This Friday we have another update to the Spark SDK for everyone who has pre-ordered Natural Selection 2. The Spark SDK is the package which includes the level editor, viewer, and model and texture creation tools for Natural Selection 2.
If you're wondering why we "skipped" Build 134 -- we didn't. We released that shortly after Build 133 last Friday to address a bug that crept in at the last minute. There was only one small change so we didn't post about it.
There aren't too many code updates in this patch because we've been working hard on the game, but there are two particularly significant changes. The first is the ability to select multiple entities of the same type and edit their properties simultaneously. The other is a fix to a crash bug that would occur sometimes when switching to the select tool. This one took a while to figure out, despite several people reporting steps on how to reproduce it. We were missing the critical piece of information that it would only occur if the tool windows were undocked from the main window.
Here's the complete list of changes in this patch:
- Added ability to set individual parameters on multiple selected entities of the same type
- Added removal of degenerate vertices when loading a level (could cause the level to be uneditable)
- Added object origin to selection cycle options (as default)
- Added refinery_wall_16_d material
- Added generic_cablemods_01_bend45 models
- Added generic_cablemods_01_bend90 models
- Added generic_cablemods_01_circuitbox models
- Added generic_cablemods_01_clamp_lg model
- Added generic_cablemods_01_clamp_sm model
- Added generic_cablemods_01_hang models
- Added generic_cablemods_01_hangbunch01 model
- Added generic_cablemods_01_hangfloor01 model
- Added generic_cablemods_01_hangfree01 model
- Added generic_cablemods_01_hanglong models
- Added generic_cablemods_01_str models
- Added generic_cablemods_02_bend45 models
- Added generic_cablemods_02_bend90 models
- Added generic_cablemods_02_hang models
- Added generic_cablemods_02_hangbunch01 model
- Added generic_cablemods_02_hangfloor01 model
- Added generic_cablemods_02_hangfree01 model
- Added generic_cablemods_02_hanglong models
- Added generic_cablemods_02_str models
- Fixed situational crash bug with undocked entity selection window
If you've already installed the Spark SDK, it will automatically detect the update and give you the option to install when the editor is launched. If you haven't installed the Spark SDK before, use the link below to download the installer.
Note that in order to run the tools in the SDK you will need your game key.
Download ns2_setup.exe (360.3M)
Along with this weeks patch we'd like to give some credit to one of the more unsung heroes of the development team, Bill Smith. He joined the team last July, at a time when we were in desperate need of more environment art content, and has since produced an impressive array of props for the game. The quality bar was already set high by the existing environment art before he came on board, but Bill was able to take on the challenge and match the look and quality of the existing assets. His work, ranging from large detailed modular wall sets, to simpler but equally important props such as pipe sets and chairs and barrels, can be seen in virtually all of the screenshots of the community made maps.
As a result of having Bill on the team we were able to move towards a more prop heavy style of map creation, which allows for a more detailed and unified look, and helps us compete with all of the next generation games out there. Bill's work has been instrumental in fleshing out the world of NS2 and bringing the environments to life, and our mappers are always eager to try out his latest assets in their levels.
Below are just a select few examples of his recent additions to the game (as well as the Spark SDK).
Once again, this Friday we have another update to the Spark SDK for everyone who has pre-ordered Natural Selection 2. The Spark SDK is the package which includes the level editor, viewer, and model and texture creation tools for Natural Selection 2.
This patch includes a fix for the "black textures" issue that users with older Radeon series cards are experiencing. All of the rendering in our engine is carried out in a high-dynamic range; unfortunately these older cards don't support the types of buffers necessary for our HDR pipeline. We've addressed this by using lower precision buffers on those cards, but that results in lower quality graphics. We're going to fix that, but it will take a little bit longer.
A cool new feature that's included in this patch is color grading in the Editor. Color grading (some times called color correction) allows you to adjust the brightness, contrast and color balance of the scene when it's rendered in the game. These effects also appear in real-time in the editor, so have fun experimenting with them.
Here's the complete list of changes in this patch:
- Added color grading entities in the Editor
- Added a check box to enable or disable physics simulation in the Viewer
- Added the ability to select "none" as the current mod in the Launch Pad
- Added support for exporting Reactor point-to-point constraints from 3D Studio MAX
- Added lower-quality fallback rendering for graphics cards that lack HDR support
- Added generic_bench_02_floor_left model
- Added generic_bench_02_floor_right model
- Added generic_bench_02_mid model
- Added generic_bench_02_wall_left model
- Added generic_bench_02_wall_right model
- Added refinery_floor_tubes_01_corner_left model
- Added refinery_floor_tubes_01_corner_right model
- Added refinery_floor_tubes_02_corner_left model
- Added refinery_floor_tubes_02_corner_right model
- Added refinery_tramlift_platform model
- Add3d refinery_tramlift_stand_left model
- Added refinery_tramlift_stand_right model
- Added refinery_wall16_mesh_01 model
- Added refinery_wall16_mesh_02 model
- Added refinery_wall16_mesh_03 model
- Added refinery_wall16_mesh_04 model
- Added refinery_wallprop_03_pipe_bend model
- Added refinery_wallprop_03_pipe_clamp model
- Added refinery/refinery_wallprop_03_pipe_straight1 model
- Added refinery_wallprop_03_pipe_straight2 model
- Fixed bug where color fields in the Select Tool did not preview the proper color
- Fixed bug where alpha tested textures on models did not cast proper shadows
If you've already installed the Spark SDK, it will automatically detect the update and give you the option to install when the editor is launched. If you haven't installed the Spark SDK before, use the link below to download the installer.
