GPGT Forum Is Open
by Edward F. Maurina III · in Torque Game Engine · 05/10/2006 (9:02 pm) · 55 replies
Hello everyone!
Rick Overman put the GPGT forum online today.
From now on, if you have any questions, errata, complaints, etc about "The Game Programmer's Guide to Torque", please post them here.
Until recently, information was posted about GPGT in all of the following places:
Thread --> New books from Garage Games
News Item --> The Game Programmer's Guide to Torque
Hall Of Worlds For Gamers GPGT Product Pages
Hall Of Worlds For Gamers GPGT Support Page
Thread --> Frustrated With New Book
This last thread was started by Roto. In it were some very good questions and well raised issues. I have attempted to answer all of the questions raised there as well as in all of the other threads by keeping an up to date errata document on my site. You can download the PDF from this page.
As of today, 10 MAY 2006, I believe that I have answered any and all issues and errors as listed in the (above) threads.
Rick Overman put the GPGT forum online today.
From now on, if you have any questions, errata, complaints, etc about "The Game Programmer's Guide to Torque", please post them here.
Until recently, information was posted about GPGT in all of the following places:
Thread --> New books from Garage Games
News Item --> The Game Programmer's Guide to Torque
Hall Of Worlds For Gamers GPGT Product Pages
Hall Of Worlds For Gamers GPGT Support Page
Thread --> Frustrated With New Book
This last thread was started by Roto. In it were some very good questions and well raised issues. I have attempted to answer all of the questions raised there as well as in all of the other threads by keeping an up to date errata document on my site. You can download the PDF from this page.
As of today, 10 MAY 2006, I believe that I have answered any and all issues and errors as listed in the (above) threads.
About the author
Recent Threads
#2
Answer: I'm currently working on a drop-in solution with instructions. With any luck I'll have it posted later tonight.
Last. Before I close this post, I want to remind folks that there is a running competition. I have not yet made a news/block announcment about it, but I will.
Basically, I'm continuously busy. That means I have new products coming, including the e-version of GPGT, my second Torque book, and some (as yet) secret but very cool tools.
You can qualify to win one of these items in the following ways:
1. Post the most original bugs or issues (as documented in the errata document).
2. Post the most accepted and acted upon lesson ideas. Yes, I will be producing new lessons for the GPGT lesson kit.
3. Produce and post the most GPGT lessons. Yes, you may follow the directions in 'Appendix B - GPGT Lesson Kit Docs.pdf' (found on disk) and make your own lessons to share with others. Just post them here as resources, and/or mail them to me for posting on the HOW GPGT support page.
05/10/2006 (9:02 pm)
Question #2 (Michael Branin and others): How can I use the GPGT Lesson Kit Compass in starter.fps (or my own game).Answer: I'm currently working on a drop-in solution with instructions. With any luck I'll have it posted later tonight.
Last. Before I close this post, I want to remind folks that there is a running competition. I have not yet made a news/block announcment about it, but I will.
Basically, I'm continuously busy. That means I have new products coming, including the e-version of GPGT, my second Torque book, and some (as yet) secret but very cool tools.
You can qualify to win one of these items in the following ways:
1. Post the most original bugs or issues (as documented in the errata document).
2. Post the most accepted and acted upon lesson ideas. Yes, I will be producing new lessons for the GPGT lesson kit.
3. Produce and post the most GPGT lessons. Yes, you may follow the directions in 'Appendix B - GPGT Lesson Kit Docs.pdf' (found on disk) and make your own lessons to share with others. Just post them here as resources, and/or mail them to me for posting on the HOW GPGT support page.
#3
Current Numbers are
Issues and Bugs:
Mark Barner (14)
Hokuto (6)
Roto (2)
Matthew Johnson (1)
Rex(1 )
Lesson Ideas (for me to make):
Mark Barner (2)
Hall Of Worlds - For Gamers
EdM|GPGT
05/10/2006 (9:03 pm)
There will be 3 winners, either one per category, or based on raw counts in all categories.Current Numbers are
Issues and Bugs:
Mark Barner (14)
Hokuto (6)
Roto (2)
Matthew Johnson (1)
Rex(1 )
Lesson Ideas (for me to make):
Mark Barner (2)
Hall Of Worlds - For GamersEdM|GPGT
#4
05/10/2006 (9:45 pm)
Hooraaay!!! The e-version of this amazing book! I am here and ready to buy it :) 
#5
05/11/2006 (2:01 am)
I just want to say I am not Frustrated with the book any more and find it extremely helpful. Great job on the book and especially your quick response to errors by keeping the erratta up to date. 
