I've been trying to learn how to mod on and off for most of the last year, and I tend to find that while there's a lot of tutorials out there, I'm having trouble working out how to do things on my own without just copy/pasting what I'm seeing in the tutorials. I'm not learning how to mod - and this really bothers me, as the project I want to start on is absolutely massive.
With that in mind, my questions are these:
- Does anyone know of a comprehensive tutorial set (or ebook) I can look at to get a better grasp on what I'm doing? I'm not a natural when it comes to coding, so I need something that is, basically, going to treat me like an idiot when it comes to picking everything up.
- Once you know what you're doing, is it worth creating an engine for your mod? I may have the definition wrong, but I basically mean an interface that simplifies the process of creating models, blocks and basic scripts to minimise the amount of work you need to do when creating new content. If so, how would one go about doing so?
- Lastly: As I mentioned, I've been doing this on and off, and I haven't really done anything in the last few months - not since the new launcher came out. Did the new launcher change anything when it comes to making mods? If so, where can I find a comprehensive article/video covering what's changed?
Any and all help would be appreciated. Also, if anyone happens to know how to fix the texture map resizing bug in Techne and cares to share the solution, I will probably cry with joy.
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Mod ideas in my profile info! Send me a message or post in one of the threads if you're interested.
To touch Divinity, one must first be prepared to brave reality.
If you want to understand better, what you're doing, you should probably learn a programming language. It doesn't even need to be Java.
It's just about the programming in general.
I only know python, nothing of java, but I still understand a lot of stuff, when modding.
This also leads to your second questions. I wrote some python apps that just need some little information and give me all the lines of code needed e.g. for a whole tool set so that I only have to copy and paste it.
That's effective as soon as you're doing a lot of things that are quite similar, like a tool set, five different edible items or so.
And python is quite easy to learn. A lot easier than java, actually, because it doesn't need to compile.
But for really complex stuff in mods, you will probably need some java.
I'll look into Python. I've gone through a few java tutorials and attempted to learn c++ some time after. I know a lot of the basic commands, I just have trouble working out how to put them together. Basically, I've learned what most of the commands do, but not how to use them. This is the major issue, the wall I keep hitting... I have no idea how to put it all together into something useful, and I can't seem to glean that from the tutorials I've been following.
I have been turning the idea of whether to use Forge for my mods or not over for a while. I will need the extra IDs - the project I have planned is quite large - but I wouldn't mind knowing how to do work without it.
I've been hunting for a hardcopy of a textbook for some time now, and can't seem to find anywhere that sells them. I know having one on hand would help, if only to have something I can just copy out the necessary code from, rather than trying to improvise and (usually) making something that doesn't work. There's bound to be ebooks that cover it, but I would prefer a hard copy if possible... can anyone throw me a few names? digital or otherwise.
I'll look into Python. I've gone through a few java tutorials and attempted to learn c++ some time after. I know a lot of the basic commands, I just have trouble working out how to put them together. Basically, I've learned what most of the commands do, but not how to use them. This is the major issue, the wall I keep hitting... I have no idea how to put it all together into something useful, and I can't seem to glean that from the tutorials I've been following.
I have been turning the idea of whether to use Forge for my mods or not over for a while. I will need the extra IDs - the project I have planned is quite large - but I wouldn't mind knowing how to do work without it.
I've been hunting for a hardcopy of a textbook for some time now, and can't seem to find anywhere that sells them. I know having one on hand would help, if only to have something I can just copy out the necessary code from, rather than trying to improvise and (usually) making something that doesn't work. There's bound to be ebooks that cover it, but I would prefer a hard copy if possible... can anyone throw me a few names? digital or otherwise.
First of all, use the Forge API. It makes modding Minecraft much easier, and the easy drag-and-drop mod installation won't hurt as well. Anyway, if your looking to learn Java, watch thenewboston's tutorials. They are the easiest java tutorials out there, in my opinion. Watch tutorials 1-49, then take a look at the Minecraft code again. You should be able to at least understand it better. Then, if you have any issues, feel free to post on the forums for advice.
And using the new launcher doesn't realy change much, coding-wise. It should be pretty much exactly the same way pre-1.6 mods were made.
The VSWE tutorials are good, of course it's not the kind which explain quickly to do something for the impatients who only want to learn a trick without having to understand it deeply.
But for a beginner it's very good, you learn slowly from start without jumping to some advanced tips without understanding what you're doing.
Geforce - I'm leaning towards using forge, though I more want to learn the finer details of java. I used some of thenewboston's tutorials when I tried to learn C++, I didn't realise he had java tutorials as well. Thank you for the headsup, I will take a look
From what I've seen (been tracking a modder on Youtube), apparently eclipse can't load 1.7 up? Might just be with the use of forge though.