Note that in order to run the tools in the SDK you will need your game key.
Download ns2_setup.exe (360.3M)
This video shows a simple mod we created for Natural Selection 2 to fine tune some features of the engine, like animation blending and physics. It also gave us a great opportunity to test out our content pipeline and modding infrastructure. This simple rifle range game was created from scratch (it's only about 500 lines of Lua code) and took very little time using the Spark toolset. This mod doesn't use any of the Natural Selection 2 game code, so the actual NS2 rifle behaves a bit differently. We thought you'd enjoy a peek!
We've just published a new patch for the Spark SDK. The Spark SDK is the package which including the level editor, viewer, and model and texture creation tools for Natural Selection 2. This package is available to everyone who has pre-ordered Natural Selection 2.
If you haven't pre-ordered Natural Selection 2, you can still do so by visiting the pre-order page.
A lot of new features have gone into the editor since our first public release. This week, BreadMan created a new tutorial video to explain how some of these work.
Here's the list of changes in this patch:
- Added ability to cycle the move/rotate gizmo origin within selection bounds
- Added the mapping guidelines and Editor documentation to the Launch Pad
- Added an option to display the model's bounding box in the Viewer
- Added a "placeable" flag for entity descriptions to the editor_setup file which determines if the entity can be placed with the Create Entity tool
- Added a sound browser for selecting entity sound properties
- Added refinery_trim_25 material
- Added generic_bench_01_blue model
- Added generic_bench_01_grey model
- Added generic_bench_01_red model
- Added generic_table_01 model
- Improved the performance of distant shadow casting point lights
- Improved the performance when deleting many elements in the Editor
- Improved stability of the properties window for the Select tool
- Fixed bug where hitting Ctrl+Z after editing a field in the Select tool's window wouldn't undo it
- Changed links to open in the default browser in the Launch Pad
- Fixed bug where the registration key would not be remembered on some computers running Windows Vista
- Fixed crash when the a level contained a degenerate face with no edges
- Fixed bug where level textures were not rendered with mip-map blending
If you've already installed the Spark SDK, it will automatically detect the update and give you the option to install when the editor is launched. If you haven't installed the Spark SDK before, use the link below to download the installer.
Note that in order to run the tools in the SDK you will need your game key.
Download ns2_setup.exe (360.3M)
Update: The patch is back up. Enjoy!
We've just published a new patch for the Spark SDK. The Spark SDK is the package which including the level editor, viewer, and model and texture creation tools for Natural Selection 2. This package is available to everyone who has pre-ordered Natural Selection 2.
If you haven't pre-ordered, this is a great time to do so! As you probably know, we're currently running a special promotion with Wolfire where you can get both Natural Selection 2 and Overgrowth for the price of one! There are only 4 days left to take advantage of this deal, so visit the special bundle site for the details.
Here's the list of changes in this patch:
- Added displaying of Flash materials on models in the Editor
- Added vertex welding to the Select tool (Edit menu)
- Added a dialog box indicating which applications should be closed before installing a patch
- Added refinery_trim_24 material
- Added refinery_wall_16 materials
- Added generic_chair_01 models
- Added refinery_crane_01 model
- Added refinery_shippingcrate_huge_01 model
- Added refinery_shippingcrate_med_01 model
- Added refinery_wallmods_01_pillar_02 model
- Improved mesh and entity selection
- Improved the quality of shadows on all GeForce cards
- Fixed self-shadowing artifacts on GeForce 7 series cards and below
- Fixed bug where error dialog boxes would sometimes appear when running a build in the Builder
- Fixed bug where assigning multiple objects to a layer at the same time would create multiple undo steps
- Fixed bug where creating more than 32 layers wouldn't work properly
If you've already installed the Spark SDK, it will automatically detect the update and give you the option to install when the editor is launched. When we do this, make sure all of the other tools in the SDK (Launch Pad, Viewer, etc.) are closed. If you haven't installed the Spark SDK before, use the link below to download the installer.
Note that in order to run the tools in the SDK you will need your game key.
Download ns2_setup.exe (360.3M)
Patch Mini FAQ!
When I auto-update from the Editor I get an error message saying that Engine.dll can't be overwritten.
The problem is that a program is using the files the updater is trying to overwrite. This will happen when you launch the Editor from the Launch Pad application. If you close Launch Pad once you start the Editor, it should install properly. We've changed the update installer to help with this issue, but this patch will still be installed with the old system.
Everything is black on my Radeon card. When is that going to be fixed?
We're working on it! Sometimes it takes a little while to track down a system to reproduce the problem, and then we still need to figure out what's causing it.
Stop updating the tools and release the game!
Don't worry, there's a lot going on here besides our weekly updates to the tools. On top of that, a lot of the fixes, like those related to compatibility, are critical for the game as well.
It's our pleasure to announce the "Organic Indie Preorder Pack" (re-tweet)! For the next week only, you can pre-order both Overgrowth and Natural Selection 2 Special Edition for $39.95 (40% off).
(Song by Knights Errant)
What makes this bundle so awesome is that essentially all the sales (~98%) will directly support our game development. The bundle gets you immediate access to early tools and builds of our games. So you can get an early look at our tech and even start building levels and content. We'll also be releasing our alpha to pre-orderers soon!
If you've already purchased NS2...you are awesome! You will still get a free copy of Overgrowth as well. To get your free copy, go here (you'll need your NS2 game key):
To order the Indie Preorder Pack, go here within the next 7 days:
Thanks again for your support everyone, we wouldn't be here without you!
-The NS2 Team