Getting into CS, Blender and everything else for Idiots

[XpYtZ]

The title fairly well sums it up.  I\'d like some Idiot proof tutorials for getting CS loaded and compiled, getting the Exporter to CS up and running for Blender and making sure everything works in the Walk Test thingy (which I assume would fall under getting CS up and going.)

Now, perhaps some of these tutorials already exist for Windows Idiots like myself.  If that\'s the case then Links would be far more appropriate I\'m sure.
Hook me up.
I\'ll do anything to get going.

[Rerogo]

*seconds that
I\'ve been looking for a way to get native windows binaries (not cygwin) for CS, and from what I\'ve seen, you have to get MingW and cross-compile on Linux. But I\'m sure there\'s a shorter way.

[XpYtZ]

Actually, I started doing some research and I may have figured it out.  It\'s no walk in the park so far but I may be writing my own request...Heh, that would be a first. )

[Induane]

If you get it done please post it - I\'m still struggling trying to test meshes I\'ve made with walktest or viewmesh - I can\'t figure it out!

[Karyuu]

No idea why this was posted in Forum Requests... :) Moved to Hydlaa Plaza.

[XpYtZ]

Because I was \'requesting\' someone to make something  \'for the forums\'.  Seemed logical to me.

[stfrn]

I can\'t amke a guide, but a good plce to start would be the CS website, http://www.crystalspace3d.org

Maybe people would be less confuised if it was \"Forum Issues\"?

[Karyuu]

Definitely, stfrn. I saw Forum Requests as requests for something either more \"official\" or... well, no idea. A ghosted copy of this thread is still kept there, however, that will forward readers here. Sorry for any inconvenience! :)

[XpYtZ]

No inconvience made )
Well I have hit a hell of a snag.
While following the instructions here and here would have been great and wonderfull it does not seem to work, properly.
If anyone knows what is wrong or missing post or pm me so I can get back to figuring a Tutorial out.
The following actions were taken in order.
Downloaded and installed WinCVS
downloaded the Crystalspace CVS and Libs
installed MINGW32 and MSYS
Ran the most recent LIB file
Entered the MSYS-MINGW32 interface and navigated to the root CS directory ( \'C:\\cs\\CS\' on my computer )
entered: ./configure
entered: make -k all
Consol returned: No make file available
Exited and restarted
entered: ./configure
entered: jam
System returned lost of stuff! Yay I thought.
noticed lots of error messages, which I ignored.
entered: walktest -relight
consol returned: sh: walktest: command not found.

 ?(

little help here?

Much later I have done work, work and more work to get this thing going and I\'m fully lost.  All the documentation echoes the following

Under Windows: You should also download python
First, check and satisfy Dependencies
Download and extract the project archive into a temporary directory.
Copy all files and folders in the \"scripts\" directory into the blender scripts directory
(/usr/lib/blender/scripts/ or ~/.blender/scripts/).
If blender was already running, restart blender.
Test: Open blender and see if File->Export->CrystalSpace exists in the menu.

I have even used my search tool to try and find this so-called \'scripts\' directory -in the archive- and I have come up with budkiss.
Every link on every downloads page returns the \'cannot find/connect to host\' error.  Are these home computers that are only up during certain times of the day or something?
In case no one has notice I\'m only SLIGHTLY frustraited.
Why can\'t anyone actually write a complete tutorial.
\"Get this, this and this and read their documetation -which is all in advanced terminology and requires you to compile this program, -which will ask you to compile it with this particular program, which will need to be compiled before you can use it-- and then follow these instructions, which are of course for Unix or Lynux users.\"
Is worthless to Windows users.
Some of us actually have programs that we can use proficiently and want to help with the project but how can we even help on the contributior level without some form of instruction on getting going.  I\'m more than willing to learn how to do this stuff.  I\'m more than willing to learn the terminology.  I\'m more than desirous of getting into the PS project and seeing the thing develop but the total lack of G.A.S. around here for windows users that want to help out seems to be mind numbing.  Unless you live on IRC your doomed to falure. News flash, some of us are in timezones that exist without any kind of developer online...ever!
Don\'t get me wrong.  I\'m glad that Cherppow took the time to instruct on the use of Blender and Exporting into CS for PS.  I\'m sure the tutorial is great.  Hell I can\'t even figure out the Blender interface and he (I think it\'s a he at least) not only figured it out but has a hell of a nack for moddeling in it.
But the Tutorial falls dreadfully short in the BlenderToCS plugin area and the Blender projects track record for broken links is starting to get under my skinn something awful.
Can\'t someone help me...No, us on this.

There are people out here that want to help and cant.  Is that clear enough.

