File:                BeChess3D_PR.tgz
Author:              Ludvig Pedersen (ludvigp@ifi.uio.no) 
Release:             v0.50 (24/7-1997) 
Compatibility:       PR 
Location:            Game 
Description:	       This is a chess game with a 3D interface. 
Notes: 

                            BeChess3D v0.50
                   --------------------------------
 
                      Programming: Ludvig Pedersen


BeChess3D is a chess game with a 3D interface. This only a preview release,
but I hope the final version will be finished soon.

Features:
---------

  - Phong shading
  - Texture mapping
  - 24 bits graphics
  - Free movements
  - Multi-threaded
  - Approx. 6000 polygons in scene
  - 100% Perspective correct
  - Bi-linear texturemapping
  - Z-Buffer
  - GnuChess computer-player (Soon)

Known bugs:
-----------

  - Not fullscreen (GameKit and GfxDriver bug)
  - Multi CPU bugs, where both CPU uses the same entry in the 
    ZBuffer at once. Its hard to notice, but I'll try to reduce the 
    occurens of this bug later.

History:
--------

v0.10	First release

v0.11	Added some stuff to the doc.

v0.20	Ported to AA-DR9, fixed some bugs and worked on the 3D-engine.	
		FIXED: DR8 Only
		FIXED: BeChess3D crashed when started from icon.
		FIXED: Texture coordinate mapping from LightWave bugs.

v0.30	SPEED: Now objects which is outside the view
		will not be rotated, clipped and rendered. I must have commented 
		out this code in sleep...a long time ago?? (before v0.10)

		Added a flashing chess-piece selector.
		
		Added a mouse cursor.

v0.31	As BeChess3D is multi-threaded its now possible to
		set the number of rendering-threads. (See Tips)

v0.50  I have now added bi-linear texturemapping to improve rendering
		quality. Try to zoom in on the texture, no more large blocks! :-)
		As bi-linear texturemapping is rather slow, I have also included a
		version of BeChess3D which only uses normal texturemapping.
		
		For those with some VERY fast CPUs its now possible to run 
		BeChess3D in 640x336 (See Tips)
		
		Its now possible to move the chesspieces with a blinking 
		chessboard cursor by using the keyboard. All I need now is
		to get the very messy and badly written gnuchess source to 
		work and we have a computer player...
		
To do:
------

  - Complain to Be about all the bugs in the GameKit. :-(
  - Try to use Be's new font engine to write text. :-)
  - Add mouse control again, since Be has made set_mouse_position().
  - Add 2 digital clocks and some other options/info. (3D font)
  - Port GnuChess and use its computer chess "brain" (Almost done)    

Requires:
---------

  - BeOS Preview Release
  - 2 MB Graphics memory
  

How to start BeChess3D:
-----------------------

  - Unpack the archive
  - Start BeChess3D from icon or terminal.

How to navigate in the 3D world:
--------------------------------

  - RotateLeft        = Left Arrow
  - RotateRight       = Right Arrow 
  - RotateUp          = Up Arrow
  - RotateDown        = Down Arrow

  - MoveLeft          = "A"
  - MoveRight         = "D"
  - MoveForward       = "W"
  - MoveBackward      = "X"
  - MoveUp            = Left Shift
  - MoveDown          = Left Control

  - MoveSelectorLeft  = Left Arrow (Keypad)
  - MoveSelectorRight = Right Arrow (Keypad)
  - MoveSelectorUp    = Up Arrow (Keypad)
  - MoveSelectorDown  = Down Arrow (Keypad)

  - Select ChessPiece = Space

  - Escape            = ESC

Tips:
-----

  BeChess3D print a lot of DEBUG info to STDOUT(Termial window),
  so if BeChess3D craches this is the place to look! 
  Also if you are interrested in some rendering info/stats look here.
  
  If you think you have a fast enough machine for a bigger 
  window-size start BeChess3D from a terminal with this 
  parameter: "BeChess3D data/chessBIG.wrl"

  HACK: Its also possible to change the number of RenderThreads
  by editing "data/chess.wrl" or "data/chessBIG.wrl" with a 
  text editor (BeIDE/StyledEdit) around line 758.
  Usually, setting it equal to the number of CPU's you have
  will give the best result.


Updates:
--------

The newest version of BeChess3D is available at:

http://www.ifi.uio.no/~ludvigp/Be/index.html



Contact me at: ludvigp@ifi.uio.no


              BeChess3D - Copyright 1997 Ludvig Pedersen.