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Dif export causes crash in world editor

by Nicolas McGregor · in Constructor · 08/26/2007 (4:33 am) · 2 replies

Hi.

Using Torque 1.5.2 on an Indie license and Constructor. I import a simple static mesh into constructor from a .dts file, and export to .dif format. Moment I try to add the .dif to the scene as an interior through the world editor, Torque crashes, and the console log logs the following error on every occassion:

pushDialog(): Invalid control: DemoEditorAlert

This error is logged just as the .dif is added to the scene, followed by the application closing.

I'm still new to Torque, and haven't previously used the .dif format (how I long for the familiarity of the .fbx format...) so I am having difficulty tracing the problem. While there's an absolute wealth of information on the forums and in the docs, not knowing specifically what I am looking for has meant I've spent fruitless hours trying to fix this. Is this a known issue with Constructor? Or am I doing something needlessly stupid by importing a static mesh from an existing .dts file as the basis for a .dif file?

I would upload the files in question, but the original model is a third-party purchase and doing so would break the license terms. But the model works in conversion from Milkshape to .fbx, to .x and basically every other file format I've tested in other engines, complete with collision. So I don't believe the integrity of the model is the problem. I don't even think this is a bug in Constructor, as I can't find another thread covering the same problem. It's far more likely to be me doing something daft.

If anyone has any suggestions, or can link me through to a thread that explains this, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks for your time.

Nick.

#1
08/26/2007 (12:07 pm)
Constructor does not perform any conversion. If you are trying to convert a DTS to DIF, then that is your key problem. Constructor will allow you to create brush-based geometry for levels (like Quake and Unreal do, basically) and "bake in" DTS objects for fine-tuned placement in your levels. This stops you from having to spend an inordinate amount of time realigning your detail models (DTS) and level geometry (DIF).

If you are loading a DTS model and then saving it as the DIF format, you are not actually creating and associating that DTS to a brush. Which is probably why it is crashing (if I am understanding what you are trying to do). It is trying to load something that has no reference.
#2
08/26/2007 (12:27 pm)
Ah... I see...

Told you I was likely doing something needlessly stupid. =)

I had a sneaking suspicion I was trying to use Constructor for something it wasn't intended for. I seem to do this eeeee-very time I'm introduced to an unfamiliar file format and a new toy to import it to. Watch, as I try to wedge the square shape into the triangular hole. =D

I'm very much obliged to you for your explanation, David.

Thanks again for your help.

Regards

Nick.