Dts format documentation and code

#1 You might check out the source code to the milkshape exporter, and the dtssdk project...

Getting a Torque license will be a helpful first step for you. :) If your modelling tool is at all well known, you might be able to convince the GG guys to swap a Torque license for an exporter.

#2 I looked on the Milshape site and don't see any code for a dts exporter, just NOD. I haven't heard of the dtssdky project and I can't find that anywhere.

I won't buy Torque until I know I can use it. So far I can't. You can't take "Mac support" without a lot of salt.

Could you please point me to some links? And do I talk to anyone at GG anyway? I don't see a way to contact them.

#3 Seth,

My python scripts for DTS that export meshes from blender (which doesn't quite work yet) may be a useful reference... if you can understand python :)
www.garagegames.com/index.php?sec=mg&mod=resource&page=view&qid=4662

#4 Seth,

Mac support won't happen on Torque unless people start using it more on Macs... A chicken and egg problem. :) It won't work until it's supported and it won't be supported till it's working... As far as development of tools goes, though, Torque _does_ work on mac. It's mostly graphics/sound stuff that is problematic. If you're developing a modeller that works with Torque, you're liable to sell more copies, so it might be a good investment...

That aside, the Milkshape exporter and the dtsSDK are both in the Torque codebase, not standalone projects. There're also three 3dsmax exporters.

http://www.garagegames.com/main/company/contact.php has contact information. You can also try looking up the GarageGames employees in the developer search (Tim Gift, Rick Overman, Mark Frohnmayer are good people to talk to).

edit: Jeff's right. Torque runs fine on Mac systems. The tools aren't there on Mac, as he says, and also, there aren't a lot of people developing Torque on the Mac, so it tends to lag behind a little. That said, it's entirely possible to make a game with Torque on the Mac, as several community members here are doing.

#5 Torque is cross platform, and it is working well as you can see by the great games we have released. Unfortunately, there are few game content creation tools on the Mac for modeling or level building. GarageGames by itself cannot make game development happen on the Mac. I have pushed as hard as I can to get somebody to make a cross platform modeling program, but so far, no takers. I still believe there is vast untapped demand for a product like this, i.e. something like Milkshape, but cross platform.

As it sits now, you will need to partner up with a team member to get your models from PC or Linux. We have not tried it, but Milkshape and Quark may be able to run on the PC emulators that come with the Mac (has anybody tried this?).

If you know somebody that is creating a Mac modeling program and is interested in supporting Torque, we will work with him to teach him the file formats. In addition, we will provide a free version of Torque. My email address is jefft@garagegames.com

Jeff Tunnell GG

#6 I haven't bothered trying it on the Mac using VirtualPC. The reason I haven't bothered is you don't get hardware 3D access, and native unaccelerated 3D software modes are slow as hell (as in unusable). This subject is one of the things standing in my way of moving to the Mac as my primary platform (and keeping the PC for VC++ compiles, etc.), but I don't have the time to do tool creation on the Mac either :-P Oh well - just means another machine on the desk ;-)

(edit: damned spelling and gramar. And I aced writing in college?)

#7 @Ben
Yes. I'm trying to remedy that and need the DTS documentation. I'm NOT going to buy Torque to get that documentation. That's ludicrous. So off I go to talk to the big whigs.

@Jeff
Can't use VPC on a G5 right now :(

@Everyone
Getting the documentation via Jeff