Export to DIF vs. map2dif plus

#1 I actually have a problem with the convert to map2dif aswell. I thought it would be better to put it here then make a new thread. I've recently made a .map object in constructor (its a crate)and I would like to convert it to a dif so I can use it in my game. I saved it to the default folder it gives you when you save your project (mine is users/chris/documents, I have a mac by the way and I cant find the mac forums with this new site) and then I try to export it to my torque project file as a map2dif into (starter.fps/data/interiors, and I did make a copy of this starter game so no one has to lecture me on that) but everytime I try to do this the program crashes and then says "Torque constructor has unexpectadly quit" Any ideas on what I am doing wrong?

#2 What version of constructor are you guys using?

#3 I'm using version 1.0.2.

#4 1.0.3, but please don't confuse my issue with his. I am not experiencing a crash. I am merely experiencing a difference in collision and lighting between the built-in exporter, and map2dif plus.

#5 Well I've seen both and I (personally) would go with map2dif. Better lighting is not as important as good collision dectection.

#6 As soon as TDN is back up, you both may want to try updating your constructor version to 1.051. This is on the Constructor page on TDN. This update contains fixes from Matt Fairfax and Myself that are not yet in the standard constructor download. If TDN is not up by the time I get home, I will post the update on my personal website, and post a note here.

#7 So do you think his and my problem are due to glitches?

#8 I would say probably so. I used to have problematical collisions with the earlier versions that went away with the update. I don't use map2dif anymore so I don't know about the lighting differences. With 1.0.51 and keeping my sources in CSX format and then exporting directly to DIF I haven't had any problems.

#9 Latest version's DIF export still has problems with the collision on this 20 sided hollow cylinder. And this is with keeping it all in CSX format, and exporting directly to DIF.

The cylinder was made using blocks, radial clone, and the planar scale tool to match up the vertices. The collision is fine if exported with map2dif plus.

#10 @Jason - Can you send me the file?

#11 Sure thing. Where should I send it?

#12 @jason:

jaimi AT aztica.com

#13 My situation has actually changed a bit (what appears to be for the better) I did exactly what I explained earlier and this time the process of changing the .map to a .dif starts to work and doesn't crash, but It gets halfway through the process and stops/freezes when it says "cleaning up..." I'll post exactly what the script says and where it stops (the single quotes at beginning and end are not actually in the script):

'Copying textures to /Users/chris/Desktop/Torque Game Engine 1.5.2
Demo/experiment/starter.fps/data/interiors
-t "/Users/chris/Desktop/Torque Game Engine 1.5.2
Demo/experiment/starter.fps/data/interiors"
"Users/chris/Documents/crate.map"
Cleaning up...'

Thats what it says and the "cleaning up..." stays there for a long time, I'm guessing that the process froze for some reason but it didn't make the program crash. So It probably still is a glitch and if Jaimi could send me and jason the link to that update soon that would be very helpful. :)

#14 @ Christopher: Log into the TDN and go to the Constructor page. It's near the bottom at the top of the FAQ.

#15 The link you are looking for can be found at:

http://tdn.garagegames.com/wiki/Constructor

That is the latest patch for Constructor.

#16 Man am I glad to see this thread!
That collision issue was becoming an epic concern for me!
Thanks guys! :D

~C
a 3d artist's journal