Interested in working on Construct Classic?

Since we started work on Construct 2, we've turned over development of 'Classic', formerly '0.x', to the community. That means we are happy to grant SVN access to the source code to any developers interested in keeping it going.

We have also set up a new hidden forum for Construct Classic developers to discuss changes, post updates and so on. We use a hidden one because sometimes difficult decisions must be made, and it's best they're made in private. It also makes life easier for the developers, who aren't pressured in to providing certain fixes, or pushing out updates prematurely from user demand. In other words, it just works better having a hidden forum.

If you're interested in working on Classic, which is a large and complex C++ software application, let me know here, or send me a PM. I can grant you SVN access and add you to the developers forum.

Thanks and if you have any questions feel free to ask!

im really interested in working on it but im more the "still learning" then "il do something smart" person...

You could always have a go at making some plugins with the C++ SDK - that's a good way to get started and learning how Construct is programmed.

Ashley

As far as preparing oneself by making plugs goes, how closely related do you feel the C2 exe plug sdk will be related to the one for C0.xx?

And wouldn't it be good practice for then as well?

This is one of the moments where I regret, that I never got used to C++. I have programming skills, the will to solve problems and a long experience with (oop)BASIC and several script tools. But whenever I try C++, I see all that overhead. VS Express is so bloated. It takes so long to start, there are so many files to create and I always wonder, what that editor expects from me. Compared to something like Real Studio or just Notepad to start Python, it just discourages me.

I really hope there will be dozens of C++-skilled people interested in further development of 0.x

I really do

Once you start using VS, you really do understand what an amazing piece of software it is. I wouldn't say VS is bloated, but for starting out there certainly are a lot of features that are hard to get to grips with.

It's never too late to start learning as well! Learning is good fun and rewarding

This is one of the moments where I regret, that I never got used to C++. I have programming skills, the will to solve problems and a long experience with (oop)BASIC and several script tools. But whenever I try C++, I see all that overhead. VS Express is so bloated. It takes so long to start, there are so many files to create and I always wonder, what that editor expects from me. Compared to something like Real Studio or just Notepad to start Python, it just discourages me.

I really hope there will be dozens of C++-skilled people interested in further development of 0.x

I really do

hey tulamide

I know there are alot of neighsayers

^_^

, but i happen to love VS. maybe it's not the only one that does this, but it's the main thing I've used since I started in modern languages, and so it's the only one I've used, but some things it does are just so useful.

If there is a function I wrote somewhere and I see it somewhere, and I need to doublecheck and make sure I didn't screw something up - rightclick - go to definition.

Maybe it's a function buried somewhere deep in some obscure construct IDE c++ file, instantly opens the file and takes me there.

Used a variable or function a few times, and now you realized everywhere you used it, you want to add something else? right click - find all references, and it brings up a list of places you can double click on to be transported there.

Beautiful find/replace that let's you replace all in selected text, currently open document, all open documents, entire project, or entire solution.

When you get that 80 mile list of errors the first time you try to compile your master piece, double click on each error to be transported to that line of code.

As you press the :: or . or -> to access the members of a class, or struct, it brings up a handy list of anything valid you can type there, hover your mouse over any of them to see the variable type, or the return type of a function. left some comments on the definition? they'll be there for you to read as well.

A plugin like 's', or the animator I'm working on now simply wouldn't be possible for me to do alone without the wonders of visual studio.

Also, I know it's not the only one that does this, but the vs equivalent of persist files is flawless. I can stop working in mid command if need be and shut the program, and it reopens scrolled to the exact line i was working on, and the recovery from unexpected shutdown of the program actually works. there's been a power outage or whatever a few times, and everything is exactly as if I had saved the moment before it happened.

like I said, I know alot of people hate it. I just haven't figured out why. I tried eclipse, and woohoo opensource free yay, but, I just missed visual studio the whole time.

I am interested in working on 0.x. Mostly for making sure Python continues to be supported and to maybe fix a few bugs here or there. I don't see myself making any massive structural changes or additions as I have little free time to spare.

