I'm really desperate to learn BUILD or the Duke Nukem 3d Source Build. I need to know a list of utilities, books, ANYTHING, to get me started with programming this engine. I want to learn how to program/compile BUILD, I haven't had much proggy experience in the past (except with VB) so I would be very appreciative if you guys gave me a list of utlities, books, programs...everything I need to know, but the more BUILD-specific it is, the better. I want to learn BUILD over the summer, and I think it'd be a very educational and a great way to spend my time.
I'm doing it for game design...I've designed several small games in the past and thought that BUILD would be great for the recently-acquired Eradicator 2...I would really like to build the game around the BUILD engine. I have lots of experience with putting games together, however, this will be my first time taking on a lead programming role.
Thanks! You can learn more about our game, Eradicator 2, at http://fpinteractive.info/phpbb
Anonymous at
Calm down, man! Learning Build ( ie learning how to use the engine, not how it is made) is pretty easy, now more tha ever because of JonoF port. The engine is very well organized and has text enough written by Ken Silverman himself.
I compiled the engine (both flavors, the original Build and JonoF's port) in a breeze, and made a little game (nothing of interest, believe me... but a test) almost in no time.
Download jonoF port, set up your compiler and try to compile the demo game that comes with it. You'll find is easier than you think.
It's a good engine, it's well structured, it's fast and heck! there were lots of games made with it, so it has to be programmer-friendly! ;)
Corbin at
Anonymous said
Calm down, man! Learning Build ( ie learning how to use the engine, not how it is made) is pretty easy, now more tha ever because of JonoF port. The engine is very well organized and has text enough written by Ken Silverman himself.
I compiled the engine (both flavors, the original Build and JonoF's port) in a breeze, and made a little game (nothing of interest, believe me... but a test) almost in no time.
Download jonoF port, set up your compiler and try to compile the demo game that comes with it. You'll find is easier than you think.
It's a good engine, it's well structured, it's fast and heck! there were lots of games made with it, so it has to be programmer-friendly! ;)
Okay, cool. What compiler do you think I should use?
So you're saying that I can develop the engine past what it's been (new features) and run it all on top of JonoF's Build port? Do you think you could possibly give me a slight walkthrough on how I should go about this?
Really appreciate it!
Anonymous at
You have several possibilities. To compile the original Build (that was compiled with Watcom C) you have nowadays OpenWatcom, a newer version of the compiler, now open source and free to use (www.openwatcom.com).
But I very much recommend JonoF port because it has integrated the OpenGL renderer and for the same efforts, you get software and hardware rendering.
In order to compile the newer port you can use M$ Visual C 6 (I haven't tested wit newer versions of VC), the aforementioned OpenWatcom and MinGW (an implementation of GCC for Windows that works very well for me). If you use MinGW give a try to DevC++ (www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html), a very nice IDE for it. In fact DevC++ includes a distribution of MinGW that is capable enough of compile JFBuild (at least, last time I checked...).
It's been a time since I played with Build, but if you want to ask more, I can install it again and answer them. Take a look to the tools too! Your level designers must have to get famliar with the map editor. It's one of the best I've ever seen for this kind of engines.
And last, but not least... as I've read on your forum, you're a little mistaken. Build is not a voxel engine and does not have anything to do with voxlap (they're totally different engines, both by Ken Silverman), it's a sector-based engine. It renders polygons with the hardware renderer, but it's geometry is limited (ie, no arbitrary polygons).
Feel free to ask more
Have a nice day!
TylerDurden at
Re: Want to learn BUILD
I haven't had much proggy experience in the past (except with VB) so I would be very appreciative if you guys gave me a list of utlities, books, programs...everything I need to know, but the more BUILD-specific it is, the better.
I don't want to offend you, but wouldn't it be a good idea if you first take some time to learn the C(++) language and maybe some parts of the WinAPI :idea:?
Anonymous at
Want to learn BUILD
Sure it would help a lot... but not WinAPI... I don't think it is strictly necessary being excellent libs such as SDL and such... No doubt it doesn't hurt and it's always good to know things like that... but what is most important is learning C, a lot of C and then a lot MORE C ;) If he's planning to work only with Build, C is everything he needs and then, if necessary, SDL to isolate thigs like event handling...
It's only an opinion
Anonymous at
Okay, I'll look into that. I am already familar with the BUILD editor; I used to make levels awhile back when I was into that.
Any chance somebody would be willing to work with me personally? The only reason I'm asking is because I get easily dissolusioned by myself and would like somebody to fall back on to consult.
Thanks again guys.
Anonymous at
Well, if you want I can log on your forum and continue talking there. Let me know if you're interested
Corbin at
Anonymous said
Well, if you want I can log on your forum and continue talking there. Let me know if you're interested
That'd be bodacious, for lack of better term. Yeah, I'm Corbin on there just like I am on here, shouldn't have too much of a time finding me! ;)
Thank you everybody for putting up with me!
-Corbi