3D Construction KIT II / Virtual Reality Studio II

[Marskilla]

Hi there !

I started a game using 3D Construction Kit II (also known as Virtual Reality Studio II) .

The game is quite in advanced stage.

Anyway I tried to create a "save game" and "load game" button.
And I just cannot make them work ! nothing happens ! I also mapped a keyboard key to these functions : same result.

I tried many versions (2.01,2.03,2.07), I even tried the Atari ST version (2.04) same result : nothing happens. No error, nothing.

I tried within the editor and with a compiled version (using 3dmake).

I read the manual but there's not a word about it.

I tried to reach the admin of this site, no luck.

Does anyone knows how to do it ?

I don't remember having trouble with 3DCK1 back in the days, implemeting a ingame save button...

[emufan]

i have no idea, but i'm not sure, if you found the manual of version 2.0 - if not, here is a link to the manual (scroll down to the comment section).

[Marskilla]

Thanks for your answer but, as I said, I didn't found something about save and load controls inside the manual.
Furthermore, all the other conteols works just fine (move forwards, move backwards...)
I started tor read the 3DCK newletter ( http://www.stu-wilson.com/3DKit_Website/fanzines.html ), but, once again, nothing.

I just tried the DOS version (Virtual reality studio 2, V2.03) and it's the same problem I encounter on the amiga and the ST.

Obviously, I'm missing something but what ?

[emufan]

and when you list here the procedure for the non-working "save button " - so we can google a bit more specific?!
i was reading something with "game state" and different system variables (Vxx).
may happen, one or two of these variables have changed - not even sure, if they get used at all - problem specific.

[Marskilla]

I am very interested in the page holding the "game state" subject.

I'l try to be more explicit.

Here's the game I'm working on :

As you can see, I made two buttons in the borders : save and load.

You have to map them in 3dck2 using the controls :

Evry other control just works fine.

With 3DCK 1, a message box pops, you enter the name of yuor savegame and here you go.

With 3DCK 2, nothing happens.

I know for sure, that you can save and load. For example if you take the Atari ST game Secret weapon (available here : http://www.stu-wilson.com/3DKit_Webs...s_atarist.html ) the games saves and loads. And it's 3DCK2. The source is available here : http://www.stu-wilson.com/3DKit_Webs...a_atarist.html

this drives me crazy !

I tried to figure it out, but...

Page 77 of the manual I found nothing about the variables and the savegame.

In the controls entry of the manual (page 54) I found nothing

I found no FCL command to save.

I'm stuck.

With Amiga, ST and DOS versions

But the version I wish is the Amiga 2.07 :

[emufan]

Originally Posted by Marskilla

I am very interested in the page holding the "game state" subject.

too bad i didnt made a note, where i was reading about "game state". now i cannot find it anymore - i'm almost sure, it was in the 2.0 manual.
i give it a try tomorrow again.

the "secret weapon" source, loading into 3DCK gives no clue on how they made the load/save buttons?

[Marskilla]

Originally Posted by emufan

the "secret weapon" source, loading into 3DCK gives no clue on how they made the load/save buttons?

I checked the general conditions, the initial conditions and the controls but I found nothing.

I think the "Position saved." string is displayed in the instrument #3 though.

[emufan]

I found the "Game State" section - in The 3D Construction Kit User Club Newsletter - issue #1:

Variable 40: Game  State.
o  =  Playing,
1  =  Lose  (Time  out).
2  =  Lose  (Energy  out),
3  =  Lose  (Fell  too  far),
4  =  Lose  (Drowned),
5  =  Win.
6  =  End  Game  (Endgame seQuence  and  finish).

I think i saw it in version II manual, but I guess it was used in same way.

Originally Posted by Marskilla

I think the "Position saved." string is displayed in the instrument #3 though.

these fanzines from link above, some can be searched - so it's easier to find something. i take a look in some issues

Originally Posted by emufan

I found the "Game State" section - in The 3D Construction Kit User Club Newsletter - issue #1:

Variable 40: Game  State.
o  =  Playing,
1  =  Lose  (Time  out).
2  =  Lose  (Energy  out),
3  =  Lose  (Fell  too  far),
4  =  Lose  (Drowned),
5  =  Win.
6  =  End  Game  (Endgame seQuence  and  finish).

I think i saw it in version II manual, but I guess it was used in same way.

They are just the variables used by the demo game that came with 3DCK1 (called the Kitgame), so has little to do with saving.

As you suggested, the fanzines may contain info for gamesaves in 3DCK2.

I don't know w the answer as my expertise is with the 8 bit versions.

Marskilla, have you considered posting the question to the Facebook page of the unofficial 3D Construction Kit website? It may increase the chances of it being read by someone experienced with 16 bit 3DCK who may know the answer.

