Topics

1

SFML projects / Quick SFML Project setup for YOUR project!

« on: July 12, 2011, 07:07:20 am »

All,

Many people have trouble getting started with SFML due to Linker problems and compiler issues.  I have taken my GQE setup and turned it into a generic SFML project file for those of you who want to get started with SFML for your OWN projects but don't want to figure out all the CMake scripts to get it all to Compile/Link properly.  This basic SFML 2.0 or SFML 1.6 project ZIP file can be downloaded from the GQE Project website.

In other words, using SFML just got easier:
1. Make sure CMake is installed on your machine
2. Download SFML2-0_Proj.zip or SFML1-6_Proj.zip from GQE Project page
3. Unzip to directory of your choice
4. [Optional] Replace the Pong.cpp file under src with your own SFML project files
5. [Optional] Replace the resource files under resources with your own resources files
6. [Optional] Customize the CMakeFiles.txt file(s) for your project name
7. From the Visual Studio Command Prompt, Dos Prompt, or Linux terminal type the following:
  cd build
  cmake ..   (will pick the default build solution for your system)
  make, nmake or open solution file in your IDE
8. Type MyProject to execute your project

Advantages:
  - This allows you to add SFML dependent project code quickly and painlessly.
  - This project copies your resources directory to your build directory for easy testing/debugging.
  - This is not tied to anything except SFML, but can be easily extended to add other dependencies for your project.

2

SFML projects / GatorQue Engine (GQE or Basic Game Engine) Updates

« on: June 12, 2011, 06:01:39 am »

Hello everyone!

I have really appreciated your encouragement on my GQE or Basic Game Engine project.  I have recently posted a new update (version 0.7) to the GQE project at its home http://code.google.com/p/gqe/.

The main feature that has been added is a new logging facility using Macros and C++ classes.  Please grab a new copy if your currently using GQE for your project.

My next objective is the begin working on a better example for using the GQE project.  The current plan is to create a Asteroids clone, but extend it to be multiplayer so I can show how networking can be incorporated into the GQE engine.  I will be creating the "Sprite Engine" I talked about in my recent "Basic Game Desing" tutorial.  If you haven't read this tutorial, I encourage you to go read it (I will finish the last 3 sections to it soon).

Please don't hesitate to post questions or comments about the GQE project or things you would like to see me work on next for the GQE project as a reply to this thread.

Here is the change log from the GQE project:
 Version 0.7
===========
- New logging technique using macros and C++ logger classes
- Static build CMake fixes

Version 0.6.1
=============
- Quick build issue fix

Version 0.6
===========
- Use system level include style
- Better CMake support for building code

Version 0.5
===========
- Added ConfigAsset class
- Added ReInit method to IState class
- Added InactivateActiveState and ResetActiveState methods to StateManager
- Call HandleCleanup from DoInit in IState for dropped active states

Version 0.4
===========
- First GoogleCode project posting
- CMake build scripts
- Documentation fixes and other fixes

Version 0.3
===========
- Bug fixes for Linux compiler

Version 0.2
===========
- Bug fixes for compiler problems
- Bug fixes for Active/Inactive states

Version 0.1
===========
- Initial release to SFML Tutorial Wiki
- Builds fine on Linux.
- Qt Modules detected and included.
- BUilds out of the box; packaging needs rework.
- Tested to work on Linux.

3

SFML wiki / Basic Game Design tutorial posted

« on: May 31, 2011, 05:36:54 am »

Hey everyone!  I am writing to let you know about my new tutorial on the Wiki page entitled Basic Game Design.  I have been planning this tutorial for the past few months and would love to hear what you guys think.  I still have 3 more sections to add, hopefully by tomorrow.  Feel free to contribute your thoughts and experiences to this tutorial.  I think it makes a great precursor to my first tutorial: Basic Game Engine.

I'm working on some new additions to the Basic Game Engine source code that I also hope to have posted soon.  I will also be implementing at least the Sprite Engine mentioned in the Basic Game Design tutorial I posted today during this summer.  This will be one of the first Game Engine examples that will be added to the Basic Game Engine code base and serve as the example for the Basic Game Engine code base in the future until I can create other great game examples.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me in my efforts to make creating games more fun and enjoyable and perhaps less daunting.