[Cherppow]

Greetings,

Indeed, the exporter download links seem to be down. When I wrote the tutorial, the cvs download at http://b2cs.delcorp.org/index.php/Files was still up. It could be only temporary, but for now looks like the only reachable files are the \"Release 0.4\", which the delcorp people instruct us not to download.

After downloading, unpack the files into a temporary directory. It will create some seven text files, plus a \"scripts\" directory. Please show respect to the authors by reading at least \"Authors\", \"Readme\" and \"Install\" files. Read the \"Using.txt\" if you\'re interested to know more about the exporter\'s features. Alternatively, you can read \"Using the exporter\" page at delcorp.org.

Copy the unpacked scripts dir over the scripts directory in your BlenderHome/.blender/.
They tell you to \"set the crystal variable\" in your autoexec.bat, but you can export fine without. (most likely only needed to run CS applications from exporter)

Start Blender. If you\'re using 2.36 version, the exporter should be visible as File->Export->Crystal Space option.
If you\'re using Blender 2.37 like I am, the option is most likely missing. Something is wrong. Go to \"User Preferences\" and \"File Paths\" tab. Beside the Python field there is a button to \"Re-evaluate scripts registration in menus\" that you need to click. Now the Crystal Space option should be visible in File->Export menu. However, clicking it will result in Python script error.

The console (black winoldap window) says:

--
Traceback (most recent call last):
 File \"(string)\", line 59, in ?
 File \"...\\.blender\\scripts\\b2cs\\__init__.py\", line 14, in ?
  import csxml
 File \"...\\.blender\\scripts\\b2cs\\csxml.py\", line 43, in ?
  import xml.xpath
ImportError: No module named xpath
--

I\'m not a coder, but it seems that in line 43 in csxml.py, they\'re trying to import a module called \"xpath\" that doesn\'t exist.
Open ...\\.blender\\scripts\\b2cs\\csxml.py in a text editor and go to line 43.

The line reads:

--
   import xml.xpath
--

Comment it out with python script comment \"#\". (This may break some functionalities, but at least it makes the exporter work.)

--
   #import xml.xpath
--

Save the file. Restart Blender and the exporter should run correctly. You can then return to follow the original tutorial. Have fun. I hope it works.


PS. Just to set the record straight I\'m a 25 year old man. Our Community Moderator Karyuu there on the other hand is quite an adorable little thing. *points to Karyuu with his thumb*

[XpYtZ]

I must apologize for addressing the community in my anger, frustration and honestly rage last night.
If I had taken the time, or had the patience to really think about what was happening ?as I have been able to do today- I would have been able to get it all right and not offended or insulted anyone.
As it is I thank Cerppow for his patience with me and his wonderful tutorial on the use of blender; a program that I would never have figured out without him.
To anyone else that I may have caused issues with I am sorry.  I will not waste time justifying my statements as I can ?now- see no justification in them.
Please accept my sentiments and forgive me any wrong I may have caused.
If no wrong was done this is of course unnecessary and you may ignore that the whole incident ever occurred.

I will begin working on a Windows based tutorial for installing Python, Blender, CS-Artist, and the BlenderToCS Exporter when I have time as I can see a hole that needs to be addressed.  Hopefully I will be able to get the assistance of those, more advanced then I, with any disclaimers that should be addressed.

[Gluonite]

Well, if it makes you feel any better XpYtZ, I\'ve been struggling with the same thing for two days now. I\'ve got 15 years 3D experience and no way to contribute because of technical difficulties with the CS exporter from Blender. It\'s starting to get on my nerves too. I\'m glad you have found your way now, but I\'m still in the dark because I\'m on a Mac and this has a whole bunch of other much less common issues. I\'ve finally had to go outside the PS community to try to get my problems solved. Still working on it...

In particular can someone answer this question? - What does this mean?
______
DON\'T FORGET TO SET YOUR CRYSTAL VARIABLE BEFORE
ENTERING BLENDER!!!! (e.g. put it in your .bashrc / autoexec.bat)
(not necessary if CS is installed on system)
______

TIA

[Cherppow]

Hello,

To XpYtZ: Ah, You are far too kind. We all have those days, no need to apologize. Good luck with your tutorial. I\'ll be here should any questions arise. Seems like the CVS download at http://b2cs.delcorp.org/index.php/Main_Page is up again too.

To Consensus: The Crystal Environment Variable is a variable that contains the path to your Crystal Space root directory. MacOS/X users should set up \"CrystalSpaceRoot\" default instead.

The Blender2Crystal exporter needs this for launching walktest and viewmesh from inside Blender.
For more info, please see How to set CRYSTAL environment variable, Crystal Space online manual.

Thanks for reading.

[josephoenix]

*wanders in*

*posts a few links*
Cherppow\'s Old Hat

(Look under links for arty peoples)

*runs off into the night*

There you have it, a complete tutorial AND an idiotproof distribution of walktest and friends ;]

josePhoenix