Here is a forum. ( 1

[Jamul]

Enjoy it if it's your type of thing!

Mike Hommel

Marshmallow Head, Hamumu Software

http://www.hamumu.com

jamul@hamumu.com

[Anonymous]

Sure it's my thing. Who's not into making dumb games ?

[Anonymous]

not a programmer...just interested in the conversation...but i am already lost! One question...who's andre'? The rest it is hopeless to explain! : )

Glad to see other programmers here!
"if the world is night,

shine my life like a light"

Indigo Girls

[Anonymous]

RaisinJack, if you know C++ then you should check out nehe.gamedev.net . He has excellent step-by-step tutorials on how to program using OpenGL. His first tutorial simply makes a window, and his latest tutorial (#33) is a game!



That's how I learned OpenGL.



Hope this helps.



-Sam.

[Anonymous]

I like the graphics and look that is in mikes games, what program do you use mike ? How easy is it ? How much time does it take ?

I'm not having a very good day, i just got out of my continuation dance, and i got dumped by my girlfriend =(
sincerely,
Justin989

[Jamul]

I make my graphics in 3D Studio 4 - so old, I have to switch the computer into DOS mode to use it. But it's cheaper. I also use Autodesk Animator Pro to arrange things into FLCs and do hand drawn detail stuff, and Paint Shop Pro to do hand drawn bigger stuff, like Sol Hunt graphics and fonts and title screens and things.

Mike Hommel

Marshmallow Head, Hamumu Software

http://www.hamumu.com

jamul@hamumu.com

[Anonymous]

Well, I'm using DirectX for graphics and sounds. Mostly

I make my games in C. At the moment I'm trying to

figure out sockets.



RaisinJack, check out www.2dgame.nl, they have a great

tutorial on making a game.

[Anonymous]

How much did you pay for these game making stuff, and where did you get it, i'm off school for the summer and i'm extremely bored =(. I spent most of the day helping out an elderly lady with her yard, man she has lotsa plants to prune.
sincerely,
Justin989

[Anonymous]

Well , I use the MS Visual C++ 6 compiler. It isn't that expensive. DirectX 8 is a free download from the MS site.

The big moneyspender was my 3D Max. It's a great 3d modeler and renderer, but it costs a bundle.

Besides those 2 apps, I just use Cool Edit for my sounds and

Photoshop for finishing work and ingame text.

My development machine wasn't that expensive either, it's a crappy pII 300Mhz running win2000
The best accelerator for Windows is free and called "Gravity".

[Anonymous]

Thought I'd throw something in here for you guys interested in jumping into 3d animation the cheap and easy way. Check out trueSpace at http://www.caligari.com . It's the easiest way I've ever seen to make 3d models, and version 1 is free. Even their top-of-the-line version 5.1 is only $300 now. And just because it's easy doesn't mean it can't create amazing stuff - check out all the examples on the site. (And no, I'm not an employee or in any way affiliated with the company :). I'm just a fan.)

[Anonymous]

Hmm, ok - guess I'm the only one :). The funny thing is that I thought the same things about 3D Studio Max; that it's complicated and hard to work with by comparison.

[Jamul]

I got Truespace a ways back (4 to be exact), and I even got a book to help learn it, but I just CAN'T do it. It's totally incomprehensible to me. I still use 3DS4! I try following the tutorials, and I can do it, but everything's really awkward and not making sense to me. I need to sit down and work with it for a while probably. Haven't touched it in about a year I think!

Mike Hommel

Marshmallow Head, Hamumu Software

http://www.hamumu.com

jamul@hamumu.com

[Jamul]

Max did look a little complex when I saw it - 3DS4 is long before Max, and it's a lot simpler. But I bet I'd understand Max a lot more than Truespace! Of course, that's because my experience comes from 3DS. Just the fact that it starts up with the 3 main views is nice. Truespace is too 'floaty' for me... 3DS is a whole lot more like drafting or whatever. Like I said, I've gotta go through those tutorials again. I did a bunch before, and I could do them, but I wasn't retaining much, and they sure make you go through **** just to make a cube!

Mike Hommel

Marshmallow Head, Hamumu Software

http://www.hamumu.com

jamul@hamumu.com

[Anonymous]

I am just learning a little C++. and have a small program written in it. Unfortunately I don't have a compiler and wouldn't know much about using it. I'm wondering if any of you can tell me where I can get something to run and edit my program that is EASY to use. I certainly don't need any frills, just something to toy with when I have the time. Do any of you have recommendations on what to use?

[Jamul]

I don't know if it's easy (nothing free ever is...), but look up DJGPP. I think there is a C++ feature for it, and if you plow through the manuals for days on end, you will probably discover how to compile things with it. On the other hand, shell out $100 or so and get Microsoft Visual C++, and it'll be easy as pie. But also cost $100.

Mike Hommel

Marshmallow Head, Hamumu Software

http://www.hamumu.com

jamul@hamumu.com

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the help. I tried downloading the Borland Compiler and may someday (around when the sun goes nova) figure out how to use all of it. It is nice that I do have the option to program in C++ now and if I ever write some incredible game using it I'll be sure to mention your names in the special thanks section for getting me started (don't hold your breath, I just learned how to use for loops).

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am a 12 year old genius and computer programmer.

I have learned Basic and a C based language for progrmming robots (robotics is my other hobby) called NQC, and have mastered both. I started learning C++ in December but I am only to chapter 6 in my book. I use Dev C++ to write and compile my C++ programs (www.bloodshed.net/). I am wondering if anybody knows of a good website that lists all of the C++ commands, what they do, and when do you use them. Also I need advise on how to make graphics and sounds. I need to get everything for less than $20 unless any of you can come up with a quick way to make money.

