A couple of weeks have gone by, and I haven't had as much time to spare on my project as I would have wanted to. Anyway, I have still managed to make some progress, and here is out it went :
As said in the previous entry, my aim was to implement a modular graphical renderer/handler, which could handle both SFML and OpenGL (my main renderers), but also allow the developer to seamlessly code another renderer (based on Direct3D for example, or any other rendering library), and plug it in the engine, via a DLL.
For the moment, I have set up the abstract renderer class, as well as the basic types (Sprites, Animated Sprites, and Text), and have created my own SFML/OpenGL renderer to demonstrate the principle, and fortunately it works!!
I have also worked on data abstraction of objects, visuals etc, and making the engine as modular and independant as possible, to allow myself (or someone else) to be able to use the engine for another game, without having to delete all my game-related code.
Finally, the rest of my time has been spent on solving glitches, adding more features to existing components, and improving the engine's architecture.
So what's new ?
Enough with that, here is a quick summary of my progress for this dev diary :
- Implementation of a modular graphical renderer (or should I say framework )
- Implementation of an abstract object manager, to handle all the games assets.
- Tweaks in the engine's architecture, making it easier to use, and less dependant of the various components.
What's next ?
In the near future, here is a list of what I am aiming to achieve :
- Fully working SFML/OpenGL graphical renderer, and rendering pipeline
- Fully working objects systems, allowing users to add either assets, or external modules to their game, without having to sneak into the engine's structure.
- Working input system following the same design as the renderers, meaning modular, and independant.
- Working audio system, again modular.
Unfortunately, I have no pictures to illustrate my progress, as it is mainly internal to the game's engine, and thus visible, but I did manage to find a video of the early prototype, and thought I might post it here.
Hope you enjoy it !!
