Building FAQs

[deeahchur]

Re-addressing a concern I brought up about a year and half or so ago, this concerns compiling tips and tricks for building in DEdit. I encourage critiquing of techniques with appropriate constructive criticism. The end result is that everyone who utilizes the finalized tips and tricks will be able to build cleanly and efficiently!

TronFAQ has already created some excellent building guides that are released with the tools manager.

Beyond that, I would like this thread to be a place where Users can share their building tips and tricks, and maybe in the future we can compile it as a DEdit master guide. We should include tricks that work in Tron 2.0 but are drawn from AvP and NOLF.

[tronrose]

I like that idea.

It would be a good idea to share knowledge via youtube, such as the master guide having its own channel. The user uploads his/her videos to their own channel and/or uploads the video to the account user of the master guide. If the user decides to upload to their own channel, then the master guide account user can use KeepVid to upload the video themselves.

[TronFAQ]

I had plans to do many more videos. But they take a lot of time to plan out, and to make. Also, at the time I made them I gauged the interest in continuing from the community. There was no enthusiasm for more, so I stopped.

Even though I think videos are better (pictures are worth a thousand words and all that): rather than doing videos, it might be easier just to produce a document. That way, it takes a lot less effort to create and everyone can find some time to contribute. And they can contribute in various ways: posting messages here, sending e-mails, etc. Then all the contributions can be collected and added to the document.

It could be produced in Microsoft Word/Open Office or as an HTML document first I suppose, and then converted to a .PDF as a convenient all-in-one download option. The AvP2 community was already doing something similar. But it seemed to fizzle out when the site LithFAQ shut down.

As a .PDF, the guide could be printed out as a booklet and you could have it handy sitting beside you as you work in DEdit. Then whenever you need a tip, you can just flip a few pages and read a bit while continuing to work in DEdit. Rather than have to switch back and forth between different windows on your computer.


Something I really wanted to suggest at one time, was to add a MediaWiki front end to the LDSO site to act as a portal. So that the Unofficial FAQ could be integrated into the LDSO site, as well as having a news page and download section. At the same time, an Editing section could have been added too. And as you all know, the purpose of a Wiki is for many people to collaborate and contribute to a knowledge base. But, setting up MediaWiki and integrating it with the message forum isn't a trivial task.

[deeahchur]

While I agree that videos would be nice and handy, I also agree that a document version is more accessible. For those who want to make vid tutorials, have at and share the links! We can still have the channel open and available.

I started compiling some tips and tricks from previous assistance over the years, but it definitely needs some cleaning up. I dropped the ball on that around the same time RL became hectic, but I started a GoogleDoc, and I am open to sharing that with other GMail users.

Speaking of Google (GCP heh heh), any way we can add a G+ to LDSO, or is the interest just not there?

[TronFAQ]

Speaking of Google (GCP heh heh), any way we can add a G+ to LDSO, or is the interest just not there?

Not sure what you're referring to, exactly. Do you mean a +1 button on the site's front page? Or something else, like the Circles or Hangouts features? I have a GMail account, but I haven't looked into many of Google's other services. I never bothered with Wave, Buzz, etc. The only service that looked interesting to me is Docs.

[tronrose]

I believe the ideal approach to creating videos is by keeping them simple and short to avoid lengthy runtimes and coverage of a lot of material in one single video. It will ease referencing to specifics, plus it will allow the contributors to provide many different approaches in completing a certain task. Not to mention users will be able to comment on these videos on the video's page itself.

[deeahchur]

Regarding Google Plus, yes, a +1 button added to the main site (and forums) would be great, as it will draw more attention. I have already +1ed LDSO from search results (it is nice that the main site is the top result)!

Additionally, who else uses GMail? For me, just use my UserName, and feel welcome to add me to your Circles!

[TronFAQ]

Regarding Google Plus, yes, a +1 button added to the main site (and forums) would be great, as it will draw more attention. I have already +1ed LDSO from search results (it is nice that the main site is the top result)!

Hmm, well tell you what. This discussion reignited my interest in establishing a portal for the site. I'd already proposed it before. But the problem was that every solution I was thinking of, turned out to be rather complex to set up and integrate with the forum.

I took another look yesterday, though. It's been a couple of years since I last looked at what was out there. And I came across something that I think would fit the bill, yet be dead simple to set up. It would add a Wiki feature to the site, which would allow people to contribute and collaborate on something like a DEdit guide. Among other things.

I'm going to find some time to create a copy of our forum and integrate the Wiki into it. Then I'll show it to the rest of the LDSO team, and hopefully they'll get on board with the idea and it will go live some time in the next few weeks.

[deeahchur]

Awesome! Thanks FAQ!

[deeahchur]

On a side note to the building would also be texturing. We should include some tips on creating decidedly good Tron textures, noting use of different tools as needed (G.I.M.P., Paintshop, Photoshop, etc.).

I'll admit this is an arena I have only barely touched on and have not been very successful with, mainly due to not fully understanding alpha masks. I primarily use Photoshop, but at work I have access to MSPaint, so if that will work, then I may be able to accomplish some Tron-related projects while there.

[HangmanEXE]

I "REALLY" like the idea of a Dedit Wiki for TRON 2.0. I would support this completely with what I knew.

As for the texturing section, I am "RIGHT NOW", just starting to heavily get into trying to understand how to make alpha-mask versions for textures.

So I would be more than happy to share what I learn.

Also, I made up a torrent on www.[Edited out].me account and shared your large collection of Dedit FAQS, so far it has been downloaded 13 times in 2 days. So I hope to continue to try to scare us up more interest back into the community.

[deeahchur]

To that torrent you should add a "Hey, and if you like this, come on over to the LDSO site! (insert URL)" Ask the LDSO crew if you can apply their logo for flashy PR!

[deeahchur]

Adding a tip from X, when he was helping me with the YCP maps, but is good for every builder:

Polycount recommended is a max of 40,000, which is already tough for this engine.

[Meatsack]

Back in the heyday of Boxhat, I recall sending simplistic "test rooms" to other members of the TCDG to show a proof of concept in building. One in particular I remember is that a player can "climb" up to a 45 degree angle. Greater than that will cause the slide down. My concept was to layer invisible blockers on a steeper slope to allow climbing where it would not normally be possible. Another one was where FAQ emailed me a room with a finder respawner in it, if I'm remembering correctly.

My point here is that if anyone would rather "see" it than have it told to them, perhaps a public folder can be made to leave public domain test rooms to load and pick apart at one's leisure. I'm like that: I'd rather look at a map to my destination rather than have someone tell me directions. I'm a visual learner.

[HangmanEXE]

...sadly, thats how I learn the most as well. Well dropbox is always an option. We could start a thread a that way we could post emails to throw dropbox file sharing invites too.

Unless someone has another idea.

P.S. I wouldnt mind a look at some of those example rooms if you have them around still. Feel free to upload them an link us here or in private emails, however ya feel most comfortable if you can share them please.