Delta3D

Delta3D - A Free Open Source Software (FOSS) Game engine - gaming/simulation engine - API.

Wish I could say this is a "how to" guide. Mostly it's a reference, inverse tree. How, sure, but not necessarirly current or complete.

Most folks can build and run Delta3D... but that isn't why you're here.

Disclaimer
All products' trademarks and copyrights referenced are property of their respective trademark and copyright holders... yadda, yadda, yadda. Read the product licenses.

There are several Delta3D package sources. Ensure you have the right version and configure your environment correctly, otherwise the build(s) and/or execution will fail. The most recent isn't necessarily the best.

Your system hardware and software will affect the use and operation of Delta3D and related applications. Sadly, I can only attest to my experience using Windows OS and MSVC 2005 development environment. Hopefully cross-platform source and development has progressed to the point that this won't be a limiting factor should you be using a different system.

Take a minute to do some research and verify anything you plan to use or install - tools in particular and as always if you create a user account for any site related to source (Delta3D, SourceForge, OSG, etc), manage your accounts and behave well in the community forums and discussions to get the most out of the products. Use Google, Yahoo, Bing, Wikipedia, MSN, whatever search reference/resource you like, or any other file verification facility you think is best to confirm an application/file before installing and using as described here - even ask your friends. There are impostors, leeches, and scams; or different (older/newer) versions that aren't going to work. Better yet, go to the forum and see what the latest news is before getting started.

Credits
The "product" (Delta3D) is managed and supported by the "Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation" (MOVES) Institute at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. They hire programmers, you should apply. The "software" is released under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL). The external modules (libraries) have their own licensing. Some modules, such as Qt (kute), require the user (you) to download - install - build - separately for use with Delta3D.

As a cross-platform "application", primarily written in C++, different operating systems and development environments are supported. That means you can create a simulation or game (MMORPG) using your computer and "make" (IDE); once you have an idea - otherwise it just tests and pre-built applications.

How long will this take?
At a minimum this is a "Two week" project, for anything more than just seeing what Delta3D has to offer as a game development platform. If you install the Delta3D base package, and it's compatible with your system, you'll be up and running in an hour or so. Otherwise this will take a bit, it may take a few days - for the full package (including external dependencies) download, install, configure, and build. You will have to accept accomplishments in stages. Beyond that, if you delve into development using Delta3D, you can spend years working with it. It's a great hobby.

What do I need?
You will need a number of different tools to download and use the packages that comprise the Delta3D "package". There may be better applications available than those listed here, use at your discretion.

The following are suggested tools and used for purposes of reference for build and access in this "guide". You may find alternatives or have a different environment.

MSWindows Vista SP2, MSVC 2005 (documented example).

TortoiseSVN, using TortoiseSVN 1.6.14.

CMake, using CMake 2.8.4.

7Zip if your OS does not support the extraction of all "archive" files provided in the various packages.

Idea
First you have to have an idea.

Delta3D is not a finished product ready for release/deployment. Tests, examples, and other support applications are provided. But those only serve to test your system not provide a "game" as you want/expect. Or does it...

Try the test applications. Despite the fact that the "test" applications are outdated or nearly obsolete, they do make good use of functionality. You may find something that is a good base for your design. FireFighter (demo) is a reasonable example for the core product; you're better off using Simulation Core (SimCore) for more advanced, current, and complete development but that requires much more work on your part for installation and compilation/development.

FPS; MMORPG; SimCore (simulation core).

There are plenty of ideas out there, you have one.


 * /Page2/
 * /Page3/