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[sunyc]

Hi, I have been thinking of a easy and extendable way to create an visualization layer for dwarf fortress, currently, I'm thinking this now:

I know DF have text mode output under Linux & Mac through use of NCurse,  but under windows, no. To me if we can get text mode working under windows as well then it's realtively easy to create a wrapper program that parse the output of DF and draw 2d/3d graph of it.

Of course, this visualization layer will have exact same UI of what text mode UI could provide (possible with some improvement like adjustable window etc). more can be implemented if it also parse gamelog etc.

but the idea is simple, having DF output text and others can use it as a game engine, it doesn't increase burden on game developers because if something need to be fixed, they can just do it in the old way, adding a new symbol,  the text mode will always keep working.  For the visualizer anything new/unkown can be handled nicely, and tileset / graphics can be contributed  entirely on a different schedule.

This avoids problem that every new release will break current external visualizer (where it need parse memory) with only a minimal effort spend by the developer (make text mode work). Why not?

[sunyc]

bump

[NW_Kohaku]

What you are talking about is an API.  Forumgoers have been arguing for Toady to include an API for years, and he has so far refused.

See this thread for one of the more thorough discussions, as well as Toady's response to the whole thing: http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=34949.0

[tuxu]

@Toady

Toady one!
ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ
Y U NO "3D Visualizer"?

seriously now, at least throw us a bone\rock\pool-of-blood in the form of a "Memory.XML" exporter app that would set a standard for the entire modding community and will make you rich and famous...

Every kid in the industry knows that standardization is the name of the game, I'm not saying that you should go for an API on an alpha\pre-alpha stage but some data converter would serve you as much as it would the general public.

You must appreciate the fact that for many players there's a tremendous added value to the game just because we can see in true 3D what we have built.

Keep up the good work.

[tsen]

Just think of the wonderful changes that would occur in the community once every Joe and Jane who thinks "The Sims" is the pinnacle of gaming starts clamoring for DF to be made "easier to understand/play" 

[Drago55577]

Why can't DF just use something like minecraft? Voxel engine I think

[Catastrophic lolcats]

So many reasons why.
Preformance, liquids, smears, animations, models, the whole tile size debate.
You're also forgetting that the reason why Toady changed to Ascii was so he can focus on the coding alone. To me it seems like we'd have to have a 3D engine at some point since things like multi-tile creatures/non-abstracted measurements seem rather improbable in the current ascii/tiles format, but don't think it's going to come soon.

[Drago55577]

It should be easy just to have a visualiser. I dunno. Something not connected to the game much, like Stonesense but more 3D

[irmo]

Why can't DF just use something like minecraft? Voxel engine I think

In case you haven't noticed, Minecraft is downright fugly.

[Drago55577]

Why can't DF just use something like minecraft? Voxel engine I think

In case you haven't noticed, Minecraft is downright fugly.

DF is worse :/

And I'm using a fucking graphics pack!

DF would be a memory to me if it wasn't so realistic and gorey

Superlate edit: Changed bucking to fucking, why the hell would i type bucking?

[JanusTwoface]

DF would be a memory to me if it wasn't so realistic and gorey

And that would be exactly why. Can you imagine an interface that deal with the number of creatures that DF has, along with the procedurally generated content (HFS/Titans among others) and the damage system where it's entirely viable

Check out version on of the original Slaves to Armok, the precursor to DF sometime. It had a fully 3D interface. And so far as I understand, that's exactly why it died and Armok II: DF was born.

[irmo]

DF is worse :/

Without affirming or denying that, I'll just say that adding a 3d graphics engine and creating models for every creature in the game is a hell of a lot of work just to get from "worse than fugly" to "fugly".

[Drago55577]

Well I said it now so I don't care anymore....just had to say it

[acetech09]

The only thing I'm in favor of is implementing a raw text output in windows and being able to have programs parse it for data for visualizer hookin. You wouldn't be able to see multiple levels, etc. but it would still be handy to someone somewhere.