This Question For Ns Creaters
a4oNS-DSS
Join Date: 2003-05-29 Member: 16850Members
<div class="IPBDescription">How do u guys make this stuff??</div>
My question to you master creaters....
Where do you start to become programmers for such a complex program? Where would you start from, where would be any guides? Could you show beecause I'm interested into helping out the NS community by trying some stuff with NS. !!!
-=- DSS -=-
"OOOOOOOOO, I LIKE THIS ICON!! :DDD"
<!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo-->
My question to you master creaters....
Where do you start to become programmers for such a complex program? Where would you start from, where would be any guides? Could you show beecause I'm interested into helping out the NS community by trying some stuff with NS. !!!
-=- DSS -=-
"OOOOOOOOO, I LIKE THIS ICON!! :DDD"
<!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo-->
Comments
learn opengl, how model/animate (maya 3d goes cheap I hear for students), spend 3-4 years learning how to competently program (intro to c++ doesn't count) learn network protocols, learn computer architecture
etc. etc. etc.
Do you want to design levels?
If you do there's plenty of level crafting programs out there on the net such as Worldcraft, which allow you to create levels for games like Half-life.
Do you want to create models?
Like creating you own entities like a new type of alien. You'll need a 3d modeling package like Milkshape or 3DStudio.
Do you want to program a mod?
You'll need programming experience. A good base knowledge in the C programming language can help. Knowing other programming languages can help too like C++ and Java. Taking up a programming language is not an easy task but there' s lots of information on the net and lots of books out there to help you. There's always school courses and Degree programs too. After you understand the language you can get an SDK, a developers kit for Half-Life or the game of your choosing. Most Companies release these and you can use them to program new features and incorparate them into the game.
Where do you start?
Well I don't feel like posting links because I'm at work right now but I might update my post later. If the developers of NS want to add well of course they can. I just gave a brief outline.
-KB
If you can follow a course I'd advise it because not everybody is very good at learning from a book.
And you gotta expect to spend a LOT of time in it.
I spent a LOT of time just making an area/diagonal calculator in C++ and it cant even do decimals! But lord am I proud of my work <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> lol
Nah just try a book to begin with and see if its yer cup of tea. If it works out and catches yer interest, go and look if there's courses or whatnot in the area and work from there!
Just my 2c!
If you're looking for a good book on C++ which you can get some decent mileage out of, I'd recommend "C++ In Plain English" by Brian Overland.
Lastly, if you want general HL editing stuff (coding, mapping, etc), I'd recommend <a href='http://www.thewavelength.net/' target='_blank'>Wavelength</a> (recently re-opened).
Don't attempt to build the entire program from scratch. You'll never get there. Start with module by module, working up from there.
For example, if you have 15,000 kg's of metal, you wouldn't go for a car. You wouldn't even build an engine. You'd build a pipe. You'd join that to some other pipes, and some other parts you'd made, and then you'd <b>eventually</b> get an engine. And you <b>still</b> wouldn't have a car.
Probably the best suggestion here.
Anyway I keep wanting to get into half life programming. I can do a bit of C++ and I'm sure I can work the rest out as I go along, or pester the experts till they tell me <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->. I've always wanted to make a client side plugin that would record your kills, accuracy, time playing etc, but I don't even know if this would work, if someone could help me I would appreciate it?
Make a system that allows stats to be derived from the HL engine. In fact, don't even go that far. Make a system that allows numbers to be taken from it.
"DSS"
I LIKE THIS ICON!! <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo-->
Make a system that allows stats to be derived from the HL engine. In fact, don't even go that far. Make a system that allows numbers to be taken from it. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
well if i can access the console text, not too much of a problem, I mean i can get kills, deaths, and time I can measure myself.
Secondly what about server plugins that measure this sort of stuff? where do they get the info from?
(btw, i dont claim to know what im talking about here, i started a mod for Star Trek, but i got bored and went back to DOD (ns wasnt out yet))
<a href='http://nehe.gamedev.net/' target='_blank'>http://nehe.gamedev.net/</a>
you = god;
I'm am taking C++ and once you get past the boring "Hello World" crap it's really quite fun! Flayra should write his own game design/programing book, I for one would like to know what goes on in the mind of the Evil Overlord.
Everything I know about HL is from looking at the HLSDK, Then with server-side mods everything is pretty much the same song and dance. Of course you could always look at metamod plugin sources.
My experience in modding NS, I have done a lot of figuring out how stuff is done, since NS does some pretty crazy things <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> (Coding wise).
You just need some C++ and SDK knoweldge, and of course some tutorials
<a href='http://www.thewavelength.net/' target='_blank'>http://www.thewavelength.net/</a>
<a href='http://www.planethalflife.com/hlprogramming/' target='_blank'>http://www.planethalflife.com/hlprogramming/</a>