Puredarkness - Spot on. I've learned some of the basics, then had to stop when I realised I couldn't put them together to form anything functional. I feel like I will have no trouble at all once it clicks, I just can't seem to make that happen with the resources I've been using to date, hence my question about textbooks in the thread opener.
I've never been too clear on what else Forge does, aside from loading/managing mods and providing extra IDs to use... not particularly surprised to learn about the lack of documentation for it XD I do intend to learn other languages, though I will be sticking to Java and C++ for the first few steps in learning, just to get the knack for what I'm doing.
I would appreciate such a list if you're willing to compile one for me It can't hurt, and might even turn out to be what I need to 'get it' and break down this block I'm having trouble with. Thank you for the book reference, I'll take a look at that and see what I can glean from it.
Momnop - Thank you for the tutorial link, I'll take a look at that as well.
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A.K.A user_316165.
To touch Divinity, one must be prepared to brave Reality.
Geforce - I'm leaning towards using forge, though I more want to learn the finer details of java. I used some of thenewboston's tutorials when I tried to learn C++, I didn't realise he had java tutorials as well. Thank you for the headsup, I will take a look
From what I've seen (been tracking a modder on Youtube), apparently eclipse can't load 1.7 up? Might just be with the use of forge though.
Forge for 1.7.2 has a new installation process then previous (1.6.4-) versions. Forge now uses the Gradle system, which changes the way you setup eclipse. Try following this tutorial for setting up Forge 1.7.2: http://www.minecraftforge.net/forum/index.php/topic,14048.0.html
I think it might fix the problem your having with eclipse :).
Geforce - I'm leaning towards using forge, though I more want to learn the finer details of java. I used some of thenewboston's tutorials when I tried to learn C++, I didn't realise he had java tutorials as well.
Hey!
I've been studying programming and computers for two years now and I would like to yell out my opinion(s).
TheNewBoston is an okay source for learning keywords and syntax but if you are new to computer science and programming, then it won't give you all you need to know.
My few cents:
I would recommend taking the FREE online course from Stanford university: introduction to computer science | programming methodology http://see.stanford....aa-866adcae1111
You can download all the special software and all the assignments/handouts given in the real class on that website.
That's the place where I would start.
After that I would play around with making small Java programs and then move on to CS106B and mayhaps cs107 if I found it interesting. I would then focus on making games like Tetris and Space Invaders in java, you have no idea how much one can learn from such small projects.
After a while you will be quite used to Java syntax (The grammar of the Java language) and the OOP (Object Oriented Programming) paragdim. Then it would be a good time to look into Software architecture and Design patterns, why? Because that's when you really start to learn programming! Learning those things will speed up your coding, and lessen your debug frustration by a great deal.
If you are comfy with C++ as in more than just the basic syntax then TheNewBoston might be all you'd need. It depends on how used you are to working with objects and how good you have become at breaking down problems to small logical components.
I do intend to learn other languages, though I will be sticking to Java and C++ for the first few steps in learning, just to get the knack for what I'm doing.
If you follow the above mentioned course it will lead into CS106B (C++) and over to CS107 which deals with a lot of different languages, giving you a introduction to different programming paradigms not just OOP. Even if the 106 courses are uninteresting and well-known stuff to you I would recommend looking into the CS107 videos
As for learning languages, I would focus mainly on one language for a longer period of time.
Once you are used to a language you will easily pick up any other language in the same paradigm quickly (as in a few days!).
For example if you are well traversed in Java, you will be able to get into other OOP languages like Python, Ruby or C# in 2-3 days.
I've never been too clear on what else Forge does, aside from loading/managing mods and providing extra IDs to use.
Forge does not in it self load mods. That is the purpose of a different mod called FML (Forge Mod Loader).
FML's only purpose is to Load and manage mods, and is defined by the Forge team as "an opensource replacement mod loader for minecraft".
MinecraftForge is noted as "Modifications to the Minecraft base files to assist in compatibility between mods."
Forge does inject patches into the base files (Ninja base editing @ runtime startup).
These modify the source in order to provide hooks into Minecraft's internal functionality so that we (the modders) can add/manipulate it without editing base classes.
The way it does this is by various methods such as Events and Reflection.
It's true that there's overwhelmingly much to get into at once, but there's some documentation in the code to help you with concepts.
Also the best documentation is there, the source code it self. If what you want exists in vanilla, you can look into it's code to get an idea of how it has to be etc.
Minecraft's code is weird and f**ked up at times.
Just figuring out the ups and downs of simple things such as blocks and how they work can be confusing.
