Implementing 3D in RMXP

[xpace]

Surely, by now enough people have asked for 3D support to give it a modicum of seriousness? Even if many veterans to RPG Maker think the idea is rediculous, there are those of us who greatly desire such capability. I know that there are a lot of users who are of the opinion that incorporating 3D in RMXP is either pointless (as in "Why would you want to do that?!") or that it would create so much lag that it would not be playable. But I don't understand how so many are convinced it's impossible if they haven't tried it.

As for why, I'm sure it depends entirely on who you ask. Myself, I want to be able to combine some simple 3D scenes with the gorgeous front-view battle system of RMXP. I like the rapid development capable with the user-friendly RMXP Editor and some of us see no reason why we should not be able to combine elements of 2D with 3D if we so desire. And I really do not want to resort to something like Game Maker, DarkBasic, or writing from scratch in C++. (Why go to the trouble of reinventing the wheel when it's already been done many times over?)

For example, I want 3D to implement a true 3D map. The Mode 07 script that a lot of people talk about is amazing for what it does, but it can not do what I want. And, furthermore, it looks like the Mode 07 script is still in Beta and development stopped. The "World Mode" in Valkyrie Profile (PS1) is similar to what I want, particularly since it's 3D and uses a map instead of tiles.

I've read a few meantions on RMXP.org saying that 3D is possible and someone has done this. However, they do not elaborate at all and I can't seem to find such a thread.

 

[xpace]

BTW: Ruby already has some support for the OpenGL library, but apparently not by default.

[snip]...Maybe you should add the GL library (a.k.a. OpenGL) into your game (Yes, Ruby has it, but not by default).

Also, there exists both Ruby-based 3D engines and Ruby support for non-Ruby 3D engines. One example:

Irrlicht-Ruby Interface - Combines an easy to learn easy to read scripting language with an excellent 3d graphics engine

As RMXP uses RGSS, which is a dialect of Ruby, why wouldn't this work?

That said, Irrlicht is a bleeding edge, hardware intensive engine. So I imagine even if what I propose is possible then the framerate might be very low. Perhaps it's possible to reduce/disable most of the advanced features (such as Vertex and pixel shaders) and reduce the resolution to 640 x 480 in order to get a decent framerate? That, and use low resolution textures and limit the polygon count.

Like Valkyrie Profile, my game would have a separete "World Mode" that can be navigated and destinations chosen. That way, RMXP would only be directly involved after the World Mode ends. Instead of attempting to imbed the menus and user interface of RMXP in this World Mode, I was thinking of creating a seperate interface and menu system outside of RMXP. By having the 3D engine mostly isolated I was thinking this might increase the framerate and reduce lag.

This is taken out of context, but I think it still applies:

I just realised/remembered, they put the limits so that it doesn't take up too much data, no limits, and a freaking huge game = OMG LAG!!!!

Not really, what lags is what is processed at once (meaning, all events and resources used at the same time) so having no limits for number of maps for example, will only risk having a large filesize, but no lag.

Even if what I suggest would create unsatisfactory lag or a low framerate, I think there are a few ways around that. For example, even if Ruby can't render 3D with any decent framerate, it should be enough to render one frame at a time. This would be perfect for some applications, such as when a still-image 3D event is desired or where 3D gameplay is entirely turn-based.

 

[arev]

xpace, I'm not sure if you're familiar with this thing here: http://rapidshare.com/files/93182606/3DengineV5.rar
It's a 3D engine made with RMXP. But, as expected, its usability is next to none. The problem with things like is the RGSS player (the Game.exe file). It's just to weak to handle operations like that. Maybe someone will try to do something with RMVX, but it's best for you to find something else for 3D games

edit: poccil, 3D != OpenGL, there are other ways to do it, only OpenGL does it a lot better.

 

[poccil]

[The 3D engine's] usability is next to none.

Definitely seeing as, looking at the source code, the "3D" engine is not really 3D; it's actually 2D with multiple texture sprites -- no OpenGL was used.

<<  When I mentioned OpenGL, it was only an example.  What I meant was that the 3D engine given is less a library of 3D functions than it is a set of three applications utilizing a 3D appearance, where the techniques are largely nontrivial and difficult to reuse (for example, generating the tiny pieces of a texture within the Textures folders within Graphics/Pictures).  >>

 

[xpace]

xpace, I'm not sure if you're familiar with this thing here: http://rapidshare.com/files/93182606/3DengineV5.rar
It's a 3D engine made with RMXP. But, as expected, its usability is next to none. The problem with things like is the RGSS player (the Game.exe file). It's just to weak to handle operations like that.

Hey, thanks! But is there a thread on RMXP that discusses this project? I'd really like to read more about it as I think I would learn more than by studying the engine itself.

Maybe someone will try to do something with RMVX, but it's best for you to find something else for 3D games

I know you're just trying to be helpful here. But as I explained I wanted to try to use 3D in RMXP if at all possible. I'm aiming for a type of game that purposely blends some 3D environments with 2D sprites and a 2D battle system. (I think my approach will be unique, unlike all the other RPG games out there.) RMXP already has much of what I'm looking for (except for 3D) and I believe using it would save me a whole lot of time and headache versus writing my game from scratch.

 

[arev]

Here's the topic, xpace: http://www.rmxp.org/forums/index.php?topic=13530.0