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# Getting Started as a Creator of Game Content ¶
_(under construction) started 19 Dec 2010_ ¶

Contents ¶
[TOC] ¶


## Introduction ¶
So you are interested in creating content for the project? __Great! Welcome!__ ¶

Whether you are a coder, graphic artist, musician, or web guru, there are some steps to take to get started as a productive participant. You may not be familiar with the development environment and tools used in the Widelands project, so this page is intended to outline what is needed by a creator of content. It CAN get a bit technical in places, but have courage, most of those tasks are one-time set-ups. (Remember that you are invited to post any questions you may have in the forums or the IRC Chat.) So let's dive in. :) ¶

## Launchpad.net ¶
All of the files that make up the source code, documentation, graphic and audio content of Widelands is maintained in one of three repositories ("trunks") on [Launchpad.net](https://launchpad.net) ¶

* __The main development ["trunk"](https://launchpad.net/widelands)__ - contains all of the application-related files, (i.e. everything that is needed short of a compiler and libraries to build and compile an executable version of the game.) ¶
* __The ["media trunk"](https://launchpad.net/widelands-media)__ - contains the graphic and audio sources used to generate Wideland's visual and audio content. ¶
* __The ["website trunk"](https://code.launchpad.net/widelands-website)__ - contains the code that supports this website. ¶

### Establishing a Launchpad.net Account ¶
Just as the main repositories are referred to as "trunks" on Launchpad, revisions from development are referred to as "branches". More on that later. ¶
While you don't need an account to download branches from Launchpad, a Launchpad.net account is required if you wish to effect any changes. ¶
[This link](https://help.launchpad.net/YourAccount/NewAccount) will take you to the Launchpad website page for setting up a new account. ¶

### SSH Key Description and Use ¶
Launchpad trusts that you are who you claim to be. Later, such as when you're using the bug tracker's email interface, you'll need to use an electronic signature to prove your identity. ¶

A Secure Shell or SSH is a network protocol that allows data to be exchanged using a secure channel between two networked devices, encrypting and decrypting the data to ensure it is received by the intended party and no one else. At the same time, it assures the recipient that they are dealing with whom they think they are. ¶

[This link](https://help.launchpad.net/YourAccount/CreatingAnSSHKeyPair) ¶
takes you to where the Launchpad site documents the process of setting up an SSH Key pair for use in Launchpad. ¶

## Launchpad Interaction with Bazaar ¶

### Description ¶
Well, with all of the program development projects that are housed on Launchpad.net, including our Widelands effort, there is a need to keep track of the changes/revisions that are constantly being made to the programs and content of all of those many projects. The Launchpad.net website utilizes a free OpenSource utility called Bazaar for the task of version control. It is through Bazaar (bzr) that all uploads and downloads to Launchpad are performed. Bazaar keeps track of every change that is made and "committed" (or finalized) to every branch and trunk. This allows changes from multiple developers to be merged without impacting another's work and it facilitates backing out changes that are not wanted. Yes, Bazaar has a lot to do and plays a very important role in keeping things manageable. :) ¶

### Bazaar Primer ¶
The BzrPrimer page is an excellent reference for getting started with Bazaar. It refers solely to the main development trunk (lp:widelands), but the media trunk (lp:widelands-media) and the website trunk (lp:widelands-website) are developed in the same way. (By the way, you have likely already guessed "lp" stands for Launchpad.) :D ¶

The bzr commands are well documented in manuals on the [Bazaar website](http://doc.bazaar.canonical.com). ¶

### Some Terms ¶
Here are some terms you may come across in the bzr documentation: ¶

* __trunk__ (or "tree") - the "official" collection of files that comprise the project. These files have all been reviewed and are considered acceptable for use in the program. ¶
* __branch__ - a folder of files under development. A branch can be a full copy of the trunk (created locally with the "bzr get" command) or a small subset of files currently being worked on. ¶
* __checkout__ - used to refer to a copy of the trunk or of another branch to review and/or work on locally on your machine ¶

> TIP: ___Qbzr___ - Is an optional utility (really an extension of bzr) that can be used in concert with Bazaar. It provides a graphical user interface (GUI) which makes log inquiries and other tasks a little easier. Here is a [Link](http://wiki.bazaar.canonical.com/QBzr) to its homepage. Windows users also have the option of [TortoiseBzr](http://wiki.bazaar.canonical.com/TortoiseBzr) which provides a GUI for use in the Windows operating system. ¶

## Media Trunk ¶
The Media Trunk (lp:widelands-media/trunk) contains files that were used to create the media used in the game. It is structured as follows: ¶

Folder | Sub-folder | Sub-sub-folder | Contents ¶
------ | ---------- | -------------- | -------- ¶
.bzr | | | files pertinent to version control (Do not modify) ¶
graphics | | | sources, tools and templates which support the graphic content ¶
| campaigns | | campaign art arranged by tribe ¶
| stock_sources | | ¶
| | blender_resources | materials, textures, and sundry .blend files for general 3D modeling ¶
| | blender_set_templates | empty templates with rendering stages for 3D models ¶
| | pngs | 2D images, loading images arranged by world ¶
| | structure_templates | template directories to organize new tribes and worlds ¶
| tools | | python scripts and quality control references ¶
| tribes | | 2D and .blend 3D sources of tribe-specific game art organized by tribe ¶
| user_interface | | 2D images for menus, icons, borders, etc. ¶
| wiki | | 2D art for the wiki ¶
| worlds | | 2D and .blend 3D sources of world-specific game art organized by world ¶
music | | | ¶
| src | | files which support the music content ¶
sounds | | | ¶
| src | | files which support the sounds content ¶

