ljg701
commented
2 years ago The ability to support 4 banks would be really useful for larger projects, +1 for this suggestion.
Open speccynut opened 2 years ago
ljg701
commented
2 years ago The ability to support 4 banks would be really useful for larger projects, +1 for this suggestion.
Hi Remy, Adrian Sinclair here fromt he ZX Basic fb forum. Couple of suggestions I wondered if you'd consider adding to the ZX Remy Sharp tool set which would make the tools for tile maps incredibly powerful and very flexible. At present I'm kind of stuck with my game (and potentially stuck for future games) due to a limitation with the sprite editor/ tile map editor functions.
I'd like to ask if you can expand the sprite editor to allow for up to 256 sprites across 4 sheets (banks) to be created
TILE MAP MODE - allow up to 256 (0-256) "sprites" to be created over 4 sprite sheets for TILE MAPS The Next allows up to 256 different 16x16 tiles (0-255) to be used in one tile map over 4 consecutive banks, however there isnt a program available that allows for artists to create such sheets easily (Pro Motion I think can but thats a full art package like photoshop!). Is it possible to add the functionality to expand the sprite grid from 0-63, to 0,127, 0-191, 0-255 across 4 sprite sheets or allow the user to select one of the 4 segments that can be individually edited (thus keeping the indexes for that sheet)? Adding a radio button which enables each additional "expansion" with options to load/save each sheet in turn when downloading or uploading would make this a simple option. Sprites could still be copied across the 4 sheets and then saved. Saving stored each sheet based on its specific index (0-63, 64,127, 128-191, 192-255) for the relevant section of the grid. As each button is selected the sprite grid expands downwards (or allow the user to configure the width of the sprite grid based on the buttons selected - each button adds 64 grid squares). This feature is only available in tile 16x16 mode so would need disabled if the 8x8 toggle was selected (8x8 tiles currently fit on to 1 grid 0-255)
TILE MAP MODE - expansion of the sprite grid on the left Based on the radio buttons selected in the sprite editor, the TILE MAP editor would need to expand based on those buttons selected allowing the user to use up to 0-255 tiles from the tiles available in 16x16 mode. This would be disabled in 8x8 mode This would allow users to create multi layered maps for single screen use or (in my case) allow for large scrolling maps with up to 256 16x16 different tiles to build large detailed maps that can be stored in a bank (16383). The next would then use the 4 consecutive sprite (tile) banks to create the map.
IMPORTING GRAPHICS Allow for up to 256 tiles to be imported in 16x16 mode. The dimensions element would need expanded to allow for 256 sprites/tiles.
Like others I have purchased sprite sheets from online designers and being able to import these in one go especially for maps would be very useful.
EXPORT Graphics Expand the sprite range from 0-63 to 0-255 based on the number of elements the user wished to export for tiles
SUMMARY Alowing 4 sprite sheets to be created would add another strong tool in the online tools arsenal. At present there arent many programs that allow for decent map building at the speed that the ZX Remy Sharp tools allow for. Being able to create 4 sprite sheets simultaneously (or import 256 tiles from .png across 4 sheets) would allow programmers/graphic artists the ability to create a large array of sprites for a game for multiple levels then compare them in one location, instead of creating individual sprite sheets and "jumping" between each. It would also be massively helpful when creating new sprite sheets after importing or creating older sprite sheets, allowing you so "slide" sprites across the 4 available sprite sheets (either through copy/paste or << >> icons) creating new sheets made up of other older sheets (for example from older games) quickly and easily.
The user would need to ensure any relevant palette is adjusted for each sheet however the above changes would (for the tile maps at least) only really be used for large detailed maps or multi layered maps for parallax/overlaying and as such would probably be made using one palette - or the user would be creating a custom palette for such a game.
Hope this makes sense. If you need anythig else please let me know - adrian@sinclairphotography.co.uk or Adrian Sinclair on the Basic zx forum / messenger...