[VixenEngine] Offline resource database solution. Potential integration with Git database.

[MattGuerrette]

Currently there is only a runtime resource solution for VixenEngine. There needs to be an offline (not runtime) resource management solution that can transform DCC content into the content packages loadable by the game engine itself. This system will be needed for VixenEditor at some point to be able to compile content.

Features:

• manage multiple types in consistent manner
• create new resources
• delete resources
• inspect / modify existing resources
• change resource file location on disk
• resources must have built in cross-reference dependency checking to assist in resource building and loading process
• maintain referential integrity across all resource operations such as deleting or moving
• maintain revision history of resource changes, with comments for changes
• query system for developers or artists to know where resources are being used in the game

How do we implement such a feature?

• content compilers will be written as subsystem VixenEngine
• leverage the libgit2 C-api to develop a resource database.
• utilize the XML file format to serialize database entries and maintain the relational database
• develop and integrate a GUI front-end into VixenEditor for developers to easily manage resources.

Comments

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns involving this project. It is no small task to create such a resource system, but I believe developing such a feature for Vixen will greatly improve the engine.

[GonzoBright]

Makes sense.