5 easy steps towards your FREDucation - Revision history

SpaceFreak: /* Step 1 - Do the Walkthrough */ Clarification

2010-07-24T16:50:07Z

Step 1 - Do the Walkthrough: Clarification

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:50, 24 July 2010
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	==Step 1 - Do the Walkthrough==		==Step 1 - Do the Walkthrough==

	This is the most essential part of any FREDucation. You can, and many have, go straight from a completed walkthrough mission ~~and~~ into a ~~campaigns~~ staff and churn out missions with little difficulty. The walkthrough touches on everything you'll need to know to get you started in FRED, and it's a brilliant tool. However, as V themselves admitted, it's still only an introduction to FRED - even before the SCP, people were doing things with FRED that the original coders had never even considered implementing, let alone realized they were already possible.		This is the most essential part of any FREDucation. The walkthrough can be found in the FRED help files, which you can download [http://homepage.ntlworld.com/karajorma/FAQ/downloads.html here] ("Fred Docs") if you don't have them yet. You can, and many have, go straight from a completed walkthrough mission into a campaign staff and churn out missions with little difficulty. The walkthrough touches on everything you'll need to know to get you started in FRED, and it's a brilliant tool. However, as [[Volition]] themselves admitted, it's still only an introduction to FRED - even before the [[SCP]], people were doing things with FRED that the original coders had never even considered implementing, let alone realized they were already possible.

	==Step 2 - Baby steps==		==Step 2 - Baby steps==

Ngtm1r: Because the old article is out of date.

2009-09-27T06:36:08Z

Because the old article is out of date.

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:36, 27 September 2009
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	Some useful articles, which, despite their age, can still be very relevant to FREDders. Pay particular attention to:		Some useful articles, which, despite their age, can still be very relevant to FREDders. Pay particular attention to:
	* [[What Makes a Good Mission?]]		* [[What Makes a Good Mission?]]
	* [[~~FRED and the~~ Battle of Endor ~~Syndrome~~]]		* [[Battle of Endor]]
	* [[Tunnel Vision: Why Subspace Mission?]]		* [[Tunnel Vision: Why Subspace Mission?]]
	* [[The Problem With User-Created Levels]]		* [[The Problem With User-Created Levels]]

The E: /* Links */

2009-09-27T02:28:53Z

Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:28, 27 September 2009
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	Everything mentioned above, and a few other useful resources, will be listed here.		Everything mentioned above, and a few other useful resources, will be listed here.

			[[VolitionWatch Articles List]]

	Some useful articles, which, despite their age, can still be very relevant to FREDders. Pay particular attention to:		Some useful articles, which, despite their age, can still be very relevant to FREDders. Pay particular attention to:

The E: /* Links */

2009-09-27T02:25:34Z

Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:25, 27 September 2009
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	Everything mentioned above, and a few other useful resources, will be listed here.		Everything mentioned above, and a few other useful resources, will be listed here.

	~~[[Category:VolitionWatch_Articles "Volitionwatch Articles Index"]]~~ Some useful articles, which, despite their age, can still be very relevant to FREDders. Pay particular attention to:		Some useful articles, which, despite their age, can still be very relevant to FREDders. Pay particular attention to:
	* [[What Makes a Good Mission?]]		* [[What Makes a Good Mission?]]
	* [[FRED and the Battle of Endor Syndrome]]		* [[FRED and the Battle of Endor Syndrome]]

The E: /* Links */

2009-09-27T02:22:21Z

Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:22, 27 September 2009
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	Everything mentioned above, and a few other useful resources, will be listed here.		Everything mentioned above, and a few other useful resources, will be listed here.

	[~~http~~:~~//www.volitionwatch.com/articles/~~ Volitionwatch Articles Index ] Some useful articles, which, despite their age, can still be very relevant to FREDders. Pay particular attention to:		[[Category:VolitionWatch_Articles "Volitionwatch Articles Index"]] Some useful articles, which, despite their age, can still be very relevant to FREDders. Pay particular attention to:
	* [[What Makes a Good Mission?]]		* [[What Makes a Good Mission?]]
	* [[FRED and the Battle of Endor Syndrome]]		* [[FRED and the Battle of Endor Syndrome]]

