What do I need to make a 3d proggie

Engines, Libraries and Tools Java 3D
#1

What do I need to make a 3d game in Java?

What I have:

Java 1.4
3d Studio Max 4
Photoshop
Milk Shape
Ambition

Is there anything I’m missing?

#2

Only Java3D - don’t forget to check the collateral page for the sun tutorials, javadocs and other handy stuff.

#3

Yeah, Java3D isn’t part of the “standard” install of JDK1.4, so if you want to write Java3D applications you’ll need to download it as well.

How proficient are you at Java programming? You may find the Java tutorial at java.sun.com useful.

Depending on exactly what you’re intending to do, there may be other things you need to acquire - maybe you’ll want to use JMF or a different widget library or a different 3D API. Take a look at other people’s games and see what they’re using. However, with a 3D API (like Java3D, LWJGL, jPCT etc) and the 1.4 JDK you’ve got everything essential. Being able to create 3D models in 3DSMax or MS3D, and a decent 2D graphics program are both a bonus.

#4

Oh, you’ll also need some free time and patience! ;D

#5

You need two things:

Java programming knowledge (tutorial on suns website)
Have this book on your shelf: “Real-time Rendering, 2nd. edition” by Tomas Akenine-Möller

#6

While Real-time rendering is an excelent book, “Computer graphics, principles and practice” by Foley, Van Dam et al is probably a better book for a beginner.

#7

choke For a beginner? :o :wink:

I agree that CGP&P is a fantastic book, but it’s a bit hardcore if you just want to write something in 3D isn’t it?

However, I don’t know “Real-Time Rendering” - is that even harder-core?

#8

[quote]choke For a beginner? :o :wink:

I agree that CGP&P is a fantastic book, but it’s a bit hardcore if you just want to write something in 3D isn’t it?

However, I don’t know “Real-Time Rendering” - is that even harder-core?
[/quote]
Real-time rendering is MUCH easier to read. And you dont need the information in CGP&P to write 3D programs in Java. Its way to teoretical and low-level. It also simply dont have the info you need for doing a decent 3D program today. Its filled with lots of info you need if you want to make your own API though. But hey we have Java3D and “real-time rendering” is ideal for this level.

The second book should be “Level of Detail for 3D graphics”. Buts its quite a bit more advanced concepts, you need the basics from RTR to read it.