Hi people,
here's a screenshot of the current state of the Ocean editor.
I'm just using it a bit to discover first bugs (there are many
) and soon i'll release the source code on svn.
As of now I've done a wizard to create animations with few clicks and add sequential frames just by clicking on a grid on images.
As soon as I have time i'll add a helper for animation links.
Bye bye
Comments
I would love to help test.
Also, do you hardcode the list of properties or do you use the CreationTemplate.ini as an input?
#iarwain:
I created a class for each entity and the class is based on a base class OceanBaseObject that exposes it's properties in a list.
To answer your question...yes, it's hardcoded and I don't use the CreationTemplate.ini because it's more difficult to handle thinks like that:
Pivot = center(+truncate|round)|left|right|top|bottom|[Vector];
I need to assign a value and then call orxObject_SetPivot to show the effect on the scree...so for me it's more easy to know what's a pivot and define the list of values it can have.
Well...i took a bad example because actually pivot is semi-working
That's probably the most complex line in the whole file.
I've tried to always use the same syntax in the whole file but I can rewrite some more complex expressions such as this one if need be. This one could definitely be written in a better way.
If you add a new property it could be automatically shown in the property list but I still have to handle the property value changes to make orx to apply the value to a living object...so at the end, if I need to write code to handle the new property I can add the property to classes I've done.
Talking about orx feature i'm badly missing
I'd like to show a grid on the screen and to be able to draw primitives (lines, circle, squares and triangles).
The grid will be used for "snap to grid" features (actually i'm debugging the "snap to nearest object" feature).
The shapes will be used to show directions (spawners), applied forces, etc...
It would be a nice thing to have it in GLFW and ORX instead of creating orx objects and scale them.
If nobody can do that I'll try to do it by myself when i'll have time (and when the editor will be more usable).
Well, yes and no.
An easy work around is to actually delete/recreate the object upon modification in config, this way you don't need any glue code for patching objects on-the-fly and the update code becomes generic.
The other option, much better, is on my todo list: the config module will fire a "modified" event for a field, then this would get intercepted by orx structures to update themselves if need be. But it was merely a suggestion for now, I can let you know when I've added the "hotloading" feature. Don't expect it too soon though, it's not very high on my todo list.
Those are also on my todo list. Till some primitives are added, depending on the shapes I need, I either go with a shader (like the grid I'm using in ScrollEd which is a very basic object+shader, all done in config) or by using a couple of different workarounds.
For lines I either use stretched objects with the pixel texture or directly issue orxDisplay_* calls on a placeholder object (to gets the render hooks).
For more complex things, especially when there are many, I sometimes create a procedural texture, do my custom rendering in it (CPU-side) and use it as texture in my placeholder object.
If all this is confusing, please let me know, I'll try to add a wiki entry as a trick for rendering non-bitmap data things.
That'd be nice, but it's a slightly more tricky than it sounds: you can't rely on any direct mode as it's a legacy that'll be removed from OpenGL soon (and already been removed from OpenGL ES).
That's what I've implemented in the editor. As soon as a property is modified, the orx structure is updated and I check in all the project tree to see if there are orphans or any other object that needs modifications. If needed I destroy and re-create the object.
Ehm...
Yes, I would appreciate a lot the wiki option. I really have to dig inside the shaders.
I know what they are but, since I suffer technological inertia ,I have to get used to think about shaders advantages. :laugh:
Uh? Really?
That would be the needed force to win my technological inertia.
Where can I find ScrollEd sources?
As for Scroll(Ed) sources, it's on invitation only!
Well there's actually a thread on it in the forum started by faistoiplaisir but I don't know if there's a link to a recent version in it.
You can contact me at iarwain (@ this domain) so that I can get your email address and I'll send you an up-to-date version tonight (I'm at work right now).
And you'll see, shaders (especially fragment/pixel ones) are actually pretty simple and easy to write. If you're familiar with old 2D rendering it'll feel eerily familiar.
I'll try to write the wiki entry next week end.
Here it's 00.03 AM so i think I will read it tomorrow
Here's another screenshot of the editor. You'll see something new in the preview window (the Orx one).
- Added Snap to nearest Layer object
- Added Snap to nearest Scene object
- Added Snap to grid
- Added Grid (10x10 px)
- Added Tile mode (tile with mouse)
@iarwain: Before you ask, I answer.
No, the grid is not a shader because I wasn't able to modify the shader of ScrollEd to my needs.
I still have problems understanding shaders, how to write them and how to debug.
During xmas holidays I will study shaders and if someone has a tutorial for dummies I will appreciate
Next features in todo list:
- Multiple selection/move/snap
- Better save-files organization
- Better animation wizard
- Animation preview in orx window.
