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Geek Culture / Newsletter 72

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RickV
TGC Development Director
25
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Joined: 27th Apr 2000
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: 1st Jan 2009 19:07
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Hi all,

Happy New Year - here's issues 72 of the TGC Newsletter;

http://www.thegamecreators.com/data/newsletter/newsletter_issue_72.html

Rick

Financial Director
TGC Team
[Check out Jed McKenna - http://www.wisefoolpress.com/]
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AaronG
18
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Joined: 28th Oct 2006
Location: Millstone, NJ
Posted: 1st Jan 2009 19:20
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Niiicceeee I like the Xbox 360 controller support!


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Alucard94
17
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Joined: 9th Jul 2007
Location: Stockholm, Sweden.
Posted: 1st Jan 2009 20:13
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Excellent newsletter.


Alucard94, the member of the future of the past.
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monotonic
19
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Joined: 24th Mar 2006
Location: Nottinghamshire, England
Posted: 1st Jan 2009 21:17
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Thanks, a few points though.

Quote: "Leadwerks Engine 2.2 will be released in January. The update will be available to all TGC Leadwerks Engine customers."


?TGC? Leadwerks Engine, TGC has nothing to do with the LWE, apart from selling it on this site.


Quote: "DISTANCE#=SQRT(ABS(dx#*dx#)+ABS(dz#*dz#))"


This can be made more efficient by removing the ABS() function call, because anything squared will always be positive anyway.

So:

DISTANCE#=SQRT((dx#*dx#)+(dz#*dz#)) is more efficient.

WARNING! The author of this post is most probably drunk or asleep.
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AndrewT
18
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Joined: 11th Feb 2007
Location: MI, USA
Posted: 1st Jan 2009 21:42 Edited at: 1st Jan 2009 21:43
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Quote: "This can be made more efficient by removing the ABS() function call, because anything squared will always be positive anyway.

So:

DISTANCE#=SQRT((dx#*dx#)+(dz#*dz#)) is more efficient."


Also finding the square root is unnecessary and inefficient when used in large quantities. You can compare squared distances instead:




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Tom J
19
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Joined: 4th Aug 2005
Location: Essex, England
Posted: 1st Jan 2009 21:56
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Quote: "?TGC? Leadwerks Engine, TGC has nothing to do with the LWE, apart from selling it on this site."


I think you answered your own question there, plus there are quite a lot of TGC community members who use LE.

"Nothings perfect, and that's the problem with being a perfectionist."

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trogdor
22
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Joined: 15th Apr 2003
Location: Portsmouth, VA, USA
Posted: 1st Jan 2009 23:09
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I just got the GDK, and the .NET but why is it still using DX August 2007?

dplayx.dll is deprecated in newer DX versions.

I currently use the August 2008 for Torque, and had to add the August 2007 for the DarkGDK which gave me XAudio2 errors "The pre-release version of XAudio2 has expired"

If you give someone a program, you will frustrate them for a day; if you teach them how to program, you will frustrate them for a lifetime.
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monotonic
19
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Location: Nottinghamshire, England
Posted: 1st Jan 2009 23:16
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Quote: "I think you answered your own question there, plus there are quite a lot of TGC community members who use LE."


Nope, TGC doesn't own the LWE, selling it does not mean that it becomes a part of the TGC software range. At the end of the day, it's no big deal it's just the way it's worded could be a little misleading that's all. A lot of the Leadwerks community use BlitzMax, but they don't call it Leadwerks BlitzMax.

WARNING! The author of this post is most probably drunk or asleep.
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IanM
Retired Moderator
22
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Joined: 11th Sep 2002
Location: In my moon base
Posted: 1st Jan 2009 23:42
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Why are you being so picky? He meant TCG customers who bought the leadwerks engine.

Y'know - TGC 'Leadwerks Engine' customers.

Utility plug-ins collection (updated 29/12/08) and
http://www.matrix1.demon.co.uk
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bond1
19
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Posted: 1st Jan 2009 23:53
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TGC selling Genetica now? Nice!

----------------------------------------
"bond1 - You see this name, you think dirty."
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monotonic
19
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Location: Nottinghamshire, England
Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 00:12
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Quote: "Why are you being so picky? He meant TCG customers who bought the leadwerks engine."


As I have already stated Ian, I was pointing it out because it's potentially misleading, which I have the right to do so I might add.

And I quote:
Quote: "t the end of the day, it's no big deal it's just the way it's worded could be a little misleading that's all."


Quote: "Y'know - TGC 'Leadwerks Engine' customers."


Thank you, I am perfectly well aware of what was meant by it!

WARNING! The author of this post is most probably drunk or asleep.
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Thraxas
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Location: The Avenging Axe, Turai
Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 00:33 Edited at: 2nd Jan 2009 00:42
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Actually there is nothing misleading about the sentence whatsoever. You are misreading it, either intentionally or by accident. If it had said "This update is available to all customers of TGC Leadwerks Engine", then there would be some implication that the engine was made by TGC. The way the sentence is written means that the only interpretation is that the update will be available to TGC customers who bought the Leadwerks engine. After teaching English for many years I can assure you that there is nothing misleading in that sentence.

You're free to express your opinion on the matter, no-one said you couldn't.

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monotonic
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Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 00:44 Edited at: 2nd Jan 2009 00:45
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Quote: "You're free to express your opinion on the matter, no-one said you couldn't."


I know.

Quote: "After teaching English for many years I can assure you that there is nothing misleading in that sentence."


