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=== Animated Games === |
=== Animated Games === |
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* Operators precede their operand(s) |
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The default user interface is 2-dimensional, consisting of 2 rectangular windows side-by-side (split screen). One window is always an overhead view, and the other window is split into 2 windows, one on top of the other: left-side/right-side, or front/rear. All 3 windows are separated by splitters, so it's easy to resize them. Clicking on the point of intersection in the center of the screen resets the sizes of the 3 windows to their default values. |
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* Optional infix mode for experienced Python/Java programmers |
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* Structure Editor mode eases code entry for newbies |
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The user uses the cursor keys (or a joystick) to go forward (up arrow), left, right, or backwards (down arrow). Ctrl+Left Arrow and Ctrl+Right Arrow rotates the overhead view 90 degrees in the given direction. Clicking on an object carries out the default primary user action, and right-clicking on an object brings up a popup menu of choices. Pressing Tab highlights the next command in an onscreen menu. Clicking the mouse in the non-overhead view toggles between left/right and front/rear. |
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* Type a question mark (?) at any time to display a context-sensitive popup menu of valid code choices |
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* Stepping-stone to learning Python programming: |
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Right-clicking in the non-overhead view and selecting Backpack (or typing Ctrl+B) displays contents of backpack in the window clicked upon. |
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** Start them off in prefix mode (operators precede their operands), and later switch to infix mode (binary operators go in-between their operands) |
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* RAD-style program development, in which user selects game components from a component palette, and edits their design-time properties |
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* Game Editors: |
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** Board Games (static) |
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** Level Editor (animated) |
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** Vector Editor (a vector is an animated/static object, which may be composed of other vectors) |
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[[category:software]] |
[[category:software]] |
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Revision as of 19:02, 2 October 2008
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Virtual Environment Construction Set
Vecset is a software tool used for creating multiplayer games, such as board games and animated games. There are 2 versions of Vecset: a Windows version, and a scaled-down version for the XO Laptop. The Windows version will be implemented in Java, and the XO version will be implemented in Python. The Windows version includes a built-in scripting language called Vecscript, and enables users to play games over the Internet (in their web browsers). The XO version uses Python as its scripting language, and users cannot play games in their web browsers. Instead they can play games with other nearby XO users, over the wireless network.
Older Versions of Vecset
Vecset is an evolution of an earlier project, Treenimation. The XO version of Treenimation was called Boardwalk.
Project Status
I am Mike Hahn, the creator of Vecset. So far part of Vecset for Windows has been implemented in Python: the VEC Loader and the initial code that will eventually become the Code Editor. In a couple of days I will finish the Python coding, and then translate what I've developed so far (just the Code Editor part) into Java.
User Interface
Board Games
Treescript, which is the built-in scripting language included with Boardwalk, is at once powerful enough for professional game programmers to use to develop Treenimation-compatible game prototypes, yet so easy to learn that XO Laptop users (even children) can use it to learn how to program simple games, with only minimal intervention by an adult instructor.
Animated Games
The default user interface is 2-dimensional, consisting of 2 rectangular windows side-by-side (split screen). One window is always an overhead view, and the other window is split into 2 windows, one on top of the other: left-side/right-side, or front/rear. All 3 windows are separated by splitters, so it's easy to resize them. Clicking on the point of intersection in the center of the screen resets the sizes of the 3 windows to their default values.
The user uses the cursor keys (or a joystick) to go forward (up arrow), left, right, or backwards (down arrow). Ctrl+Left Arrow and Ctrl+Right Arrow rotates the overhead view 90 degrees in the given direction. Clicking on an object carries out the default primary user action, and right-clicking on an object brings up a popup menu of choices. Pressing Tab highlights the next command in an onscreen menu. Clicking the mouse in the non-overhead view toggles between left/right and front/rear.
Right-clicking in the non-overhead view and selecting Backpack (or typing Ctrl+B) displays contents of backpack in the window clicked upon.