Enhancing 3D In GameMaker Matrix Build Improvements And Alternatives

Hey everyone! Let's dive into a topic that's super important for anyone dabbling in 3D within GameMaker: matrix building. While GameMaker is primarily known as a 2D engine, its capabilities extend to 3D, especially for cool effects and backgrounds. However, the current matrix building implementation has some quirks that can be a bit frustrating. So, let's explore how we can make it better and smoother for everyone, especially those just starting out in the world of 3D game development.

The Importance of Matrix Building in 3D Rendering

Matrix building is the backbone of 3D rendering, and it plays a crucial role in transforming and manipulating objects in a 3D scene. In GameMaker, as in other 3D environments, matrices are used to perform operations like translation, rotation, and scaling. These transformations determine the final position, orientation, and size of objects in your game world. When matrices are not handled correctly, it can lead to visual distortions, incorrect object placements, and performance bottlenecks, all of which can detract from the overall gaming experience. Therefore, understanding and optimizing matrix building is essential for any developer looking to create compelling 3D graphics within GameMaker.

For those new to GameMaker or 3D graphics, the concept of matrices might seem a bit daunting. However, matrices are simply a way of encoding transformations into a single data structure. A matrix is essentially a grid of numbers that, when multiplied by a vertex (a point in 3D space), applies a specific transformation. For instance, a translation matrix moves an object, a rotation matrix rotates it, and a scaling matrix changes its size. By combining multiple matrices, you can apply a series of transformations in a single operation. This is where the efficiency and correctness of matrix building become critical. In GameMaker, the matrix_build function is the primary tool for creating these transformation matrices, and as we'll discuss, making this tool more intuitive and efficient can significantly improve the 3D development experience.

Matrix transformations are not just about positioning objects; they also play a critical role in creating visual effects and enhancing the overall look and feel of a game. For example, you might use matrices to create camera movements, apply perspective projections, or even simulate complex physical interactions. The possibilities are vast, and mastering matrix building opens up a wide range of creative options for game developers. However, the current implementation in GameMaker has some limitations that can make these tasks more challenging than they need to be. This is why addressing the quirks and inconsistencies in the matrix building process is so important. By improving the tools and making the process more intuitive, we can empower developers to push the boundaries of what's possible in GameMaker's 3D space and ultimately create more immersive and visually stunning games.

The Current Challenges with Matrix Building in GameMaker

Alright, let's talk about the specific issues we're facing with matrix building in GameMaker. There are three main pain points that I think we can address to make things a lot smoother:

1. The Annoying Lack of Default Arguments

One of the first things you'll notice when using matrix_build is the lack of default arguments. What does this mean? Well, translation is the most common transformation we use, but rotations and scaling? Not so much. This leads to a lot of repetitive code, like , 0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0) at the end of your matrix_build calls. It's not a huge deal, but it's definitely a bit of unnecessary boilerplate.

When developers are working with 3D in GameMaker, they frequently need to create transformation matrices for various objects and effects. The matrix_build function is the primary tool for this, but its current design requires specifying all nine parameters every time it's called, even when some of those parameters don't need to change. This can lead to verbose and repetitive code, especially when dealing with simple transformations where only translation is required. For instance, imagine a scenario where you have multiple objects that only need to be positioned in the 3D space, without any rotation or scaling. In the current system, you would still need to include the rotation and scale parameters with their default values in every matrix_build call. This not only clutters the code but also makes it harder to read and maintain. By implementing default arguments for the rotation and scale parameters, such as setting them to 0 for rotations and 1 for scaling, developers could simplify their code significantly. This would allow them to focus on the essential transformations, like translation, without having to worry about the unnecessary boilerplate. Moreover, this change would align GameMaker's matrix_build function with common practices in other 3D engines and APIs, making it easier for developers familiar with those environments to transition to GameMaker.

Furthermore, the lack of default arguments can increase the likelihood of errors. When developers have to manually input the same default values repeatedly, there's a higher chance of making a mistake, such as accidentally entering an incorrect value or omitting a parameter altogether. These errors can be difficult to spot and debug, especially in complex 3D scenes with numerous objects and transformations. By providing default values, the risk of these errors is reduced, leading to more reliable and robust code. In addition, the reduced verbosity of the code makes it easier to review and understand, which can further help in identifying and preventing errors. The simplicity of the syntax also makes it more accessible for beginners who are just learning the basics of 3D transformations. They can focus on the core concepts without getting bogged down in the details of the function's parameters. This can significantly improve the learning curve and encourage more developers to explore the 3D capabilities of GameMaker. Therefore, adding default arguments to the matrix_build function is not just a matter of convenience; it's a step towards making 3D development in GameMaker more efficient, error-resistant, and accessible to a wider range of developers.

2. Where Are the Independent Transformation Building Functions?

Sometimes, you just need a scaling matrix or a rotation matrix, nothing more. But with the current setup, you have to use matrix_build for everything. It would be super handy to have dedicated functions like matrix_build_translation, matrix_build_rotation, and matrix_build_scale. This would not only be cleaner but also potentially more optimized.

The need for independent transformation building functions arises from the common practice of composing complex transformations from simpler ones. In many 3D applications, including game development, it's often necessary to create a transformation matrix that combines multiple operations, such as scaling, rotation, and translation. While the matrix_build function in GameMaker can handle all these transformations, it forces developers to specify all parameters every time, even if they only need one type of transformation. This can lead to inefficiencies, especially in scenarios where the same scaling or rotation matrix is used multiple times. For example, consider a game where several objects need to be scaled uniformly. Instead of creating the same scaling matrix repeatedly using matrix_build, it would be more efficient to create it once with a dedicated matrix_build_scale function and then reuse it for all objects. This not only reduces the amount of code but also minimizes redundant calculations, which can improve performance, particularly in performance-sensitive applications like 3D rendering. Furthermore, dedicated functions make the code more readable and maintainable. When developers see a function named matrix_build_rotation, they immediately understand its purpose, which is not always the case with the more generic matrix_build function.

