Is there a pdf version of the manual anywhere? I'd like to print it out so I can read it cover-to-cover. Thanks. :=
I don't think so, but you might be able to find a .chm -> .pdf converter somewhere on the Intarwobs.
The only other form of the manual apart of course from the help file is the one hosted here as html files.
Thanks guys. I'll try and find a converter and see what I can do. :)
You can't read the .chm file straight through? The first page that pops up (assuming you don't have anything selected when you press F1 in the editor) is a table of contents. Just start at the top and press the back button when needed.
~Trent
No, I understand that, it's always nice to have a physical book. It makes it all, I don't know, more tangible. It's like the difference between learning C++ via eBooks, or with a nice paperback on your lap. Nothing can beat a document when it comes to putting bookmarks and wear and tear in it.
Converters exist, a simple google hunt brought up several dozens, so you should have little trouble to make your own pdf. But may I also suggest to include a PDF version on the homepage?
I missed the fact that he wanted to print it. But yeah, as Ghost said, there's plenty to find through Google.
~Trent
I have plenty of time but it's mostly away from the computer that's why I'd like a printed copy.
Quote from: Ghost on Fri 20/02/2009 18:48:39
No, I understand that, it's always nice to have a physical book. It makes it all, I don't know, more tangible. It's like the difference between learning C++ via eBooks, or with a nice paperback on your lap. Nothing can beat a document when it comes to putting bookmarks and wear and tear in it.
What about a Kindle? Or a Sony Reader if you do not live in USA?
Quote from: AsimosVagan on Fri 20/02/2009 21:26:20
What about a Kindle? Or a Sony Reader if you do not live in USA?
What about a printed book that costs much less? And can you draw doodles in a Kindle? Can you throw it into a corner when you're tired and can't figure out something? Can it get that ruffled worn look that shows how much you referred to it?
I one can afford it or, even better, already *have* one, sure it's an option, yeah, but hey, buying one just to read the AGS manual? Nah.
edit:
I admit this is a total personal issue, though. I feel slightly uneasy about them electro-port-a-books. Call me a dinosaur.
Too bad there isn't an AGS for Dummies book out there. :)
I too would love to have a printed manual myself.
I used to have a book on making Duke Nukem 3D levels which i kept close to me like a bible when making levels, plus I would always hilite important stuff in it for easy referencing.
I took the liberty of googling a trial of a .chm to .pdf converter and tested the program by converting the ags help. The whole file is 5053 pages long.... yes, that's quite a bit of printer cartridges and paper, but if you would like the pdf version that I converted, I uploaded it here (http://www.asmedleydesigns.com/game/AGS-Manual.pdf).
Luckily, you can skip the first 50 or so pages, which includes copyright, introductions, and the tutorial.
[Edit]: Something's messed up with this. For an easy to see example, check out how many times it repeats talking about lighting effects between pages 110-122. I'm guessing that maybe CJ creates new pages when they're changed and just updates the hyperlinks. Idk, maybe it's the converter's fault.
~Trent
I did convert it but it gave over 700 pages! I've converted it into Word format and going through it page by page to take out what's not needed and reformatting it. *phew!* :)
Quote from: Nickydude on Sat 21/02/2009 13:03:06
I did convert it but it gave over 700 pages! I've converted it into Word format and going through it page by page to take out what's not needed and reformatting it. *phew!* :)
You will, of course, earn the eternal love of the forums by pruning and then sharing that PDF ;D
Since the help file is updated every time CJ churns out a new version, we will of course have to
kill him break both his arms hypnotize him into thinking AGS doesn't exist find a way to keep such a PDF up-to-date by some easy means...
QuoteYou will, of course, earn the eternal love of the forums by pruning and then sharing that PDF
Really? Funny, because the last pdf that I 'pruned and then shared' was a Beginner's Guide. I put the guide together for myself after spending quite a while trawling through the forums and collating questions with the relevant answers, as well as tutorials. What did it get me?
QuoteIn any case, and I know this really sounds condescending, sorry, but a beginner who doesn't listen to good advice isn't the ideal person to put together a beginner's guide IMO.
QuoteNot to sound ungrateful or anything, but (1) is this any different than the Beginners' FAQ already up on the AGS wiki? And (2) if not, why not just update the wiki?
Where's the 'eternal love' there? Anyway, what's the point of having a pdf version when you can just read the online help, 'reinventing the wheel?'
Sorry for the mini rant but just because there's one of something, doesn't mean there can't be another. I wouldn't complain if someone came out with a pdf version of the help file before I did, good luck to them if they did. Just be a bit nicer to those who are helping out.
...
Now that's over with, of course I'll share when it's done. :)
It's a large forum, and whatever you do, you'll always get positive and negative resposes. I don't know which threats you took the quotes from, but they just prove my point- put up art for C&C, release a game, provide a tutorial, and you'll get people saying wow and people saying booh.
When all's said and done, it's best to take everything with a pinch of salt.
I read through your guide and liked it. I was actually gonna PM you some things to fix, change, add, etc to make it even better.
~Trent
QuoteI read through your guide and liked it. I was actually gonna PM you some things to fix, change, add, etc to make it even better.
Thanks Trent :)
Yea, sorry about that, you try to help out and it seems like 'why bother?'. Are you still going to PM Trent or has that time passed?
I'll still send you some stuff (there was question in particular that you said you didn't know how to answer, dealing with pointers...), I just need to refresh myself and read it again.
And BTW, the two people you quoted are KhrisMUC and TerranRich. They only said what they did because you directly ignored Khris's advice, and TerranRich spent years working on and updating the BFAQ. (And they both used smilies which you failed to quote, showing that they weren't completely serious)
But truly, Ghost's advice is the best.
~Trent
PS-Related, I love seeing praise from other long-standing memebers, which is why I like visiting and posting in the Tech forums. Even CJ has praised me a few times! :D
PSS-I also love that you put me in the 'thanks to' section of your guide!
Hey Nickydude, could I have your pruned copy? I just converted a chm to ebook, but it's really cluttered (as mentioned earlier). If the links still exist in it, even better! I wanted to load it onto my Palm Treo so I could reference it whenever.
~Trent