New constructor wish list
by Jaimi McEntire · in Constructor · 03/15/2008 (5:55 pm) · 88 replies
Here are some of the things that I am thinking about adding to Constructor. If anyone has any input on them (for example: "that would be great" or "that idea blows") please feel free to chime in. This is not a "bug fix" thread (bugs are highest priority right now), but an "added features" thread.
Here are the things I am thinking about adding/changing, in roughly the order that I am thinking about doing them:
1. Bezier curves. This wouldn't be too hard, since most of the groundwork has already been done (in the DTS feature). This would give you the ability to have Q3 like curves in your map. I'm estimating this would take 1-2 weeks to add. You would have the option to auto generate a set of collision meshes for the curve for it (either exact, or an approximation). You would be able to select the curve and edit it at any time.
2. "live" duplicators. These would be like the existing duplicators, but they would be editable after creation (you could add/remove brushes, rotate the individuals, etc)
3. Path Extruder - should make roads, etc, much easier to make.
Anything other new feature that you would like to see? Post a note! (no bugs, please - post those in the other thread).
Here are the things I am thinking about adding/changing, in roughly the order that I am thinking about doing them:
1. Bezier curves. This wouldn't be too hard, since most of the groundwork has already been done (in the DTS feature). This would give you the ability to have Q3 like curves in your map. I'm estimating this would take 1-2 weeks to add. You would have the option to auto generate a set of collision meshes for the curve for it (either exact, or an approximation). You would be able to select the curve and edit it at any time.
2. "live" duplicators. These would be like the existing duplicators, but they would be editable after creation (you could add/remove brushes, rotate the individuals, etc)
3. Path Extruder - should make roads, etc, much easier to make.
Anything other new feature that you would like to see? Post a note! (no bugs, please - post those in the other thread).
#82
I would be happy if you guys just kept working on Constructor!!!
I don't like Blender, and I am not rich to afford 3D Max.
Milk shake is too buggy and just doesn't have the easy layout like
Constructor. I'd Pay $50 or so if thats what it took to keep all my
tools in one easy package, if Constructor was added to the Tool Box in T3D.
I just purchased T3D $99, would have payed extra if Constructor was build in and upgraded with new tools!
Mike
02/26/2011 (10:13 am)
Hi,I would be happy if you guys just kept working on Constructor!!!
I don't like Blender, and I am not rich to afford 3D Max.
Milk shake is too buggy and just doesn't have the easy layout like
Constructor. I'd Pay $50 or so if thats what it took to keep all my
tools in one easy package, if Constructor was added to the Tool Box in T3D.
I just purchased T3D $99, would have payed extra if Constructor was build in and upgraded with new tools!
Mike
#83
08/10/2012 (6:27 am)
I agree with Michael. I would love it if Torque Constructor was updated to work with Torque3D or even integrated into Torque3D. I would even be willing to spend $50 - $100 extra for it as long as the project was maintained with regular updates and feature additions much like Torque3D. I too think that Blender's interface is rather confusing, that 3DS MAX is ungodly expensive, and that Milkshape3D is too buggy and just not a good program to use for nice detailed games. 
#84
10/17/2012 (7:37 am)
I agree with above. 
#85
The only reason interiorObjectType is still eating up a typemask was to allow older DIF models to be imported into T3D and converted to DAE, dumped into a folder and then imported into a 3D app to be fixed and re-exported as something useful to save people upgrading from TGE/A the additional effort of starting from scratch.
10/17/2012 (9:22 am)
I would like to see Constructor taken out the back and shot ...The only reason interiorObjectType is still eating up a typemask was to allow older DIF models to be imported into T3D and converted to DAE, dumped into a folder and then imported into a 3D app to be fixed and re-exported as something useful to save people upgrading from TGE/A the additional effort of starting from scratch.
#86
You can export LWO and import it into pretty much any modeler, clean it up real quick and export a collada or Torque DTS. So no prob eliminating it from the T3D codebase. Infact, don't get mad lol, but I've even used Constructor for a few projects in Unity.
Constructor has allowed me to literally slap together a rough house plan in 3D right in front of a potential customer's eyes and it blows them away. I would happily pay for an upgraded version of Constructor. It's so easy and fast. Get some cool shaders going on like T3D and I'd be sold.
