Virtualscape news

[Zzzzz]

I open a new thread for virtualscape because last thread is too long and new heroscapers can't read everything.

A new release of virtualscape is available the 1.052 :
- Optimisation for large map (this is a big modification and can create bug on refresh so please let me know if you have some trouble)
- Ability to go directly to a level (by Ctrl+G or in menu item)
- Start area are now print on a last map in the printing mode (for Parduz)
- Ladder are now more red ( for GameBear, please let me know if this ok now or if you need more difference)
- Virtualscape is now compiling with visual studio 2008
- Tile castle are now lighter than road tile
- Capability to create video of the map
- Add feature insert/remove level
- Bug fix : about saving glyph marro and hive in the material editor
- Bug fix : about print and print preview number

The major evolution is the ability to create your own video from your map or your own real time animation with your path.
To do that, just place your camera at some key position and click on the icon "Add current position". Then just click on the icon "Play the animation". I can't do more simple. To create video file, click on the icon "Create pictures files" and the application will generate a lot of pictures. Then you need to use an other software to create an animation from theses picture file (with your own codec and so on...).
If someone have some HD competence and know how to create a video file in Full HD (1920x1080) that I can read on PS3, please let me know how to do. Thanks.

This is the todo list :
- Add capability to choose margin in the printed page
- Add base of glacier and hive as particular object (can use without glacier or hive)
- capability to reverse Glacier
- undo/redo
- Merge map
- Improve way to place battlement and ladder
- Play mode (online,lan) (basic,expert) when hasbro will give is agrement
- Recognized any subdirectory under /Images as a tile set
- Better verification
- Copy verify result into clipboard
- Remember last number of map per page for next new map
- Print in monochrome
- Add lexan mats
- ladder to display by other way in print scenario (because on ladder each 2 level)
- manage extension for count necessary set to make the map
- Add the "add collection" button for merge collection
- Capability to rotate severale tile simultanously.
- Moving camera like solidscape (for parduz)
- Add extension ticalla jungle
- Detach a window

If I forget something, let me know.
As usually, I Hope that you will have fun with Virtualscape.
Zzzzz

[LongHeroscaper]

Awesome, Zzzzz! Thanks again for all the hard work you have put out for all of us. I think VirtualScape is the best map editor software for Heroscape!
I really hope to see the ability of rotating several (or all) tile at the same time. Or the ability to change the position of the light source in the 3D mode. That would add the flexibility in rendering a map.
Overall, you are awesome :) !

[Draconious]

PS3... maybe having videos map files that are storable readable on a PSP, would make a good portable map library to take on the road ;).

Did you get that image of a way to further compress the tile menu?
something like this, but not exactly since it does have flaws...
http://s88452779.onlinehome.us/HeroScape/Misc/VscapeLayoutConcept.jpg

I just think it would be more efficient to have less tab-menus...

[keglo]

PS3... maybe having videos map files that are storable readable on a PSP, would make a good portable map library to take on the road ;).

Did you get that image of a way to further compress the tile menu?
something like this, but not exactly since it does have flaws...
http://s88452779.onlinehome.us/HeroScape/Misc/VscapeLayoutConcept.jpg

I just think it would be more efficient to have less tab-menus...

Very good idea Draconious. I would love to see that implemented.


Thanks for the updates. Is there any way you could also make the battlements easier to see, maybe use a different color or something?

[Parduz]

1) Thanks Zzzzz for your hard work. I love your program, and i have some understanding of the amount of work needed to put it at that level.

2) If i remember well (but not sure) there's was a request to change a tile terrain type... (so you can convert a grass tile in a rock tile without removing and replacing). But i may be wrong.

3) I noticed that some tips in the status bar are still in french. Not a big problem, just to let you know.

I like the idea of "compressed" tile list, but then where to write the tiles count?

[deliverymanxas]

Awesome news! Keep up the good work, and thanks for the updates and what is coming.


:toast:

Dman

[djsmith]

The updates are awesome Zzzzz! I only encountered one glitch so far, and it didn't happen every time.

