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RELEASED: Particle+ v1.0 - The first particle engine for AM

PostPosted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:12 pm
by ShadowHunter
Hello all,

After three months of hard work I'm proud to anncounce that Particle+ v1.0 is finally ready for release :D

1. What is Partcile+?

Particle+ is a new, dazzling plug-in for AdventureMaker that enables real time rendering of particles on your frames.

A particle engine can be compared to a volcano, but instead of erupting lava it erupt pixels, shapes or images in a controlled fashioned way.
Particle engines are used in almost every commercial game? fire, smoke, rain, fairy dust, water? all that is accomplished via the use of particle engines.

Since AdventureMaker does not yet feature a particle engine it was only a logical step to create it a plug-in for it :idea:

With Particle+ you can now create all of the above effects and more without writing a single piece of code, that?s right Particle+ features an incredible designer module that creates all the scripts for you while you watch and tune the desired effect in real time? a break-through technology for plug-configuration in AdventureMaker.

I hope you are as much excited as I am? if so come? on let?s explore more:

2. Why should I use Particle+?

With Particle+ you can create fantastic, real time effects without the need of large movie clips or pathetic 256 bit color GIF-sequences. Each effect is unique and feels natural ? be like a pro and add a touch of magic to your games.

For example:

? Fire
? Rain
? Snow
? Fairy dust
? Water
? Smoke
? Twinkling stars
? Noise
? Fire flies
? Flying insects
? Magic portal
? Scrolling credits

But that is not all? Particle+ offers you a way to add 32 bit color images with transparency to AdventureMaker and because each particle can be any image (unlimited in size) you can create effects like moving scenery in a train window... believe me when I say that imagination is the limitation of this plug-in.

Particle+ also features, besides "Click 'n Create" FULL scripting support for advanced users... allowing maximum control (over 41 properties :wink:)

Below a few other good reasons for using Particle+

? It's free !
? Anyone can use it in less than 5 minutes
? Full graphical interface with real time preview in AdventureMaker
? No manual scripting needed, the designer interface writes all the code for you, just copy & paste
? Almost every image type can be used as a particle or mask
? No limitation in effect size like previous plug-ins
? Light weight ActiveX component compared to movie clips (less than 400 kB)
? Does not use DirectX or DirectDraw, so no compatibility issues
? It?s fun to use!

3. What is included in the download?

I have done my utmost best to create a full covering user manual with screenshots as well as a all explaining demo project. Included is:

1. Plugin OCX and PL1-file
2. Full demo project with source code
3. Complete PDF user manual (34 pages) with TOC

Well I could continue writing about it but instead please find below some screenshots from the demo (of course you need to see the when animated) :wink:

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You can find all information and downloads on my website. www.shadowhunter.co.uk

To download your own copy right now please clickHERE

If you have any questions feel free to contact me 8)

I hope you will enjoy this new plugin!

With best regards,

ShAdOwHuNtEr

PostPosted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:25 pm
by juhuwoorps
Yeah! Great news! :)
I've been very exciting of this plugin since I saw the demo!
The waiting has an end! :)

Going to download and test it!

PostPosted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:50 pm
by Lyberodoggy
Couldn't find the download link. The flash thing doesn't load...

Could you please provide the link and a registration via pm?

PostPosted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:59 pm
by ShadowHunter
PM sent :wink:

PostPosted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:09 pm
by juhuwoorps
Downloadlink doesn't work in FF but in IE it works for me

PostPosted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:15 pm
by ShadowHunter
Hi,

Thanks for the feedback juhuwoorps... must because of my ancient Flash tool :wink:

Guess it need some update...

With best regards,

ShAdOwHuNtEr

PostPosted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:18 pm
by reneuend
Hey ShadowHunter!

Thanks for making AM really shine! :)

I know you said this was free, but I'm sure donations at your website would keep you supporting us hungry AM users!

Thanks again for your hard work!

PostPosted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:29 pm
by mercedes
I sent u a pm too for download link...:D I can't find it on the site at all..Or the one i did find. just send me down the page....:(


THanks for making this..I can hardly wait to use it...THis is a fantastic addition to AM..:D

PostPosted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:36 pm
by ShadowHunter
Hi all,

THANKS GUYS (and girls of course) :D

I have updated the first post to contain a direct download linke... it seems many people cannot see the Flash animation on my website which contains a link to the download :?

@reneuend: Indeed a few bucks would help, last week the bill for my hosting dropped in the mailbox... ain't getting cheaper :cry:

I hope you enjoy the plugin :P

With best regards,

ShAdOwHuNtEr

PostPosted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:18 am
by Mystery
Wow Shadow, what a great plugin! :shock: :D
Thanks a lot :D

PostPosted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:21 pm
by Lyberodoggy
Thanks for this great plugin

And as I mentioned in the pm, I use firefox but had no problem with the other downloads

PostPosted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 5:25 pm
by Candle
Nice one man.