The E: Removed/changed some dead links

2009-09-27T02:20:12Z

Removed/changed some dead links

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:20, 27 September 2009
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	[http://www.volitionwatch.com/articles/ Volitionwatch Articles Index ] Some useful articles, which, despite their age, can still be very relevant to FREDders. Pay particular attention to:		[http://www.volitionwatch.com/articles/ Volitionwatch Articles Index ] Some useful articles, which, despite their age, can still be very relevant to FREDders. Pay particular attention to:
	* [~~http://www.volitionwatch.com/articles/ArticleDisp.php?ID=13~~ What Makes a Good Mission?]		* [[What Makes a Good Mission?]]
	* [~~http://www.volitionwatch.com/articles/ArticleDisp.php?ID=26~~ FRED and the Battle of Endor Syndrome ]		* [[FRED and the Battle of Endor Syndrome]]
	* [~~http://www.volitionwatch.com/articles/ArticleDisp.php?ID=27~~ Tunnel Vision: Why Subspace Mission?]		* [[Tunnel Vision: Why Subspace Mission?]]
	* [~~http://www.volitionwatch.com/articles/ArticleDisp.php?ID=25~~ The Problem With User-Created Levels]		* [[The Problem With User-Created Levels]]

	~~[http://www.3dap.com/hlp/hosted/fredzone FREDZone] A useful resource for FRED information.~~

	~~[http://www.fileplanet.com/dl.aspx?3dactionplanet/freespace/acheron.zip GTI Archeron by Robin Varley] - A well built light installation mod that fills a void in the FS2 Shipset.~~

	~~[http://www.3dap.com/hlp/hosted/scroll/download.html GVSC Imhotep from The Scroll of Atankharzim~~] ~~- Vasudan science ship - another void in the FS2 shipset neatly filled.~~


	For any questions regarding FRED not covered by this or the other Wiki documents, try the [http://www.hard-light.net/forums/ HLP forums]. You can also contact me, Black Wolf, through a Private Message on HLP, or by emailing the_lone_black_wolf@hotmail.com		For any questions regarding FRED not covered by this or the other Wiki documents, try the [http://www.hard-light.net/forums/ HLP forums]. You can also contact me, Black Wolf, through a Private Message on HLP, or by emailing the_lone_black_wolf@hotmail.com

	[[Category:FRED]]		[[Category:FRED]]

Aardwolf: /* Step 3 - Research */

2009-01-04T08:20:14Z

Step 3 - Research

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:20, 4 January 2009
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	==Step 3 - Research==		==Step 3 - Research==

	OK. By now, you're comfortable with what you learned in the Walkthrough, it's time to expand on your knowledge by researching what others have done. Use VPView to extract Volition missions from Root.vp and have a look at how they did certain things. There are lots of more complex things, like Knossos jumping, or having the player follow waypoints, that the walkthrough does not cover. You could also try looking at the missions from various campaigns that have been released. Things like Derelict and Warzone that had few mods often relied on inventive FREDding to add spice to their missions, and these tactics are still just as or even more valid now, despite the multitude of available mods. You'll also want to check out the various tips and tricks that were written up way back in the day for FRED1, which are hosted on Freespacewatch. These may seem dated, but much of the core information about mission continuity and ambience remains vitally important for any FREDder.		OK. By now, you're comfortable with what you learned in the Walkthrough, it's time to expand on your knowledge by researching what others have done. Use [[VPView]] to extract Volition missions from Root.vp and have a look at how they did certain things. There are lots of more complex things, like Knossos jumping, or having the player follow waypoints, that the walkthrough does not cover. You could also try looking at the missions from various campaigns that have been released. Things like Derelict and Warzone that had few mods often relied on inventive FREDding to add spice to their missions, and these tactics are still just as or even more valid now, despite the multitude of available mods. You'll also want to check out the various tips and tricks that were written up way back in the day for FRED1, which are hosted on Freespacewatch. These may seem dated, but much of the core information about mission continuity and ambience remains vitally important for any FREDder.

