17 replies to this topic

[Darkside]

I am following the instructions in the Wiki for setting up the XNA version of Xenocide and am running into some difficulties - I was hoping someone could help.

I had to download Visual Studio C# Express because apparently the XNA game development software works with that, not the full Visual Studio .NET version I already had. Then I went ahead and installed it's service pack 1.

Now I need to download that XNA game studio express software but the link in the wiki is broken. When I browsed around I found the XNA dev center with links to download but it only offers some "Refresh" download which seems ot be some sort of patch? I downloaded and installed it anyway thinking maybe I'm just getting confused by them calling it a "refresh". So now I thought I would be all set... I downloaded the code from the SVN and tried to open the Xenocide.sln file under \trunk and am getting a bunch of errors:

The project file "C:\ blah blah" cannot be opened. The project type is not supported by this installation. (this is using the Visual studio C# Express)

Then it goes on with a bunch of other errors. I had to try opening it with VS express because after downloading and installing that XNA "Refresh" setup file it didnt provide with any specific executable for XNA game studio express which I guess is what I should be using.

So whats going on with that, did Microsoft stop distributing it?

[dteviot]

Not quite sure what's going on here, I've never had that problem.

AFAIK, the XNA "refresh" is the latest version of XNA.

However, two things you can try.1. Try opening Xenocide with "XNA Game Studio Express", not VS 2005 Express. On Start menu, select "Microsoft XNA Game Studio Express" then "XNA Game Studio Express".
2. If 1 doesn't work, open the xenocide\xenocide.csproj file in notepad, delete the line

<ProjectTypeGuids>{9F340DF3-2AED-4330-AC16-78AC2D9B4738};{FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC}</ProjectTypeGuids>

(it should be the fouth line in the file) and save the resulting file. Then try reopening the project.
You should even be able to open the project with the full VS 2005 after doing this.

[Darkside]

OK, it turns out I downloaded the framework distribution- not the actual express studio software

Ok I got it running now, looking good!

Now I'm gonna get familiarized with the code structure and see if I'll be able to help. I'm not experienced with XNA but I do know C# pretty well.

Am I missing anything or are all the dialogs supposed to have transparent background currently?

Thanks.

Edited by Darkside, 13 June 2007 - 07:08 PM.

[dteviot]

OK, it turns out I downloaded the framework distribution- not the actual express studio software

Ok I got it running now, looking good!

Now I'm gonna get familiarized with the code structure and see if I'll be able to help. I'm not experienced with XNA but I do know C# pretty well.

As you've downloaded the source, have a look at the Docs directory.
Start with aa-readme.html, then follow the links to see how the code is structured.

Am I missing anything or are all the dialogs supposed to have transparent background currently?

That's a known issue.
It's on the todo list to fix. Really. Have a look at todo.html in the docs directory. There's some notes on what I think needs to be done to fix it.

[Darkside]

Cool, thanks - I will take a look at that

Hey can you tell me was the geoscape sphere based on any existing example or is it done from scratch? I was hopng if it was based on an exisitng example that I could get a link to it so I can learn more about how and why it's made like that. (I'm very new to 3d programming so I'd vlaue anything that helps me understand this stuff better)

[Darkside]

Oh what do I do to publish a patch for review?

I have done a little patch to the code and want to publish it as a submission for application like that thread in the recruitment forum specifies.

Do I create a separate folde rin sVN and post the files I modified or ... ?

thanks

[dteviot]

Cool, thanks - I will take a look at that

Hey can you tell me was the geoscape sphere based on any existing example or is it done from scratch? I was hopng if it was based on an exisitng example that I could get a link to it so I can learn more about how and why it's made like that. (I'm very new to 3d programming so I'd vlaue anything that helps me understand this stuff better)

XNA samples/tutorials:

• The help files included with XNA. XNA Game Studio Express Documentation -> Programming Guide -> Graphics -> 3D Graphics -> How to draw points, lines and other 3D primitives.
• Hazy Mind XNA tutorials Tutorial 5: Building a skybox was the source of the skybox used in the Geoscape. The geoscape sphere uses similar principles, with a slightly more elaborate mesh.
• XNA Creator's club samples
• List of other XNA learning sites on the web

Oh what do I do to publish a patch for review?
I have done a little patch to the code and want to publish it as a submission for application like that thread in the recruitment forum specifies.
Do I create a separate folde rin sVN and post the files I modified or ... ?