In short I need someone who is allready a experinced programmer to be my mentor. Thank you for reading my cry for help.



- Master Jobee, Tolkein Elf

[Anonymous]

well I do make graphics not programing though! I did lots of graphics my cousin showed me how to use paint then I got better and better a good graphics site im not shure of any go to www.dogpile.com and tpye graphics or programing.

I only know a few MS DOS codes but that's all.

[Dr_L_Fan1234]

Dragor- ONLY $300.00????? AHHHH

[joeld]

This is a good thread. I thought I'd list some of the free or cheap options to using 3DMax or something.

Gmax is a free version of 3ds max, you can use it for your own stuff just write a converter from one of the games it supports. I think there are MDL exporters and stuff out there, too.
http://www.discreet.com/products/gmax/

Milkshape is another free 3ds-like modeler.
http://www.swissquake.ch/chumbalum-soft/

If you want to make prerendered stuff that looks like Hamumu style cartoony graphics, try using POVRAY + Moray.
http://www.povray.org/
http://www.stmuc.com/moray/ (shareware, not free)
For a free package, POVray is incredible. It has all of the features that you find in the best commercial ray tracers such as mental ray.
Keep in mind that the models it makes are CSG models, and not appropriate for a 3D game unless you are prerendering them into sprites.

If you're into scripting, writing stuff directly in POV's language and not going through a modeller at all is actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it.

For texture mapping your objects if you don't want to use the built in tools, uvmapper is good. (the "Classic" version is free)
http://www.uvmapper.com/

Blender is good and free, if you are willing to go through pain of learning to use it. The python API is nice, and it has a built in "game engine" module for testing or experimenting.
http://www.blender.org/

For sprite and animation editing, I love "proMotion". It's pretty costly shareware. There is a $20 lite version, but I bought the full version and am happy with it.
http://www.cosmigo.com/promotion/index.php

I've also used almost all of the pro packages at one time or another. They all have "learning" versions that you can try out. 3ds-max is the de-facto standard, but I think it's kind of clunky. XSI is a very promising new package, Half-Life2 used it. Maya is a workhorse, but I don't think it is worthwhile unless you have at least 5 developers and can spend a little time integrating it into your pipeline.

RayDream (now Carrara) is a good, affordable (well, compared to maya) package. The modelling tools used to be it's biggest flaw, but supposedly they have fixed that with Carrara, but I haven't tried it. The SDK was kind of clunky but usable, this might have changed since the ray dream days.

I just saw that truSpace released a games modeler, but I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole based on my previous experience with truspace.

My favorite, however, is Newtek's Lightwave. Probably because I know it well and own a copy, it's ideal for single developers and small teams because it is very streamlined and powerful and a great modeller and renderer. If you are thinking about investing in Max or Maya or something, take a look at Lightwave, it's really tuned for polygonal modelling.

Joel

[Dwo]

AXEL 2 - create interactive 3D Web content
AXEL allows you to create high-impact, interactive 3D Web content without programming. It provides designers with the modeling tools to create 2D and 3D interactive Web applications such as virtual showrooms, online games, virtual learning environments, 3D architectural design projects, 3D character animations, and more. The results can be exported to .axel format (requires browser plug-in) or QuickTime. An advanced version is available that also allows export to SWF and VRML.screenshot



Font Magic - create 3D font effects
Font Magic is an easy-to-use tool for creating 3D text effects. The interface allws you to preview and select your eeffects from many of the available option. You can select textures, colors and materials from drop down menus and create an attractive looking 3D text or logo in no time. The result can be saved as single BMP file or even rendered as rotating movie frames. Font Magic is very easy to use and requires virtually no graphics experience. screenshot



WebEdit 2002 - HTML editor
Web-Edit 2002 is a simple, MDI enhanced HTML Editor, with syntax coloring and several wizard-style features for creating tables, inserting images and frames. The program offers an easy way to switch to an Internet Explorer preview without having to launch the browser. Additional features include support for templates, support for CSS, several easy to insert java scripts, Notepad document option built in, Quick Bar,HTML Library and a folder sorting utility. no screenshot



axel 2 link http://axel.visicommedia.com/
webedit 2002 link http://www.harman2k.co.uk/
font magic link http://www.mattcawley.com/fontmagic/

[Aulë]

I feel like making a little thingy like mater jobee :D :

Hi,

I am a 13 year old non-genius freak and computer programmer.

I started in simple script such as javascript when I came across a site supplying free scripts. I (like I do) starting improving them and eventually taught myself javascript. After that I ending up learning CGI/perl, flash, and PHP and tried to make an online game, failing as my budget was zero. And to cut a short story shorter, ended up learning c++ last year, taught myself the windows API from an example, and made my first c++ game.

My ambition in life is not to make money, but to make a game like loonyland but on I certain storyline I'm keeping secret.

Aulë, (That valar guy who created the dwarves is you insane like me and somehow managed to read the silmarillian)

[Aulë]

Oops forgot to add in:

If anybody is mad enough to help me make my game engine, then erm...

tell me to start working as i'm already capable, just kinda lazy :)

[AtkinsSJ]

Start working on it or have your brains sucked out by zombies!!

WackieWatty :shock:

[WackieWatty]

I'm too dumb to make any amazing games, but I've got some dumb ideas! :roll: