How to build plugin for Ultra?

[Dreikblack]

Ultra Editor missing Quake Model Loader plugin and idk how to properly build it from:

https://github.com/UltraEngine/PluginSDK/tree/master/Plugins/Quake Model Loader

I tried to open Quake Model Loader project and build solution but can't due errors:

I can fix few incudes but still missing GMFSDK at least.

[Josh]

The plugins system presently supports images and packages. The interface for model plugins needs a little more love, and in fact I plan to add Quake model loading into the Quake plugin as the first implementation.

[Josh]

Now that the thumbnails system is done, my next task is to finalize the model plugin system.

[Josh]

Almost there...

[Josh]

Will have an update tomorrow.

[Josh]

@Dreikblack Were you interested in creating a new plugin?

[Dreikblack]

I was interested in just Quake model plagin for now. I have a problem with it btw. I updated client and project but have no thumbnails and there is error when i'm trying to open model in editor: 

[Josh]

Since your Quake folder does not contain the required shaders folder, it can't render the models. In my examples I copied the pak files into an Ultra Engine project folder.

I am working on a solution to this issue, but I want to approach it carefully and choose the right design.

[Dreikblack]

8 minutes ago, Josh said:

In my examples I copied the pak files into an Ultra Engine project folder.

Thanks! I did it and now it works for me.

[Josh]

May I ask, why are you interested in Quake models? I am curious.

[Dreikblack]

Want to make little fan game to have code foundation (GUI, gameplay base, etc.) for next games and ready Quake assets for Quake theme game will save my time a lot at this stage.

[Josh]

Here is the code for the preview app, which can be used to generate images of those models very easily:

preview.zip

[Josh]

And this is how I get the install directory for the game:

GameManagers.zip

[Dreikblack]

7 minutes ago, Josh said:

And this is how I get the install directory for the game:

GameManagers.zip 8.84 kB · 1 download

I guess this for using game models from legal game copy of player? Yea, it would much better than having their models in my game client since only Quake code is free to use but not content (even for uncomectial games i guess). I forgot about that tbh  Thanks!

[Josh]

Yes, you can load the assets straight out of the game files, and it's no different from distributing a mod. In fact there are a few custom builds of the Quake engine that act like this.

[Dreikblack]

Quake model from pak is not visible in the engine. I can see model being loaded in debug (i.e. model var is not empty) but scene is empty. 

PAK0 is in app dir (because of shader issue, crash if pak in game folder atm).

 

#include "UltraEngine.h"
#include "Components/CameraControls.hpp"

using namespace UltraEngine;

int main(int argc, const char* argv[])
{
    //Get the displays
    auto displays = GetDisplays();

    //Create a window
    auto window = CreateWindow("Ultra Engine", 0, 0, 1280, 720, displays[0], WINDOW_CENTER | WINDOW_TITLEBAR);

    //Create a world
    auto world = CreateWorld();
    world->SetAmbientLight(0);

    //Create a framebuffer
    auto framebuffer = CreateFramebuffer(window);

    //Load FreeImage plugin
    auto plg = LoadPlugin("Plugins/FITextureLoader");
    auto quakeLoaderPlugin = LoadPlugin("Plugins/QuakeLoader");

    //Load model
    WString path = AppDir();
    auto pak = LoadPackage(path + "/PAK0.PAK");
    ChangeDir(path);
    auto model = LoadModel(world, "progs/quaddama.mdl");
    model->Turn(0, 180, 0, true);

    //Environment maps
    auto specmap = LoadTexture("https://github.com/UltraEngine/Assets/raw/main/Materials/Environment/footprint_court/specular.dds");
    auto diffmap = LoadTexture("https://github.com/UltraEngine/Assets/raw/main/Materials/Environment/footprint_court/diffuse.dds");
    world->SetEnvironmentMap(diffmap, ENVIRONMENTMAP_BACKGROUND);
    world->SetEnvironmentMap(specmap, ENVIRONMENTMAP_SPECULAR);
    world->SetEnvironmentMap(diffmap, ENVIRONMENTMAP_DIFFUSE);

