Advanced 3D Game Programming All in One

by Finney, Kenneth C

• ISBN13: 9781592007332
• ISBN10: 1592007333
• Edition: CD
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-08-24
• Publisher: Cengage Learning PTR

Summary

Take your 3D game programming skills to the next level! Advanced 3D Game Programming All in One uses the Torque Game Engine to teach experienced 3D game programmers advanced concepts. You'll use the Torque Game Engine to learn each new skill, maximizing your game engine experience. Quickly conquer TorqueScript, simulation techniques, the ins and outs of the game engine, player control, and using applied artificial intelligence. Then take it up a notch and discover how to spice up your game with enhanced game modeling using character and shape modeling and dynamic skins. Advanced 3D Game Programming All in One reveals the techniques and mechanisms that will give you an insider's look into the realm of game development so you can create your own amazing games just like the pros.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xv
Part I Advanced Script Programming	1	(132)
A Target-Rich Environment	3	(16)
TorqueScript	3	(1)
3D Math Preview	4	(2)
Playing Around	6	(1)
Making It Hurt	6	(1)
Making 'Bots	7	(4)
Al Concepts	8	(2)
Hands On	10	(1)
Group Dynamics	11	(1)
Getting All Artsy-Fartsy	11	(6)
Details, Details	12	(1)
Portals	13	(1)
Let There Be Light!	14	(2)
Skin Shedding	16	(1)
Moving Right Along	17	(2)
Working with TorqueScript	19	(44)
Torque Project Organization	19	(2)
Installing Torque	21	(1)
Quickie TorqueScript Briefing	22	(2)
Problem-Solving Techniques	24	(21)
Logging	24	(1)
Checking for Compiler Errors	25	(1)
Cleaning Out the Byte-Code Modules	26	(1)
Using Debug Output Statements	26	(2)
Using trace	28	(1)
Using dump	29	(4)
Using the In-Game Object Browser	33	(1)
The TorqueScript Source Debugger	34	(11)
Objects	45	(4)
Creating Objects	45	(2)
Working with Objects	47	(2)
Datablock Objects	49	(6)
Creating Datablock Objects	53	(1)
Declaring Datablocks	54	(1)
ScriptObjects	55	(2)
Creating a ScriptObject	55	(1)
Using ScriptObjects	55	(2)
Working with Files	57	(2)
The Export Statement	57	(1)
FileObjects	57	(2)
Working with Strings	59	(2)
Tagged Strings	59	(1)
Escape Sequences	60	(1)
Moving Right Along	61	(2)
Vectors and Matrices	63	(34)
Understanding Vectors	63	(17)
What's a Vector, Victor?	64	(6)
Using Vectors	70	(10)
Understanding Matrices	80	(7)
The Matrix: Explanations	81	(1)
Using Matrices	82	(5)
Applied Techniques Using TorqueScript	87	(9)
A Moving Program	88	(5)
Rotate It	93	(3)
Moving Right Along	96	(1)
3D Using TorqueScript	97	(36)
Swinging Doors	97	(19)
Door Resources	98	(2)
Door Code	100	(14)
Testing the Swinging Door	114	(2)
Sliding Doors	116	(10)
Door Resources	116	(1)
Door Code	116	(10)
Testing the Sliding Door	126	(1)
Warping	126	(6)
Leaving the MissionArea	127	(1)
Getting Ready	128	(2)
The Script Code	130	(2)
Testing the Warp	132	(1)
Moving Right Along	132	(1)
Part II Artificial Intelligence	133	(126)
Easing into Artificial Intelligence	137	(14)
What It Isn't... Yet	138	(1)
What It Is... Mostly	139	(7)
Searching and Routing	140	(1)
Rules and Expert Systems	140	(2)
Logic and Uncertainty	142	(1)
Natural Language Processing	143	(1)
Neural Networks	144	(2)
GroupThink	146	(2)
What the Near Future Holds	148	(1)
Moving Right Along	149	(2)
Using Al in Games	151	(18)
Behavior	151	(5)
Perception	152	(1)
Action	153	(1)
Reaction	154	(1)
Learning	155	(1)
What's a 'Bot?	156	(12)
Opponents	158	(4)
Allies	162	(2)
Card Carrying Party Members	164	(2)
Group Behaviors	166	(1)
A Pain in the 'Bot	167	(1)
Moving Right Along	168	(1)
