# I'm evaluating learning Lua & Defold, but **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions\ **Created:** [November 28, 2021, 12:40am UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/im-evaluating-learning-lua-defold-but/69797 "2021-11-28T00:40:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![masterneme](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/masterneme/32/31665_2.png) [@masterneme](https://forum.defold.com/u/masterneme)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2021, 12:40am UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/im-evaluating-learning-lua-defold-but/69797/1 "2021-11-28T00:40:25Z")
…I have some questions. Hi, I’m currently developing an FPS with UE4 but I like learning other things at the same time as a mental “active rest”. The last 2 months I’ve been learning and practicing Javascript because I wanted to make simple 2D games with Phaser but I realized that if I wanted to port them to Android or Desktop it would take a lot of work. And then I found Defold or should I say rediscover because I knew it existed but I discarded it because I thought it still was closed-sourced & had the requirement of using some servers to build and save projects. Fortunately this is all in the past, therefore I’ve been skimming some tutorials, forum posts and watching a lot of videos about the engine. I like it. I also like the philosophy of keeping it simple, “small” and focusing on 2D, even if it’s a 3D engine. This bring me to some questions, one of them being: If I want to combine some 3D elements for some games is it easy to do it or does the engine totally discourage this pratice? If it’s posible, can I do it with the built-in editor or would I need external tools? When I say 3D I don’t mean Fortnite or Skyrim but something like Death Rally or GTA 1 that had buildings and obstacles made out of ultra lowpoly models. Another usage of 3D models I want to try is to fake FOV like the game Teleglitch by having very tall black walls. Apart from that, is there an out-of-the-box way to add normal maps to my sprites or do I need shaders or plugins for that? Even if any form of 3D is imposible to use I still want to learn, do you have any recomendations? I think tinkering with Lua would be the best starting point for me. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![COCO](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/coco/32/38692_2.png) [@COCO](https://forum.defold.com/u/COCO)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2021, 5:49am UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/im-evaluating-learning-lua-defold-but/69797/2 "2021-11-28T05:49:27Z")
You mean, like this? > [@Defold and 3D Support - Discussion](https://forum.defold.com/t/defold-and-3d-support-discussion/68581/22): > > 2d + 3d = crazy_face ---
**Author:** ![ross.grams](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@ross.grams](https://forum.defold.com/u/ross.grams)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2021, 6:27am UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/im-evaluating-learning-lua-defold-but/69797/3 "2021-11-28T06:27:15Z")
It’s pretty easy to add 3D elements, and you can use the Defold editor to do it. Normal maps are not built-in, but I’m sure you can get community help with it. ---
**Author:** ![Ragetto](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/ragetto/32/32785_2.png) [@Ragetto](https://forum.defold.com/u/Ragetto)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2021, 11:32am UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/im-evaluating-learning-lua-defold-but/69797/4 "2021-11-28T11:32:44Z")
> [@masterneme](#): > > If I want to combine some 3D elements for some games is it easy to do it or does the engine totally discourage this pratice? If it’s posible, can I do it with the built-in editor or would I need external tools? I remember having seen a game/demo made with Defold that was a mix between 2D et 3D… Ah, here it is: > **[Dice 1.0](https://dragosha.com/defold/3d/)** I’ve only dealt with 2D until now, but it looks like creating nice 2D/3D games with Defold is possible. ---
**Author:** ![masterneme](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/masterneme/32/31665_2.png) [@masterneme](https://forum.defold.com/u/masterneme)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2021, 11:54am UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/im-evaluating-learning-lua-defold-but/69797/5 "2021-11-28T11:54:44Z")
> [@COCO](#): > > You mean, like this? > [Defold and 3D Support - Discussion - #22 by Dragosha](https://forum.defold.com/t/defold-and-3d-support-discussion/68581/22) I was thinking more like what ross.grams posted right below you but thanks, that example is also cool and with colored lighting and normal maps it looks great. > [@Ragetto](#): > > I remember having seen a game/demo made with Defold that was a mix between 2D et 3D… > > Ah, here it is: > [Dice 1.0](https://dragosha.com/defold/3d/) > > I’ve only dealt with 2D until now, but it looks like creating nice 2D/3D games with Defold is possible. Yeah I checked the work of this man but the way he uses the editor for the map layout is a little different to what I was thinking. It is part of the reason why I started the thread, to see if I can add models in different more “normal” ways. ---
