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Administrator of Loverat's Tea and Underpants
Original Poster
#1 Old 13th Dec 2004 at 8:42 PM Last edited by rentechd : 20th Jan 2005 at 12:08 AM.
Default Adding Texture Options to Objects which have only one (Tech Discussion)
OK, as promised before I went to bed, I'm looking further into what we'd need to batch-generate in order to give multiple color options to all objects.

What we got working earlier today was to clone and modify GMND for the object, and to generate a new MMAT for it, both to be stored in different .package files.

I'm having a look at different kinds of objects now which have only one texture, looking for what is the same and what is different, learning the naming convention used and so on.

So...
My latest tidbit is that the GMND we cloned for the painting... the one called *_tslocator_gmnd, where normally the multiple texture blocks are stored it seems... does not exist for all objects.There are other GMNDs for the objects, but it doesn't appear that ANY specific type of GMND exists uniformly for every objects.

I'm just about to test adding the blocks to a GMND of the type *_root_rot_gmnd to see if the program will recognize them in there.

Cheers,
RG
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Administrator of Loverat's Tea and Underpants
Original Poster
#2 Old 13th Dec 2004 at 11:49 PM Last edited by RGiles : 14th Dec 2004 at 1:12 PM.
Conversation with myself... continued...

Here's what I've learned:
The 2 cDataListExtension Blocks can be added to any version of GMND. Many objects have more than one GMND, so our batch process have to make sure to add it only to one instance.

The blocks must go at the beginning of the file, it seems... immeditately after the cGeometryNode. I tried moving them to end of the file, and it didn't work.

It doesn't appear to matter which of the 2 blocks comes first.

This part I'm still checking out... naming conventions. I think this is right, but it completely defies the naming convention used by Maxis GMNDs and does not take into account objects that may have more than one MATD applied to different areas, so I still need to test some more complex-looking objects...
the answers may be in Shape files.

Block 1:
name: tsDesignModeEnabled
value: MATD-full-filename without _txmt (Array)

Block 2:
value: MATD-full-filename without _txmt (Array)
value: MATD-full-filename without _txmt (Array)

I'll check through some objects that look like they've got different MATDs applied to different parts and see if this holds true. Those objects would have to have:

Block 1:
name: tsDesignModeEnabled
value: MATD-full-filename 1 without _txmt (Array)
value: MATD-full-filename 2 without _txmt (Array)

Block 2:
name: MATD-full-filename 1 without _txmt (Array)
value: MATD-full-filename 1 without _txmt (Array)

Block 3:
name: MATD-full-filename 2 without _txmt (Array)
value: MATD-full-filename 2 without _txmt (Array)

Edited to Add: Of course we need NOT include the MATDs for groundshadow and Null references in all of the above.

(Is this useful, or are you guys already pretty certain that a single patern will apply to all files and we don't need to learn more?)

RG
The ModFather
retired moderator
#3 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 12:59 AM
Quote: Originally posted by RGiles
Conversation with myself... continued...


I'm reading you, RG, but... I have to admit I'm reaching the limit of my comprehension capability, so I have to read your posts 3 o 4 times, while having multiple instances of SimPE running in the background to check what you are stating... :o

I feel we should go on studying this subject; if we don't, the alternative is to create a brand new "smokey" staircase every time we need a new color for it (remember the other thread?)
Administrator of Loverat's Tea and Underpants
Original Poster
#4 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 1:04 AM
Right. I wouldn't want 500 staircases to sort through, all marked as custom content, and all with great big package files because they must contain EVERYTHING that referes to those stairs.

Actually you've hit on a good one for me to test with. Those stairs. What I'm looking for now are objects in the catalog with only one color option that appear to have different textures in different places. A dead givaway would be if one part of that object is glass or shiney and another part is not. So those stairs are a good one. I'm testing the sunflower plant right now, as it also has 2 different materials.

RG
Administrator of Loverat's Tea and Underpants
Original Poster
#5 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 3:13 AM Last edited by RGiles : 14th Dec 2004 at 1:14 PM.
The pattern I described above seems to hold true for all objects, at least all of the random objects I've tested it on. It hold true for models with different MATD applied to different parts. In the image attached, there is an option for different flower colors and one for different vase colors.

