using 3d software and rendering it to openGL and making a walk through scean vc++.net

[king_scott_2]

is this possible. I have software called strata 3d and i wanted to render something in open GL. In visual C++.net i want to open the openGL and make it so my person would be able to walk through these maps.

I don't know anything about visual C++.net as yet but i'm going to buy the software. So in that case i don't want any code just a simple yes or no answer

thanks a heap

[CornedBee]

I'm not quite sure what you want. You get your terminology confused.

"In visual C++.net i want to open the openGL"
I guess you mean writing code that loads the object you created with strata 3d, displays it with OpenGL and let's a person walk through it.

It's simple: everything that you've ever seen in a game is possible using C++. Since Visual C++ is primarily still a simple C++ compiler you can do that all given enough time, knowledge and a good reference.

[king_scott_2]

cool thanks. Even quake 3?

[CornedBee]

Quake 3 WAS written in C++. I'm pretty sure the windows version was compiled with VC++6 and 7 (.NET) is even better.
Actually nearly all commercial games are written in C or C++, with C++ having the large majority by now.

[king_scott_2]

cool. thanks alot. I might get it for christmas.

can't waite to start.

Hopefully bye the time i'm 18 i'll know a lot about it (i'm 14 now)

i fell i have almost mastered vb (ecept for the api stuff )

[CornedBee]

I'm sorry to say it, but mastering VB is more a hindrance than a help. The only skill you can take over to C++ is the basic knowledge of the structuring of a programming language: what if-else is, what for-, while- and do-while-loops are, what a switch (case) statement is, what a function is. Other than that nearly nothing. C++ does not provide RAD development, has a quite different syntax, a different programming paradigm (OOP) and you have to do nearly everything in code. In return for that plus of work you get speed, executable size and a few other nice things.

[king_scott_2]

as long as i can start using openGL i'm happy.

p.s i'm like homer simpson quote:

when i learn something new some old stuff just gets pushed right out of my brain


so i'm easy

[Kevin_0011]

Originally posted by CornedBee
I'm sorry to say it, but mastering VB is more a hindrance than a help. The only skill you can take over to C++ is the basic knowledge of the structuring of a programming language: what if-else is, what for-, while- and do-while-loops are, what a switch (case) statement is, what a function is. Other than that nearly nothing. C++ does not provide RAD development, has a quite different syntax, a different programming paradigm (OOP) and you have to do nearly everything in code. In return for that plus of work you get speed, executable size and a few other nice things.

I really do not agree with you on some things. Mastering VB would allow a new programmer to learn extremely complex libraries, such as OpenGL, or DirectX. The commands in those libraries do nnt change AT ALL. As for the programming paradigm, OOP is quite possible in Visual Basic. Obviously certain features (e.g. polymorphism and inheritance) are not totally implemented, however, it is still possible to use OOP. As for the executable size, well VB executables are MUCH SMALLER, which is a VERY GOOD THING!!! I first learned BASIC languages (GW, BASICA, QB, VB) and now find it much easier to learn C++. I know how/what the Windows API is and what it is supposed to do. I've learned how to make objects and learned to understand very advanced concepts MUCH faster in VB than is possible in C++.

With work, nearly everything that can be done in VC++ can be done in VB, and with usually smaller amounts of code. As for the speed, many of the applications that I find people asking for help on these forums are completely speed independent. Why would anyone want to right an additional ten thousand lines to do something that just lends itself to a different language.

I agree that C++ has some benefits and that is the small speed increase. However, VB still is VERY good and shouldn't be needlessly bashed.

[CornedBee]

I didn't bash VB. Although I personally can't stand the syntax it is a good language and perfect for fast application development. It is true that most things you would want to do for windows can be done with less code in VB. Even though your exact sentence is an oxymoron. It is also true that VB supports the basics of OOP.

But you got many other things terribly wrong. Firstly, APIs like the windows API, OpenGL or DirectX have nothing to do with C++. I was talking about C++, not APIs.

I don't believe you that VB executables are smaller than C++ executables. This is simply not true, I've seen enough VB executables. Not to mention that VB always requires its large runtimes while C++ doesn't.

As for the OOP, while VB supports classes, it's not the VB programming paradigm. Basic is a procedural language, and VB is a language that simply defines functions to react to events. There is little or no OOP in most applications. C++ on the other hand is a real OO-language and has classes as its central programming construct.

And you say you find it much easier to learn C++. How do you know? Have you ever learned C++ without knowing Basic beforehand?
When I started C++ all I knew was Lingo, the Basic-based scripting language of Macromedia Director. I could reuse two parts of that knowledge: basic concepts of a programming language (variables, literals, constants, functions, operators) and programming constucts, namely if..else, switch and while. I know this helped me, but I could have as well learnt Logo for that.

[Kevin_0011]

First off, yes I did try to learn C++ first. What happened? A horrible non-understanding of what the !@#$ I was doing. Instead I learned VB and managed to understand most of the language within 2 months.

As for your comment about not including libraries, well sorry, but this thread is about "using 3d software and rendering it to OpenGL and making a......". Well, OpenGL is OpenGL, so it is fair game for my remark.

And OOP. Well ever since DX7 and greater is available in VB. Now, I'm sure you've done some DX programming and know that it is TOTALLY OOP!!!!! HOW THE !@## COULD YOU PROGRAM DX IN VB WITHOUT OOP???? IT JUST WOULDN'T WORK!!!