**Author:** ![masterneme](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/masterneme/32/31665_2.png) [@masterneme](https://forum.defold.com/u/masterneme)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2021, 12:01pm UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/im-evaluating-learning-lua-defold-but/69797/6 "2021-11-28T12:01:58Z")
OH YEAH! Just like in Teleglitch, it looks awesome! It is amazing what you can do with a bunch of blocks here and there to enhance visuals. And if I can do that with the editor I’m happy. So, where do you recommend me to start? The book “Programming in Lua” for example? Also, before I forget again, what about cubemaps? I want to experiment with gameplay similar to Myst 3/4, where you can explore the environment through 360º panoramas, I think I saw a post talking about having inverse spheres/cubes to make it work. ---
**Author:** ![ross.grams](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/cab0a1/32.png) [@ross.grams](https://forum.defold.com/u/ross.grams)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2021, 2:58pm UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/im-evaluating-learning-lua-defold-but/69797/7 "2021-11-28T14:58:59Z")
Yup, the editor isn’t amazing, but it’s perfectly usable for 3D stuff. Try searching the forum for “learn”, there’s a bunch of threads about how to learn Defold and Lua. I’d say to start with one of the [official tutorials](https://defold.com/tutorials/) to learn the Defold workflow and then learn lua basics as well as possible. I don’t know about cubemaps, sorry. Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![masterneme](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/masterneme/32/31665_2.png) [@masterneme](https://forum.defold.com/u/masterneme)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2021, 3:55pm UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/im-evaluating-learning-lua-defold-but/69797/8 "2021-11-28T15:55:37Z")
Thanks @ross.grams, I queued some of the videos recommended and made a list of the written materials. I think I’ll just go through the book I mentioned while I tinker with the tutorials and see how it goes. And for the cubemaps I found: [https://forum.defold.com/t/still-need-cubemap-sample/52795](https://forum.defold.com/t/still-need-cubemap-sample/52795) [https://forum.defold.com/t/how-to-make-a-skybox/16800](https://forum.defold.com/t/how-to-make-a-skybox/16800) ---
**Author:** ![masterneme](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/masterneme/32/31665_2.png) [@masterneme](https://forum.defold.com/u/masterneme)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 2:35pm UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/im-evaluating-learning-lua-defold-but/69797/9 "2023-09-16T14:35:32Z")
Hi! So Unity f\*cked it up, huh?! I’ve been working a lot with that engine this year, I even attended a “dev” school for 4 months to be trained and changed my original game concept to make something with more appeal, and then this happened. So, I’m thinking about switching again… I simplified quite a lot what I want to accomplish & now I don’t even need 3D physics so I think Defold is the best fit. Aesthetically I chose the neon retro/synthwave style & I want to know how could I make colors glow. ![](https://img.freepik.com/fotos-premium/fondo-pantalla-synthwave-retrowave-inspiracion-retro-que-elevara-aspecto-su-dispositivo_692702-25996.jpg) Also, I haven’t visited the forum much, I’d like to check out some new tutorials if there are any. Can you provide me some links? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![britzl](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/britzl/32/23_2.png) [@britzl](https://forum.defold.com/u/britzl)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 7:44pm UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/im-evaluating-learning-lua-defold-but/69797/10 "2023-09-16T19:44:15Z")
> [@masterneme](#): > > I’d like to check out some new tutorials if there are any. Can you provide me some links? I assume you’ve already seen the tutorials at [Defold manuals and other learning resources](http://defold.com/learn)? I think @jhonny.goransson can give you some advice on how to create a glow shader? ---
**Author:** ![masterneme](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/masterneme/32/31665_2.png) [@masterneme](https://forum.defold.com/u/masterneme)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 8:45pm UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/im-evaluating-learning-lua-defold-but/69797/11 "2023-09-16T20:45:14Z")
The Unfolding Defold videos are new right? I don’t remember seeing those. Will that shader work on mobile? ---
**Author:** ![britzl](https://forum-defold.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/forum.defold.com/britzl/32/23_2.png) [@britzl](https://forum.defold.com/u/britzl)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2023, 8:46pm UTC](https://forum.defold.com/t/im-evaluating-learning-lua-defold-but/69797/12 "2023-09-16T20:46:18Z")
> [@masterneme](#): > > Will that shader work on mobile? No idea! Probably. Try it!