You should not have rights to post to SVN.
Prefered solution is to use SVN to create a patch file. (If you're using Tortoise SVN, right click on Xenocide directory, select TortoiseSVN -> Create Patch.) Zip the patch file and upload the patch to this forum

If you can't upload your patch there, e-mail it to me at dteviot at iconz dot co dot nz. (Warning, I only check that mailbox a couple of times a week.)

[Darkside]

You should not have rights to post to SVN.
Prefered solution is to use SVN to create a patch file. (If you're using Tortoise SVN, right click on Xenocide directory, select TortoiseSVN -> Create Patch.) Zip the patch file and upload the patch to this forum

If you can't upload your patch there, e-mail it to me at dteviot at iconz dot co dot nz. (Warning, I only check that mailbox a couple of times a week.)

Oh, I guess I need to be made into a recruit before I have pemrission to post on that thread you linked to.

For now I will just send it to your e-mail address.

What I did basically was create a 2nd geoscape texture which is the world map but using simple solid colors to designate the regions. So when you click on the globe and get a longitude/latitude I can then transform that coord into a pixel on the texture to be able to figure out what region you are in. Main use I put in the game using this was to not allow the player to build a base on water.

But for display purposes when the geoscreen is in the View state and you left click the globe I pop up a message box saying what region you were in. (I commented out the patrol mission for now so this would be the only event active).

I figure we needed a way to determine what region a position on the globe belonged to for alien missions and statistics and I didnt see anything done for it yet.

Could also expand this to include countries (i.e. be able to tell what country a position on the glboe belongs to) by adding more detail to the color map.

[dteviot]

You should not have rights to post to SVN.
Prefered solution is to use SVN to create a patch file. (If you're using Tortoise SVN, right click on Xenocide directory, select TortoiseSVN -> Create Patch.) Zip the patch file and upload the patch to this forum

If you can't upload your patch there, e-mail it to me at dteviot at iconz dot co dot nz. (Warning, I only check that mailbox a couple of times a week.)

Oh, I guess I need to be made into a recruit before I have pemrission to post on that thread you linked to.

Got it. I'll ask RK to promote you to recruit.

For now I will just send it to your e-mail address.

What I did basically was create a 2nd geoscape texture which is the world map but using simple solid colors to designate the regions. So when you click on the globe and get a longitude/latitude I can then transform that coord into a pixel on the texture to be able to figure out what region you are in. Main use I put in the game using this was to not allow the player to build a base on water.

But for display purposes when the geoscreen is in the View state and you left click the globe I pop up a message box saying what region you were in. (I commented out the patrol mission for now so this would be the only event active).

I figure we needed a way to determine what region a position on the globe belonged to for alien missions and statistics and I didnt see anything done for it yet.

Could also expand this to include countries (i.e. be able to tell what country a position on the glboe belongs to) by adding more detail to the color map.

Have a look here

[Darkside]

Have a look here

Oh... I should have figured you guys already had a plan for that...

[red knight]

Recruitment procedure has been started, Darkside check your PMs you will get a message from stewart soon. Make sure you read it all.

Greetings
Red Knight

[kafros]

That's a good thing actually, best of luck Darkside!

[Darkside]

Thanks guys, I am looking forward to helping in any way I can. I just bought some XNA books so hopefully I can pick up a few things that will help.

[dteviot]

Thanks guys, I am looking forward to helping in any way I can. I just bought some XNA books so hopefully I can pick up a few things that will help.

What are the titles? Please provide links to then on Amazon. Thanks

[Darkside]

Thanks guys, I am looking forward to helping in any way I can. I just bought some XNA books so hopefully I can pick up a few things that will help.

What are the titles? Please provide links to then on Amazon. Thanks

One is titled "Professional XNA Game Programming: For Xbox 360 and Windows". It is written by a Microsoft DirectX MVP who wrote some minor open source games. It seems to be the most popular XNA book currently.

The other one is otitled "Microsoft? XNA Game Studio Creators Guide" but is on back-order because it's going to be released on July 1st.

[dteviot]

Thanks guys, I am looking forward to helping in any way I can. I just bought some XNA books so hopefully I can pick up a few things that will help.

What are the titles? Please provide links to then on Amazon. Thanks

One is titled "Professional XNA Game Programming: For Xbox 360 and Windows". It is written by a Microsoft DirectX MVP who wrote some minor open source games. It seems to be the most popular XNA book currently.

The other one is otitled "Microsoft? XNA Game Studio Creators Guide" but is on back-order because it's going to be released on July 1st.

Heh. I've got the first (arrived on Thursday) it's very good.
and have 2nd on order.