1  |   Order by index

Dec 8, 1999, 10:16pm

I finaly got my vc++ bot to work thanx to byte me's page
http://www.awcommunity.org/awbot
But I was wondering how do I make vc++ bots reaspond to a chat measage I
tried the c command but it came up with errors, how do I make a gui
interface, how do I make my bot roam around, how do I make my bot act like a
tornado, and how can I make a bot that shoots missles in world from differnt
places to set coords??

Dec 8, 1999, 11:29pm

> I finaly got my vc++ bot to work thanx to byte me's page
> http://www.awcommunity.org/awbot
> But I was wondering how do I make vc++ bots reaspond to a chat measage I
> tried the c command but it came up with errors, how do I make a gui
> interface, how do I make my bot roam around, how do I make my bot act like a
> tornado, and how can I make a bot that shoots missles in world from differnt
> places to set coords??

Are we a bit ambitious? ;-)

* Chat messages . . .

Simply use the AW_EVENT_CHAT event. (From the SDK documentation...)

====
static char* char_type[] = { "said", "broadcasted", "whispered" };

void chat( void )
{
printf( "%s %s %s\n", aw_string( AW_AVATAR_NAME ),
chat_type[ aw_int( AW_CHAT_TYPE ) ],
aw_string( AW_CHAT_MESSAGE ) );
}

. . .

aw_event_set( AW_EVENT_CHAT_, chat );

. . .
====

* Graphic User Interface . . .

You have several options:

+ Writing directly to video memory, draw your own interface
+ With Windows GDI functions, draw your own interface
+ Using the Windows API, let Windows draw your interface
+ Using MFC, let Windows draw your interface

Options one and two are really jokes. Unless you are using DirectX, you
will be better off using the Windows API or MFC. Both of them are quite
confusing. You will probably spend 80% of your time debugging windowing
problems and 20% on actual logic/algorithmic problems. If a graphical
interface is really important, I would suggest a new alternative:

+ Use VB.

VisualBASIC has progressed to the point where is CAN compete with programs
written in C/C++. With "Native Code Compilation" options, VB programs can
run just as fast as C/C++ programs. Designing graphical interfaces is much
easier in VB. If you really need a GUI and don't want to waste time with
debugging, go with VB. If you don't care how long it takes to write your
program, VC is still a good choice. You will find you have greater control
over Windows API when you use VC, but with that control adds a great amount
of complexity.

The choice is more about which language are you more comfortable with.

* Roaming (Grazing ?) Bots . . .

This depends greatly on the desired complexity of the "roaming" algorithm.
There are many existing algorithms out there that will simulate "roaming."
I added "Grazing" as there was a program/algorithm that basically added
virtual "grass" (food) to a world. The virtual "cow/sheep" would then be
instructed to eat. As it got full, it wouldn't search for food as much.
I'm not sure where you could get the source code (if there was any). But
this algorithm isn't too difficult to implement.

Take a look at what the people did who did "The Phantom Menace". Before the
pod race, all of the people (from the aerial shots) were CG'ed. They made
algorithms to have people running/walking. Sometimes a person would become
"attached" to another and they would walk together (like they were talking
or something). It's an interesting approach. (BTW, this is for the people
on the ground. The people in the stands were multi-colored "Q-tips" being
blown by a hair dryer. ;-)

* Not Twister again?! . . .

Enjoy trying to do this one. Basically this ALSO depends on the desired
complexity. I would suggest you look at a particle simulator for the best
effect. Realize that there has been a lot of research on figuring out what
makes a tornado do its thing. Do a little research before you just program
any old algorithm.

NOTE: I want to see this when you get it done. :-)

* Missiles?! I'm staying out of YOUR world! . . .

I don't enjoy being blown to bits, but some people do. ;-)

This AGAIN depends on the desired complexity. Trajectory calculations are
needed for proper flight paths of the missiles. There's not much more that
I can say, because it depends on what effect you going for.

* Done. I think . . .

It's truly great that you are wanting to do so much. To make it easier for
you, try not to do them all at the same time. Pick one and try to perfect
it. Then as you get stuck or get tired of it, move on to another.

For reference, you will want to look at the AW_EVENT_OBJECT_* events and
then the aw_object_* methods. You will be needing most of them for doing
object modification.

Good luck.


====
Aaron Hill (Redmond, Wash.)
Electronic Mail: serac at lightmail.com
IRC Nickname: serac (on EF-Net)
ICQ UIN: 46803963
ActiveWorlds
Citizenship: serac

1  |   Order by index