In the MMAT that must be generated, one for each MATD applied to different parts of the object:
1) a unique family (dtString) value sould be added to each
2) modelName must point to the CRES for this object
3) object GUID must match the main GUID for an object (many, especially multiple tile objects have multiple GUIDs... the human eye can easily see which is the main one, and I hope a batch generation program can too)
4) name AND subsetName should both be the name of the MATD file (without _txmt)

If this batch generation is something that Quaxi decides to work on, I would recommend this... that rather than make it a public feature of SimPE, just add it to a tester's version, generate ONE set of these files, and then we'll beta test the hell out of, make sure it's not broken on any of the objects, edit by hand or remove GMND overwrite instances that DO cause problems, and then release that set of packages rather than the tool to create it with. Cause no one needs more than one copy of these packages. Better that they download a fully tested version of it.

I'm so tired. I only slept about 2-3 hours this morning. I think I'm going to go to bed.

Night
RG
Screenshots
Administrator of Loverat's Tea and Underpants
Original Poster
#6 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 4:06 AM
I am so happy I did this all day for nothing! :D
Instructor
#7 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 4:07 AM
It wasn't for nothing! I for one appreciate the effort. Sometimes you just have to bang your head against a wall for several hours or days for a light bulb to finally go off. You tried and it's certainly better than not trying! Get some rest and don't worry about it for the rest of the night.
Administrator of Loverat's Tea and Underpants
Original Poster
#8 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 4:14 AM
No, it was for nothing. Really for nothing. The new tool has a big flaw, and I was saying how to avoid it and I was talking to thin air.

I'm very happy and very mad, and I need to take a long break. :D

RG
Instructor
#9 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 4:19 AM
Yeah well sometimes that happens too, you do things for nothing. Well take a break, but not too long of one, we need you around here.
Administrator of Loverat's Tea and Underpants
Original Poster
#10 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 4:24 AM
Thanks, Motoki. I'm just very very tired and am feeling a BIT too much like this project is my baby. LOL! Far too emotionally involved, indeed.

RG
Scholar
#11 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 9:06 AM
One day you will be avenged...don't worry!
Administrator of Loverat's Tea and Underpants
Original Poster
#12 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 9:12 AM Last edited by RGiles : 14th Dec 2004 at 9:14 AM.
I'm not lookin' for vengence. I like Quaxi. Sorry if it wsounded like I was to you.

RG
Scholar
#13 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 10:44 AM
I was just being silly. I know how frustrating it is when you try to tell someone something they need to know and they say yeah, yeah and then don't listen.

Had the same thing happen to me at work today.
Field Researcher
#14 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 10:52 AM
I would have posted something last night, but after looking at the object recolouring tutorial my brain exploded XD I can't speak for everyone, but I for one really appreciate the effort you are putting into this, and if I can actually get my head around any of it, you can be sure I'll be so darn proud I'll be posting somewhere around here to show
Administrator of Loverat's Tea and Underpants
Original Poster
#15 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 11:11 AM
Good luck with it, Jorenne. Just take it one step at a time. If you don't try to think of the whole project at once, each step is very easy in and of itself.

RG
The ModFather
retired moderator
#16 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 11:24 AM Last edited by numenor : 14th Dec 2004 at 11:30 AM.
Quote: Originally posted by RGiles
If you don't try to think of the whole project at once [...]


That's the point, I think. We can't refer to our efforts as a "whole project", everyone just adds to the stack what he can. Sometimes we just move along different ways, but the goal is the same; no one is "right" or "wrong".
Now, as far as I could see, Quaxi showed to be quite open minded, so if SimPE has this big flaw (I couldn't test the new tool by myself, even if in theory I'm afraid it should cause some conflicts), I'm sure Quaxi will change what has to be changed. Remember that SimPE is his baby...
Hope you regain soon your smile, RG.