#6
05/11/2006 (2:19 am)
@EFM: Thanks for the updates.
#7
Who do I contact to get a replacement disk for the book. Mine shattered in my drive this morning. I think it got damage during shipping. Do I have to contact the publisher AK Peters?
05/11/2006 (3:21 am)
@EFM: GPGT disk problemWho do I contact to get a replacement disk for the book. Mine shattered in my drive this morning. I think it got damage during shipping. Do I have to contact the publisher AK Peters?
#8
@Roto - I only meant any comments about 'Frustration' in jest. I hope you didn't think I was jabbing you. Being frustrated sometimes is part of the process, and is perfectly understandable. I'm glad to hear you are no longer frustrated.
Thank you for the feedback and if you find more errors, please post them here when you get the chance.
@All
I hope to be able to answer any questions folks have about the book and to resolve any issues that arise, so please take advantage of the forum and I'll do my best to stay on top of your questions and comments.
Hall Of Worlds - For Gamers
EdM|GPGT
05/11/2006 (9:26 am)
@Kostya - I'm excited too. However, we're currently still discussing logistics. I'll make a formal announcment (or a GG staff will) when we're ready to start selling the e-version. One of the things we need to resolve is image size.@Roto - I only meant any comments about 'Frustration' in jest. I hope you didn't think I was jabbing you. Being frustrated sometimes is part of the process, and is perfectly understandable. I'm glad to hear you are no longer frustrated.
Thank you for the feedback and if you find more errors, please post them here when you get the chance.
@All
I hope to be able to answer any questions folks have about the book and to resolve any issues that arise, so please take advantage of the forum and I'll do my best to stay on top of your questions and comments.
Hall Of Worlds - For GamersEdM|GPGT
#9
The publisher AK Peters has solved my issue with a disk replacement. I should be getting a new one in a couple of days.
05/11/2006 (9:42 am)
RE: GPGT disk problemThe publisher AK Peters has solved my issue with a disk replacement. I should be getting a new one in a couple of days.
#10
The output is 2 6 1, instead of 1 6 1.
05/12/2006 (8:40 pm)
On page 110, for the function bt12();$srcRay = "1.0 0.0 1.0"; $destRay = "1.0 6.0"; echo ( VectorAdd( $srcRay , $destRay ) );
The output is 2 6 1, instead of 1 6 1.
#11
05/12/2006 (11:20 pm)
You mean I don't get credit for pointing out typos and formatting errors? ;)
#12
The 3rd bulleted item reads"
"\LessonKit". This directory contains the
It should read....
"\GPGT LessonKit". This directory contains the
05/13/2006 (2:29 pm)
On page 574 Section 1.4. Setting Up Our WorkspaceThe 3rd bulleted item reads"
"\LessonKit". This directory contains the
It should read....
"\GPGT LessonKit". This directory contains the
#13
Confusing instructions:
In the previous section 14.4.3 we are asked to copy over a directory "\MazeRunner\A_SettingUp\prototype" to our working directory.
My working directory is C:\MazeRunner
So now I have in my working directory something that looks like this
C:\MazeRunner\prototype
In the next section 14.4.4 we are asked to modify the Main.cs file. At this point since the last directory the author spoke about is the directory we copied over to our new working directory, you would expect to edit the main.cs file in that directory C:\MazeRunner\prototype.
However, the instructions say to change line 6 which looks like this...
$defaultGame = "demo";
Well that line does not exist in that Main.cs file.
You should edit the Main.cs file in the directory above your prototype directory. In my case that is..
C:\MazeRunner
05/13/2006 (3:12 pm)
On page 576 section 14.4.4 Modify "main.cs"Confusing instructions:
In the previous section 14.4.3 we are asked to copy over a directory "\MazeRunner\A_SettingUp\prototype" to our working directory.
My working directory is C:\MazeRunner
So now I have in my working directory something that looks like this
C:\MazeRunner\prototype
In the next section 14.4.4 we are asked to modify the Main.cs file. At this point since the last directory the author spoke about is the directory we copied over to our new working directory, you would expect to edit the main.cs file in that directory C:\MazeRunner\prototype.
However, the instructions say to change line 6 which looks like this...
$defaultGame = "demo";
Well that line does not exist in that Main.cs file.
You should edit the Main.cs file in the directory above your prototype directory. In my case that is..