	==Step 4 - Linking missions together==		==Step 4 - Linking missions together==

TopAce: 5 Easy steps towards your FREDucation moved to 5 easy steps towards your FREDucation: Adjectives aren't capitalized

2008-12-29T18:30:03Z

5 Easy steps towards your FREDucation moved to 5 easy steps towards your FREDucation: Adjectives aren't capitalized

← Older revision	Revision as of 18:30, 29 December 2008
(No difference)

TopAce at 18:29, 29 December 2008

2008-12-29T18:29:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:29, 29 December 2008
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	:('''Written by:''' ~~???~~. Taken from the original source ~~without any alteration~~)		:('''Written by:''' Black Wolf. Taken from the original source with the following alterations: Wikifying)

	There are lots of people in the FS community at the moment, new and old, who claim they can't FRED. Some have made the choice voluntarily, others simply don't know where to start, or don't think it's something they'd ever be able to learn. The truth is though, even if you've never modded or mapped a computer game in your life, you can master FRED in a relatively short time. The following five steps will hopefully help anyone aspiring to teach themselves FRED to map out their plans and ultimately come out a pro FREDder.		There are lots of people in the FS community at the moment, new and old, who claim they can't FRED. Some have made the choice voluntarily, others simply don't know where to start, or don't think it's something they'd ever be able to learn. The truth is though, even if you've never modded or mapped a computer game in your life, you can master FRED in a relatively short time. The following five steps will hopefully help anyone aspiring to teach themselves FRED to map out their plans and ultimately come out a pro FREDder.

TopAce at 19:51, 2 October 2008

2008-10-02T19:51:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:51, 2 October 2008
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	~~=FRED Tutorial=~~		:('''Written by:''' ???. Taken from the original source without any alteration)

	There are lots of people in the FS community at the moment, new and old, who claim they can't FRED. Some have made the choice voluntarily, others simply don't know where to start, or don't think it's something they'd ever be able to learn. The truth is though, even if you've never modded or mapped a computer game in your life, you can master FRED in a relatively short time. The following five steps will hopefully help anyone aspiring to teach themselves FRED to map out their plans and ultimately come out a pro FREDder.		There are lots of people in the FS community at the moment, new and old, who claim they can't FRED. Some have made the choice voluntarily, others simply don't know where to start, or don't think it's something they'd ever be able to learn. The truth is though, even if you've never modded or mapped a computer game in your life, you can master FRED in a relatively short time. The following five steps will hopefully help anyone aspiring to teach themselves FRED to map out their plans and ultimately come out a pro FREDder.

	~~----~~
	==Step 1 - Do the Walkthrough==		==Step 1 - Do the Walkthrough==

	This is the most essential part of any FREDucation. You can, and many have, go straight from a completed walkthrough mission and into a campaigns staff and churn out missions with little difficulty. The walkthrough touches on everything you'll need to know to get you started in FRED, and it's a brilliant tool. However, as V themselves admitted, it's still only an introduction to FRED - even before the SCP, people were doing things with FRED that the original coders had never even considered implementing, let alone realized they were already possible.		This is the most essential part of any FREDucation. You can, and many have, go straight from a completed walkthrough mission and into a campaigns staff and churn out missions with little difficulty. The walkthrough touches on everything you'll need to know to get you started in FRED, and it's a brilliant tool. However, as V themselves admitted, it's still only an introduction to FRED - even before the SCP, people were doing things with FRED that the original coders had never even considered implementing, let alone realized they were already possible.

	~~----~~
	==Step 2 - Baby steps==		==Step 2 - Baby steps==

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	-TIP - Don't skimp on this mission - make it as complete as you can. Include a briefing and debrief, mission goals, background, check the music and title all fit - often completed missions can be adapted for use later on, no matter how simple they will appear once your FREDding skill has improved.		-TIP - Don't skimp on this mission - make it as complete as you can. Include a briefing and debrief, mission goals, background, check the music and title all fit - often completed missions can be adapted for use later on, no matter how simple they will appear once your FREDding skill has improved.

