1. Games Development 2 Tools Programming
CO3301
Week 10

2. Contents Tools Programming Tool Chains Tool Specifics
Languages for Tools

3. Tools Programming We can divide games programming into 3 areas:
Game Engine - non-game-specific code:
Renderer
Sound, input, mass storage libraries and similar
Generic scripting, data import, AI code
Physics engine
Game Code:
Specific game logic, camera work, entity updates etc.
Game Scripts
Tools
Game editors
Asset / data preparation & manipulation
Offline optimisation / pre-calculation

4. Tools Programming
Tools development is often overlooked, but is a very important area
Games are massively data-driven and that data usually needs considerable processing
Example Tool types:
(Level) Editor
Major tool that allows the viewing and editing of the game world. Often game independent
Mesh / material viewers, editors
Post-modelling, engine specific work with 3D assets
Texture manipulation:
UV atlasing, normal map creation, etc
Sound editors, data packing, testing systems etc.

5. Tools Development
Where possible, lesser tools should written as plug-ins for existing software:
Maya: Python scripts, C++ API plug-ins, MEL
Similarly Max Script
Photoshop plug-ins
Or as plug-ins to a larger tool – level editor
Extending existing programs is preferable:
Don’t need to write everything from scratch
Building on robust, documented platform
Also allows the asset creators to work seamlessly with the game tools

6. Tools Development
However, many specialised tools are required that do not naturally fit existing packages
E.g. Particle system editor, AI editor
Such tools are often written in C++
But may use higher level languages:
C# is common
Rapid to develop GUI applications
Interface easily with the native C++ code
Some tools don’t need a GUI:
Asset copying / optimising / packaging, testing systems
These may be console applications or scripts

7. Tool Chains
A Tool Chain is the sequence of tools needed to convert raw assets through to usable game data
A chain might be:
Artist uses plug-ins in Photoshop to help create different map types (diffuse, specular, normal, transparency etc.)
Export textures with plug-in to custom formats (one per SKU)
Scripts for Maya import textures and outputs models in custom format. Also assists with shader creation
Mesh optimised using console tool called by plug-ins
Level editor imports art assets, allows viewing / manipulation. Also supports game entity layout, attribute setup, trigger and script attachment
Level editor can provide oct-trees, help with waypoint generation and lighting pre-calculation. Exports custom level data
Level data assembled into package using a console app

8. Tool Specifics Console-based Tools Usually used for file processing
E.g. Converting from one file format to another
Directory and & file reading / writing is common
Parsing
Text and/or Binary
Parsing command lines too
E.g. “conv.exe –i ‘f.txt’ –o ‘f.bin’ –c –op:1”
Also certain optimisation tasks just need console processing without any GUI
Plenty of precise, low-level work

9. Tool Specifics Plug-ins Most frequently required for art-related tools
Not always:
E.g for Visual Studio, or even for your own level editor
Will often need to learn new API
For program data & GUI
Perhaps a new language too
Support can be a problem, not all plug-in APIs are mature
Working around limitations of program and it’s API
Interacting with user requirements
Tools are often written by request

10. Tool Specifics Editors Most powerful class of tool
Run graphics engine in one or more windows
Classic 4-view often starting point
Use standard windows GUI
Or write your own components (e.g. DirectX samples)
Frequently encompass many tasks
Import / export, editing, pre-calculation, optimisation etc.
Better architected and more flexible than standalone tools
May call out to other tools, support plug-ins or even have its own API or scripting language
Level editor coders must be skilled – a major role

11. Tools Developers
Tools is common starting point for new games developer
Helps gain familiarity with studio systems
Designing tools interfaces requires interaction with other studio team members
Good way to accelerate introductions
The role is fairly taxing:
Low level code is common
Precision required
A good test during a probation period
But hopefully not too much of a problem if new employee struggles
Consequently, employers are quietly impressed if projects come with tool chains / editors
Should help with project anyway
Quietly make sure people know they are there