    //Create a camera    
    auto camera = CreateCamera(world);
    camera->SetClearColor(0.125);
    camera->SetPosition(0, 1.4, -1);
    camera->SetFov(70);
    camera->AddPostEffect(LoadPostEffect("Shaders/PostEffects/FXAA.json"));

    //Add camera controls
    camera->AddComponent<CameraControls>();

    //Create light
    auto light = CreateBoxLight(world);
    light->SetRange(-10, 10);
    light->SetArea(15, 15);
    light->SetRotation(45, 35, 0);
    light->SetColor(1.2);

    //Main loop
    while (window->Closed() == false and window->KeyDown(KEY_ESCAPE) == false)
    {
        world->Update();
        world->Render(framebuffer);
    }
    return 0;
}

 

[Josh]

The model's center position may be strange:

#include "UltraEngine.h"
#include "Components/CameraControls.hpp"

using namespace UltraEngine;

int main(int argc, const char* argv[])
{
    //Get the displays
    auto displays = GetDisplays();

    //Create a window
    auto window = CreateWindow("Ultra Engine", 0, 0, 1280, 720, displays[0], WINDOW_CENTER | WINDOW_TITLEBAR);

    //Create a world
    auto world = CreateWorld();
    world->SetAmbientLight(0);

    //Create a framebuffer
    auto framebuffer = CreateFramebuffer(window);

    //Load FreeImage plugin
    auto plg = LoadPlugin("Plugins/FITextureLoader");
    auto quakeLoaderPlugin = LoadPlugin("Plugins/QuakeLoader");

    //Load model
    WString path = AppDir();
    auto pak = LoadPackage(path + "/PAK0.PAK");
    ChangeDir(path);
    auto model = LoadModel(world, "progs/quaddama.mdl");
    model->Turn(0, 180, 0, true);

    //Environment maps
    auto specmap = LoadTexture("https://github.com/UltraEngine/Assets/raw/main/Materials/Environment/footprint_court/specular.dds");
    auto diffmap = LoadTexture("https://github.com/UltraEngine/Assets/raw/main/Materials/Environment/footprint_court/diffuse.dds");
    //world->SetEnvironmentMap(diffmap, ENVIRONMENTMAP_BACKGROUND);
    world->SetEnvironmentMap(specmap, ENVIRONMENTMAP_SPECULAR);
    world->SetEnvironmentMap(diffmap, ENVIRONMENTMAP_DIFFUSE);

    //Create a camera    
    auto camera = CreateCamera(world);
    camera->SetClearColor(0,0,1);
    camera->SetPosition(model->GetBounds().center);
    camera->Move(0, 0, -0.3);
    camera->SetRange(0.01, 100);
    camera->SetFov(70);
    camera->AddPostEffect(LoadPostEffect("Shaders/PostEffects/FXAA.json"));

    //Add camera controls
    //camera->AddComponent<CameraControls>();

    //Create light
    auto light = CreateBoxLight(world);
    light->SetRange(-10, 10);
    light->SetArea(15, 15);
    light->SetRotation(45, 35, 0);
    light->SetColor(1.2);

    //Main loop
    while (window->Closed() == false and window->KeyDown(KEY_ESCAPE) == false)
    {
        world->Update();
        world->Render(framebuffer);
    }
    return 0;
}

 

[Dreikblack]

After last update in-engine model load broke. Can be reproduced with a code above.

[Josh]

Is your project up to date? It looks like it is using some old shader binaries.

[Dreikblack]

Yes, i updated projects after last update. Actually have same error even without quake plugin with Samurai model example.

[Dreikblack]

Compile Shaders.bat helped

[Josh]

Okay, I updated the shader binaries and now this example work correctly in a new project:
https://www.ultraengine.com/learn/LoadModel?lang=cpp

[Dreikblack]

Can be changed model center in the engine? I found the way to put quake models where i want by subtracting bounds center but i would need to repeat it every time when i turn model so maybe there is better way to deal with center offcet.

[Josh]

This will do it:
https://www.ultraengine.com/learn/Mesh_Translate?lang=cpp
 

And then call Entity::UpdateBounds().

[Dreikblack]

How to get mesh of a model to do this translate? Found FindMesh() but it's require material and idk how to get model material either.