PostPosted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:02 pm
by ShadowHunter
Hi all,

Thank you all so much for your kind words, enthusiasm and contributions :D

This is truly THE best community on the internet? I really mean it :wink:

Please let me know if you have any questions or request for help in using this plug-in.

Any feedback, error report or suggestions are very welcome.

With best regards,

ShAdOwHuNtEr

PostPosted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:30 pm
by ShadowHunter
Hi all,

Thanks for reporting the FireFox issue... I have update the Flash movie and tested it succesfuly with:

- Internet Explorer 7.0.5730.11
- Chrome 1.0.154
- FireFox 3.0.5

Please let me know if you still find it not working :wink:

With best regards,

ShAdOwHuNtEr

PostPosted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:56 pm
by Vairon
Great news! Your work and dedication are impressive. I'll try it now.

PostPosted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 10:47 pm
by Mystery
I'm going to try it next weekend when I get time to breathe :lol: I'm very curious to see its possibilities!
Do we need a key for it? Didn't have time yet to check :?

Btw, it worked for me with Firefox 3.0.5 already when I did download it (when I posted my message) :)

PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 4:26 am
by Candle
You will need a key.

PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:45 am
by ShadowHunter
Hi Mystery,

You can use Particle+ fully without a key, no crippled functions or limitations... there will only be a small demo logo displayed randomly if used without a key.

The key will remove this little logo... the key is 100% FREE for use in freeware games :D

With best regards,

ShAdOwHuNtEr

PostPosted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:38 pm
by Zenoc2
You tested it with Chrome too? And here I thought I was the only one...

Most of my time is taken up by creating backgrounds (well, sub-creating anyway) and writing. However, if I ever do get around to making my game, I'm sure I'll make good use of this. :D

PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:34 am
by ShadowHunter
Hi,

Thanks for your intrest Zenoc2 :D

I think Chrome isn't that bad 8)

With best regards,

ShAdOwHuNtEr

PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:07 pm
by Imari
I can't wait to play with this plug-in, but it will have to wait until the weekend. Thanks so much for making it, ShAdOwHuNtEr! :D

PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:02 pm
by ShadowHunter
Your very welcome Imari... I hope you will like it :D

PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:24 pm
by Candle
I had an error with a missing file but dang i can't remember what the file name is now.
I know I had to task manager to kill it to get out of the demo.

PostPosted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:40 pm
by juhuwoorps
This plugin is very very awesome! I like it much.
I'm going to play around with and everything I change gives new ideas to use plugin :)


A little tip for the beginning: Look at the demo and see the settings of an effect you want, so it's easier to built your own effect.

Has anybody figured out with wich other plugins this plugin works or not?
If anybody had made some experiences it would be nice to post this :)

PostPosted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:11 pm
by 3dgamer
This looks cool, ShadowHunter! Thanks for offering it. Can't wait to check this out! :)

Cya!

--EDIT--

Okay, I just looked at the demo...SUPERB! There is definitely one effect I see that came in the nick of time that i would like to use. :)

Btw, who did the pictures for the demo? Great images! :)

Cya

PostPosted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:38 pm
by ShadowHunter
Hi 3DGamer,

The pictures are not create by me, the effects do NOT represent the real deal in the real game (see legal disclaimer) from some I know their origin, others I just copied from a public website without giving it second thoughts, they just fitted what I had in mind:

* Movie The Ring (noise)
* Murder On The Orient Express (moving scenery and smoke)
* Grey Matter game (water)

Again, I code, I'm no artist :wink:

With best regards,

ShAdOwHuNtEr

PostPosted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:45 am
by 3dgamer
Well, I have to say that you did a great job of showcasing your plugin with the pictures you chose. Thanks for the additional information. :)

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:23 am
by pennsteve
Just a question. I know it doesnt belong in this thread, but I have never used plug-ins. I'd like to try this one. How do you use a plug-in with adventuremaker? If someone could post how to do it in the tutorial section, I'd appreciate it. :)

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:55 am
by Mystery
Hi steve,

You can find a detailed description on the bottom half of this page:
http://www.adventuremaker.com/plugins.htm

If anything remains unclear, just post :)

PostPosted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:54 am
by ShadowHunter
Hi Pennsteve,

Complete step by step installation with screenshots is included in the help file of Particle+ too :D

Thanks for your intrest...

With best regards,

ShAdOwHuNtEr