ParticlesMAX

For my new game I need lots of effects and after getting tired of creating it in code, I decided to create a visual particle effects editor. Yes, there are loads out there, but I want to use my own engine and build up a library of effects. I've been delving into wxMAX, and this is what I came up with:



Basically, the workflow is:
1. add image(s)
2. create particle, add image to that, set behaviour
3. create spawner, add particle to that, set behaviour
4. create emitter, add spawner(s) to that, set behaviour
5. see it run in the editor
6. add emitters to a project, export .csv config file
7. import .csv in game engine, see it run in-game (not included)

The cool thing about is is that I am able to build up a library of effects, which can be re-used or combined into new effects.

You can download a BETA version of the editor from here: http://members.home.nl/wdw/files/ParticlesMAX01.zip
Extract it with folders intact. Maybe you can break the editor (perfectly possible) or maybe you can make a suggestion on how to make it better. I'm planning to add:

1. emitter appearance (show something at origin point)
2. spawner appearance ^^
3. more spawn styles
4. more particle images

It's BETA, so some things don't work. For instance, only Oval spawners can run for now...

Quick hints:
Ctrl-A to spawn you current selection into the engine
Ctrl-Q to clear the engine

Ooooh. Nice! :-)

Still having issues resizing the canvas?


Any chance of a non-Windows version? ;-)

Thanks =] Yes, resizing the windows shows that that the canvas viewport or something does not move with. I'm not sure.

non-windows? I only use windows. It's my private internal dev tool, unless there is a need for this, I guess. But there are already so many particle editors out there.

Are you releasing the particle library too?

And I don't :-p

Oh well, I thought I would ask anyway.

Well, if I release the editor when it's ready, I must include the engine as well.



I'm not saying that it's not going to happen. If I release it I can release the source as well. We'll see. Focus for me is now to add the stuff I think I will need for my new game.

thanks

is it 2d?

Yup, it's 2d, cos that is what I'm working on at the moment. It could easily be extended to 3d though.

It's the big bang by Wiebo!

Looks quite user-friendly.

All my users agree! < (me)

Looking good. You got used to wxmax pretty quick :)

Thanks. It was a high learning curve, not just the style of how wxmax is build but also getting to know the documentation. But the property grid alone is worth it!!

Hey I love this. Just added 15000 particles and ended up with a very nice effect. Well done!

I've managed to crash it couple of times as well - but not sure how I did it in each case.

I'm probably doing something stupid here, but I don't see anything when I select "Play" on anything in the library. The FPS counter is active (toggles between 31 and 32), but I don't see any particle FX.

What am I missing?

Thanks.

right click on the item you want to show and choose add to engine or something like this.

oh it would be cool if you could replicate it!

15000 particles sounds like fun. I went to 3000 and stopped, cos I'll never need it in the game I guess. But I have not hard-coded a limit to the editor, but I probably should. Thanks.


Yes, or press CTRL-A, and CTRL-Q to turn the engine on or off.

This looks Rad. I was going to make on for my next game, but maybe I can use this.

That's why I'll never get my tools out the door. I don't have any gui's, editor's for them. bummer... :( This looks great btw! :)

To crash I:

Create a few smokey fires
Run
Spawner->Angle->Change over time
Crash

(XP)

Ah thanks DavidDC, I'll check it out.

MGE: I'm always spending way too much time on my own editors :) But what can I say? I like making them and not having polish irritates me to no end!

Grey: I will release this editor to the public once it's done, but there is no ETA really.

Cool. I look forward to checking it out.