In 3D mode when playing the animation I created, I could not stop the animation. All the buttons faded out and were unable to be clicked on. Did I miss a simple way of stopping it? I looked for a while before just closing the window completely.

Virtualscape.... A required program for any Heroscaper!

Keep up the great work Zzzzz!

[Zzzzz]

The updates are awesome Zzzzz! I only encountered one glitch so far, and it didn't happen every time.

In 3D mode when playing the animation I created, I could not stop the animation. All the buttons faded out and were unable to be clicked on. Did I miss a simple way of stopping it? I looked for a while before just closing the window completely.

Virtualscape.... A required program for any Heroscaper!

Keep up the great work Zzzzz!
Just click on the same button 'play animation' to stop it. But you are right. i need to use a push button to know if we are in play mode or not. will be done in next release.
Thanks Djsmith

[djsmith]

The updates are awesome Zzzzz! I only encountered one glitch so far, and it didn't happen every time.

In 3D mode when playing the animation I created, I could not stop the animation. All the buttons faded out and were unable to be clicked on. Did I miss a simple way of stopping it? I looked for a while before just closing the window completely.

Virtualscape.... A required program for any Heroscaper!

Keep up the great work Zzzzz!
Just click on the same button 'play animation' to stop it. But you are right. i need to use a push button to know if we are in play mode or not. will be done in next release.
Thanks Djsmith

The first time I tried it, that's how I stopped it. The next two times, the 'play animation' button was faded out and couldn't be selected. Not sure what the difference was btween the first and last animations.

[Zzzzz]

I saw the bug. the button is grayed if you remove all key point so if you play animation and then remove key point, you can't stop animation. I think this is your problem.
I fix that for next release.
I'm impatient to see the first animation created by heroscapers.

[LongHeroscaper]

The video feature is great. But I am not sure how to create a video file. Is it saved as an AVI file? I choose to create a video file from the menu, choose to create 100 pictures, low quality, but only about the first 10 shots are different, all other pictures after that are the same. Could you please suggest what I should do? :)
Take care,

[Zzzzz]

The video feature is great. But I am not sure how to create a video file. Is it saved as an AVI file? I choose to create a video file from the menu, choose to create 100 pictures, low quality, but only about the first 10 shots are different, all other pictures after that are the same. Could you please suggest what I should do? :)
Take care,
I think that you create several key positions at same place. juste click one time at a position on the button "add a key position".
Before to create the picture file, test your animation in real time with the button "play animation" which will be the same animation (but not in same quality if you choose to generate the animation in high quality mode).
Virtualscape will generate a lot of picture but not an avi file. After generate, you need to use another software to create an animation from several pictures. there are a lot of free software to do that.
Hope this help you.

[Creationist]

will I be able to open my files from the old version on the new one??

[Zzzzz]

will I be able to open my files from the old version on the new one??
Yes of course. all new version read file from all previous version. But not all previous version open file from new version (in this case the file don't change so you can open file from 1.052 with exe 1.047 for exemple)

[djsmith]

I saw the bug. the button is grayed if you remove all key point so if you play animation and then remove key point, you can't stop animation. I think this is your problem.
I fix that for next release.
I'm impatient to see the first animation created by heroscapers.

Yes I believe that is what I did. I did that because when I stop the animation, the camera view goes back to the original position. That messed me up a little because I was doing only part of the animation, then testing. Trying to find the camera position I left off at was impossible after testing the animation. Basically, I am assuming you have to create all key positions before doing the animation if you don't want to lose your ending camera position. Does that make sense?

