Spring Construction Set Update

[Buggi]

Okay, I thought it was due time to update everyone on the progress being made on the "Spring Construction Set"

First, I want to say that the following screenshots are NOT what the final program is going to look like. One program is a testbed for the unitviewer interface, the other is the testbed for the new V3 HPI format.

While the SharpHPI Viewer will eventually be able to perform small operations on HPI files, it's main function is to allow me a place to iron out all the kinks before moving functionality to the main app.

So, here's the HPI viewer looking at the OTA totala1.hpi file:


And the current state of the Mesh viewer.


We're just getting unit texturing working right now. And I'm getting conversion routines ironed out for HPI V3.

-Buggi

[Storm]

NICE SHOT!!

That shit would be so handsome.

[[K.B.] Napalm Cobra]

Nice.

[zwzsg]

So apparently you did manage. I should stop doubting people. Does it also display .gaf, .pcx, .tnt?

[Buggi]

Yes I did manage :-/

I've been programming for over 10 years, I can handle this. PCX is just an image format, I'm going to support viewing and converting PCX. The new system should be using PNG.

GAF is just... wrong in so many ways. *shudders*

Anyway, here's a textured shot of that same unit.

[Dragon45]

Looks like the functionality is ocming along nicely.

Hopefully this will be easily modified to accomodate the NUF.

[renrutal]

The old file formats should parse through a converter to the new file formats.

Like I said before, please take the TA formats and throw them in a garbage can. There's no need for them, be PCX, GAF, 3DO, HPIv1 or v2. Even COB and BOS data should be completely ditched in favor of a new and more powerful scripting format.

Direct retrocompatibility is not a good choice in this business.

BTW Buggi, Shiney!

[zwzsg]

I totally disagree. Retro compatibililty is a must in business. Just take any successful software, Word, Photoshop, Winrar, whatever, and looks at the list of filetypes supported. So Make sure your SharpHPI handles all the old files of TA, as well as the new files formats.

[Subdino]

Just take any successful software, Word, Photoshop, Winrar, whatever

A closer example would be OpenOffice.org : they use their own file format while still knowing how to read .doc, .xls, .ppt and so on.
If the idea is to offer a new engine (so to replace TA one), it should be at least compatible, and at most compatible & allowing to use better thought file formats.

[Xon]

GAF is just... wrong in so many ways. *shudders

I wrote a GAF viewer, but got stuck when trying to make a GAF maker. The GAF format is such a horrible system, it should inspire horror with all who work with it.

If you need some code to parse COB or BOS files I think I have some C# code which does it around somewere. I've also got a partial COB decompiler which can handle some rather wierd scripts too, but it isnt complete.

[Buggi]

With some help from Xon viewing PCX files is now integrated.



I'll also post an updated shot of the unit viewing system soon.

-Buggi

[Buggi]

Here's an updated shot of the unit viewing capibility.

As you can see, I select an object and it's highlighted in the viewer.

Hitting the "tab" key also changes to a wireframe view.



Here's another unit if you're getting tired of that one :) Click for big version.



-Buggi