What is Torque3D?

What is Torque 3D?

Torque 3D was created by GarageGames to make the development of games easier, faster, and more affordable. It is a professional Software Development Kit (“SDK”) that will save you the effort required to build a rendering system, high speed multiplayer networking, real time editors, a scripting system, and much more.

As part of Torque 3D, you receive full access to 100% of our engine source code. This means that you can add to, alter, or optimize any component of the engine down to the lowest level C++ rendering calls. That being said, you don’t need to be an experienced C++ programmer to use Torque 3D. In fact, you do not need to know C++ at all. Using TorqueScript and the collection of tools that are included with Torque 3D, you can build complete games (of many different genres) without ever touching a single line of C++ code.

To understand the basics of how the engine is setup and the tools available, a short reference is included below. Further sections in the documentation explain these tools in more depth.

System Requirements

  • WindowsPC Windows 7/8.1/10
  • MAC 2011+ models (not Intel HD 3000)
  • Linux Tested on Ubuntu 16.04, 18.04
  • Processor: 1.6 GHz Processor or better
  • Memory: Win7+ 2GB RAM
  • DirectX�: 11, Shader 3.0 supported
  • OpenGL: 3.x + ARB Extensions/4.1 Core
  • Min GPU: Nvidia 500 series or better, AMD Radeon 5000 series or better, Intel HD Graphics 4000 or better

The Engine

The engine handles all of the elements of a game that run in real time on your computer. The Torque 3D engine is written entirely in C++ and is fully accessible to you as a developer. This means you have access to the inner workings of the code to customize it for your needs. The end result is that Torque 3D allows developers to add functionality, increase optimization, and learn how everything works. Alternatively, you can build a game from scratch to release without delving into the source code. The choice of how to develop your game is up to you.

For example, if you wish to add MYSQL database functionality or integrate the Havok SDK to enhance your game, those paths are open to you. Another benefit of source code access is the ability to read through the comments and data structures to gain a better understanding of how the entire system is set up.

Do not be intimidated. This documentation will show you how to create games without touching the source code at all. There is no need to start working with the engine’s C++ code until you feel comfortable. In the meantime, you can get going with Torque 3D right away!

TorqueScript

Much of your game play logic, camera controls, and user interface will be written in TorqueScript. It is a powerful and flexible scripting language with syntax similar to C++. The key benefit of TorqueScript is that you do not need to be a code guru or know the nitty-gritty specifics of a particular language like C++. If you are already familiar with basic programming concepts, you will have a head start on building your own game.

Another benefit of using TorqueScript, as opposed to editing the engine’s underlying C++ source code, is that you do not have to recompile your executable to see changes in your game. You simply create or modify a script, save, and then run the game from the Toolbox.

There are several TorqueScript articles for new developers that will help you learn the syntax, functionality, and how to use the language with the engine and editors.

Editors

Learning to work with Torque 3D editors is a large part of your initial experience. The key is to remember that the editors work in real-time and are WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). When you use the editors to modify your level, you will see the changes immediately in the game.

World Editor - The World Editor is a tool that will help you assemble your game levels. With this tool, you will add and position terrain, game objects, models, environmental effects, lighting, and more.

GUI Editor - GUI stands for Graphical User Interface. Some examples of GUIs include: splash screens, your main menu, options dialogs and in game Heads Up Displays (“HUDs”). With the GUI Editor, you can design and create your menus, player inventory system, health bars, loading screens, and so on.

The Asset Pipeline

You would not have much of a game without models, textures, and other art assets. For Torque 3D, the preferred file format for 3D art assets is COLLADA.

From the COLLADA website: “COLLADA is a COLLAborative Design Activity for establishing an open standard digital asset schema for interactive 3D applications.” In-other-words, it is a 3D model file format supported by most major art applications used to make content for games. You can create a model in 3D Studio Max, Maya, Blender, or any other 3D editor that supports the COLLADA format.

For those of you familiar with previous Torque engines, you can still import DTS (static models) and DSQ (animation data) files for your 3D objects. This includes static shapes, players, buildings, and props. If you already have a library of DTS and DSQs, feel free to use them in Torque 3D. From this point on, we recommend you transition to the COLLADA open standard for new art assets.