Factory Entities - Revision history

Fire-hound: typo found

2025-05-10T17:35:52Z

typo found

Commissioner Pravin Lal: used div tags to delineate text sections with their images; changed image formats to frameless for better behavior; changed image captions to the image descriptions given on their particular pages

2025-05-10T17:09:02Z

used div tags to delineate text sections with their images; changed image formats to frameless for better behavior; changed image captions to the image descriptions given on their particular pages

Fire-hound: Factories, initially added images

2025-05-09T06:43:31Z

Factories, initially added images

Fire-hound: /* Factories */ inital text edit

2025-05-09T06:20:22Z

‎Factories: inital text edit

Fire-hound at 09:21, 2 May 2020

2020-05-02T09:21:40Z

Fire-hound: /* Quad forward factory */

2018-05-06T08:04:03Z

‎Quad forward factory

Fire-hound: /* Mobile buy zone (APC) */

2018-05-06T08:01:10Z

‎Mobile buy zone (APC)

Fire-hound: /* Quad forward factory */

2018-05-06T07:54:27Z

‎Quad forward factory

Fire-hound: /* Quad forward factory */

2018-05-06T07:53:44Z

‎Quad forward factory

Fire-hound: /* Single forward factory */

2018-05-06T07:50:24Z

‎Single forward factory

@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 Historically there was one more Area Shape/Volume to be designated: the Kill Volume. It's role was to vacate the build area of players so that it appears the build process is both deadly to watch and never seen. This function is regarded obsolete in the mapper community of this mod since long time now.<br>
-  Aforementioned '''Spawn Helpers''' can be set up in the geometry of the factory mesh - in blender for instance, by making an Empty, that is a child of the main Empty that carries the same name of the Mesh/cgf file, so both the mesh and the empty are children to the parent-most empty. Those one or more Spawn_Helper_empty_entities are to be named "empty<number>" and same names are to be assigned to the corresponding slots in the Sandbox2 Editor.
+  Aforementioned '''Spawn Helpers''' can be set up in the geometry of the factory mesh - in blender for instance, by making an Empty, that is a child of the main Empty that carries the same name of the Mesh/cgf file, so both the mesh and the empty are children to the parent-most empty. Those one or more Spawn_Helper_empty_entities are to be named "spawn<number>" and same names are to be assigned to the corresponding slots in the Sandbox2 Editor.
   The other option is to use '''Basic Entity''' or '''Geom Entity''' for the spawn helper. The corresponding tick box is to be set and the ''Link Name'' is to be set accordingly to the Factory Slot - the name of the entity is irrelevant in this case.