Well after having spoke English for 26 years, and educated to degree level I can assure you that there is possible ambiguity in that sentence. But as I have said three times now, it's no big deal I was merely pointing out my opinion. But the whole thing has been blown entirely out of proportion as usual, I would imagine the forum police will be along soon which also seems to be common place.

WARNING! The author of this post is most probably drunk or asleep.
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Thraxas
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Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 00:48 Edited at: 2nd Jan 2009 00:54
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Quote: "Well after having spoke English for 26 years, and educated to degree level I can assure you that there is possible ambiguity in that sentence."


One upmanship is a game I love 30 years and 2 degrees, what do I win?

EDIT
I am the forum police

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spooky
22
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Location: United Kingdom
Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 00:50
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LOD code is broke. I assume it should be fading one object in and one out, but even changing object numbers to what they should be is not enough. Have to set transparency mode aswell.



Boo!
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Jeff Miller
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Location: New Jersey, USA
Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 01:06
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Good catch Spooky. I was just going to post. I found the object number error in the first Set Alpha Mapping command, but I couldn't figure out on my own the second fix you made.

Regarding the Genetica product page, it only seems to be linked through the Newsletter hyperlink. I would suggest adding it to the product menu accessed by the "Graphics" tab on the site so those not reading the newsletter can find it.

It's from the same outfit that made Wood Works. That was recommended in a TGC newsletter several years ago. I took the TGC recommendation and I have been cranking out decent wood textures with it for years now.
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monotonic
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Joined: 24th Mar 2006
Location: Nottinghamshire, England
Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 01:22
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Quote: "One upmanship is a game I love 30 years and 2 degrees, what do I win? "


lol, you certainly have me on that one.

WARNING! The author of this post is most probably drunk or asleep.
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tha_rami
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Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 01:36
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In any case, no "From the forums"... was a bit disappointed.


A mod has been erased by your signature because it was larger than 600x120
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Jeff Miller
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Location: New Jersey, USA
Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 03:18
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Quote: "Well after having spoke English for 26 years, and educated to degree level ... "


Then replace "spoke" with "spoken".

Quote: "One upmanship is a game I love 30 years and 2 degrees, what do I win? "


A hot water bottle with attachments.

Knock it off guys.

60 years, BS cum laude in English, Doctor of Laws.
Here's what I win: a copy of a very good newsletter.
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monotonic
19
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Location: Nottinghamshire, England
Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 04:28
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Quote: "Then replace "spoke" with "spoken"."


Indeed.

Quote: "Knock it off guys."


Knock what off, if you care to actually read the previous posts you will find there is nothing to knock off.

Quote: "I would imagine the forum police will be along soon which also seems to be common place."


Sometimes I just hate being right.

Quote: "60 years, BS cum laude in English, Doctor of Laws.
Here's what I win: a copy of a very good newsletter."


When I mentioned my level of education earlier, is was to imply that I too have a reasonably good understanding of the English language (within the context of the conversation I was having with Thraxas). It wasn't an attempt at being a smart arse, tell me why did you post the above statement?

WARNING! The author of this post is most probably drunk or asleep.
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Todd Riggins
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Location: Texas, USA
Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 05:00 Edited at: 2nd Jan 2009 05:12
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Quote: "I just got the GDK, and the .NET but why is it still using DX August 2007?

dplayx.dll is deprecated in newer DX versions.

I currently use the August 2008 for Torque, and had to add the August 2007 for the DarkGDK which gave me XAudio2 errors "The pre-release version of XAudio2 has expired""


Hi trojdor, mabie this thread might help you. I must keep with the latest DirectX version, so I have to make a dummy library to get rid of that dplayx.dll problem. Ofcoarse with that, you wont be able to use the outdated multiplayer functionality anymore.

http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=139830&b=22

Inspirational Music: Descent ][ Redbook Audio CD Soundtrack
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trogdor
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Location: Portsmouth, VA, USA
Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 07:38
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Thanks Todd, that helps.

But TGC should really look into this because they have a new product that's already needs workarounds to use the new DXSDKs.

It's a great opportunity to rewrite the old multiplayer lib and start fresh with the new GDK.

If you give someone a program, you will frustrate them for a day; if you teach them how to program, you will frustrate them for a lifetime.
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Mike Johnson
TGC Developer
22
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Joined: 13th Sep 2002
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 11:02
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In response to this:

I currently use the August 2008 for Torque, and had to add the August 2007 for the DarkGDK which gave me XAudio2 errors "The pre-release version of XAudio2 has expired"

We use the older version of DirectX due to relying on DirectPlay which was removed in more recent versions. The only message I've seen on XAudio2 is on the installation. Not sure it causes any other problems. If in doubt install the 2007 version first then whichever other version you may want to use and link into the 2007 version for GDK.
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APEXnow
Retired Moderator
22
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Location: On a park bench
Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 14:30
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Thanks Mike, I was about to respond to that also, but you have already answered the query.

Also, until I bring the .NET version inline with the new Libraries (we discussed), then I can bring it uptodate with the new version of DX.

Paul.


---- The Meridian Culmination ----
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Tom J
19
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Location: Essex, England
Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 15:31
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Quote: "In any case, no "From the forums"... was a bit disappointed."


I agree, and I swear I haven't seen that for quite a few newsletter issues.

"Nothings perfect, and that's the problem with being a perfectionist."

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trogdor
22
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Location: Portsmouth, VA, USA
Posted: 2nd Jan 2009 18:00
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Thanks Mike & Paul

If you give someone a program, you will frustrate them for a day; if you teach them how to program, you will frustrate them for a lifetime.
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