Torque X 3D Beta Is Here
by Thomas Buscaglia · in Torque X 2D · 11/28/2007 (7:38 pm) · 48 replies
Hey, guys. Big news today.. the wait is over! We had a few unforseen hickups, but we're finally ready to release Torque X 3D Beta. Don't be confused by the name, though. We've made some very significant feature additions and performance increases to the 2D layer aswell.
Because this is a Beta, there are some things we would like to point out just to set your expectations. First, we haven't fully tested XNA GS 2.0 compatibility. We just got a build of XNA 2.0 recently, so we will be evaluating what 2.0 features we can easily support for the final Torque X 3D release during this Beta period.
Second, we don't have a full toolset with this release. What we have is a tool called the Mission Converter that can be used to edit terrains and place objects. You can find documentation on the Mission Converter here. This means that for the most part, you will be creating objects and object templates in XML by hand-writing your txscene files. Pro and Closed Beta Group members will have an advantage in this regard, because they will have access to the source, but we took pains to make sure every public property and method was well documented, so be sure you make good use of those API docs and drop by the forums if you have any questions.
We know one question on your mind is, when will this go full release? It will depend on how smoothly Beta goes and what happens in regards to toolset development, but we wanted to get this in your hands ASAP so you can start making cool stuff. Thanks for being so patient and for being the most kickass group on the GarageGames forums.
Because this is a Beta, there are some things we would like to point out just to set your expectations. First, we haven't fully tested XNA GS 2.0 compatibility. We just got a build of XNA 2.0 recently, so we will be evaluating what 2.0 features we can easily support for the final Torque X 3D release during this Beta period.
Second, we don't have a full toolset with this release. What we have is a tool called the Mission Converter that can be used to edit terrains and place objects. You can find documentation on the Mission Converter here. This means that for the most part, you will be creating objects and object templates in XML by hand-writing your txscene files. Pro and Closed Beta Group members will have an advantage in this regard, because they will have access to the source, but we took pains to make sure every public property and method was well documented, so be sure you make good use of those API docs and drop by the forums if you have any questions.
We know one question on your mind is, when will this go full release? It will depend on how smoothly Beta goes and what happens in regards to toolset development, but we wanted to get this in your hands ASAP so you can start making cool stuff. Thanks for being so patient and for being the most kickass group on the GarageGames forums.
About the author
Formerly GarageGames designer and gameplay/engine programmer of 5 years. Founder and President at Flying Mongoose Labs, Lead Gameplay Engineer and Senior Designer at LumaArcade, head of the Las Vegas chapter of the IGDA.
#22
11/29/2007 (10:35 pm)
Thanks for the release! This is pretty exciting, can't wait to fiddle with the new features :D 
#23
It deploys and compiled properly.
sean
11/29/2007 (11:25 pm)
@Stephen - yup - I know how to convert and deploy on the xbox. The game is on the xbox -and I can launch it, it just sits there with a black screen - Could the black screen be releated to license? I can hear music - but no visual.It deploys and compiled properly.
sean
#24
John K.
11/29/2007 (11:38 pm)
There's definitely a problem, I'm seeing the same thing too. I'm trying to troubleshoot it at the moment. I also ran a test deployment of the TankBuster sample and the results are even more puzzling.... the screen is split horizontally with the bottom blacked out. On the top half, the TankBuster main menu appears in the 4x3 aspect ratio, flanked by purple side curtains (vertical letter-boxing). John K.
#25
That was actually the problem, the TXB build in the beta was keyed to the Creators Club key, so those with a regular Indie license key were unable to unlock it.
I don't have an answer for the xbox deployment question, but will follow up with Adam and Thomas tomorrow to see if they have any idea what's happening there.
11/30/2007 (12:09 am)
Quote:Hmm
I was able to register TXB using my Creators Club membership License - it seems to work properly.
But I am getting black screens for everything deployed to the 360 - this holds true for both 2d and 3d projects? Any ideas?
That was actually the problem, the TXB build in the beta was keyed to the Creators Club key, so those with a regular Indie license key were unable to unlock it.
I don't have an answer for the xbox deployment question, but will follow up with Adam and Thomas tomorrow to see if they have any idea what's happening there.
#26
11/30/2007 (7:37 am)
Is there a new version up yet ? 
#28
11/30/2007 (7:40 am)
I was thinking about getting torque X builder but when I click on the page to go buy it, It takes me to the Torque Game Builder page. Are these the same product?
#30
11/30/2007 (8:39 am)
Nope but thanks. If you go to the torque X Builder page from the Torque X page there is a link at the end of the first paragraph that sasy goto the toque X builder product page to purchase and that is taking you to the TGB page.
#31
11/30/2007 (8:59 am)
Ah-ha! Good catch.
#32
11/30/2007 (9:12 am)
Anyone getting the 'purple screen' or 'dissapearing act' issues where after x amount of objects are on the screen your objects start turning purple or vanishing?
#33
John K.
11/30/2007 (9:32 am)
Jonathon, are you still seeing this with the latest version of Torque X? Which video card do you have?John K.
#34
11/30/2007 (9:54 am)
Does anyone know why my template would not show up in GSE? I'm on a winXP x64 machine and I'm wondering if that has somthing to do with it. Does anyone know how I can add them?
#36
Since it's normally much easier to post a question in an existing thread than to start a new one, announcement posts like this tend to get off topic with a wide variety of questions.
If you have a good question that's related to the announcement itself (license key problems, questions of a general nature), then feel free to post here, but if you have a specific question or technical issue, please make a new thread :)
The TorqueX Open Beta forums would be an excellent place to ask technical questions.
11/30/2007 (10:27 am)
Small forums adminstrative note:Since it's normally much easier to post a question in an existing thread than to start a new one, announcement posts like this tend to get off topic with a wide variety of questions.
If you have a good question that's related to the announcement itself (license key problems, questions of a general nature), then feel free to post here, but if you have a specific question or technical issue, please make a new thread :)
The TorqueX Open Beta forums would be an excellent place to ask technical questions.
#38
11/30/2007 (5:39 pm)
Thanks.
#39
Sorry it came at the end of the day. Have a good weekend all!
11/30/2007 (6:06 pm)
Yes, as Sam M noted, there are new downloads up If you own TXB and your registration key was not working, it should work with the new download.Sorry it came at the end of the day. Have a good weekend all!
#40
I don't see that anyone else is having this problem, but I ran into this error:
"TorqueXmlDeserializer._SetFieldOrProperty - Unable to parse format string true for type System.Boolean"
This is a run-time error on my company project and a compile-time error with the StarterGame3D template.
12/01/2007 (10:09 am)
Hello, long-time member, first-time poster.I don't see that anyone else is having this problem, but I ran into this error:
"TorqueXmlDeserializer._SetFieldOrProperty - Unable to parse format string true for type System.Boolean"
This is a run-time error on my company project and a compile-time error with the StarterGame3D template.
Torque 3D Owner Stephen Zepp
You can't directly port the windows target platform project to the 360--the utility preps everything to deploy to the retail 360.