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Sega GL


Converting to Sega GL Files

This section describes how to use the interface of the Sega Saturn-specific Direct Translator. For information on how to run the translator, see Using the MakeGame Plug-in on page 9 and Using Translators from the Command Line on page 15.

Availability

You can get the Sega plug-in and documentation from the Sega web site. The Sega plug-in and its documentation are available to Sega-certified developers only.

Sega GL Translator

Special Features

Limitations

Installing

To install the Sega GL translator:

  1. Download SE and SE.1 from the Sega Web site to a temporary directory on your computer.
  2. Run InstallGame with the following options:

Using the Sega GL Translator

Options

When you run the translator from MakeGame, the Sega GL Translator window appears. Use this window to set the options described below, then click Start conversion to begin.

Translator Related Settings

Feedback

Choose the amount of information you want during conversion.

Output

DOS text - output Sega GL source code to a file using CR+LF as the line delimiter.

UNIX text - output Sega GL source code to a file using LF as the line delimiter.

Downloader - download the source code directly to a connected Sega Saturn.

When you choose Downloader from the Output pop-up menu, a new section containing Downloader-related options appears.

Format

Choose the version (2.0 or 3.0) of Sega GL source code the translator will generate.

PolyNormal Calc

VertexNormal based - use the normals provided by Alias.

NEWELL's method - calculate new normals using Newell's method. Use this option if you have any problems with polygons seeming "flipped" after conversion.

Texture size

Fixed - all output textures have the same size. Choose the width and height using the sliders below.

When Texture size is Fixed, the minimum and maximum sliders become locked together, allowing you to set a single fixed size.

Auto calculation - scale the output textures to a best fit within minimum and maximum values. Choose the minimum and maximum using the four sliders below.

Scale

The translator will scale the whole model by this factor before converting it to Sega GL source code.

Operations

Melt Objects

Flatten the hierarchy of objects into one large Sega GL object.

Texture Tbl Optim.

Optimize the texture table (do not repeat texture pieces).

Prelight Texture

Apply a simple pre-light operation to the textures. Currently this operation only uses the polygon normals.

Vertex Tbl Optim.

Optimize the vertex table (do not repeat vertices at the exact same location). This option is only useful if Melt Objects is turned on.

Downloader Related Settings

This section appears when you choose Downloader from the Output pop-up menu.

Init Viewer

Click this button to reset the SCSI connection and download the monitor program to the connected Saturn CartDev.

Click this button when you turn on the Saturn, and to reset the viewer.

SCSI Id

The SCSI identifier on the SGI side of the connection to the Saturn CartDev.

Start Frame

End Frame

Start and end frames of the animation to convert.

Target Data Addresses

These text boxes allow you to enter exact memory locations when downloading data to the Saturn.

Enter 0x00000000 for continuous memory allocation. Refer to the Saturn programming manuals for more information.

SGL Related Settings

These options control standard Sega GL settings and modes. Refer to the Sega GL specifications for information.

File Specific Settings

Use this section to enter filenames when you choose DOS text or UNIX text from the Output pop-up menu.

Model/Hierarchy filename

Filename for the file containing model and hierarchy information.

Use the Model and Hierarchy checkboxes to choose what information to include in the file (usually you will leave both options on).

Texture filename

Filename for the file containing texture information.

Use the Texture checkbox to choose whether to output texture information.

Light/Animation filename

Filename for the file containing lights and animation information.

Use the Lights and Animation checkboxes to choose what information to include in the file.

Lights are not converted in this release.

GetSegaGL Command Line Options

-v (verbose) Print progress updates during the conversion.
-fs n (frame start) Set n as the first frame of animation to output.
-fe n (frame end) Set n as the last frame of animation to output.
-s factor Scale model by factor before converting.
-a Do not output animation.
-n Do not output MetaCycle information.

Environment Variables

DT_EXPORT_DIR

The directory where exported files are created. This is the same as the Export directory field of the MakeGame window.

Parameters: a valid path to a directory

Default: '.' (the current working directory)

Output

The Sega translator's Sega GL source code output is flexible. The translator can output three files:

Testing the Output

Before you Begin

  1. Set up the development Saturn and CartDev according to their instructions.
  2. Make sure the SCSI ID dial on the back of the CartDev matches the SCSI ID text box (in the Downloader related settings).

If you have problems with SCSI communications:

Downloading to a Development Machine

  1. Choose Downloader from the Output pop-up menu.
  2. Click Init Viewer if you just switched on the Saturn, or if you want to reset the viewer.
  3. Click Start conversion to convert the model to Sega GL and download it to the Saturn.

The following screen appears after the CartDev is initialized:

The following screen appears after the monitor program is downloaded:

The following screen appears after the Alias|Wavefront viewer program is downloaded:

Using the Sega GL Demo Viewer

Left/Right Top buttons Change mode.
A+B Toggle information display.
A+B+C Clear screen.
Object Move, Object Rotate, Object Scale modes
X Previous object.
Y Next object.
B Show current object.
C Reset transformations.
Left, Right Move/Rotate/Scale in X
Up, Down Move/Rotate/Scale in Y
Z+Up, Z+Down Move/Rotate/Scale in Z
Camera Move mode
B Show current object.
C Reset moves.
Left, Right Move camera in X.
Up, Down Move camera in Y.
Z+Up, Z+Down Move camera in Z.
Camera Rotate mode
Start Switch between Look at (LAT) and Direct (NLM) modes.
B Show current object.
C Reset rotations.
Camera Rotate/Look At mode
X Look at previous object.
Y Look at next object. (When there is no current object, look at the origin).
Left, Right Change longitude.
Up, Down Change latitude.
Z+Left, Z+Right Rotate camera around the Z axis.
Z+Up, Z+Down Move camera toward/away from the current object.
A+Up, A+Down Increase/decrease Y offset.
Camera Rotate/Direct mode
Left, Right Rotate camera around the Y axis.
Up, Down Rotate camera around the X axis.
Z+Left, Z+Right Rotate camera around the Z axis.



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