My wishlist
-The capability to do procedural shaders, like T3D's. Including the UV translation and glow.
-The lighting system in T3D would be amazing in Constructor.
-Better Texture management
-A point to point camera solution that follows the points translating to whatever angle is set. Just set speed and click PLAY
- get rid of those ugly red lines, or at least have a way to turn them off.
- A new black theme.
- A Plugins tab in the tools box with the "user plug-ins" as selectable icons
- Make a little more stable... I still have a few freeze ups here and there.
- There is support for importing DTS... so that works for trees and stuff. Might have shape instancing for more complex models like grass.
oh... and automatic update textures/materials like t3d
- some tuts on how to write plugins
- maybe a plugin editor?
oops - I got one more... the ability to copy texture properties/position from one brush face to another
05/31/2013 (11:57 am)
Edit: Hate to bump this thread after so long... but I'm really interested in an updated version of constructor.You can export LWO and import it into pretty much any modeler, clean it up real quick and export a collada or Torque DTS. So no prob eliminating it from the T3D codebase. Infact, don't get mad lol, but I've even used Constructor for a few projects in Unity.
Constructor has allowed me to literally slap together a rough house plan in 3D right in front of a potential customer's eyes and it blows them away. I would happily pay for an upgraded version of Constructor. It's so easy and fast. Get some cool shaders going on like T3D and I'd be sold.
My wishlist
-The capability to do procedural shaders, like T3D's. Including the UV translation and glow.
-The lighting system in T3D would be amazing in Constructor.
-Better Texture management
-A point to point camera solution that follows the points translating to whatever angle is set. Just set speed and click PLAY
- get rid of those ugly red lines, or at least have a way to turn them off.
- A new black theme.
- A Plugins tab in the tools box with the "user plug-ins" as selectable icons
- Make a little more stable... I still have a few freeze ups here and there.
- There is support for importing DTS... so that works for trees and stuff. Might have shape instancing for more complex models like grass.
oh... and automatic update textures/materials like t3d
- some tuts on how to write plugins
- maybe a plugin editor?
oops - I got one more... the ability to copy texture properties/position from one brush face to another
#87
Someone should pick up Constructor and continue improving it!
I realize TGE/TGEA live on at this point solely through the on-going use and support by a number of people here (I'm becoming one of them, frankly), but hey... we're still out there, and Constructor is quite a nice tool. I've been using it exclusively for a project I'm starting on (for main structures and such... not for decoration type things), and it's been a lot of fun to work with. Very straight-forward and intuitive (at least for me), except for perhaps the UV mapping settings. That's a little weird for me still.
But anyway, while I realize the circumstances around TGE/TGEA are kinda out of the GG guys' hands (or would involve more work than they're prepared to deal with - which is also a shame), my understanding is that Constructor has no such restraints and has, rather, simply been abandoned.
I think people undervalue the use of a program that allows you to quickly and easily put together buildings, and simpler structures with semi-automatic UV texturing and stuff. Something as simple as adding a DTS or even Collada exporter to the program could make it an excellent and speedy mock-up, or even final production tool, I think.
-shrug-
Just my thoughts on it.
10/27/2013 (8:09 pm)
Hell, I'll add an item to the list.. Just one..Someone should pick up Constructor and continue improving it!
I realize TGE/TGEA live on at this point solely through the on-going use and support by a number of people here (I'm becoming one of them, frankly), but hey... we're still out there, and Constructor is quite a nice tool. I've been using it exclusively for a project I'm starting on (for main structures and such... not for decoration type things), and it's been a lot of fun to work with. Very straight-forward and intuitive (at least for me), except for perhaps the UV mapping settings. That's a little weird for me still.
But anyway, while I realize the circumstances around TGE/TGEA are kinda out of the GG guys' hands (or would involve more work than they're prepared to deal with - which is also a shame), my understanding is that Constructor has no such restraints and has, rather, simply been abandoned.
I think people undervalue the use of a program that allows you to quickly and easily put together buildings, and simpler structures with semi-automatic UV texturing and stuff. Something as simple as adding a DTS or even Collada exporter to the program could make it an excellent and speedy mock-up, or even final production tool, I think.
-shrug-
Just my thoughts on it.
Torque 3D Owner Edward