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 == Factories ==
-For any factory to even exist or function in the level it has to have the '''Factory Entity''' to begin with.[[File:Factory_Void_of_mesh_team_tan_Use_Entity_true_Helper_spawn_VAI61_.jpg|400px|right|factory]]<br>
+<div style="clear: both">
-This entity can optionally have an mesh assigned to it (the "model" property).<br>
+For any factory to even exist or function in the level it has to have the '''Factory Entity''' to begin with.<br>
-For said '''Entity''' to be usable at all it has to have at the very least the '''BuyArea''' defined ''and assigned'' to it.<br>
+[[File:Factory_Void_of_mesh_team_tan_Use_Entity_true_Helper_spawn_VAI61_.jpg|frameless|600px|left|Factory Setup details in Sandbox2 Editor]]<br>
-[[File:Buy_Zone.jpg|400px|center|capture point]] [[File:Buy_Zone_Area_Shape_Link_Target.jpg|400px|right|capture link]]<br>
+</div>
-Once said factory has ''a team'' assigned to it (by default '''property''' or by a designated '''Capture Point''') a player ''that is a member of that team'' can exchange c-bills for assets designated as available in that Factory.[[File:Capture_Point_Link_members.jpg|400px|right|capture point]]<br>
 For said assets, once paid for and built, to appear at all on the map/level, the factory has to have a helper, typically called "spawn" or "spawn<number>" designated and assigned to a '''Factory Slot'''.<br>
 Aforementioned Slot could potentially become crowded and further assets appearing in it could lead to damage, collisions or other unforeseen consequences - this is avoided by designating a '''Build Volume Trigger Area Shape''' that prevents further spawning of assets until vacated of any other similar entity. It lies upon the mapper to accordingly size and place the areas to help and facilitate those functions.
-[[File:Vehicle_Trigger.jpg|400px|center|trigger]]
+[[File:Vehicle_Trigger.jpg|frameless|600px|Vehicle Trigger Area Shape For the Factory in Sandbox 2 Editor]]
 Historically there was one more Area Shape/Volume to be designated: the Kill Volume. It's role was to vacate the build area of players so that it appears the build process is both deadly to watch and never seen. This function is regarded obsolete in the mapper community of this mod since long time now.<br>
@@ Line 18: / Line 31: @@
   The other option is to use '''Basic Entity''' or '''Geom Entity''' for the spawn helper. The corresponding tick box is to be set and the ''Link Name'' is to be set accordingly to the Factory Slot - the name of the entity is irrelevant in this case.
-[[File:Entity_Helper_Link_name_is_spawn.jpg|400px|left|BasicEntity]] [[File:Basic_Entity_Void_of_mesh.jpg|400px|center|BasicEntity]]
+[[File:Entity_Helper_Link_name_is_spawn.jpg|frameless|600px|Entity Spawn Helper Link name details ]] [[File:Basic_Entity_Void_of_mesh.jpg|frameless|600px|Basic Entity with no mash assigned to it at all ]]<br />
 There seems to be indication that this later case can lead to unforeseen consequences - like the said entity to undergo state change upon nearby strong enough explosion during the game play - rendering the factory disabled until reload. This phenomena while well documented to occur seems to be ill understood and hard to avoid when using factories in this fashion. However it seems to be totally absent when the spawn helpers are embedded in the Factory mesh. There seems to be evidence that the mesh alone can be void of any other geometry aside the spawn helpers (examine the quad forward factory prefab).

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 == Factories ==
-For any factory to even exist or function in the level it has to have the '''Factory Entity''' to begin with.<br>
+For any factory to even exist or function in the level it has to have the '''Factory Entity''' to begin with.[[File:Factory_Void_of_mesh_team_tan_Use_Entity_true_Helper_spawn_VAI61_.jpg|400px|right|factory]]<br>
 This entity can optionally have an mesh assigned to it (the "model" property).<br>
 For said '''Entity''' to be usable at all it has to have at the very least the '''BuyArea''' defined ''and assigned'' to it.<br>
-Once said factory has ''a team'' assigned to it (by default '''property''' or by a designated '''Capture Point''') a player ''that is a member of that team'' can exchange c-bills for assets designated as available in that Factory.<br>
+[[File:Buy_Zone.jpg|400px|center|capture point]] [[File:Buy_Zone_Area_Shape_Link_Target.jpg|400px|right|capture link]]<br>
 For said assets, once paid for and built, to appear at all on the map/level, the factory has to have a helper, typically called "spawn" or "spawn<number>" designated and assigned to a '''Factory Slot'''.<br>
 Aforementioned Slot could potentially become crowded and further assets appearing in it could lead to damage, collisions or other unforeseen consequences - this is avoided by designating a '''Build Volume Trigger Area Shape''' that prevents further spawning of assets until vacated of any other similar entity. It lies upon the mapper to accordingly size and place the areas to help and facilitate those functions.
 Historically there was one more Area Shape/Volume to be designated: the Kill Volume. It's role was to vacate the build area of players so that it appears the build process is both deadly to watch and never seen. This function is regarded obsolete in the mapper community of this mod since long time now.<br>
@@ Line 16: / Line 18: @@
   The other option is to use '''Basic Entity''' or '''Geom Entity''' for the spawn helper. The corresponding tick box is to be set and the ''Link Name'' is to be set accordingly to the Factory Slot - the name of the entity is irrelevant in this case.
 There seems to be indication that this later case can lead to unforeseen consequences - like the said entity to undergo state change upon nearby strong enough explosion during the game play - rendering the factory disabled until reload. This phenomena while well documented to occur seems to be ill understood and hard to avoid when using factories in this fashion. However it seems to be totally absent when the spawn helpers are embedded in the Factory mesh. There seems to be evidence that the mesh alone can be void of any other geometry aside the spawn helpers (examine the quad forward factory prefab).

