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jPCT - a 3d engine for Java => Support => Topic started by: Dan MacDonald on December 19, 2004, 08:27:39 am

Title: Feedback on proposed Level Format
Post by: Dan MacDonald on December 19, 2004, 08:27:39 am

I'm trying to make an implementation decision about how best to create content for the game I am making. I would like the "terrain" in the level to have the following format. I could just build the levels in a modeling program and export them as a 3ds. However I think the nature of 3ds is that I would have too many options and create uneven terrain.  I would also like to place trees and shurbs on this terrain.

(http://www.planetthinktanks.com/dan/guy/640x480.png)

The game it self is intended to run in an applet to I'm trying to keep resources small and downloads fast. I'm thinking that it may be better to create a terrain editor with jpct and save off the terrain into the XML format that jpct supports. I believe I saw a toXML() method on the world object.  Then I could export tree/shrub locations in a separate file as a series of x,y coordinates.  Trees/shrubs could be placed on the terrain when it is loaded.

Since there will be a number of levels, I want to keep the content creation   pipeline as efficient as possible. My question is two fold, is the solution I suggested (creating an editor and using the XML format) legitimate? (is there a better way?). Secondly, is an editor even beneficial? or would I be better off just using a 3d modeler and exporting everything?

Title: Why not
Post by: rolz on December 20, 2004, 11:00:29 am

It seems to me that tiled applet game should follow MVC rules. JPCT is very functional if used properly - for displaying game graphics. Mixing game model with presentation framework will reduce maintanability.

there were 2 general ideas i found useful when started building own game:

- build lightweight game model. (I started with 2D tiled model and moving towards true 3d, yet minimalistic, simple and understandable)

- build presentation layer on top of JPCT 3D framework that will separate your model from the view.

What you get is clear, mainatainable game model and a layer that will handle 3D.

Here is the example of mentioned approach
http://213.232.242.32/technopolies

Title: Feedback on proposed Level Format
Post by: Dan MacDonald on December 22, 2004, 12:09:51 pm

Thanks for the feedback rolz. I decided to make a basic terrain editor with jpct as well. So far so good, when I have something the player can walk around on I may announce my project :D