[Marskilla]

Originally Posted by emufan

I found the "Game State" section - in The 3D Construction Kit User Club Newsletter - issue #1 (...)

Well, the game state is not what I thought... But thanks anyway.

Originally Posted by Flan8mal

They are just the variables used by the demo game that came with 3DCK1 (called the Kitgame), so has little to do with saving...

Yep. I confirm.

Originally Posted by Flan8mal

(...)Marskilla, have you considered posting the question to the Facebook page of the unofficial 3D Construction Kit website? (...)

I tried to reach by mail Stuart Wilson ( the admin of http://www.3dconstructionkit.co.uk/ ) and Robin Ball (the author of "Secret Agent" http://www.robinball.co.uk/About_me.html ) unsuccessfully.

I saw the facebook page, the thing is I don't have a facebook account. I guess I have to create one...

[emufan]

I was aware about the usefullness of "Game State", but was listing it anyway.
good news from issue #15. there is an article about save & load for kit2 - images of the pages attached - just take a look

below the loader routine, the author talks about more variables you may add to the given list ( object height, vehicles, etc ).

I was only reading in issue 1,7,10,15,17 and 18 - may happen , there are more infos in the remaining issues )
ps: thanks Flan8mal for joining the discussion

[Marskilla]

Man, you rock !

I considered, this option but, I didn't want to do such a thing : this means I have to save every position of every moved object ???

Oh my...

This is such a regression compared to 3DCK1. If I knew this, I would have used the good old version.

Why did they left the "Save Position" and "Load Position" controls then ?

Anyway, thanks a lot ! I mean it.

I have another question but I can do without an answer. i'm looking for a FCL command which disable the sight :

I guess it's ok if I cannot disable it automatically.

Thanks for the welcome emufan, and great work finding that article in the fanzines.
Markskilla, I believe the command to enable and disable the sights may be crosshairs. The 3DCK2 manual has zero reference content. Have you downloaded the 3DCK1 manual? If not, it may be useful. Its shocking that they didn’t implement the save function!

[Marskilla]

Originally Posted by Flan8mal

I believe the command to enable and disable the sights may be crosshairs. The 3DCK2 manual has zero reference content. Have you downloaded the 3DCK1 manual? If not, it may be useful.

Thanks, I'll check this out.

Just to know here's a model from my game :

Do you recognize him ?

[Dunny]

Originally Posted by Marskilla

Just to know here's a model from my game :

Do you recognize him ?

It's Galahad/FLT, isn't it?

[emufan]

Originally Posted by Marskilla

this means I have to save every position of every moved object ???

i was in good hope _not_ to find this kind of solution, but i failed
and yep, it's rather strange, they forgot such a function in version 2.
reading through the fanzines was ugly, first one you could search in text, others not - made me almost blind

well, at least you can go on now.
the object example looks nice. isn't it the dude, from such riddle pictures, "where is the red-hat dude in this pciture" ?!
kinda forgot his name, if any

ps: yeah, or Galahad

[davideo]

@emufan

Where's Wally?

[emufan]

yeah, that Wally one

#1) *argh* and i can hear the lawyers running allready. _NO_ this is by no means this read-hat-cartoonish-dude.
i'm sure, trust me, go back to your coffemachine, leave us alone.

[Marskilla]

Originally Posted by Flan8mal

(...)
Markskilla, I believe the command to enable and disable the sights may be crosshairs. The 3DCK2 manual has zero reference content. Have you downloaded the 3DCK1 manual?(...)

Nope. Unknown command. But it's OK, I'll do wihhout it.

Originally Posted by Dunny

It's Galahad/FLT, isn't it?

Since Galahad usually hide in crowds...

Originally Posted by emufan

i was in good hope _not_ to find this kind of solution, but i failed
and yep, it's rather strange, they forgot such a function in version 2.
reading through the fanzines was ugly, first one you could search in text, others not - made me almost blind well, at least you can go on now.

Man, you did find a solution, and you almost lost your sight ( And i try to loose the sight in the game )

I started to write the procedure. Such a pain. I test it room by room...

Originally Posted by emufan

the object example looks nice. isn't it the dude, from such riddle pictures, "where is the red-hat dude in this pciture" ?!
kinda forgot his name, if any
ps: yeah, or Galahad

Originally Posted by davideo

@emufan Where's Wally?

Kind of :

Originally Posted by emufan

*argh* and i can hear the lawyers running allready.

But no, I don't fear lawyers because it IS defintily Galahad.

"Any resemblance between Galahad and copyrighted people is purely coincidental."

[Dunny]

"Where's Waldo" is the forrin version - in the UK he's always been "Wally"

D.