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 == Factories ==
-The base component of factories as concept is the area shape. A pair of them, at least, are used for each and every factory. Beside Area shapes, some factories require entities - usually Geom Entities - and those are just bad for game performance - it is highly recommended to enclose them in solids. Those solids can be painted invisible, so they can't be seen in game. Solids are simple and reliable but are simple and thus boring.<br>
-Good mappers use brushes where ever possible. Sometimes a brush behaves as non physical body (falls thru) and this strongly breaks the immersion. This occurs if it is scaled non uniformly across the X,Y and Z axis. Always take care to scale the body uniformly. If it can't be avoided use a solid to support that brush geometry. If the mappers can keep the numbers within reason,solids can make the level fail proof. Be careful not to over do, there are known examples where solids don't render properly any more.<br>
+For any factory to even exist or function in the level it has to have the '''Factory Entity''' to begin with.<br>
-GeomEntities are to be used even more sparingly, and only if it can't be avoided by any other way.
+This entity can optionally have an mesh assigned to it (the "model" property).<br>
 === Simple spawn point ===

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:21, 2 May 2020
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		+	{{ Stub }}
	Our game mod's strongly depends on building assets ranging from weapons to assault class war machines that fly or crawl across the battlefields of 31st century. To facilitate this we use factories across the map.		Our game mod's strongly depends on building assets ranging from weapons to assault class war machines that fly or crawl across the battlefields of 31st century. To facilitate this we use factories across the map.

@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 If the factory is set up correctly, an occupied slot will accept assets in the Queue but will not build until it is vacated. Once vacant, the build process will commence in the slot with the lowest number.<br>
 It is highly recommended to mark the production bays with the slot numbers designated.
 === Dropship forward factory ===

@@ Line 85: / Line 85: @@
 === Mobile buy zone (APC) ===
-In the buy zone of the APC one can by weapons and ammunition only.
+In the buy zone of the APC one can by infantry (BA) weapons and ammunition only.
 === Factory buy zones ===

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 # That same shape area's ID has to match the ID of the slot it represents in the factory parameter called '''VehicleAreaID'''
   For the game flow, it is of great importance that only vacant slots be filled by spawning assets. It preserves immersion, reduces odd events during game-play and is overall more aesthetically pleasing.
-If the factory is set up correctly, an occupied slot will accept assets in the Que but will not build until it is vacated. Once vacant, the build process will commence in the slot with the lowest number.<br>
+If the factory is set up correctly, an occupied slot will accept assets in the Queue but will not build until it is vacated. Once vacant, the build process will commence in the slot with the lowest number.<br>
 It is highly recommended to mark the production bays with the slot numbers designated.

@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 === Quad forward factory ===
 The same applies here as for the preceding factory, except that we have more slots available for building. For a slot to spawn an purchased asset, it has to have the helper defined. If the Vehicle area is defined in such a way, that the spawned asset is outside of it once spawned, the slot will be available for further production. For this to be avoided three things are to be taken care of:
-# The spawn slot is to be encircled with an Area shape reaching at least somewhat below the ground, so the spawned asset is completely shrouded by it
+# The spawn slot is to be encircled with an Area shape reaching at least somewhat below (one meter or less) the ground, so the spawned asset is completely shrouded by it
 # That same area shape has to be linked to the factory it belongs to (one way link)
 # That same shape area's ID has to match the ID of the slot it represents in the factory parameter called '''VehicleAreaID'''
   For the game flow, it is of great importance that only vacant slots be filled by spawning assets. It preserves immersion, reduces odd events during game-play and is overall more aesthetically pleasing.

@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 | Medium Surface Assets up to 65 tons
 |}
   For the 3d art to work properly, if designed in blender, an actual mesh is mandatory to be supplied alongside the helpers (an ''empty'' in blender), the helpers are usually named ''spawn01'' and onward. One helper has to bear the same name as the *.cgf file to be created. This ''empty'' is to be ''parent to all'' other objects of the file. The rest of the preparation is same as every other export from blender via the Collada plugin: have all objects in a group named as the *.cgf to be, assign the mesh(-es) an material and UV, no spaces allowed anywhere.