Finally going to buy Lite-C, but I have some questions first :]

So, I'm going to register lite-c tomorrow. I have three main questions before I do, however.

1) Will WED open? I have the free version, and it came with WED, but it simply won't open. MED opens, but I can't do anything at all with it. Is this because it is the free version, and will both programs be "unlocked" if I buy lite-c?

2) Just with lite-c, and the editors with it, could I make a top view, yet 3D turn based RPG? Also, could I go a game best comparable to Zelda: Link to the Past? (Top down view, action based, etc.) Basically, I wanna know if I can make a game without paying 900 dollars for the pro version of GS. From what I understand Gamestudio only adds some templates, and a physics engine, right? Everything else is done in MED/ SED/ WED? which all come in lite-c.

3) Can I commercially distribute things I make with the registered version of lite-c?

Thank you.

feature by edition table

litec full will not open WED, you need A7 extra for that. If you are going to make a 3d rpg, WED makes things a lot easier. Get extra, It's the cheapest edition with WED. You can distribute games with any edition other than the free one.

Okay, thanks. Then, why is WED packaged with Lite-C? Could I theoretically "make" my own levels without WED in Lite-C? I just don't have $100 to drop right now, that's all. I suppose it can be done down the line however. I'd rather get comfortable with Lite-C before I start investing big bucks into anything.

Thanks, again.

Side note: As far as programming in general goes, my neighbor, who is a programmer says Python is the best place to start just for learning basic stuff. He said it is used for GUI apps.

EDIT: Does Lite-C some with MED?

I dont know if lite-c "comes" with Med, but you can (legally) download it from somewhere on conitecs website.
If you already have (an unusable) WED, you should also have MED somewhere there too...

And if you get another 3D modelling program, say one of the freebies
like say "Blender" you can create levels in there and import them into MED,
save them as models, then load them into an "empty" level in lite-c (at run time)
and "poof" one level without WED.

It aint quite THAT easy, each step is trickier than I make it sound, but it is definitely do-able.
And for more info on free-ware modellling tools to create your levels with, look in the "Third-party Tools" forum...

Best of luck.

Thank you. Yeah, I'm trying to be thrifty about this. I use Sketch-up, and it exports things as its own format (.skp, and .skb), but I've used Blender before. There is a plug-in for sketch-up that exports things as ".3ds" but I can't open a 3DS in MED. Can Blender export ".3ds"? and ".MDL/2" and ".OBJ"? Thanks again.

EDIT: I may have caused some confusion. I downloaded the free Lite-C a while ago. It came with MED, and WED. WED will not open, and MED opens, but I can't do anything in it. I can go to File, View, etc, and try to import, but it still doesn't do anything.

Well,
i think you are a bit novice on game develop, so mi piece of advice is this:
if you are short of money, download Lite-C free version, it comes with MED and SED (model editor and code editor, there is no WED on Lite-C free),
and practice, make small games or part of your project.
When you feel comfortable with programing or making art stuff (or you have joined a team), then you can think about buying a better version. As you learn and start to make things, you will know for sure what tools you need.
Buying a Pro edition will not make the game for you, anyway.
You need to learn how to use it.

I totally agree, and completely understand. I am a novice to the mechanical side of things. I mean, getting stuff to a real solid playable state. However, I like to think I'm good on paper in terms of writing, and designing (levels, areas, and characters).

To be honest, I have always liked limitations. Limitations force creativity, and ingenuity.