Enter TGG's great blogg: greyminecraftcoder.blogspot.no/p/list-of-topics.html
Here he has gathered posts about how the code works internally, making it easier for us others to understand how things work and thereby how to use it properly. I recommend reading the first articles and use the page as a reference along with the Minecraft Wiki
Okay once you are done with your introduction to Java and are ready to get into forge I would recommend starting with 1.6.4 as 1.7.2 while ready for modding is not as widely explored and hence not much intro material is written yet.
I would recommend looking into VSWE's great summer courses on youtube which dealt with Forge modding from the pure basics building up into the most advance GUI's shown in a tutorial. He also deals with animation and model imports among other things! www.youtube.com/user/VsweGoesMinecraft/videos?flow=grid&view=50&shelf_id=3
There you go!
I hope it helped and I wish you good luck on your programming endeavors!
Thanks for the responses, guys. Sorry for the late response, been away for a while. I will make my way through these and post again if I hit an obstacle I can't find my way around. With luck I will be modding within a few months.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A.K.A user_316165.
To touch Divinity, one must be prepared to brave Reality.
With that in mind, my questions are these:
- Does anyone know of a comprehensive tutorial set (or ebook) I can look at to get a better grasp on what I'm doing? I'm not a natural when it comes to coding, so I need something that is, basically, going to treat me like an idiot when it comes to picking everything up.
- Once you know what you're doing, is it worth creating an engine for your mod? I may have the definition wrong, but I basically mean an interface that simplifies the process of creating models, blocks and basic scripts to minimise the amount of work you need to do when creating new content. If so, how would one go about doing so?
- Lastly: As I mentioned, I've been doing this on and off, and I haven't really done anything in the last few months - not since the new launcher came out. Did the new launcher change anything when it comes to making mods? If so, where can I find a comprehensive article/video covering what's changed?
Any and all help would be appreciated. Also, if anyone happens to know how to fix the texture map resizing bug in Techne and cares to share the solution, I will probably cry with joy.
To touch Divinity, one must first be prepared to brave reality.
It's just about the programming in general.
I only know python, nothing of java, but I still understand a lot of stuff, when modding.
This also leads to your second questions. I wrote some python apps that just need some little information and give me all the lines of code needed e.g. for a whole tool set so that I only have to copy and paste it.
That's effective as soon as you're doing a lot of things that are quite similar, like a tool set, five different edible items or so.
And python is quite easy to learn. A lot easier than java, actually, because it doesn't need to compile.
But for really complex stuff in mods, you will probably need some java.
I'll look into Python. I've gone through a few java tutorials and attempted to learn c++ some time after. I know a lot of the basic commands, I just have trouble working out how to put them together. Basically, I've learned what most of the commands do, but not how to use them. This is the major issue, the wall I keep hitting... I have no idea how to put it all together into something useful, and I can't seem to glean that from the tutorials I've been following.
I have been turning the idea of whether to use Forge for my mods or not over for a while. I will need the extra IDs - the project I have planned is quite large - but I wouldn't mind knowing how to do work without it.
I've been hunting for a hardcopy of a textbook for some time now, and can't seem to find anywhere that sells them. I know having one on hand would help, if only to have something I can just copy out the necessary code from, rather than trying to improvise and (usually) making something that doesn't work. There's bound to be ebooks that cover it, but I would prefer a hard copy if possible... can anyone throw me a few names? digital or otherwise.
To touch Divinity, one must be prepared to brave Reality.
First of all, use the Forge API. It makes modding Minecraft much easier, and the easy drag-and-drop mod installation won't hurt as well. Anyway, if your looking to learn Java, watch thenewboston's tutorials. They are the easiest java tutorials out there, in my opinion. Watch tutorials 1-49, then take a look at the Minecraft code again. You should be able to at least understand it better. Then, if you have any issues, feel free to post on the forums for advice.
And using the new launcher doesn't realy change much, coding-wise. It should be pretty much exactly the same way pre-1.6 mods were made.
Hope this helps!
Mapping and Modding rules | Global rules
He is the creator of Steve's Carts 2.
-TBA-
???
I learned modding a lot before I discovered that vswe made tutorials, but I watched part of the series and it looks very helpful.
Be sure to quote my post if you want a reply.
lol @ Cameronazzi copy-pasting my sig into his
But for a beginner it's very good, you learn slowly from start without jumping to some advanced tips without understanding what you're doing.
Geforce - I'm leaning towards using forge, though I more want to learn the finer details of java. I used some of thenewboston's tutorials when I tried to learn C++, I didn't realise he had java tutorials as well. Thank you for the headsup, I will take a look
From what I've seen (been tracking a modder on Youtube), apparently eclipse can't load 1.7 up? Might just be with the use of forge though.