And NOW I'm going to read for the 4th time what you wrote about the sunflower plant... I'm not dumb, really :D, but sometimes following someone else's steps is more difficult that making them by myself.
Administrator of Loverat's Tea and Underpants
Original Poster
#17 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 11:48 AM
Oh yes, I agree numenor, SimPE is his baby... and a beautiful baby too :D

I wasn't talking about a flaw in the program, but a flaw in the process of getting people started on adding new multiple-texture options. This is the very wrong way to get people started on the process, and as I said, he put my name on it, and I am partially responsible for it. (And you're listed too ) I do not want to be responsible for people losing all their custom textures with a single click. That's what upsets me.

I haven't yet tried out his tool on an object with multiple materials like the Sunflower. I should do that, because if it works right, it's the basis of the exact batch-generator we need to make this a safe process for everyone.

RG
Test Subject
#18 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 12:02 PM
Hmmm,

I'm not sure if you guys are having any problems, but I cloned a poster with just 1 texture option and added a new one - it was a sucess using SimPE
The ModFather
retired moderator
#19 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 12:04 PM
As soon as I go back home (I'm at work at the moment) I want to try this:
1) Adding color options to, let's say, the good ol' Bella Squared;
2) adding a new decor to the painting;
3) using again Object workshop on the same original Bella Squared painting (pretending to be another user...) and adding a new color for it;
4) putting everything in my download folder, hoping my PC wouldn't explode
5) If everything works fine, I'll delete the new decors one by one to see what happens.
Note: I have an idea about what, in theory, should happen, but as usual, as we say in Italy: practice is more valuable then grammar... :smash:
Administrator of Loverat's Tea and Underpants
Original Poster
#20 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 12:07 PM
Judhudson,

The issue is that we want to be able to add new texture options to ALL exitsing objects in the catalog without having to create cloned packages for every item. I can do this just fine with a single item at a time. It's not too hard.

Now the idea is to make a base package that will enable the multiple texture options on all of the objects, and distrubute that base package so everyone can use it to make as many new textures as they want.

RG
The ModFather
retired moderator
#21 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 12:11 PM Last edited by numenor : 14th Dec 2004 at 12:14 PM.
Quote: Originally posted by Judhudson
Hmmm,

I'm not sure if you guys are having any problems, but I cloned a poster with just 1 texture option and added a new one - it was a sucess using SimPE


What we are afraid of is: what happens if I download your new poster and it conflicts with the one I have modded by myself?
And, even if everyting goes fine, we wouldn't want, for instance, to have two "different" posters in the objects selector, each one with the base decor and 1 added decor: we'd like to "sum up" all the new downloaded decors into a unique poster in the object selector.
Sorry if the explanation isn't too clear, sometimes my English simply crumbles in pieces

EDIT: I know it may seem a matter of "style", maybe it is :ds:
Instructor
#22 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 12:15 PM
@RGiles:
Sorry, but I didn't notice this Thread before. So here is what i Will do, I'll take down SimPE 0.12q and set it back to 0.12p (only 100 downloads so far).

And the Credit is not for taking you into resposibility It was just about the yesterday thread where you and other were working on this too. If you don't want to be listed with this it's no Problem :D
Instructor
#23 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 12:18 PM
Numenor: Your English is fine, it's better than my Italian, which is pretty non-existant, and my father is from Italy now less. :o

Since this new SimPE version I just imagined new threads like 'HHHEEELLLLPPPP!!! My perfectly pink couch made my ghastly goth couch dissappear!' heh.

Oh, and can we expect Bella Cubed soon?

*edit: Ah, looks like Quaxi is on the job *
The ModFather
retired moderator
#24 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 12:19 PM
Quote: Originally posted by Quaxi
@RGiles:
Sorry, but I didn't notice this Thread before. So here is what i Will do, I'll take down SimPE 0.12q and set it back to 0.12p (only 100 downloads so far).

And the Credit is not for taking you into resposibility It was just about the yesterday thread where you and other were working on this too. If you don't want to be listed with this it's no Problem :D


One of the 100 DL was mine
And I am really proud to be listed on your home page along with the Masters...
Instructor
#25 Old 14th Dec 2004 at 12:25 PM
Oh and RGile, I didn't want to Ignore your suggestion but I simply wasn't aware of this Thread so please everyone if you have important Suggestions please send me a PM That's the only way to make sure I know about it.
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