Content Creation Tools

This is a list and description of the tools that are used in order to design content for MV3D. Some brainstorming has gone on in the following places:

3D Model Importing

Ogre has this fairly well covered with a multitude of export tools for various 3D modeling packages. Check out the page on AssetPipeline for more info.

In Game Editor

The in game editor will be largely plugin based. It basically has no function on its own other than to manage editor plugins. Editor plugins should register themselves with the IGE at some point.

All edits must take care to adhere to the security permissions for the area/object they manipulate.

See InGameEditor for more information on how this works.

Physics Editor

This can be in game or not depending, but its main purpose is to match up physics geoms to 3d models. It also will allow for setting the physics properties of the geoms like bouce/friction/density. It should save these properties to a file that can be used as an asset in game. It can pretty much be similar to the Siegium physics editor.

Object Editor

The Object editor will be the most used editing component, so it must be flexible and easy to use. At the top level, it will be for adding, placing, and removing objects in the game. Objects should define property type guis that use their manipulators (or something). These could be accessible through this interface. A list of required features:

  • Place objects with mouse or keyboard or numerical input
  • Rotate objects (mouse or keyboard or numerical input)
  • Set object parameters
  • Remove objects (delete them)
  • Create new objects
  • Select objects via mouse, keyboard, or GUI
  • Highlight selected object(s)

Terrain Editor

The terrain editor is an in game interface that allows users to modify terrain around them in real time. In it, the following features will be available:

  1. Display birds eye view / scaled down view / etc of terrain
  2. Import terrain heightmap from image (place image on terrain, scale x,y,z values)
  3. Plugin capability. Users can add plugin code that will allow arbitrary editing to take place
  4. Control over terrain materials, grass/plant placement. UV coords
  5. Physics properties for terrain (friction, bounce)
  6. Placement of water for lakes, rivers, streams
  7. Ability to raise or lower terrain with mouse
  8. Functions (through plugins?) for creating flat areas, rivers, mountains, etc.

Realm Editor

Sky Editor

The sky editor is an in game interface that allows users to modify the sky on a per realm basis.

  1. Set sky type (class)
  2. Edit Basic properties such as color, texture
  3. Add celestial bodies: suns, moons, planets and set their rotation in the sky
  4. Select cloud types and generate weather parameters

Asset Editor

This is a web based solution for managing assets. It will allow content creators to use a web application to add and modify assets in the game. The web app should even take uploads of asset content. Batch imports should be made possible as well through this app.

The Asset Tool

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