I want to know some good reasons to use jMonkeyEngine for a Java 3d game development tool instead of just creating a game with LWJGL myself? I want to know a good reason I should choose this tool. Does anyone have a list of pros and cons for me to work with?
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7 Pros (as from their own website http://jmonkeyengine.org/)
- Free, open source
- Multiple platform targets
- Modular design
- Great documentation
- Shader based architecture
- User friendly SDK
Cons
- If you're interested in the low level parts of creating a game you're better off starting with LWJGL yourself.
- Some engines make you work a certain way but I'm not sure if jMonkeyEngine does that.
If you're not familiar with OpenGL or game development I would advice you to start with jMonkeyEngine since that's more high level and you will be able to produce quality games a lot faster. LWJGL is not even an ounce object oriented which makes using it in java a bit of a pain in the beginning but it's great when you understand how everything works.
That's just my two cents but everyone has different opinions.
- \$\begingroup\$ Thanks for the reply it does look interesting and easier to make a game with it. But your saying I should try this first and then once I get familiar with it I will have some familiarity to be able to create with LWJGL. \$\endgroup\$KingCodeFish– KingCodeFish2013-08-09 12:58:53 +00:00Commented Aug 9, 2013 at 12:58
- \$\begingroup\$ Does jMonkeyEngine support Blender models or just (.3ds) and their editor? \$\endgroup\$KingCodeFish– KingCodeFish2013-08-09 14:01:48 +00:00Commented Aug 9, 2013 at 14:01
- \$\begingroup\$ I figured out jMonkeyEngine does support certain exports of Blender. \$\endgroup\$KingCodeFish– KingCodeFish2013-08-10 07:26:29 +00:00Commented Aug 10, 2013 at 7:26
- 2\$\begingroup\$ Its worth noting that Jmonkey does allow some fairly low level access; eg their mesh buffers are pretty similar to VBOs \$\endgroup\$Richard Tingle– Richard Tingle2013-08-10 10:24:26 +00:00Commented Aug 10, 2013 at 10:24
- \$\begingroup\$ Your right, it does support low-level coordinates for quads and other shapes, something to note. Thanks! \$\endgroup\$KingCodeFish– KingCodeFish2013-08-10 17:10:29 +00:00Commented Aug 10, 2013 at 17:10