- Sound preview
- Compact UI with owner draw controls (tree, text box, ....)
- Editor preferences dialog
Maybe tomorrow i'll release an executable for people who want to start to laugh for the amount of bugs in the editor :P
Bye bye
You can create a graphic, animations and template objects.
You can create screens, layers and insert object instances into layes.
Let me know what you think. It's still a w.i.p. so you have to expect a lot of bugs, misfunctionings and incredibly nasty stuff.
Enjoy. https://forum.orx-project.org/uploads/legacy/fbfiles/files/Ocean_v0.zip
I'll try to give it a try next week end. My home computer time is almost nonexistent lately during the week.
I would like to test your editor but It seems there's a problem. Your .exe crash immediatly.
I have try on my w7 64 bits and on a XP 32 bits.
On XP, I have a message box before crash that tell me to download the .Net Framework 4 and even by doing that, the software is crashing.
There's something missing in your .zip ? It crash only for me ?
Thanks !
This is a dev machine, so I also have Visual Studio installed and all that comes with it... Windows SDK, etc.
Hello,
I checked dependencies and it seems all right. The only thing that comes to my mind is that the orx.dll I use is a modified one.
Did you use the one I put in the zip?
- .NET Framework 4
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package
Hope this helps.
Ok, the problem was "Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package" ...
After install it, there's no problem !
So perfect !
Now I just have to test it a little !
Thanks !
If you have questions about usage don't hesistate.
All you have to do is to start with the object editor (ctrl+shift+O) and add a new object. When you click on a property button you specify that the current entity overrides the possible parent entity (if it inherits from a parent).
To enable the Graphic property you have to click on "Graphic" (and it becomes blue) then select a graphic from the list.
If you want to add an entity to the list you have to click "+".
As of now you can edit only objects and graphics and animations. May be some other object too but I did not test.
In the main window you can zoom (ctrl +/ctrl -) and move the object using different options.
Free move: after selection you can move the object freely.
Snap to scene object: when you move the object is auto aligned with nearest object border coordinate.
Snap to layer: same as snap to scene object but the reference objects are the ones belonging to the same layer as the selected object.
Snap to grid: well, it snaps to grid
Tile: it's not a movement...it changes scale and repeat values of the object instance to duplicate it.
I just test Ocean a little and I think it can be very usefull ! You've done a good job until now !
But, for sure, there's a lot of thing to do again.
I do a quick post because I have to leave now, but I would like to know how you want to use the generated .ini files and the behaviour of all objects.
Actually, in my games, I program all the code using my C++ code. In the futur, what do you want to do with ocean ? It's a tool to generate .ini files only, or you want to integrate a scriting engine or something like that ?
I think, having the 2 possibilities will be a good point. I'm not sure to want a scriting engine, so in my case, maybe I prefer using ocean as a config editor. Maybe someone want to process all the developpment using ocean, I don't know. What's your opinion on that ?
Actually, you make an editor that require a "knowledge" of the orx .ini file. I say that because all settings are directly linked to a config value. If you want to create an object, you have to create a graphic, etc ... I need to think more but my first opinion is to "hide" a maximum of properties, or show them differently, so a designer can setup himself an object.
For exemple, actually there's an editor with all available Graphics in the game. When you want to create an object, you have to select the graphic in this list (so graphic has to be created before).
My first idea was to first create the object and in the object properties, select a bitmap. By default, the real 'graphic' will be hidden. If you want more details, like entering texture coord, you can view that in the "advanced settings". But, again, without showing the existence of a graphic in the config.
You understand what I want to say ? It make sense ?
I have to leave, so it was just to make a first comment !
I'm really curious to see how you program the core of your editor, you don't want to host it in a svn ?
Cheers !
I agree with all you said.
The first step in my development is to give all functionalities for the ORX programmer and not for the designer.
That's needed by me to better understand how orx works and to understand where modifications are needed to make a fast & complete flow while editing contents.
Today I modified few things and now all parameters can be edited, joints, body parts, effects, shaders...and so on.
Now I have to finish a core modification and then I'll leave a second executable for test.
Then I will start the second step of the development.
About your questions:
In my mind the future of the editor is quite clear. One day, may be on step 3 of the development, I'll create game templates to speed up development of "standard" games.
Let's say you want to create a platform, you tell Ocean you want to do a platform game, create the contents, levels and, after definig the "hero", you can test gameplay directly in the editor window.
That's what I dream...but what I dream is an evolution of what I need.
Actually, what I need is a basic contents editor to insert data and create levels. That's why I started with a basic ini creator.
