WorldBuilder, Code, etc....

[Antessima]

I am wondering if, perchance, anybody happens to have the install file for worldbuilder offline or on another site, so that I can get it and actually start learning how to build with it, instead of thinking of crazy ideas and forgetting them because I have nothing to do with them.

Also, um, without trying to sound foolish or stupid or such (it comes naturally), where/how might I learn the lower-level building code (i.e., what you use if you are masochistic and choose to build zones using notepad)? If that question doesn't make sense, think of it like this: you can use Visual Basic to make a program (i.e., WorldBuilder), or you can buy the book and write your Visual Basic program using Notepad instead, which allows you, alternatively, to use a notepad for writing the code I am that kind of person that I enjoy the actual nitty-gritty stuff like that.

So, if anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.

- Charles

[Arizhel]

There's several files you'd need to generate with it.

.obj -- items
.wld -- rooms
.mob -- mobs
.zon -- zone (this is where the loading commands and such gets stored)
.shp -- shops (not necessary, worldbuilder doesn't actually do this yet)

The complete instructions for zonebuilding can be found in our builder docs. The website is down atm, but I think I have a copy floating around if anyone wants it emailed to them. Just send me a private message with your email address.

Honestly, I think everyone that wants to build a zone should learn how to edit it manually. Worldbuilder is a wonderful tool, but some changes are just easier to make by hand. It's also easier to work on a zone if you know exactly how it functions, rather than just kind of having a fuzzy idea. It helps you detect the problem if something should go wrong.

Don't hesitate to ask if you run up against something that completely boggles your mind! Sometimes the solution is very very simple, but is just something you wouldn't think of.

[Ciara]

For people who have never built a zone before, I suggest atleast starting with the Worldbuilder. Do a *small* zone, 25 or 30 rooms, so as not to overwhelm yourself and we can always add onto zones. Use the Worldbuilder and when you're done, generate the code and look at the output files. If you've never built before, knowing what flags go where and when you need a tilde at the end of a line or by itself on a new line is difficult and often times frustrating.

As a side note, the sooner a zone proposal is submitted, the sooner I can assign a brand new builder to someone who's more experienced for mentoring. Work closely with the person I assign you -- they'll be able to help you with stylistic things such as not telling the reader how they feel in a room but using descriptions to show them what they see and let them decide how they feel (more specifically don't say "You are terrified here." but describe the terror and let them feel it.) Your mentor will also be experienced with looking at the code and making sure it works as well as helping you create mobs and objects that are appropriate for the zone level. They will be a valuable resource for you.

[Antessima]

Very helpful advice, thanks! And Arizhel, YHPM Wow, I haven't used that phrase since my good ol' days on the Ars boards. Err, wait, maybe it was Anandtech. Both were good for the absolute computer geek that I was

[pixie]

Steppin used to? maybe still does have the code for sp on his web site, you might try there for a peek at working code, tildes and all..

[Antessima]

Okay, another question:

I have more or less figured out how to create items and mobs, as it is quite simple once you learn the code structure. However, try as I might, I cannot figure out just how one creates rooms in Worldbuilder, or matches items to mobs and mobs to rooms. Anyone care to lend some tutelage? If you want to chide my foolishness directly, you can clicky on me AIM linky, or just post here. Ya know.

- Charles

[Antessima]

Ya know, it's funny, I opened Worldbuilder before I read your reply, and just out of frustration started clicking aimlessly, when *wham* there's the new room dialog, with a section for placing mobs and items in the room. neat, huh? Thanks for the advice, too: I have just discovered how painstaking it is to write room descriptions *plus* exit descriptions for each exit in every room. So painful, indeed!

[ProtoClown]

Attaching objects, mobs, and etc to rooms is the "job" of the zone file. Farbekieg is absolutely correct about where you go to do these things in WB, and that WB is buggy about deleting such things.

But since the zone file's abilities are so much greater than what is currently a hassle to accomplish with WB, I really suggest you take the time to learn zone file commands (if you're going to write areas), and then hand-code them. Just sit down with a printout of your mob, obj, and world files (for VNUM reference) and type out who loads what, where, and how. Pretty simple.

However, the one bit of the zone file I suggest people let WB handle is the closing and locking of doors. You set this part up when you're defiining a room's exits in WB. Coding in this is a pain in the ass (since you want to close both sides of the door, make sure the same key will unlock each side; etc), so let WB help you out here. Note you still need to be able to read the cryptic door zone commands, since you might one day want to make the locking or closing of a door contingent on some other load event (and thus you'd have to move and change the correct lines of code).

[Antessima]

Yeah, I've already begun a small zone, hence how I know how painful exits can be. I'm feverish now to get the actual code memorized, because having to alternate between mouse and keyboard is probably the most inconvenient task I can think of when it comes to computers

Thanks for all your advice, guys, and Proto, when are you gonna tell me what you thought of those mob descs I sent you? You've apparently ignored me twice on AIM, and never replied to my email. Were they that bad?

[Arizhel]

Something to keep in mind about WB's exits:

Up and down are reversed.

I had to go through Arcadia and fix all of the up/down exits to the correct numbers.

Not sure if this is fixed in the updated version, I haven't gotten around to downloading it yet.

Honestly, if you see me on, feel free to drop me a tell if you have questions. (once the game is back, that is! *crosses fingers*) It's pretty easy once you get the hang of looking at the code, though the little tildes can be a pain in the butt. Just ask Ciara about my issues with them.

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I'd be happy to proof mob descs and give input on zone concepts as well, if you'd like such before sending in a proposal to the Uber-Goddess of Zone.

[Antessima]

Thank you for that generous offer of assistance I will certainly take you up on that, for my first thought for a zone is original, yet cheesy, so perhaps a bit of insight from a somewhat-more-level mind would be of great aid.

[ProtoClown]

Antessima said:

Yeah, I've already begun a small zone, hence how I know how painful exits can be. I'm feverish now to get the actual code memorized, because having to alternate between mouse and keyboard is probably the most inconvenient task I can think of when it comes to computers

Thanks for all your advice, guys, and Proto, when are you gonna tell me what you thought of those mob descs I sent you? You've apparently ignored me twice on AIM, and never replied to my email. Were they that bad?

1) The descriptions you sent me were excellent, and you said you'd be on the road for a while, so I never got around to sending you a "hey, this rocks" reply...
2) I get over 1200 mail messages a month, not counting spam. Stuff gets lost in the piles... (I was actually kind of hoping I'd get another email message from you, so I could filter all my old mail to find your descriptions.)
3) I have my AIM account set to decline messages from anyone not already on my buddy list, so make sure to email me your screenname before trying to contact me. (Sorry, it's the only way I could filter the aimbots.) I'll be glad to add you, though!

That said, I'm really sorry I didn't get back to you, dude. Send me anything else you have!

NOTE: This week is BAD! BAD BAD BAD! Don't expect any reply this week: finals week; papers due; students to be reassured; must turn in my grade sheets; stress; madness; badger; badger; badger; badger; snake! SNAKE!!! OH IT'S A SNAKE!

On a happy note, this is my last semester of coursework before taking my Ph.D. prelim exams.

Oh, and up/down are still reversed in the version of WB available before the server went down. I think this is just an evil test to see if builders are reading their code! MUAHAHAHAHA!

Back to paper writing I go. ABANDON ALL HOPE, YEA WHO ENTER HERE...