	~~----~~
	==Step 3 - Research==		==Step 3 - Research==

	OK. By now, you're comfortable with what you learned in the Walkthrough, it's time to expand on your knowledge by researching what others have done. Use VPView to extract Volition missions from Root.vp and have a look at how they did certain things. There are lots of more complex things, like Knossos jumping, or having the player follow waypoints, that the walkthrough does not cover. You could also try looking at the missions from various campaigns that have been released. Things like Derelict and Warzone that had few mods often relied on inventive FREDding to add spice to their missions, and these tactics are still just as or even more valid now, despite the multitude of available mods. You'll also want to check out the various tips and tricks that were written up way back in the day for FRED1, which are hosted on Freespacewatch. These may seem dated, but much of the core information about mission continuity and ambience remains vitally important for any FREDder.		OK. By now, you're comfortable with what you learned in the Walkthrough, it's time to expand on your knowledge by researching what others have done. Use VPView to extract Volition missions from Root.vp and have a look at how they did certain things. There are lots of more complex things, like Knossos jumping, or having the player follow waypoints, that the walkthrough does not cover. You could also try looking at the missions from various campaigns that have been released. Things like Derelict and Warzone that had few mods often relied on inventive FREDding to add spice to their missions, and these tactics are still just as or even more valid now, despite the multitude of available mods. You'll also want to check out the various tips and tricks that were written up way back in the day for FRED1, which are hosted on Freespacewatch. These may seem dated, but much of the core information about mission continuity and ambience remains vitally important for any FREDder.

	~~----~~
	==Step 4 - Linking missions together==		==Step 4 - Linking missions together==

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	-NB - making a campaign is in no way essential to learning to FRED. What's important is the experience you'd gain working with the various environments and commands in FRED, and the interesting situations campaigns often lead to. If you don't want to commit to what is a decent sized project (even three missions will probably see you sitting in front of a computer for twelve or so hours, plus time for testing.) then don't. Single missions are just as effective here as a minicampaign, and in many ways even more since you don't need to worry about linking the various missions together, nor come up with plot plausible reasons to see your player plunging into a nebula or asteroid field.		-NB - making a campaign is in no way essential to learning to FRED. What's important is the experience you'd gain working with the various environments and commands in FRED, and the interesting situations campaigns often lead to. If you don't want to commit to what is a decent sized project (even three missions will probably see you sitting in front of a computer for twelve or so hours, plus time for testing.) then don't. Single missions are just as effective here as a minicampaign, and in many ways even more since you don't need to worry about linking the various missions together, nor come up with plot plausible reasons to see your player plunging into a nebula or asteroid field.

	~~----~~
	==Step 5 - Test, Test, Test.==		==Step 5 - Test, Test, Test.==

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	Well done pilot - you now have all the expertise you'll need to become a fully fledged member of the FREDding community, with a campaign release under your belt (you were planning to release, right?) and the potential to do pretty much anything. With the possible exception of BWO, there's not a campaign out there that'd turn down applications from FREDders, or you can start your own project, large or small, and add to the FS universe that way. With the SCP and FSO there's a myriad of new concepts and abilities coming to FRED, and, despite everything you'll probably have done by this point, there'll always be a lot to learn.		Well done pilot - you now have all the expertise you'll need to become a fully fledged member of the FREDding community, with a campaign release under your belt (you were planning to release, right?) and the potential to do pretty much anything. With the possible exception of BWO, there's not a campaign out there that'd turn down applications from FREDders, or you can start your own project, large or small, and add to the FS universe that way. With the SCP and FSO there's a myriad of new concepts and abilities coming to FRED, and, despite everything you'll probably have done by this point, there'll always be a lot to learn.

	~~----~~		==Links==

	=Links=

	Everything mentioned above, and a few other useful resources, will be listed here.		Everything mentioned above, and a few other useful resources, will be listed here.
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	[http://www.3dap.com/hlp/hosted/scroll/download.html GVSC Imhotep from The Scroll of Atankharzim] - Vasudan science ship - another void in the FS2 shipset neatly filled.		[http://www.3dap.com/hlp/hosted/scroll/download.html GVSC Imhotep from The Scroll of Atankharzim] - Vasudan science ship - another void in the FS2 shipset neatly filled.

	~~----~~

	For any questions regarding FRED not covered by this or the other Wiki documents, try the [http://www.hard-light.net/forums/ HLP forums]. You can also contact me, Black Wolf, through a Private Message on HLP, or by emailing the_lone_black_wolf@hotmail.com		For any questions regarding FRED not covered by this or the other Wiki documents, try the [http://www.hard-light.net/forums/ HLP forums]. You can also contact me, Black Wolf, through a Private Message on HLP, or by emailing the_lone_black_wolf@hotmail.com

	[[Category:FRED]]		[[Category:FRED]]