Intro and questions

[Zantetsu]

Hey all! I'm not sure how to introduce myself properly besides from saying I would like to develop Java games yet my expertise with the tools needed are a little erm... Lackluster.

Even with a good background in programming and 3D modelling I'm having some trouble understanding the principles of Java3D (an expert's opinion to start out with). Following more or less four tutorials (with the exception of Sun's) none of them actually lead me anywhere, even when I copied everything to see if I am doing it right. While I don't expect to master this tool overnight I hope a community would help out a clueless nublet who's trying to get more out of his studies from college.

Now for something I've been wanting to know for a while: Are there any easy to follow guidelines to start off with a screen (either window or applet is irrelevant) such as a template? To be frank the beginner tutorials aren't made for complete beginners like me and some even forget to mention which methods go where.

Sorry if I sound a little brash, I don't exactly have anybody to teach me this personally so it's kind of annoying doing geometrical shapes and whatnot when I've got third party models finished already.

[tom]

The most basic Java3D application template:

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import com.sun.j3d.utils.geometry.ColorCube; import com.sun.j3d.utils.universe.SimpleUniverse; import java.awt.BorderLayout; import javax.media.j3d.*; import javax.swing.JFrame; import javax.vecmath.*; public class J3DTest {     public static void main(String[] args) {         Canvas3D canvas3D = new Canvas3D(SimpleUniverse.getPreferredConfiguration());         SimpleUniverse simpleUniverse = new SimpleUniverse(canvas3D);         BranchGroup rootBG = new BranchGroup();         rootBG.addChild(new ColorCube());         simpleUniverse.addBranchGraph(rootBG);         Transform3D viewT3D = new Transform3D();         viewT3D.lookAt(new Point3d(2, 5, 15), new Point3d(), new Vector3d(0, 1, 0));         viewT3D.invert();         TransformGroup viewTG = simpleUniverse.getViewingPlatform().getMultiTransformGroup().getTransformGroup(0);         viewTG.setTransform(viewT3D);         JFrame frame = new JFrame();         frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);         frame.setSize(640, 480);         frame.setLayout(new BorderLayout());         frame.add(BorderLayout.CENTER, canvas3D);         frame.setVisible(true);     } }

[Zantetsu]

Thank you very much, it's just what I needed. 

Games published by our own members! Check 'em out!

[Eli Delventhal]

I wouldn't bother learning Java3D, by the way, because if you're interested in making Java games it's definitely the wrong choice.

I would try LWJGL (an adaptation of OpenGL for games, among other things), for its ease of use and speed. Take a look at Kevin Glass's 3D tutorial to get you started.

http://www.cokeandcode.com/asteroidstutorial

[Zantetsu]

LWJGL you say? Is that any different than JOGL library-wise? I see way too many libraries when I simply need an efficient enough one for videogame development.

I'm going to give it a look. After a whole week trying to memorise the very basic instructions to open a rendered scene J3D got very mind-numbing. Thanks for the tip.

[Eli Delventhal]

LWJGL is not hugely different from JOGL in terms of the actual OpenGL part, but JOGL is simply a Java OpenGL binding whereas LWJGL is specifically designed for games. It also includes other useful things like OpenAL support, etc.

[Zantetsu]

I've got another question about this library and Java in general: Does it have any limits regarding what it can do? As in, an indy company called JaGEX proudly say their flagship game RuneScape keeps trying to surpass the limits and whatnot... But with a traditional online RPG I don't see how they could achieve that.

[gouessej]

I've got another question about this library and Java in general: Does it have any limits regarding what it can do? As in, an indy company called JaGEX proudly say their flagship game RuneScape keeps trying to surpass the limits and whatnot... But with a traditional online RPG I don't see how they could achieve that.

What do mean by "limits"? Be more precise. JOGL is even more reliable than pure OpenGL through C because some code is used to fix some bugs in Windows it is not only a pure binding and the GLU has been rewritten in pure Java which allows it to be more reliable especially under Linux. You can do with JOGL what you can already do with OpenGL in C/C++.

[Zantetsu]

By "limits" I was referring to the developers opting for Flash instead of Java for games deducting it is slow, "ugly" and can't handle something at the level of 6th Generation games. Even I am not sure it could go beyond that though given the fact such detail would lag a PC too much (not to mention the size of the game growing) I doubt I'm going that far.

It's a relief. I picked Java for my game because it's multi-platform and browser based; the ideal for a game you'd want to play anywhere with/against somebody.

Thank you all for the help! I'll be visiting regularly for advice and showing results.

[Eli Delventhal]

Pfft, for those who say that Flash is better than Java in terms of performance... well... they're smoking crack. Flash is vector-based and has built in drawing tools / image optimization so it's easier to make pretty stuff, yes, but it's total dog shit speed compared to Java. Flash is a loosely typed scripting language and Java is a professional programming language (although ActionScript 3.0 apparently improves on this).

I'd say the main reason to use Flash is audience. More people are willing to wait for a Flash game to load than who want to see the ugly Java loading image on an app; it's simply more familiar. That and all this "trust" nonsense you have to deal with sometimes and Sun is simply shooting their casual web potential in the foot.