This document will be the closing capture statement of the Concept Development Phase. Requires customer approval.
Most 3d modeling programs export in the FBX format. There exists an SDK for loading this file into a program. The idea is to create software written in c++ to load and display the file contents in openGL. Down the road, we can convert the openGL code over to DirectX. This will allow for easy support of any kind of 3d modeling to be displayed within a game.
Make it easy for 3d modelers to go from their 3d modeling program into the game.
This will make the transition from the 3d modeling program to the game engine easier. Easier means less time fidiling with the unnecissary and working on what you truely want to work on.
Try and support all of the functionality of the 3d modeling program. Mesh, Animation, Texture mapping, Bump mapping, Displacement mapping, Lights, Cameras, and possibly particles.
3d modelers.
Any machine that can run the fbx SDK.
This is pure research for that I have never created something like this before. Also, the FBX SDK is unknown as well. The FBX SDK's documentation is not that good either.
Most game development studios create in-house software that only works for their needs. Also, most of them limit the features you can use to create the 3d models.
The skills need to work this project are: C++, FBX SDK, OpenGL, 3d modeling (3ds Max), and a general understanding of what a 3d game engine needs to display this content.
The timeline is unknown due to the lack of knowledge across the entire concept of this project. The other limiting factor is that this will be created in my free time.
Create a FBX Importer so that I can have 3d models in my game engine.