C:\MazeRunner
#14
the line...
exec("./EGSystems/SimpleTaskMgr/egs_SimpleTaskMgr.cs");
should read...
exec("./EGSystems/SimpleTaskManager/egs_SimpleTaskManager.cs");
05/13/2006 (4:23 pm)
On page 576 Section 14.4.5 Add Systems Scriptsthe line...
exec("./EGSystems/SimpleTaskMgr/egs_SimpleTaskMgr.cs");
should read...
exec("./EGSystems/SimpleTaskManager/egs_SimpleTaskManager.cs");
#15
It reads" For example, a p-zone can be used to change the gravity and/or apply a force and/or modify an object's current velocity when the object passed into or through the area encapsulated by the" and then it stops.
05/14/2006 (2:46 pm)
On page 129, the caption is cut off similar to bug # 3. It reads" For example, a p-zone can be used to change the gravity and/or apply a force and/or modify an object's current velocity when the object passed into or through the area encapsulated by the" and then it stops.
#16
1.) I posted an Appendix typo here.
2.) Chapter 8, page 329, section 8.10.6, Animation Overview.
You have a Table 8.26 on page 325... using ViewClosest and FadeOutRegion. Then you have another Table 8.26 on page 330...Animation parameters. The rest of the Tables on pages 330 and 331 are off respectively to paragraph. No Table 8.33 exists.
05/14/2006 (3:21 pm)
@EFM: GPGT Feedback1.) I posted an Appendix typo here.
2.) Chapter 8, page 329, section 8.10.6, Animation Overview.
Quote:
Animations provide the parameters in Table 8.27. Table 8.28-8.33 list the specific parameters for color, brightness, rotation, size, azimuth, and elevation, respectively.
You have a Table 8.26 on page 325... using ViewClosest and FadeOutRegion. Then you have another Table 8.26 on page 330...Animation parameters. The rest of the Tables on pages 330 and 331 are off respectively to paragraph. No Table 8.33 exists.
#17
Just a suggestion... you may want to create a thread for each chapter to cut down on one single thread from getting to long as the other one did. That way people can go to the thread for each chapter to ask questions, report errors, and give suggestions for that chapter.
I am going to have to head over to K. Finney's forum also since I found some more errors in his book as well. I have been digging into the books and TDN alot further while making my game. Also was finding typos in TDN, so don't feel bad about the errors.
05/14/2006 (3:46 pm)
@EFM: GPGT Forum feedbackJust a suggestion... you may want to create a thread for each chapter to cut down on one single thread from getting to long as the other one did. That way people can go to the thread for each chapter to ask questions, report errors, and give suggestions for that chapter.
I am going to have to head over to K. Finney's forum also since I found some more errors in his book as well. I have been digging into the books and TDN alot further while making my game. Also was finding typos in TDN, so don't feel bad about the errors.
#18
05/14/2006 (4:26 pm)
For another suggestion, I think that it would be easier for people to find the errors in the GPGT errata PDF if they were listed by page number instead of bug number.
#20
There is no Figure 5.1. Infact there is not Figures in chapter 5 at all, only tables.
05/14/2006 (8:32 pm)
Page 143 the sentence just before section 5.1 SimObjectQuote:Please note that the dotted line in Figure 5.1 indicates that there is a class between the two connected classes that we are not discussing
There is no Figure 5.1. Infact there is not Figures in chapter 5 at all, only tables.
Associate Edward F. Maurina III
Roaming Gamer LLC
Question #1 (rawi): How can GPGT benefit a MAC user?
Multi-Part Answer:
1. The book and accompanying e-references are useful to all TGE users on all platforms as a source of reference.
2. Furthermore, much of what is coverered in this book corresponds to features also present in TGB and TSE.
3. However, for everyone except TGE Windows users, the GPGT lesson kit and Maze Runner Prototype Lessons will be of limited use.
3a. GPGT Lesson Kit vs. MAC/Linux TGE - This kit uses version 1.4.1 of the engine and contains a fix which is not present in 1.4. This fix applies to the 'Sample Script Console' Tool. Therefore, if you are a MAC or Linux user and if you replace the executable on the disk with your own executable certains facets of the GPGT lesson kit may not function properly. At this time I don't have an exact list, but when I have one a document will be posted on the HOW GPGT support page.
3b. Maze Runner Lesson - This should pretty much work for everyone as long as you use the latest executable available for your platform (Windows, MAC, Linux). If anyone experiences issues following these lessons for Mac or Linux, please post about it in this forum and I'll see what a I can do.