How-To integrate game engine?

[DDd]

Hi,

I am interested in integrating Horde3D (http://www.horde3d.org/)as a game engine into XSI, how do i go about doing that? This is an OpenGL 2.x shader based (no fixed function) next-generation engine.

My motivation is this video: http://www.softimage.com/products/xsi/videos.aspx?video_id=10

However i was unable to find more detailed information, on the whole process.

Thanks

[thiago]

Nice!
I think you can start looking for CDH (custom display host).
The example is in XSI in the SDK examples folder, should be something like this C:\Softimage\XSI_6.5\XSISDK\examples\workgroup\Add ons\XSIGame

if you just connect XSI to the SDK example workgroup its easier.
file>plugin manager>workgroups>connect>try SDK example

I think there is more stuff about CDH in the SDK examples that come with XSI...

Funny that it was a new feature in XSI, but about 3 years ago heh.
Hope you can make it work!


More info...:
an entire topic about game development:
http://softimage.wiki.avid.com/sdkdocs/aa669511.htm

CDH
http://softimage.wiki.avid.com/sdkdocs/cus_displayhost_AbouttheCustomDisplayHost.htm#Raad 65074

XSI already comes with a realtime Shaders API, I think you can use it for your shading pipeline.
take a look http://softimage.wiki.avid.com/xsidocs/realtime_conc_RealtimeShaders.htm#Rfb13635

[DDd]

Hi thiago,

I read all that stuff, my issue is that the game example is not very useful, it would be much easier to just get a skeleton to plug my engine into that, than this game example that crashes on my workstation. What i am looking for is more of a walkthru of the game example, there is allot of stuff there that i do not know is part of the framework or the engine, it is a bit confusing. Anyway if i don't have any luck finding that, i will start implementing the integration step by step, starting with the CDH, but it's going to take months vs weeks if i had a guide.

Do i need to add dotXSI support to Horde3D?

I know that a couple of companies have done XSI<->engine integration, but there is no detailed documentation on the process. :(

[thiago]

Hi thiago,

I read all that stuff, my issue is that the game example is not very useful, it would be much easier to just get a skeleton to plug my engine into that, than this game example that crashes on my workstation. What i am looking for is more of a walkthru of the game example, there is allot of stuff there that i do not know is part of the framework or the engine, it is a bit confusing. Anyway if i don't have any luck finding that, i will start implementing the integration step by step, starting with the CDH, but it's going to take months vs weeks if i had a guide.

Do i need to add dotXSI support to Horde3D?

I know that a couple of companies have done XSI<->engine integration, but there is no detailed documentation on the process. :(

Yeah I know what you mean.
So I think you should talk to Softimage then.
This is just my feeling about this but if you integrate your engine into XSI Advanced or Modtool (is going to be the same), they probably will give you some technical support. They did a huge jump putting exporters for XNA, Valve, Crytek, Unreal, Anark, Collada, OC3 etc... So I think they would appreciate Horde3d engine
At least I hope they do Because I would love to see a serious realtime engine as a CDH host!
:)

[DDd]

Ill have to look at the new code but from where i am sitting nothing as changed from 6.0 in this regard. It would just be nice to have some documentation for this, and a better example than the one provided.

[luceric]

Did you check the SDK online documentation for "Custom Display Host (http://softimage.wiki.avid.com/sdkdocs/cus_displayhost_ComponentsofaCustomDisplayHost.htm )" (in the index)?

It's a very simple API. There are only 3 callbacks to implement. You simply need to create your Win32 window in the Init callback, and then you're on your own. What the API does is provide you with a means to create your window in XSI and giving you notifications of scene changes. There is nothing else.

[DDd]

Did you check the SDK online documentation for "Custom Display Host (http://softimage.wiki.avid.com/sdkdocs/cus_displayhost_ComponentsofaCustomDisplayHost.htm )" (in the index)?

It's a very simple API. There are only 3 callbacks to implement. You simply need to create your Win32 window in the Init callback, and then you're on your own. What the API does is provide you with a means to create your window in XSI and giving you notifications of scene changes. There is nothing else.

Hum that page is new? I don't remember seeing it. I just remember reading the example code, it was a bit messy.

Ill try to take a stab at it. We use a windowing toolkit, GLFW, to abstract the platform, i will have to change the code to windows only... It's not that the API is complicated, i just don't have a clear idea on what sort of integration is possible, or a clear design of the features i would like to support.

[luceric]

The SDK doc link above is also present in the XSI 6.5 online documentation. I usually access these through the index, in the Search tab of the help viewer.

[jentzenmooney]

Side note so it seems that there is a little collada support in the Horde3d, so you could start their to export your data out in that format. All of the Horde3d Scene Graph is discribed in xml so you could (with some work)export more data from XSI.
Also thank you Luc Eric for the redirection and extra info.

[Steve_C]

Just saw this thread.
I have been falling behind :/
I too would like to work with the CDH.
I have been thinking of making some sort of port to the Torque Engine.
The TE is massive so this Horde3d might prove to be easier to work with and get a good grasp on XSI's way of things.
I hope you get it working. I just need to start investigating it.