I totally understand your example and it makes sense to me..it's something I'm thinking about but fot now I'd like to end step 1. The basics.
After ending step 1 I have to clean up few spaghetti code blocks and insert few comments where needed.
Then all contents will be in svn.
I hope tomorrow to release another test executable.
Stay tuned!
For me, to understand something, the only one solution, is to use it.
You said that you want to have a better understanding of orx, cool, you're right. But I think that since you have modified the orx source code to achieve your need to create ocean (you made your own orx.dll version for ocean), you have the skill to understand a lot.
Did you try to create a little game with orx ? If not, I suggest you to do that. You can see it in action, see its behaviour/mecanism. It's good and necessary to make a tool over it.
Did you take a look a Scroll ? The thin C++ layer that Iarwain made over orx ? I love it and I began working with orx with this layer. For me, it's impossible to work without that helper. I think you have to take a look at that. Iarwain wrote orx from the beginning, he knows perfectly his engine, and he has a great development skill, so really, I suggest you to take a look a that, for sure, you will learn essential orx's tricks.
And in my mind, I'm sure you have to use scroll to develop ocean (I've a little doubt only because I haven't see you code).
So, now, as I said you in a private message, I'm drunk, and I have to sleep ^^ We will talk later about all of that !
Cheers.
yes I took a look to Scroll, and I saw it's a good helper when coding in C++ for a game.
I can't use scroll to develop Ocean because Ocean is 99% C# code that interfaces the modified orx library.
The modifications I've done are just to help orx integration in a .NET application (child windows and calling conventions).
I've added a function to get the list of objects "under" a certain point, similar to orxObject_Pick but for more objects.
I understood how orx works because I had to study/debug it...and I agree with you...iarwain has great dev skills! Even without comments the code would be completely understandable and the design is really clear. I like it.
Well...right now I ended the a long core modification and I'm tired.
I need to test more deeply, but in this version it's possible to edit all parameters, even body, joints, etc...
There is no logic behind some editing windows. For example if you edit a Joint when you change the joint type you see all parameter of joints, not only the parameters needed by the selected joint type.
I'll fix it...one day
I modified the way files are saved and that means the test project in the last zip file is no more valid.
I included in the zip a new test project with the new format.
When editing sounds it's possibile to hear the file by pressing right button on the button you press to select the sound/music file.
I modified the way the grid created. Noy it's dynamic. In editor preferences dialog it's possible to set the grid size.
Hope something works
Bye https://forum.orx-project.org/uploads/legacy/fbfiles/files/Ocean_v0-2a90c73ef6357dda8fdeca943a62c7dc.zip
A question, because you're doing that editor using C#, you wrote a wrapper for each orx function to call them from C# ?
How it works ?
About version of your format, I suggest you to serialize at the minimum a "current version" in your format, so when you open an old project, you can load it and set new information with their default value. But, I say that "for the next step", actually, since there's no "official release", there's no need for that.
to import a function you have to declare a DllImport.
Here's an example:
[DllImport(ORX_DLL_NAME, CharSet = CharSet.Ansi,CallingConvention = CallingConvention.Cdecl)]
public static extern IntPtr orxObject_CreateFromConfig(string _zConfigID);
If you need to use structures you have to declare a structure:
[StructLayout(LayoutKind.Explicit)]
public struct orxVECTOR
{
[FieldOffset(0)]
public float fX;
[FieldOffset(4)]
public float fY;
[FieldOffset(8)]
public float fZ;
};
and then declare the function import:
[DllImport(ORX_DLL_NAME, CharSet = CharSet.Ansi, CallingConvention = CallingConvention.Cdecl)]
public static extern IntPtr orxMouse_GetPosition(ref orxVECTOR _pvPosition);
Since C# does not support __fastcall i had to modify the calling convention of exported orx api to __cdecl. It's slower but nothing noticeable in an editor.
I'd say the C# way works well, condidering that I've done that for an editor and not for a game. I've done some wrapper classes for objects, camera and viewport...but I think morx has better examples.
For the format version it's not a problem...before I had a format that was not flexible, now I specify needed files directly in opr file.
Today I spent a bit of time thinking about step 2 and I have some ideas...but before proceeding I want to debug as much as possible the current editor features.
That's where the community can help a lot
Did you (community) have any troubles using the editor? Misfunctionings? Ugly stuff?
just few lines to say the project is in pause due to the short time I have in this moment.
Daily job is really time consuming because we have to close some important activities before the end of the year.
Sorry, I have to wait xmas holidays to continue and release it.
I'll keep you updated.
Bye bye