I definitely agree with the idea that there should be separate divisions for OpenGL, DirectX, and software. Or, at least a separate division for software.

You can certainly use your existing code.

The only restriction on the code will be that you make it open to everyone to learn from.

And yes, I think two divisions for Accelerated and Software is a good idea.

Do we really need to divide up DX/OGL? I dont want this to degenerate into an api slagging match...

_________________________________
I used to be indecisive. Now I''m not so sure...

Heres the way i think it should work

one set of World/Level, Model, Sould, and they be releast at like 1 or 2 week intorvils.
there be 4 groups, DX/OGL/Software/2 or more(e.g SoftWare and DX or OGL)

time frame about 10 to 14 weeks

and the one q i have is, dose all the code hafto be open???

-VBLimits
Sorry about the Spelling..

I tentatively say:

yes.


It should all have to be open. However, I''m open to persuasion on the subject. The whole point is to share the knowledge.

But like I say, if people provide a good argument...

I for one would be a far less happy/competent coder if NeHe decided to keep his code to himself.



_________________________________
I used to be indecisive. Now I''m not so sure...

I fell I should support Khrob here:

ALL the code should be freely available - what does anyone have to hide?

Perhaps however, I should question why there should be a different category for software rendering. I feel there certainly shouldn''t be categories for OGL and DX - what''s the point??? The aim of the challenge is to produce an innovative 3D engine this can be done by any means you feel appropriate. I personally feel that a software renderer would not be as good as a hardware accelerated API.

I have some copy Right stuff on some of the code i would like to use, but if its all open i cant (with out voiding my copy right that is)

there should be at lest 2 catagorys becouse soft where woudent have much of a change agens a DX HAL app (if its done right), or if you but a Software app up agenst OGL it would still suck

umm i am still not sure what the Models are going to be stared in??
MD2, MD3, x, obj,...,???



-VBLimits
Sorry about the Spelling..

hi,

Will you supply things like texture maps as well? and a list of lights in the level, a default starting point, etc.

Does sound/music lay a part, or is it just a graphics challenge?

Quite importantly, can things be added to the level (not geometry, that should be left alone), such as items, fog patches, particles, etc.

I think it''s a great idea btw. I should be free in July or August.

My thoughts on the rules so far -

1. Source should be open.
2. Data should be in an unprocessed format, not necessarily just triangles, but polygons and/or curved surfaces too.
3. The staggered data release dates is a good idea as well, with level geometry supplied at the start, then models halfway through (or the other way around).
4. Scripting might be pushing it for a two week challenge, unless an example of the script format is published sometime before.

Dan

Hi All


Ok just some of my current thoughts, I like the idea of separate sections for software and hardware entrants. I don’t think that there needs to be any separate sections between OpenGL and DX, after all the results you get from using either API are not as drastically different as from software to hardware.

I Still do think if there are prises on offer (and maybe if there are not, we should try to be fair after all) then there needs to be some type of starting point, a base code would be a good idea in principal. But the compilers and coding styles of us all are well, too different to let this idea be practical. I cant really think of a way that will be totally full proof to be fair maybe we should have Beginner Intermediate and Advanced and just trust that people will be honest. I personally don’t think that anyone that takes the time to learn and produce 3D Engine code would cheat. Maybe I am a little to trusting.

The idea of letting models, levels etc etc etc, out a piece at a time is a nice idea cool. O Please Please Please Make the level / levels and models etc nice and original Quake is not the be all and end all. But a quake type level is quite handy for a software engine (I can’t be bothered explaining why (way to tired) but some of you will get what I mean)

Lastly I think the idea of getting a programming God / Legend / Guru to judge is cool.


Hay Khrob good luck with this project it should be exciting.



3DG

May We All Live In Interesting Times,


Edited by - 3DG on May 2, 2001 7:46:42 PM

Ok - but how do you define "Beginner", "Intermediate" and "Advanced"???

I guess that would be up to us to decide. Of course we would have to be honest. For example, I would enter myself in the Beginner category because I have been programming for just over a year, and have had limited experience with D3DIM7 and DX8.