Don't you have to get that UI library somehow in order to work on Construct 0.x?

lucid, thanks for that. Now it sounds a lot more like Real Studio (that I'm used to). Maybe I should ignore the unpleasant feeling of being overwhelmed and give it another try.

Here's one question to all who already work on plugins, and please don't be annoyed.

I saw the thread, where it is explained that you need something for VS Express in order to work on plugins. But I really don't get it. There's something like a 600 MB download, but then again you only need certain parts of it. I don't even know, what functionality it has. And where to install them and how to integrate them, so VS Express knows about it? Isn't there an easier way?

Yes it is kind of offtopic, so maybe someone can answer by pm?

You only need the UI library for the editor, so you can change the runtime and plugins without it. You can still also change the editor code, you just can't build it... - that's part of why we started with a clean slate for C2.

[quote:zs0pcldj]Here's one question to all who already work on plugins, and please don't be annoyed.

I saw the thread, where it is explained that you need something for VS Express in order to work on plugins. But I really don't get it. There's something like a 600 MB download, but then again you only need certain parts of it. I don't even know, what functionality it has. And where to install them and how to integrate them, so VS Express knows about it? Isn't there an easier way?

After you install Visual C++ Express the only thing left for you to do to be able to build the plugin templates in th sdk is to get a hold of the ATL and MFC libraries. The ATL and MFC libraries are basically a gui toolkit that is included in the Full version of Visual Studio, but not the express versions.

I was able to get an outdated version of those libraries that work from the WDK (Windows Driver Kit). Here is a link to the latest WDK ~600mb. I used a slightly older version that I can't download anymore, so hopefully the needed files are still there. You may also be able to get the same files from the "Windows? Server 2003 R2 Platform SDK" ~400mb, newer versions of the SDK don't have the files.

Then all that left is to let Visual C++ Express know where to find the mfc/atl includes and libraries. This Link has a good explanation to how it's done.

Also here is another post that may be useful in getting it working:http://www.scirra.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5600&start=10#p44745

At this point you should be able to build the template plugins and many of the plugins in the SVN. There may be some code or settings you may need to tweak here and there to get it to work, but nothing major. If you want to be able to build the sprite plugin or construct's runtime you will also need the DirectX SDK August 2009 ~540mb.

The only easier alternative is to buy Visual C++ then the only other file needed would be the directx sdk. If you have any other questions or problems let me know.

-cheers

Thank you very much, ROJOhound! This was very helpful, incl. the links. I will give it a serious try now

I hope I'm not derailing this thread too much but here's another easier way to be able to build plugins without the large sdk downloads.

Installing visual c++ express and construct's SDK still are necessary steps.

Next I found that all that was needed from the MFC and ATL libraries was the CString class.

You can find a free replacement here, just 36kb .

Copy "StdString.h" from that zip to the "/Template Win32 VC8-9 Static/" folder.

Edit "StdAfx.h" and comment out these two lines:

#include <atlstr.h>
#include <atltypes.h>[/code:2jvgwa5p]
and add these two lines:
[code:2jvgwa5p]#include "StdString.h"
typedef CStdString CString;[/code:2jvgwa5p]

Next:[url]http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/construct/index.php?title=How_To:_Create_a_plugin[/url]

Wow, ROJOhound, you should turn your last post here into a separate thread, and it should be stickied.

I did exactly what you proposed, and the only thing additionally left to do was to open "ConstructSDK.rc" and comment out

#include "afxres.h"[/code:1leexwxx][h2](I replaced it with "windows.h" instead of commenting out, but I think this is nonsense)[/h2]

and
[code:1leexwxx]#include "afxres.rc"[/code:1leexwxx]

afxres is part of mfc, but I'm working with the "Template Win32 VC8-9 Static", so I simply hope, that they aren't needed.

I've gone through the GradientCalc Tutorial and successfully created the plugin and it works without problems. That encourages me to think, afxres isn't needed...

Summary:
To be able to create plugins for Construct 0.x, you need
1) Visual C++ 2008 Express
2) Construct's plugin SDK
3) WtlStdString
4) changes to the template as described by ROJO and me

...no 600MB downloads needed anymore