[LongHeroscaper]

The video feature is great. But I am not sure how to create a video file. Is it saved as an AVI file? I choose to create a video file from the menu, choose to create 100 pictures, low quality, but only about the first 10 shots are different, all other pictures after that are the same. Could you please suggest what I should do? :)
Take care,
I think that you create several key positions at same place. juste click one time at a position on the button "add a key position".
Before to create the picture file, test your animation in real time with the button "play animation" which will be the same animation (but not in same quality if you choose to generate the animation in high quality mode).
I tried and was careful with choosing key positions and it worked. However, I am still learning how to create a path for the camera that I want. For example, I want the camera to go around a castle. I chose key position in front of the castle, then rotate the map and add another key point at the back of the castle, then rotate the map back in front and add another key position. I thought that would create a path around the castle. It turned out that the camera moved from front to back, but over the castle, not around it. I guess it's an automatic thing, the camera will choose the shortest way to go. So, to make the camera go around the castle, I had to add a few more key position around the castle.
Anyway, this feature is great. I already have some idea for some video clip, but I wish you will add more figures :) .
Virtualscape will generate a lot of picture but not an avi file. After generate, you need to use another software to create an animation from several pictures. there are a lot of free software to do that. Hope this help you.
I can't believe I miss this part in your first post. You did say very clear about this. My apology!
Zzzzz, thanks again for your help and for all of the hardwork. Wish you all the best!

[Zzzzz]

Hi LongHeroscaper,

In fact, the camera don't choose the closest way. I create a bezier curve (sorry but i can't explain this in english. if someone can explain shortly what is a bezier curve, you're welcome).
So to create a path around castle, you just need 4 points (front, right, back and left).
But in next version I will add the ability to chose a path from several path computed automaticaly like turn around, spiral...

[Parduz]

Bezier Curve is the right "universal" name.
Anyone that works with vector graphic or 3D modelling know what it is :)

[LongHeroscaper]

Hi Zzzzz, could you make the camera keep the distance before it rotates? When I zoom in (move the camera closer) and then rotate, the camera moves back to the original distance, then it rotates. It would be great if after I zoom in, the camera still keep the distance (to the center of the map?) when I rotate it.
I am not sure if this is "move camera as in solidscape" that Parduz talks about.
Thanks :) !!!

[yagyuninja]

Zzzzz, I've got a request for virtualscape but I have no concept of how difficult it might be to implement.

I've been looking at which maps to include in the Eugene tournament coming in April, and thinking a lot about map layout in that context. Where height is concentrated, paths from one starting zone to another, etc.

So, to that end, I was wondering if there would be a way to show a topography map in Virtualscape. Just a top down view with cooler colors for low height changing to warmer colors as the height increases. So you could look at this one picture and see right where the flow of movement would probably center. It could also have extra bright points for glyphs and black spots for LOS blockers like trees and glaciers. I think it would be very useful for map analysis for the BoV and for tournament directors, as well as map builders themselves.

Did I make any sense? Is that a lot of work?

Ah, and let me add: I cannot thank you enough for virtualscape. You have already done so much!

[Einar's puppy]

Can someone give me a link to somewhere I can download Virtualscape? Also, is it free, and how do you acces it. It sounds cool and I would like to be able to use it.
EDIT: Never mind I found the link in the first post sigline.
EDIT AGAIN:I am trying to download the newest version and it is taking a milenium! It appears to be making no progress. My computer says "done" but up at the top of my computer is says "conecting" VS is not coming up. I need help.
EDIT...AGAIN:I have downloaded the program now but it is in French. I tried to get the english version multiple times but it is still french.I can manage but it is annoying. Further more i cannot get to see a 3D image of my map. I found the right button but everytime I click it, a window pops up saying there was an error and VS must close...this is quite annoying.

[Pathdoc]

EDIT...AGAIN:I have downloaded the program now but it is in French. I tried to get the english version multiple times but it is still french.I can manage but it is annoying.

You most extract ALL of the files in the zip. Do NOT simply extract the exacutable. If you do this, you will get English.

[Einar's puppy]

EDIT...AGAIN:I have downloaded the program now but it is in French. I tried to get the english version multiple times but it is still french.I can manage but it is annoying.

You most extract ALL of the files in the zip. Do NOT simply extract the exacutable. If you do this, you will get English.
thank you. Does this meen I have to download it again?

[STAROCEAN980]

EDIT...AGAIN:I have downloaded the program now but it is in French. I tried to get the english version multiple times but it is still french.I can manage but it is annoying.

You most extract ALL of the files in the zip. Do NOT simply extract the exacutable. If you do this, you will get English.
thank you. Does this meen I have to download it again?No, just extract all the files.