Artificial Enemies	169	(38)
Stationary Al	170	(29)
Preparation	171	(6)
Code Modifications	177	(1)
The aiGuard Module	177	(21)
Standing on Guard for Thee	198	(1)
Following Paths	199	(5)
Making the Path	199	(2)
Using the Path	201	(3)
Chasing	204	(2)
Moving Right Along	206	(1)
Interactive Al	207	(34)
The Approach	208	(2)
Architecture	208	(2)
The Code	210	(28)
Preparation	210	(3)
The AITServer Module	213	(7)
The AITClient Module	220	(7)
The AITCommands Module	227	(3)
The AITGui Module	230	(4)
AITScript Files	234	(2)
AIT Resources	236	(1)
Making an AIT Script	237	(1)
Testing the Al Talk System	238	(2)
Moving Right Along	240	(1)
Group Behaviors	241	(18)
A Perfect Swarm	242	(11)
Preparation	242	(2)
The Swarm Module	244	(8)
Testing the Code	252	(1)
A Chasing Swarm	253	(3)
Testing the Code	255	(1)
Moving Right Along	256	(3)
Part III Enhanced Game Programming	259	(134)
Damage Control	261	(58)
Hitpoints	262	(22)
Key Features in the player.cs Script Module	265	(15)
Adding an Energy Bar	280	(3)
Linking Damage and Energy	283	(1)
Hit Locations	284	(1)
Bang, Bang, Boom!	285	(12)
Preparation	287	(2)
The Code	289	(8)
Testing the Amazing Exploding Barrel	297	(1)
Hot Wheels	297	(6)
Buggy Code	297	(4)
Blasting the Buggy	301	(2)
Living in Glass Houses	303	(14)
Preparation	304	(3)
The Code	307	(10)
Testing the Windows	317	(1)
Moving Right Along	317	(2)
Making It Real	319	(20)
Real-World Terrain	320	(11)
DEM Formats	320	(2)
DEM to Heightmap	322	(3)
Prep for Torque	325	(1)
Heightmap to Game Terrain	325	(6)
Vegetation	331	(6)
The Forest	331	(2)
The Meadow	333	(4)
Moving Right Along	337	(2)
Spicing It Up	339	(28)
Sunshine on My Soldiers	339	(12)
Sunrise, Sunset	343	(4)
Doing It with Flare	347	(4)
Water, Water, Everywhere!	351	(13)
Water Properties	352	(9)
Water Damage	361	(3)
Walking in Water	364	(1)
Moving Right Along	365	(2)
Online Game Services Using PHP	367	(26)
PHP and Apache	368	(8)
Installing Apache	369	(1)
Set Up	370	(2)
Installing PHP	372	(3)
Linking Apache and PHP	375	(1)
In-Game News Service Using the Web	376	(1)
In-Game Info Grabber	377	(5)
Authentication	382	(10)
The PHP Authentication Code	382	(1)
The TorqueScript Code	383	(9)
Moving Right Along	392	(1)
Part IV Enhanced Game Modeling	393	(74)
Structure Modeling	395	(32)
Levels of Detail	397	(17)
A Demonstration	397	(4)
Levels of Detail	401	(3)
Implementation	404	(8)
The Devil's in the Details	412	(2)
Entities	414	(5)
Portals	414	(2)
A Demonstration	416	(1)
Creating and Placing Portals	417	(2)
Lights	419	(5)
Static Lights	420	(1)
Animated Lights	421	(2)
Testing the Lights	423	(1)
Moving Right Along	424	(3)
Shape Modeling	427	(18)
Levels of Detail	428	(15)
Creating Crates	429	(6)
Player Avatars	435	(8)
Moving Right Along	443	(2)
Variable Skins	445	(22)
Mmmmm, Crates!	448	(6)
Resources and Preparation	448	(1)
Code	449	(2)
Using the Variable Skin Crate	451	(3)
Ready, Set, Go!	454	(6)
Ready	455	(1)
Set	455	(4)
Go!	459	(1)
Swapping on the Fly	460	(5)
Setup	460	(1)
Code	461	(4)
Abusing Mr. Box	465	(1)
Moving Right Along	465	(1)
Final Thoughts	466	(1)
appendix A The Torque Reference	467	(90)
TorqueScript Function Reference	468	(69)
Torque Reference Tables	537	(20)
appendix B Additional Resources	557	(18)
Code Resources Added to TGE Build for This Book	557	(1)
HitBoxes	557	(1)
Game Development Resources on the Internet	557	(6)
Torque-Related Web Sites	558	(1)
Game Development Web Sites	559	(4)
Game Development Tool Reference	563	(1)
Shareware and Freeware Tools	563	(3)
Modeling	563	(1)
Programming Editing	564	(1)
Audio Editing	565	(1)
Other	565	(1)
Retail Tools	566	(2)
GNU General Public License	568	(7)
Index	575