Forgery Map Builder

[Null Parameter]

This will be the new place to discuss the idea of creating a Foundry Map Builder.

Here is the last comment that came out of the discussion:

The real question is, do we want it to be web based? If we do, I will need to learn a whole new set of things, because anything I make will need to be downloaded and run on the user's computer.

[Thomas]

Personally, I'd like to have it run on my computer so I can futz with it while on XBL but I can see people being weary about downloading stuff like that.

[Null Parameter]

That's my concern that people won't want to download a program from somebody they don't know/trust.

[TheGrimPeeper28]

If we do make it, and it is better than FH's than it could be announced by Bungie. Knowing how the community works if Bungie says the Foundry Map Builder is good and they should download it they would. This would also bring more users to the site.

[WoozyJoJo]

I have very mixed feelings about this.

First, there are many more important things to focus on before we start with extras like this (Get review team working perfectly, fix comp team, etc.)

Second, while it may attract more visitors, it may also get us labeled as Forge Hub copy-cats. That would be very, very bad.

Third, it's just really not necessary. It's probably a lot of work to learn how to create and program this. And don't even think about a 3D version, either. Bungie has a team that does the 3D for a reason. It's a pain in the ***. (Maya 7.0 user here. It is NOT easy.)
I mean, I guess if it was a 2D flash-based program that would work, but if no one here knows Action Script well enough then again, it's just not worth it.

[Null Parameter]

If we do make it, and it is better than FH's than it could be announced by Bungie. Knowing how the community works if Bungie says the Foundry Map Builder is good and they should download it they would. This would also bring more users to the site.
Besides the obvious use by us, this is the general plan for the project.

So, here are some basic features that I plan to have:


Snap To Angle (by 45 degree increments)
Turn On/Off Interlocking
Lock Items In Place
Group Items (to move together)
Geomerging


Any other ideas people can think of?

I have very mixed feelings about this.

First, there are many more important things to focus on before we start with extras like this (Get review team working perfectly, fix comp team, etc.)

Second, while it may attract more visitors, it may also get us labeled as Forge Hub copy-cats. That would be very, very bad.

Third, it's just really not necessary. It's probably a lot of work to learn how to create and program this. And don't even think about a 3D version, either. Bungie has a team that does the 3D for a reason. It's a pain in the ***. (Maya 7.0 user here. It is NOT easy.)
I mean, I guess if it was a 2D flash-based program that would work, but if no one here knows Action Script well enough then again, it's just not worth it.You forget that I'm a software engineer by profession. I've worked with software for years, and I've made several games in my lifetime involving 3D graphics and know most of the items required to create this. And you also have to realize that Bungie has a full graphics department because they need people to model, animate and make things look pretty. Most of the items we have will be box like, so we don't need master modelers, and we won't have any animations required. Plus we don't need any fancy shaders to make the graphics look "Next-Gen".

[ACloggingtons]

Geomerging?

[Null Parameter]

I'll add Geomerging to the list. Woozy, I also edited the post above to address your concerns, in case you looked at it before.

[Kenny M]

I wish the best of luck to you Null but if all goes well I might even use it

[WoozyJoJo]

Hm. Well, like Kenny said, if you do decide to make this, good luck. I'd use it too.
It's your choice, if you're the person making it. I'd even help if there's any way I could.
I just think there are other things that should be done first.

[Null Parameter]

I wish the best of luck to you Null but if all goes well I might even use it

Thanks Kenny! I'll devote an easter egg in the program to you. ;)

[TheGrimPeeper28]

:O It better say Kenny sex LOL That would be 1337

[Null Parameter]

Hm. Well, like Kenny said, if you do decide to make this, good luck. I'd use it too.
It's your choice, if you're the person making it. I'd even help if there's any way I could.
I just think there are other things that should be done first.

I completely agree with you on this point. This was never meant to be an immediate thing, but rather an extended goal for later in the process. Plus, what do I have to do right now? The review team isn't my responsibility ;)

[WoozyJoJo]

Plus, what do I have to do right now? The review team isn't my responsibility ;)
Oh, come on. You're an Admin. Can't you say, go on banning sprees in your spare time? :P
But again, if you really want to do this, tell me if you want some help.

[Null Parameter]

Oh, come on. You're an Admin. Can't you say, go on banning sprees in your spare time? :P
But again, if you really want to do this, tell me if you want some help.

**Rubs Hand Together** Who's first?!?! ;)

I might have to call on you for you Maya modeling abilities, because programmer art blows.

[GUNSLINGERBUNNY]

This sounds like a great idea and if it works I will definitely try it out
when they first came out with the foundry "blueprint" of sorts I tried to make a 3d model of it using google "sketch up" (I never got passed a cube):(

[Null Parameter]

This sounds like a great idea and if it works I will definitely try it out
when they first came out with the foundry "blueprint" of sorts I tried to make a 3d model of it using google "sketch up" (I never got passed a cube):(

Getting the model of Foundry is going to probably be the hardest part of this entire project. We won't get anything too incredibly detailed probably, just something that will work.

[DeathsFriend22]

as long as tthe measurements are proper. Can't design a map 2 times the size of the actual Foundry lol.