Next. It is impossible to do anything Windows without WinAPI. Since you were comparing C++ (technically a DOS language) to VB (a Windows language by design), I naturally compared it to the nearest equivalent VC++. Obviously it is harder to program Command programs in VB rather than C++.

[CornedBee]

As for your comment about not including libraries, well sorry, but this thread is about "using 3d software and rendering it to OpenGL and making a......". Well, OpenGL is OpenGL, so it is fair game for my remark.

There is much to learn before attempting OpenGL. Besides, I don't think he knows OpenGL.

I have done my share of CX7 and 8 programming and it's COM. Is it OOP? It uses objects, fair enough. But it is far from being a good example of OOP. So, no, it is NOT OOP as a paradigm.
And only because all the libraries are OOP it doesn't mean that the language is OOP. If I write a Java app that consists only of static functions of one class then it's not OOP even though Java is supposed to be a pure OOP language.

WinAPI: Knowledge of the WinAPI would help him, if not for the fact (he said it) that he doesn't know the API.

[Kevin_0011]

Then it can be reasonably said that he couldn't do any thing "visual" yet

However, paradigm is "A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing ... an intellectual discipline." (Source: Dictionary.com). It is possible to have an OOP mindset and follow as many of the concepts and values that make OOP useful. If it weren't possible, why would MSDN and several respected bother spending thousands of pages teaching how it is done.

Besides, if he really doesn't know OGL yet, then VB would be the better choice because he would be able to start right away! He wouldn't have to learn how to make a window, handle window's messages, etc.

[petrus]

One of the big factors why I decided to learn C++ was that I wanted to know DirectX, I think DirectX Programming is very awful in VB, DirectX IS OOP AND POINTERS!!
And I learned VB before C++, and had no problems with it.

[Kevin_0011]

Well....about DirectX...

1 - This thread is about OpenGL...
2 - For once and for all... THIS IS VBFORUMS
3 - I guess your sort of on my side

DirectX programming is totally available in Visual Basic. Just because there isn't total support for pointers doesn't mean DX is impossible. Maybe you should check out DirectX4VB.

Besides, how did you dig up this thread?

[CornedBee]

Originally posted by Kevin_0011
2 - For once and for all... THIS IS VBFORUMS

Keep cool - this is the C/C++ forum.

[Kevin_0011]

I totally forgot... (**very embarressed**). I haven't looked at this thread since last year...sorry.

[CornedBee]

I'm not sure - it might even have been started in Games&Graphics.

[king_scott_2]

well i've just entered year nine now and if i make a verry simple game like quake 2 (not as complex). I could get verry good marks for software design and visual arts. So what chance do you think i have of finishing this game by the end of year 12?

p.s Thanks for all your help (despite the few arguments)

p.p.s who knows where a good visual c++ vorum is?

p.p.s who knows what p.s acually stands for?

[McCain]

p.s. stands for Post Scriptum or something like that, it's latin and is ~ "After the Text" I think.

[parksie]

You have very little chance I think, being realistic. Quake 2 was the product of years of effort, testing, and practice (ID Software have been around a while now ) on the part of some extremely talented and competent developers; not to mention the considerable artistic input that's needed...you can have an absolutely fantastic game engine, but with no storyline, textures, character models, etc., you've not got much.

If you cut a lot of the complexity down, yeah, you might make something pretty impressive. But don't set your sights too high

[Kevin_0011]

Wellll, this forums is pretty good...they've always answered my questions!

Obviously completion of your game depends on your work ethic - my friend and I started a 3D-RTS in October. We usually work about 1 hr at school and then 1 hr (home work permitting ). So far we've finished the entire scripting interpretor, graphics engine. We've written the map designer and the mesh convertor. Programs can do animation, animation hierarchy, texture mapping, shadows, mouse selection, and it is OpenGL.

So if we can work that fast, then you probably will finish in a year or two...

Sadly most projects that take more than a year never get finished...Good Luck!

[davidrobin]

Kevin_0011: That sounds quite impressive, I am fairly new to C++ and would like to have a go at some game programming when I am good enough. What resourses (books,tutorials) did you use to learn how to do all the following

scripting interpretor, graphics engine. We've written the map designer and the mesh convertor. Programs can do animation, animation hierarchy, texture mapping, shadows.

[king_scott_2]

ok does anybody know the software called strata 3D? I think that supportes openGL. So if it does can i save a model and import it into my software?

[CornedBee]

Supportd OpenGL? I would usually assume that this means it does its own drawing via OpenGL.

Whether you can show it in your own app only depends on whether you are able to read any of the mesh formats Strata 3d is capable of exporting.

[Kevin_0011]

Originally posted by davidrobin
Kevin_0011: That sounds quite impressive, I am fairly new to C++ and would like to have a go at some game programming when I am good enough. What resourses (books,tutorials) did you use to learn how to do all the following

scripting interpretor, graphics engine. We've written the map designer and the mesh convertor. Programs can do animation, animation hierarchy, texture mapping, shadows.

Welll...I can help you with the graphics portion...I'm a beginner at the world of C++, my game is written in VB ()...check out NeHe for OpenGL tutorials and if you have any questions, head on over to OpenGL Forums. If you have a tough question...use Google. It is definitly the best search engine...good luck in your future game development!!!