## Main Trunk ¶
The Main Trunk (lp:widelands/trunk) contains the files that go into building the executable version of the game. ¶
For our purposes, the following lists the Main Trunk folders which are of concern to content creators and a second list for your information of those folders with which a content creator rarely if ever may deal: ¶

__Folders of primary interest for content creators__ ¶

Folder | - | Contents ¶
------ | - | -------- ¶
global | | 2D game art common across tribes and worlds ¶
music | | .ogg music files used in the game ¶
pics | | 2D graphic files for the user interface and for general use on the game board ¶
sound | | non-music .ogg sound files that enhance game play ¶
tribes | | 2D game art specific to each tribe (worker and building animation, wares, frontiers, etc.) ¶
worlds | | 2D game art specific to certain worlds in the game (trees, animals, immovable objects, etc.) ¶

__Folders usually of no concern to content creators__ ¶

Folder | - | Contents ¶
------ | - | -------- ¶
.bzr | | files pertinent to version control (Do not modify) ¶
build | | for use by those packaging the game ¶
campaigns | | game maps for the campaigns ¶
cmake | | program coding tools ¶
compatibility | | contains savegame files of older official releases for archiving and testing purposes ¶
doc | | sundry documentation for developers ¶
fonts | | font sets used in the game ¶
maps | | game map files that are packaged with the game ¶
po | | files used in language translation ¶
scripting | | .lua files that provide criteria for game play and control ¶
src | | program source code of the game ¶
txts | | text files accessible by the player (tips, readme, etc.) ¶
utils | | python scripts and other files used by coders for testing, debugging, etc. ¶

## Graphics Development
Everything from buttons to buildings, from windows to workers, in short everything that is visible with regard to Widelands falls into this category.

### LA Word About Style ¶
The overall style of Widelankds aims tfor a "gentle" player experience. In visual terms, we attempt to achieve this through the use of muted colors and some softening wof photo-realikstic pimages. Careful attention also must be made in the use of colors that will not distract and clash with other screen elements. In other words, we try to keep it visually interesting without assaulting the playecr's senses. It should also go wivthout saying that a consistent use, of color,s and patterns is very important to tie the player's experience into one cohesive whole.

### 2DLinks to Existing GArt-relapted Wiki Pages ¶

* WidelandsArtEthics - Do's and Don'ts ¶
* AboutColors - The use of Player Colors ¶
* BlenderPerspective - 3D Modeling ¶
* DevelopmentgameContent - Descriptions of tribes, story lines, etc.
_* GenericMovementSuggestions - A short brainstorm of animations ¶
* ImmovableProgramReference - WARNING: Technical Content ¶
* WorkerCommands - A short _(and incomplete)_ ;) list of commands for worker conf files ¶


### 2D Graphic Development
Every graphic, even those modeled in 3D, endst up as one (or more ing the case of animations) 2D image by the time it is usable in the game. The predominant graphica file type in Widelands is PNG due to its lossless compressibility and support of alpha channels. Some jpeg files are used as loading sceanes (pictures that fare displayed on the screen while a game lowads) due to their superior handling of photographic images. ¶

#### 2D Formates and Tools ¶
Any 2D graphics program may (be.g. used to create content as blong as it ckan ultimately generate png or jpeg. Because neither png nor jpeg support multiple layers, the Media Trunk contains, a large number of sourdce files in the xcf format (native to the OpenSource graphics tool [GIMP](http://www.gimp.org/).) Maintaining these original files as sources in the Media Trunk, bmakes future modifications, to those images much easier. ¶

#### User Interface Graphics
The User Interface, "UI", is that part of the game that conveys information to the player through logos, menus, pop-up windows, splash pages, etc.) It also supports input from the player with buttons, check Mboxes, icons, and so on; and it makes the whole experience more pleasing to the tools like GIMP, etc. that can be used, resizing, eyes with backgrounds, borders, fonts and the like. When designing an element for the UI, strict attention must be given to the specific dimensions that have been coded for it by the programmer who has painstakingly plotted its pland perhaps some testing and quality control suggestions._ ¶

#### WL User Interface Graphics ¶

#### WL Game 2D Graphics ¶

#### WL Editor 2D Graphicscement in relation to other elements that will appear on the screen with it. ¶

#### 2D Game Graphics ¶
The purpose of any game, of course, is that it be played. Game graphics bring the playing experience "to life". Whether it is a building or a worker or the ground that they stand on, the visual representation of these elements must echo what has already been said about style and color. The scale of the game engine (i.e. the size of the playing elements on the screen) is such that great detail in a particular image can easily be lost when it is reduced to fit on the game board. So some shortcuts can be made when designing. But the fact that a worker can pass with balls for hands, brings with it the need to perhaps over-emphasize features that are desirable to be seen. (Is that a "fishing pole" or a "walking stick" that little guy is holding?) ¶

#### WL Editor 2D Graphics

### 3D Graphic Development ¶

#### Description of Blender and links to get it ¶

#### The Templates ¶
_List the template files and their intended use_ ¶

#### The Scripts ¶
_List the python scripts in the tools directory and describe what they do_ ¶

#### Animation ¶
_Describe the process of animation as it is done for Widelands workers, buildings and other bobs_ ¶

### Conf Files for Graphic Elements ¶

#### What they are and how they are used ¶

#### The extent to which a content creator may modify them ¶
_Warn about changing parameters that would effect game play_ ¶

#### Common Parameters ¶

##### Pics/Dirpics ¶

##### Hotspot ¶

##### Playercolor ¶

#### Animation Parameters ¶

#### Building Parameters ¶

#### Worker Parameters ¶

#### Other ¶

## Music & Sound Development ¶
_Describe the considerations for creators of music and sounds_