NeoAxis Engine

[Sneakyone]

Guide to NeoAxis Engine

**NeoAxis Engine** is a free, powerful, and versatile 3D/2D game engine designed for creating games, simulations, and virtual reality applications. With its user-friendly interface, powerful visual scripting tools, and extensive support for various platforms, NeoAxis Engine is an excellent choice for both beginners and advanced developers. This guide will walk you through the installation, configuration, and key features of NeoAxis Engine.

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1. Installation Process

Follow these steps to install NeoAxis Engine on your device:

1. Download the installer: Visit the official NeoAxis website and download the latest version of NeoAxis Engine.
   
2. Run the installer: After downloading, double-click the installer file to start the installation process.
   
3. Choose installation options: Follow the on-screen instructions to select the installation directory and options. You can choose between the personal or commercial version based on your use case.
   
4. Complete installation: Once the installation is complete, launch the NeoAxis Engine from your desktop or Start menu.
   

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2. First-Time Setup and Customization

After installing NeoAxis Engine, follow these steps to configure it for optimal use:

1. Open the project manager: Upon launching NeoAxis, you’ll see the Project Manager, where you can create new projects, open existing ones, or explore the sample projects.
   
2. Create a new project: Click ‘New Project’ and select from various templates such as ‘Empty Project,’ ‘First Person Shooter,’ ‘Strategy Game,’ or ‘VR Template.’ This will set up the basic framework for your project.
   
3. Customize the interface: In the NeoAxis Editor, you can adjust the workspace layout by dragging and docking windows, such as the Scene Editor, Properties, and Asset Manager, to suit your workflow.
   
4. Set up rendering settings: Go to the ‘Settings’ tab and configure the rendering settings based on your project’s requirements. You can choose between different rendering pipelines, including Deferred and Forward rendering.
   

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3. Key Features and How to Use Them

NeoAxis Engine offers a rich set of features for creating both 2D and 3D games. Here’s how to use some of its key features:

• Scene Editor: The Scene Editor allows you to design your game environment visually. You can place 3D objects, lights, and cameras by dragging and dropping them from the Asset Manager into the scene. You can move, rotate, and scale objects using the gizmo in the editor.
  
• Visual Scripting: NeoAxis includes a powerful visual scripting system. To use it, select an object in the scene, open its properties, and click ‘Create Logic Component.’ This allows you to create game logic without writing code by connecting nodes to perform actions like movement, spawning objects, or changing variables.
  
• Material and Shader Editor: The Material Editor lets you create and modify materials for 3D models. You can adjust properties like texture maps, reflectivity, and transparency. Advanced users can edit shaders directly to control how objects interact with light.
  
• Physics Engine: NeoAxis has an integrated physics engine for creating realistic simulations. To enable physics on an object, select it and check the ‘Enable Physics’ option in its properties. You can control properties like mass, friction, and collision detection.
  
• Animation System: NeoAxis supports skeletal animation for 3D models. You can import animations in formats like FBX and apply them to characters in the Animation Component. Use the Animation Editor to blend between different animations and create smooth transitions.
  
• UI Designer: NeoAxis includes a built-in UI editor for creating menus, HUDs, and interactive elements. Open the UI Designer and drag buttons, sliders, and text fields into the interface. Use the Event System to trigger actions when users interact with UI elements.
  
• Multiplayer Support: NeoAxis has built-in support for multiplayer networking. You can set up networked multiplayer by configuring the Network Manager in your project. This feature supports both peer-to-peer and server-client architectures.
  
• Scripting with C#: While NeoAxis offers visual scripting, advanced users can also use C# to write custom scripts. To add a C# script, go to ‘Assets’ > ‘Scripts,’ and create a new C# file. You can write your logic here and attach it to game objects in the scene.
  

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4. Customizing Advanced Settings

NeoAxis offers a wide range of advanced settings to enhance your project. Here’s how to customize it further:

1. Adjust lighting and shadows: Open the ‘Lighting’ tab in the Scene Editor to adjust global illumination settings, including shadow resolution, light types (e.g., point, directional, spot), and ambient lighting.
   
2. Optimize performance: In the ‘Performance Settings,’ you can configure settings such as level of detail (LOD), culling, and occlusion to improve frame rates. This is especially useful for larger scenes or VR projects.
   
3. Customize Input Controls: You can define custom input actions by opening ‘Settings’ > ‘Input.’ Here, you can assign specific keys or controller buttons for in-game actions, such as moving, jumping, or interacting with objects.
   
4. Use plugins and extensions: NeoAxis supports third-party plugins and extensions to expand its capabilities. You can install plugins from the NeoAxis store or develop your own using the SDK. Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Plugins’ to manage your plugins.
   

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5. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some common issues you may encounter with NeoAxis Engine and how to resolve them:

• Performance issues: If your project is running slowly, try lowering the texture resolution, adjusting shadow quality, or enabling level of detail (LOD) for distant objects. You can find these settings in the ‘Rendering’ section.
  
• Scene not displaying correctly: If objects aren’t rendering properly, ensure that your graphics drivers are up to date. You can also try resetting the rendering settings in the ‘Graphics’ tab to default values.
  
• Physics not behaving as expected: Ensure that physics is enabled for objects by checking the ‘Enable Physics’ box in the object’s properties. Also, verify that collision detection is configured correctly for both static and dynamic objects.
  
• Script errors: If you encounter errors while using C# scripts, open the output log to review the error messages. Ensure that all necessary references are included in the project and that your script syntax is correct.
  
• Multiplayer connection issues: Ensure that the Network Manager is properly configured for both the client and server. Check firewall settings to ensure that the necessary ports are open for network communication.
  

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6. Uninstalling NeoAxis Engine

If you need to uninstall NeoAxis Engine, follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel or Settings app on your computer.
   
2. Go to Programs > Uninstall a Program (Windows).
   
3. Find NeoAxis Engine in the list of installed programs and click Uninstall.
   
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove NeoAxis from your system.
   

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7. Conclusion

NeoAxis Engine is a versatile and feature-rich platform for creating a wide range of 3D and 2D applications, from games to simulations. With its combination of visual scripting, C# support, and an intuitive interface, NeoAxis is an excellent choice for both beginners and advanced developers. For more help, visit the NeoAxis Support Page.