How to get D3 Matcens to work?

[Alter-Fox]

I'm working on an SP level for D3. I've tried to make matcens, but they don't work. Could someone point me to a tutorial, or just describe how to implement matcens in D3 levels?

[Floyd]

i'm almost certain that you'd have to get DALLAS to work first. this link has info on to how: http://www.gameedit.net/?q=node/18
note that only gcc versions <=2.8.1 work. search the archives here or on planetdescent forums for older threads on DALLAS installation if it doesn't work.
you can then script such a matcen in dallas to your liking.

[Alter-Fox]

COD D3 had working matcens, but it was entirely unscripted. What I really need to know first is how to create a matcen. I think that's where the problem lies, but I've tried everything I can think of.

[Duper]

There is a way to add some basic triggers without scripting. It's rather limited, but it works. As memory serves, it's in properties in the item dropdown menu.

[Sirius]

I've managed to get DALLAS to work with a recent MinGW version, but it does take some tweaking.

[Floyd]

would you enlighten us about how, Sirius?

oh, and matcens: open the menu \"Window\" in the editor, then click \"Matcens\". you can give objects new names in the object bar and i assume you assign those in the matcen menu. no DALLAS necessary.
you take it from here

[Sirius]

Apparently (it's been a little while since I did it, had to check), I made some alterations to the virtualgcc program to get it to run the right tools and recompiled it.

If it's any help:

Code: Select all

--- virtualgcc_old.cpp	1999-06-17 15:52:30.000000000 +1200
+++ virtualgcc.cpp	2007-06-10 21:33:14.579125000 +1200
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include <assert.h>
 #include <stdarg.h>
+#include <ctype.h>
 
 typedef enum{DEBUG_NONE=0,DEBUG_COFF,DEBUG_CSEVEN}Debug_type;
 char Source_filename[_MAX_PATH];
@@ -331,12 +332,12 @@
 char DebugLevelString[32];
 char ChecksumString[64];
 
-void main (int argc, char *argv[])
+int main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
 	output(\"Virtual GCC Compiler layer for Descent 3\\n\");
 	output(\"Copyright 1999 Outrage Entertainment\\n\");
 	if(!CollectArguments(argc,argv))
-		return;
+		return 0;
 	
 	STARTUPINFO         si   = {0};
 	// Make child process use this app's standard files.
@@ -367,7 +368,7 @@
 	}
 
 	if(missing_variables){
-		return;
+		return 0;
 	}
 
 	if(Level_DLL_build){
@@ -431,6 +432,8 @@
 	output(\"Done.\");
 
 	SetCurrentDirectory(old_path);
+	
+	return 1;
 }
 
 bool Step1(STARTUPINFO *si)
@@ -451,7 +454,7 @@
 	MakePath(output_dllinit,Working_directory,filename,NULL);
 	
 	//build script
-	sprintf(command_line,\"gcc.exe -I. -I%s -mwindows -o %s -c %s %s %s %s\",Working_directory,output_object,Source_filename,WarningLevelString,ChecksumString,DebugLevelString);
+	sprintf(command_line,\"c++.exe -I. -I%s -mwindows -o %s -c %s %s %s %s\",Working_directory,output_object,Source_filename,WarningLevelString,ChecksumString,DebugLevelString);
 	bRet = CreateProcess (NULL, command_line, NULL, NULL, TRUE, 0, NULL, NULL, si, &pi);
 	if (bRet){
 		WaitForSingleObject (pi.hProcess, INFINITE);
@@ -468,7 +471,7 @@
 	}
 
 	//add dllinit function
-	sprintf(command_line,\"gcc.exe -I. -I%s -mwindows -o %s -c %s %s %s\",Working_directory,output_dllinit,DLLInit_filename,WarningLevelString,DebugLevelString);
+	sprintf(command_line,\"c++.exe -I. -I%s -mwindows -o %s -c %s %s %s\",Working_directory,output_dllinit,DLLInit_filename,WarningLevelString,DebugLevelString);
 	bRet = CreateProcess (NULL, command_line, NULL, NULL, TRUE, 0, NULL, NULL, si, &pi);
 	if (bRet){
 		WaitForSingleObject (pi.hProcess, INFINITE);
@@ -495,7 +498,7 @@
 
 	// build up the command line
 	char command_line[256];
-	sprintf(command_line,\"dllwrap.exe --export-all --def %s -o %s %s %s -mwindows\",Def_filename,Output_filename,output_object,output_dllinit);
+	sprintf(command_line,\"dllwrap.exe --driver-name c++ --export-all --def %s -o %s %s %s -mwindows\",Def_filename,Output_filename,output_object,output_dllinit);
 
 	bRet = CreateProcess (NULL, command_line, NULL, NULL, TRUE, 0, NULL, NULL, si, &pi);
 	

[Floyd]

i see. thanks

[WillyP]

There is no need to run DALLAS to get a matcen working... but the setting are many and not default.


First, name the room you want the matcen in, using either Room properties or 'IO', and take note of the face you want to the effect to spawn from. The spawned object will spawn at the room center.

Windows>Matcens opens the Matcen dialog,

'Attach' tab: 'Attach type': set to 'Room and faces', 'Attach Room/Object': your matcen room. For 'Spawn points' enter 1 or more in 'Quantity', then list the face(s) below that.

In the 'Produce' tab, set Number of Object types to 1 or more, then you can select the objects from the drop-downs. Set Qty. to the total number of each object to be produced in the life of the Matcen. When to produce is self explanatory, below that you must set the Maximum objects produced and Number of Alive children to 1 or more. Don't forget to check the 'Enabled' box!

There is no need to change anything in the 'Display' tab, but you can change the visual and sound effects here if you want.

Matcen Tut at DescentiaPedia.

D3 Level Editing at Prepare For Descent.

[Alter-Fox]

Thanks, I got it working.