The TechnoTree
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Contents |
Definition
The techno tree is a kind of abstract hierarchical visual representation of the possible paths of research a player can take and as indicated in the name, appears visually similar to a tree.
Implementation
Inspired from the Techno Tree delivered in the game Jacket (cf: Act Of War Direct Action), we would like to provide our own Techno Tree with icons representing each, units, bases or vehicles and exhaustive informations linked to those different items and organize the whole in a way that every level of available technology can be clearly identified.
How to push a new frame
We would like to have an access to our techno tree through the ingame escape menu. Hence, it will be necessary to create an additionnal button in the escape menu interface that pushes our techno tree frame. In order to perform that, you will have to edit the file zHUD_jeu_ArbreTechno.ndf situated in <Game directory>\AOW\Datalight\Interface2D\Ingame and add our new Template_BoutonSimple (an instance of simple button) in the list "fils" of the package Panel_BoutonMenu (Line 167)
Bouton_TechnoTree is Template_BoutonSimple
(
Y = 24
W = 300
H = 20
Caption = '|TECHNO TREE'
AccesseurCaption = Nil
AccesseurHint = Nil
BoutonApparence = $/LIB/Menu/NAB_AOW_Interface_MenuBoutonBlanc
HintApparence = $/lib/menu/hintapparencepasdehint
AccesseurColor = Nil
TextColor = D3DRGBA[0, 0, 0, 255]
CalqueLevel = 17
EffetClick = ~/Ecran_TechnoTree/EffetClick_Open_TechnoTree //effect launched when a click is performed
EffetDoubleClick = Nil
ToucheRaccourcis = Nil
EnableAccesseur = Nil
HiddenAccesseur = Nil
MustCreateAccesseur = Nil
),
N.B : The parameter EffetClick of a template Template_BoutonSimple is responsible of the action launched when a click is performed on the button. For our case, we would like to push a new Frame which can be achieved calling the following package (line 2585)
package EffetClick_Open_TechnoTree is SEQ with
[
~Push_Screen_TechnoTree~ is Template_PushEcran :
Ecran = ~/Ecran_TechnoTree/Frame
KeepContext = True
],
with Frame an instance of Template_DeclarationEcran
How to add components (buttons...) on the frame panel
Now that it is possible to access our frame, it is now time to add things on our empty frame. The simplest way to achieve this is to set a Panel as a son (Fils) to our instance of Template_DeclarationFrame und use this panel as a container for all the other components.
Basicaly, it should look this way :
Frame is Template_DeclarationEcran : Fils = package MyMainPanel is Template_NewPanelVideWithFils : Fils = [ // put here // all the components // that you want to // add to you frame ]
Among the components that can be added to our frame we can have for example a Textured panel in order to create our Background, and some textured button for our Techno Tree.
How to customize your buttons
- Let's create a textured button
MyTexturedButton is Template_BoutonWithTexture : Texture = 'MyDesiredTexture.tga' X = // at the desired x position Y = // at the desired y position BoutonApparence = // my desired button apparence
- Let's specify the aspect of ou bouton
We would like to have an identical over state and down state appearance
export MyButtonAppearance is Template_BoutonApparenceSimple :
PanelApparence_Up = $/typewarrior/AOW_InterfaceIngame_Cadre_Bouton_VertClair
PanelApparence_Down = $/typewarrior/AOW_InterfaceIngame_Cadre_Bouton_VertClair
PanelApparence_Plat = $/typewarrior/AOW_InterfaceIngame_Cadre_Bouton_Vert
PanelApparence_Disable = $/typewarrior/AOW_InterfaceIngame_Cadre_Bouton_VertDisabled
LabelApparence = $/typewarrior/AOW_NewFontIngame_Petite_Bold_LeftAligned
How to create hints linked to the buttons
MyTexturedButton is Template_BoutonWithTexture : Texture = 'MyDesiredTexture.tga' X = // at the desired x position Y = // at the desired y position BoutonApparence = // my desired button apparence Hint = 'put here what you want to put as hint' HintApparence = MyHintAppearance
with MyHintAppearance an instance of Template_NewHintApparenceWithCadreRedimensionable
