Difference between revisions of "Block Designer"
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| − | '''Release type:''' [[Retail]] (Game-Maker suite)<br /> | + | '''Release type:''' [[Retail]] ([[Game-Maker]] suite)<br /> |
'''Release date:''' 1991 (original release)<br /> | '''Release date:''' 1991 (original release)<br /> | ||
| − | '''Author:''' [[ | + | '''Author:''' [[G. Andrew Stone]]<br /> |
| − | '''Related tools:''' [[Character Maker]], [[Monster Maker]], [[Map Maker]] | + | '''Related tools:''' [[Palette Designer]], [[Character Maker]], [[Monster Maker]], [[Map Maker]], [[Integrator]], [[Xferplay]] |
| − | }}.BBL, .MBL | + | }}Produces and edits .BBL, .CBL, and .MBL format files. Programmed by Gregory Stone. |
| − | + | == Version history == | |
| + | |||
| + | 1991 - Version 3.00 | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[File:BlockDesign2.gif|320px|thumb|The subscreen in Block Designer.]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Tips == | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Interface notes === | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== UNDO Workaround ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | There is no UNDO feature, so be careful to save your block set regularly -- and possibly under several file names. In case of error, you can exit to the main Block Designer menu and import blocks from an instance of your block set -- including the one currently being edited. This method emulates a sort of UNDO functionality, at least to the point of last save. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Secret Third Color ==== | ||
| + | Unlisted feature: if you have a middle mouse button, you can use it to hold a third color on your brush. Try it out! | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Copy Attributes ==== | ||
| + | To copy the attributes from one block to another, enter the info screen then right-click and drag the source block (i.e., the block with the attributes you want to copy) onto the target block (the block you want to receive the attributes). | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Technical notes === | ||
| + | ==== Timer is Absolute ==== | ||
| + | The timer used to animate blocks is absolute, '''not''' relative to the individual block. The moment a level begins, the clock begins to tick. If a block is set to permanently change to another after 10 ticks, then '''all instances''' of that block change 10 ticks after the level begins, regardless of whether a given instance was visible at the time. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Time Conversion ==== | ||
| + | There are 18 ticks in one second, and 1092 ticks in one minute. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Negative Repetition Counters ==== | ||
| + | Be aware that unlike special counters, repetition counters can be reduced past zero -- often to undesirable results. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Bouncy Monsters ==== | ||
| + | Although monster blocks can be solid, in practice their collision is... iffy. Unless you know what you're doing, it's often best to avoid solidity unless you have a certain usage case in mind (e.g., you want your character to bounce off them as if they were made of Jell-O, of for the monsters to push the character through a solid wall). You can do some interesting things with these physics, but they are erratic and weird. Experiment before you commit. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Workarounds === | ||
| + | ==== Stable, Pixel-Perfect Environmental Hazards ==== | ||
| + | For hazards (spikes, water, lava) without the pop-in that you get from raw monster sprites: | ||
| + | # Create a harmless background block of your desired element, with no solid edges | ||
| + | # Layer a monster sprite on top, identical except with clear pixels where you don't want any collision | ||
| + | # Unless you want the element to be destructible, make the monster invincible | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Links == | ||
| + | |||
| + | * [http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/EJRTairne/20130504/176610/The_Making_and_Unmaking_of_a_GameMaker_Maker.php The Making and Unmaking of a Game-Maker Maker] (Gamasutra) | ||
| + | ** [http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/EJRTairne/20130512/192139/Bonus_Time_with_Andy_Stone.php Bonus Time with Andrew Stone] (Gamasutra) | ||
[[Category: Formats and Tools]] | [[Category: Formats and Tools]] | ||
| + | [[Category: First-party tools]] | ||
| + | [[Category: G. Andrew Stone]] | ||
| + | [[Category: Recreational Software Designs]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:29, 14 April 2018
Release type: Retail (Game-Maker suite)
Release date: 1991 (original release)
Author: G. Andrew Stone
Related tools: Palette Designer, Character Maker, Monster Maker, Map Maker, Integrator, Xferplay
Produces and edits .BBL, .CBL, and .MBL format files. Programmed by Gregory Stone.
Contents
Version history[edit]
1991 - Version 3.00
Tips[edit]
Interface notes[edit]
UNDO Workaround[edit]
There is no UNDO feature, so be careful to save your block set regularly -- and possibly under several file names. In case of error, you can exit to the main Block Designer menu and import blocks from an instance of your block set -- including the one currently being edited. This method emulates a sort of UNDO functionality, at least to the point of last save.
Secret Third Color[edit]
Unlisted feature: if you have a middle mouse button, you can use it to hold a third color on your brush. Try it out!
Copy Attributes[edit]
To copy the attributes from one block to another, enter the info screen then right-click and drag the source block (i.e., the block with the attributes you want to copy) onto the target block (the block you want to receive the attributes).
Technical notes[edit]
Timer is Absolute[edit]
The timer used to animate blocks is absolute, not relative to the individual block. The moment a level begins, the clock begins to tick. If a block is set to permanently change to another after 10 ticks, then all instances of that block change 10 ticks after the level begins, regardless of whether a given instance was visible at the time.
Time Conversion[edit]
There are 18 ticks in one second, and 1092 ticks in one minute.
Negative Repetition Counters[edit]
Be aware that unlike special counters, repetition counters can be reduced past zero -- often to undesirable results.
Bouncy Monsters[edit]
Although monster blocks can be solid, in practice their collision is... iffy. Unless you know what you're doing, it's often best to avoid solidity unless you have a certain usage case in mind (e.g., you want your character to bounce off them as if they were made of Jell-O, of for the monsters to push the character through a solid wall). You can do some interesting things with these physics, but they are erratic and weird. Experiment before you commit.
Workarounds[edit]
Stable, Pixel-Perfect Environmental Hazards[edit]
For hazards (spikes, water, lava) without the pop-in that you get from raw monster sprites:
- Create a harmless background block of your desired element, with no solid edges
- Layer a monster sprite on top, identical except with clear pixels where you don't want any collision
- Unless you want the element to be destructible, make the monster invincible
Links[edit]
- The Making and Unmaking of a Game-Maker Maker (Gamasutra)
- Bonus Time with Andrew Stone (Gamasutra)
