Interviews

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Gustav Nordvall is developing the new script editor Sed which looks like it will be a valuable addition to 3DGS' built in tools.

 

Q: I like to edit my scripts using Wordpad; why should I switch to SED?

A: First of all, SED is designed for C-Script editing. This means it's a lot easier to edit c-script because of features like code completion and code jumper etc. Take for example "Test Run", users can easily test the

code with one button on the keyboard. The errors are displayed for the users and therefore can easily be corrected. Second, SED is offering debugging through the code which can't be done in Wordpad. Imagine you have the engine running in window mode and while you stepping through the code, you find something wrong. Simply, correct it in SED! To make a little summary, SED includes a lot of functions that are useful for the beginner as well as the professional programmer. When you discover them all you will save a lot of time.

 

Q: What programming language are you using to develop SED?

A: SED is coded in MS Visual C++.

 

Q: Can you explain us how and why should we use watches?

A: It is easy to explain how. From the menu choose Debug->Add watches and enter the variable/entity/view etc. you want to watch. Watches are a good way to know what is happening without any need of breakpoints and return values. You can also edit watches, which mean you can edit, for example, an entity's x position during runtime if you want to. Just add myentitiy.x to the watches and use edit watch. Of

course strings/variables/views can be edited as well...

 

Q: Can we edit 3DGS’ command database using a different program?

A: It worked in the older versions of SED to edit the command database in other programs, but not anymore. The reason is not only that it isn't very good to mess with the database, but also there is not much need for it. The latest database contains every command provided in the engine.

 

Q: What could / should we add to SED using the new plugin interface?

A: One suggestion is Wizards / Panel editors / etc. that provides the user with inputs to generate c-script directly into SED. As the plugins are DLL's they can be made in a language you prefer. Contact me if you want sample source code made in Delphi or Visual C++.

 

Q: Can you give us an example on how and when should we use the color picker?

A: If you want the red, green and blue value for a specific color it becomes very handy.

 

Q: Can you give us the eta for SED’s built-in help file?

A: The help file can be downloaded right now by following Tobias Runde's post about the new manual in the forum. You can read about SED in the C-Script Editing part of the manual.

 

Q: What new features do you plan to add to SED in the near future?

A: For the near future, better code completion and other fixes. There are a lot of bigger features planned of course (which I rather keep for myself until they are well implemented), but not for the near future.

 

As an addition to the questions I would like to say that I'm very thankful for all the response I get from the community, it helps me get track of bugs and features...

 

Thank you a lot, Gustav.