In addition to performance and readability, independent transformation building functions provide greater flexibility and control over the transformation process. For instance, in some scenarios, it might be necessary to apply transformations in a specific order to achieve the desired effect. With separate functions, developers can create individual matrices for scaling, rotation, and translation and then multiply them together in the order that suits their needs. This is particularly important when dealing with non-uniform scaling or rotations around arbitrary axes, where the order of operations can significantly impact the final result. For example, if you scale an object along the x-axis and then rotate it, the result will be different from rotating the object first and then scaling it. By having independent functions, developers can precisely control this order and achieve the desired transformations. Moreover, these functions can be easily extended to support more advanced transformations, such as shearing or perspective projections, without cluttering the main matrix_build function. This modularity makes the transformation system more robust and adaptable to future needs. Therefore, the addition of matrix_build_translation, matrix_build_rotation, and matrix_build_scale functions would be a significant improvement to GameMaker's 3D capabilities, providing developers with the tools they need to create more efficient, readable, and flexible code.

3. The Inconsistent Multiply Order (The Big One!)

Okay, this is the one that really gets me. GameMaker's matrix multiplication order is different from pretty much every other engine and API out there. In GameMaker, it's rotate -> scale -> translate, while the standard is scale -> rotate -> translate. This means that if you're drawing 3D models with simultaneous rotation and non-uniform scaling, things can get seriously distorted. You end up having to manually construct and multiply matrices to get the correct result. It's not the end of the world, but it adds a lot of unnecessary complexity and performance overhead, especially for complex 3D games. For me personally, this is a major bottleneck when it comes to porting my game to the Switch.

The inconsistency in matrix multiplication order between GameMaker and other 3D engines and APIs is a critical issue that can lead to unexpected and undesirable results, especially when dealing with complex 3D transformations. The standard order of multiplication, which is scale -> rotate -> translate, ensures that each transformation operates independently of the others. This means that scaling is applied first, then rotation, and finally translation, resulting in predictable and intuitive behavior. However, GameMaker's implementation reverses this order, applying rotation first, then scaling, and finally translation. This can cause problems when non-uniform scaling is involved, as the scaling operation will be affected by the rotation, leading to distortions and skewing of the objects. For example, if you rotate a cube and then scale it non-uniformly, the cube might not scale along its original axes, resulting in a skewed shape. This behavior is counterintuitive and can make it difficult to achieve the desired transformations, particularly for developers who are accustomed to the standard multiplication order. The need to manually construct and multiply matrices to compensate for this inconsistency adds significant complexity to the development process. Developers must write extra code to ensure that the transformations are applied in the correct order, which not only increases the amount of code but also makes it harder to read and maintain. This can be a major obstacle for newcomers to 3D development in GameMaker, as they might not be aware of this unusual behavior and the workarounds required.

Moreover, the inconsistent multiplication order can lead to performance issues. Manually constructing matrices and multiplying them together involves multiple function calls and calculations, which can add significant overhead, especially in performance-critical applications like 3D games. This overhead can be particularly noticeable on low-powered devices, such as mobile phones or consoles, where every optimization counts. By adopting the standard multiplication order, GameMaker could eliminate the need for these manual manipulations, improving performance and making 3D development more efficient. Furthermore, adhering to the standard multiplication order would make GameMaker more compatible with other 3D engines and APIs, making it easier for developers to port their games or reuse code across different platforms. This is particularly important for developers who work with multiple engines or plan to release their games on various platforms. In addition to the technical benefits, adopting the standard multiplication order would also improve the overall usability of GameMaker's 3D capabilities. Developers would be able to work with transformations in a more intuitive and predictable way, reducing the likelihood of errors and making the development process more enjoyable. Therefore, changing the matrix multiplication order to scale -> rotate -> translate would be a significant improvement to GameMaker, aligning it with industry standards and making it easier for developers to create compelling 3D experiences.

Potential Solutions Let's Make Matrix Building Better

So, how can we fix these issues? Here are my suggestions:

1. Default Arguments for matrix_build

It would be awesome if we could just write matrix_build(x, y, z) when we only need translation. Defaulting rotations to 0.0 and scale to 1.0 would make life so much easier.

2. Dedicated Transformation Building Functions

Bring on matrix_build_translation, matrix_build_rotation, and matrix_build_scale! This would make our code cleaner, more readable, and potentially more performant.

3. Fixing the Multiply Order

This is the big one. Let's switch to the standard scale -> rotate -> translate order. It would save us a lot of headaches and performance bottlenecks.

Alternative Solutions and Workarounds

Even addressing just one of these issues would help a lot. For example, having independent transformation functions would make it easier to manually construct matrices to work around the multiplication order issue. At the very least, the documentation should clearly explain the current multiplication order, its potential pitfalls, and how to avoid them.

Conclusion

While GameMaker excels in 2D game development, its 3D capabilities offer exciting possibilities for enhancing games with immersive environments and visual effects. However, the current implementation of matrix building presents several challenges that can hinder developers, especially those new to 3D. By addressing the lack of default arguments, introducing independent transformation building functions, and, most importantly, aligning the matrix multiplication order with industry standards, GameMaker can unlock its full 3D potential. These improvements would not only streamline the development process but also empower developers to create more compelling and visually stunning games. Let's make 3D in GameMaker as intuitive and powerful as its 2D capabilities!