[Alpha]-0mega-
01-25-2010, 10:47 PM
Attention
This is a post in progress, it is subject to change in the future (mainly in the form of added FAQ questions and other info).
What is this post about?
So you've read the 'revolution' thread about being able to join the team and you'd like to help with this new project, but you don't know what tools you might need, where to begin, or where to get them? This page will show you some of the available tools that you can use to help create content, whether it be maps, textures, or objects.
Engine:
What is this?: Thing that makes the magic happen. The barebone of the game; all the interlinked programming that makes it possible to have a 'game'.
C4 Engine (http://www.terathon.com/c4engine/index.php) Free Demo Download (includes map editor/creator!)
The engine has a lot of neat features and works like a next-gen engine.
It may be lacking in some departments but active development is trying to make sure these are ironed out asap.
There's a free ''test'' edition available that people can use to try out their content, but they are restricted to the basic coding. (No sourcecode, only a pre-compiled executable)
To find out how to add your models into the Engine click here (http://bound.filefreak.net/forum/showthread.php?t=31)
Mapping:
What is this?: Tools that let you create the world.
One mapping tool is included in C4's World editor, it lets you create basic primitives.
Maya (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=13577897&siteID=123112) Recommended
3ds Max (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=13567410&siteID=123112) Recommended
Softimage (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=13571168&siteID=123112) Recommended
MudBox (www.google.com)
Blender (http://www.blender.org/) Free
Lightwave 3D (http://www.newtek.com/lightwave/)
Houdini (http://www.sidefx.com/)
Cinema 4D (http://www.maxon.net/products/cinema-4d.html)
Autodesk products cost shitloads but are like the creme de la creme of content creation. (If you're lucky you can get them for free from your university)
Blender is free and can be used for practically anything graphics related nowadays.
Many of those work in different ways but most of them can export to a similar format, COLLADA.
Also some of them may use a form of procedural modeling, which is not very nice.
Modeling:
What is this?: Tools that let you create the details, whether it be a human, monster, house, or 9000 polygon torch(wood).
See Mapping
Texturing:
What is this?: Tools that let you create or ''paste'' the images that make the world as it is (without this, everything would look like clay or something silly like that)
For applying textures:
See Mapping
For creating textures:
Allegorithmic (http://www.allegorithmic.com/) Free
Google in combination with MSPaint or Photoshop (http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/photoshop/) Recommended
Allegorithmic has nice stock textures, but its node based procedural stuffs make it harder to use than cutting and enlarging a piece of leather in photoshop for leather texture (example).
Animation:
What is this?: That what makes everything move and act the way it does.
See Mapping
FAQ
Question: Can I contribute to this project?
Answer: Ask MaxState or Darthdie, they are the project leaders. Contact them via the forum PM system, or just make a thread about what you're willing to contribute. Show off your skills a bit with something you'd think we might be able to use.
Question: I want to try out C4's built in world editor but I can't find it!
Answer: Press ESC and then press ~.
A bar should appear at the top with a button labeled Tool. Click it, then click New World. Have fun.
Question: I downloaded program X, how do I use it?
Answer: This thread is to serve as an index thread to give you options to use, not to teach you how to use the options themselves.
If you want to know how to use these programs, refer to the tutorials available online, or those that came with the product. If you're looking for help with a specific feature, you can ask me depending on the product :o I've used roughly all of the products but the ones you can ask me questions for are Photoshop, Allegorithmic, Maya, 3dsMax, and the C4 World Editor menu.
Question: I dont have the money, how do I get program X?!
Answer: Many of these programs have a trial version available, however if you wish to obtain full functionality, buying is the only option. Some of these tools are quite affordable (Lightwave 3D) whilst some are extremely expensive (Autodesk). In these cases you can try to get a students discount or check if your university supplies some of these programs for you for free (TU Delft in the Netherlands supplies Maya for free).
This is a post in progress, it is subject to change in the future (mainly in the form of added FAQ questions and other info).
What is this post about?
So you've read the 'revolution' thread about being able to join the team and you'd like to help with this new project, but you don't know what tools you might need, where to begin, or where to get them? This page will show you some of the available tools that you can use to help create content, whether it be maps, textures, or objects.
Engine:
What is this?: Thing that makes the magic happen. The barebone of the game; all the interlinked programming that makes it possible to have a 'game'.
C4 Engine (http://www.terathon.com/c4engine/index.php) Free Demo Download (includes map editor/creator!)
The engine has a lot of neat features and works like a next-gen engine.
It may be lacking in some departments but active development is trying to make sure these are ironed out asap.
There's a free ''test'' edition available that people can use to try out their content, but they are restricted to the basic coding. (No sourcecode, only a pre-compiled executable)
To find out how to add your models into the Engine click here (http://bound.filefreak.net/forum/showthread.php?t=31)
Mapping:
What is this?: Tools that let you create the world.
One mapping tool is included in C4's World editor, it lets you create basic primitives.
Maya (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=13577897&siteID=123112) Recommended
3ds Max (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=13567410&siteID=123112) Recommended
Softimage (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=13571168&siteID=123112) Recommended
MudBox (www.google.com)
Blender (http://www.blender.org/) Free
Lightwave 3D (http://www.newtek.com/lightwave/)
Houdini (http://www.sidefx.com/)
Cinema 4D (http://www.maxon.net/products/cinema-4d.html)
Autodesk products cost shitloads but are like the creme de la creme of content creation. (If you're lucky you can get them for free from your university)
Blender is free and can be used for practically anything graphics related nowadays.
Many of those work in different ways but most of them can export to a similar format, COLLADA.
Also some of them may use a form of procedural modeling, which is not very nice.
Modeling:
What is this?: Tools that let you create the details, whether it be a human, monster, house, or 9000 polygon torch(wood).
See Mapping
Texturing:
What is this?: Tools that let you create or ''paste'' the images that make the world as it is (without this, everything would look like clay or something silly like that)
For applying textures:
See Mapping
For creating textures:
Allegorithmic (http://www.allegorithmic.com/) Free
Google in combination with MSPaint or Photoshop (http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/photoshop/) Recommended
Allegorithmic has nice stock textures, but its node based procedural stuffs make it harder to use than cutting and enlarging a piece of leather in photoshop for leather texture (example).
Animation:
What is this?: That what makes everything move and act the way it does.
See Mapping
FAQ
Question: Can I contribute to this project?
Answer: Ask MaxState or Darthdie, they are the project leaders. Contact them via the forum PM system, or just make a thread about what you're willing to contribute. Show off your skills a bit with something you'd think we might be able to use.
Question: I want to try out C4's built in world editor but I can't find it!
Answer: Press ESC and then press ~.
A bar should appear at the top with a button labeled Tool. Click it, then click New World. Have fun.
Question: I downloaded program X, how do I use it?
Answer: This thread is to serve as an index thread to give you options to use, not to teach you how to use the options themselves.
If you want to know how to use these programs, refer to the tutorials available online, or those that came with the product. If you're looking for help with a specific feature, you can ask me depending on the product :o I've used roughly all of the products but the ones you can ask me questions for are Photoshop, Allegorithmic, Maya, 3dsMax, and the C4 World Editor menu.
Question: I dont have the money, how do I get program X?!
Answer: Many of these programs have a trial version available, however if you wish to obtain full functionality, buying is the only option. Some of these tools are quite affordable (Lightwave 3D) whilst some are extremely expensive (Autodesk). In these cases you can try to get a students discount or check if your university supplies some of these programs for you for free (TU Delft in the Netherlands supplies Maya for free).