HPL1/Getting started

Getting started document

Warning: This stuff is old, mainly all 3D editing needs to be done in an editor version release at the time of the games creation in 2006/2007 and same goes for the Collada plugins. It will not work with modern releases.

Before you begin

• Remember that to work with the engine you will need experience with using a 3D editor, if you have none or little it is recommended you start learning one before trying to use the HPL engine.
• All game specific files that gives objects specific behavior is based on XML files, it's good to have some very basic knowledge of how XML files are structured and function.
• The HPL engine uses a C/C++ like script language called Angel Script, as such it is a good idea to have some basic programing experience, no more than having done an introduction course or similar is required.
• You must have a 3D Accelerator as the engine and editors rely heavily on those, Integrated graphics do not work.

What you need

1. Penumbra
2. Download The Tools
3. Prerequisite files in order to enable and use the Hud Object Editor program
4. Download .NET 1.1 and 2.0 should both work fine.
5. Notepad++ for scripting and editing the Entity and HUD files.
6. You will need COLLADA for your 3D editor. Get Maya here and 3DS Max here.
7. A 3D editor like Maya, 3D Studio or Blender.

Setup

1. Install Penumbra
2. Extract the tools archive, you should see the following files:
   • HplHelper.exe
   • HudObjectEditor.exe
   • ModelViewer.exe
   • ParticleEditor.exe
   • ParticleViewer.exe
   • SceneViewer.exe
3. Place all the files directly in the "penumbra install directory\redist" folder
4. Install .NET
5. Install a COLLADA import/export plugin for your 3D editor if it's not built-in
   • Make sure your editor is set to unit = meter
   • Make sure COLLADA is set to "export polygons as triangles" under export settings

Taking your first baby steps

1. Read through the HPL-Engine© Content Creation
2. Use the Tutorials to get the basic skills
3. Make your first level, make it really simple and create a basic scenario based on what you learned in the Tutorials
4. Look at the Penumbra levels, objects and scripts for reference, use the documentation as a lexicon and you should be OK.