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Dimension 3 (or Dim3) is a 3D game engine for Mac OS X, created by Brian Barnes. Dim3 is free and open source, and aims to give developers of any ability a free and open source engine to create a wide range of games. It utilizes the javascript and XML languages for development.
Strengths The core design of Dim3 is to enable even an inexperienced person the ability to create 3D games on a Mac for Mac or Windows users. Dim3 utilizes JavaScript as the scripting language, and uses XML for Map and Model data. A community forum exist that is open to anyone, and allows Dim3 users to talk about Dim3, find fixes for bugs, submit version request, or just show off their games.
Weaknesses Dim3 is a constantly changing and evolving game engine. Since there is only one programmer working on Dim3, the man who actually created it, it lacks advanced features found in large scale, commercial game engines, such as Ragdoll physics, soft body physics, advanced collision detection, Self-shadowing and full-screen shader effects.
Components Dim3 comes as five separate components.
* The Engine * The Data folder * The Editor * The Animator * The Server
Engine
The engine is the backbone that runs the games and is currently available for Mac, Microsoft Windows and Linux.
Data folder The data folder contains all the components of a game like textures, models, maps and scripts, as well as sounds and movies.
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Editor
The editor is used to create maps. Maps are made of floors, walls and ceilings and can contain water, lights, sounds and script spots. Script spots are locations that are linked to scripts, and can be used for objects bots, player spots or items, depending on the script linked to them. Map creation is sped up through custom primitives; basic commonly used shapes. Maps can also be made in any 3d program, and imported as an obj. The Editor also supports map creation from heightmaps, and also includes a random map generator, which creates a simple indoor map.
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Animator
The animator is used to import and animate models like characters, weapons, enemies, and most other objects in a game. The animator has an limit of 8000 polygons per mesh. Imported models are given bones, by assigning them to a series of vertices. Bones are arranged in poses, which are keyframed/tweened in sequences to form animations. The animator can also create particles and other visual effects.
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The Server
The server is used to host network games on a local network or the internet. The map and game type can be changed from the server interface. The server also logs all messages and events during an online game.
The Demo Game
A demonstration 'game' is included with the package. While not a game in itself, it shows off aspects of the engine and scripting, and includes examples useful to inexperienced users. Attempts have been made by the community to create a full game to show off the engine, though as yet nothing has come of it.
Games using the Dim3 Engine Finished games:
* a futuristic FPS * a Multiplayer FPS * a space FPS * a racing game * [http://web.mac.com/mkjonathan/iWeb/Durandalski%27s%20games/Gangsta%20Clash.html Gangsta Clash] a Multiplayer FPS * a FPS about fighting viruses *
Games currently in development: * Marathon fangame(in dev) * FPS (in dev)
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