Puredarkness - Spot on. I've learned some of the basics, then had to stop when I realised I couldn't put them together to form anything functional. I feel like I will have no trouble at all once it clicks, I just can't seem to make that happen with the resources I've been using to date, hence my question about textbooks in the thread opener.
I've never been too clear on what else Forge does, aside from loading/managing mods and providing extra IDs to use... not particularly surprised to learn about the lack of documentation for it XD I do intend to learn other languages, though I will be sticking to Java and C++ for the first few steps in learning, just to get the knack for what I'm doing.
I would appreciate such a list if you're willing to compile one for me It can't hurt, and might even turn out to be what I need to 'get it' and break down this block I'm having trouble with. Thank you for the book reference, I'll take a look at that and see what I can glean from it.
Momnop - Thank you for the tutorial link, I'll take a look at that as well.
To touch Divinity, one must be prepared to brave Reality.
Forge for 1.7.2 has a new installation process then previous (1.6.4-) versions. Forge now uses the Gradle system, which changes the way you setup eclipse. Try following this tutorial for setting up Forge 1.7.2: http://www.minecraftforge.net/forum/index.php/topic,14048.0.html
I think it might fix the problem your having with eclipse :).
Mapping and Modding rules | Global rules
Hey!
I've been studying programming and computers for two years now and I would like to yell out my opinion(s).
TheNewBoston is an okay source for learning keywords and syntax but if you are new to computer science and programming, then it won't give you all you need to know.
My few cents:
I would recommend taking the FREE online course from Stanford university:
introduction to computer science | programming methodology
http://see.stanford....aa-866adcae1111
You can download all the special software and all the assignments/handouts given in the real class on that website.
That's the place where I would start.
After that I would play around with making small Java programs and then move on to CS106B and mayhaps cs107 if I found it interesting. I would then focus on making games like Tetris and Space Invaders in java, you have no idea how much one can learn from such small projects.
After a while you will be quite used to Java syntax (The grammar of the Java language) and the OOP (Object Oriented Programming) paragdim. Then it would be a good time to look into Software architecture and Design patterns, why? Because that's when you really start to learn programming! Learning those things will speed up your coding, and lessen your debug frustration by a great deal.
If you follow the above mentioned course it will lead into CS106B (C++) and over to CS107 which deals with a lot of different languages, giving you a introduction to different programming paradigms not just OOP. Even if the 106 courses are uninteresting and well-known stuff to you I would recommend looking into the CS107 videos
As for learning languages, I would focus mainly on one language for a longer period of time.
Once you are used to a language you will easily pick up any other language in the same paradigm quickly (as in a few days!).
For example if you are well traversed in Java, you will be able to get into other OOP languages like Python, Ruby or C# in 2-3 days.
Forge does not in it self load mods. That is the purpose of a different mod called FML (Forge Mod Loader).
FML's only purpose is to Load and manage mods, and is defined by the Forge team as "an opensource replacement mod loader for minecraft".
MinecraftForge is noted as "Modifications to the Minecraft base files to assist in compatibility between mods."
Forge does inject patches into the base files (Ninja base editing @ runtime startup).
These modify the source in order to provide hooks into Minecraft's internal functionality so that we (the modders) can add/manipulate it without editing base classes.
The way it does this is by various methods such as Events and Reflection.
It's true that there's overwhelmingly much to get into at once, but there's some documentation in the code to help you with concepts.
Also the best documentation is there, the source code it self. If what you want exists in vanilla, you can look into it's code to get an idea of how it has to be etc.
Minecraft's code is weird and f**ked up at times.
Just figuring out the ups and downs of simple things such as blocks and how they work can be confusing.
Enter TGG's great blogg: greyminecraftcoder.blogspot.no/p/list-of-topics.html
Here he has gathered posts about how the code works internally, making it easier for us others to understand how things work and thereby how to use it properly. I recommend reading the first articles and use the page as a reference along with the Minecraft Wiki
Okay once you are done with your introduction to Java and are ready to get into forge I would recommend starting with 1.6.4 as 1.7.2 while ready for modding is not as widely explored and hence not much intro material is written yet.
I would recommend looking into VSWE's great summer courses on youtube which dealt with Forge modding from the pure basics building up into the most advance GUI's shown in a tutorial. He also deals with animation and model imports among other things!
www.youtube.com/user/VsweGoesMinecraft/videos?flow=grid&view=50&shelf_id=3
There you go!
I hope it helped and I wish you good luck on your programming endeavors!
To touch Divinity, one must be prepared to brave Reality.