I hope it is not too much.
About the author
#2
Your other questions are things that I am curious of as well, but I have not had the time to tackle them.
04/23/2012 (1:18 pm)
Sadly I'm not of any help with any of your questions. The only books that I am aware of with Torque are out-dated.Your other questions are things that I am curious of as well, but I have not had the time to tackle them.
#3
I am still configuring and messing around with TGB so I cannot answer the rest.
Books on Torque 2D are non existent. And ones that do have it do not cover anything on them.
There is a link to a TGB wiki. You only need to log in with your garagegames account and you will have access to many tutorials revolving around TGB.
Here is the url.
http://tdn.garagegames.com/wiki/Torque_Game_Builder&needLogin=1
04/23/2012 (1:29 pm)
I only have answers to question 1.I am still configuring and messing around with TGB so I cannot answer the rest.
Books on Torque 2D are non existent. And ones that do have it do not cover anything on them.
There is a link to a TGB wiki. You only need to log in with your garagegames account and you will have access to many tutorials revolving around TGB.
Here is the url.
http://tdn.garagegames.com/wiki/Torque_Game_Builder&needLogin=1
#4
As soon as I se it, the game stays minimized and I can see the content only if I use windows preview feature.
04/23/2012 (1:34 pm)
I know TGN, but thanks. The thing is, there are a lot of Tutorials, yes. But I could not find the answers on my questions there. Especially the one with setScreenMode.As soon as I se it, the game stays minimized and I can see the content only if I use windows preview feature.
#5
2. Try using the setRes(X,Y,32) command to change the resolution. You probably want to do it inside startGame(), or at some point after that.
3. I would recommend relative positioning instead of absolute positioning. Then it should resize thing appropriatly when the screen resolution changes. It really depends if your taking about t2dTextObject & t2dStaticSprites or GUI elements though.
4. No clue, I haven't done anything with pathing in that format yet. I've only done some really basic stuff with just giving objects a velocity based on their relative position to another object (so that it will shoot towards him - i.e., a fireball towards a certain party member).
04/23/2012 (7:52 pm)
1. Yea, there really is no definitive books on the engine. 2. Try using the setRes(X,Y,32) command to change the resolution. You probably want to do it inside startGame(), or at some point after that.
3. I would recommend relative positioning instead of absolute positioning. Then it should resize thing appropriatly when the screen resolution changes. It really depends if your taking about t2dTextObject & t2dStaticSprites or GUI elements though.
4. No clue, I haven't done anything with pathing in that format yet. I've only done some really basic stuff with just giving objects a velocity based on their relative position to another object (so that it will shoot towards him - i.e., a fireball towards a certain party member).
#6
04/24/2012 (8:47 pm)
Just wanted to chime in on #4: If the game's in space and you don't have to really worry about obstacles you may get a lot of mileage out of an enemy set with the faceObject and moveToward behaviors. If you add in something like timerShoots they'll aim, fly and shoot at the player.
#7
:D
And thanks for all answers :).
05/01/2012 (4:57 pm)
#2 and #3 where solved by the latest ati drivers. Now the Engine actually works lol. :D
And thanks for all answers :).
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