Difference between revisions of "Block Designer"
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* There is no UNDO feature, so be careful to save your block set regularly -- and possibly under several file names. There is, however, the ability to import blocks from a file -- including the one under edit -- which can be used to emulate some sort of UNDO. | * There is no UNDO feature, so be careful to save your block set regularly -- and possibly under several file names. There is, however, the ability to import blocks from a file -- including the one under edit -- which can be used to emulate some sort of UNDO. | ||
| + | * Unlisted feature: if you have a middle mouse button, you can use it to hold a secret third color on your brush. Try it out! | ||
* Block animation works on an absolute timer rather than a relative one, meaning that 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 will change 10 ticks after the level begins, regardless of whether a given instance was visible at the time. | * Block animation works on an absolute timer rather than a relative one, meaning that 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 will change 10 ticks after the level begins, regardless of whether a given instance was visible at the time. | ||
* Note that there are 18 ticks in one second, and 1092 ticks in one minute. | * Note that there are 18 ticks in one second, and 1092 ticks in one minute. | ||
Revision as of 11:11, 14 September 2013
Release type: Retail (Game-Maker suite)
Release date: 1991 (original release)
Author: Recreational Software Designs
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.
Version history
1991 - Version 3.00
Tips
- There is no UNDO feature, so be careful to save your block set regularly -- and possibly under several file names. There is, however, the ability to import blocks from a file -- including the one under edit -- which can be used to emulate some sort of UNDO.
- Unlisted feature: if you have a middle mouse button, you can use it to hold a secret third color on your brush. Try it out!
- Block animation works on an absolute timer rather than a relative one, meaning that 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 will change 10 ticks after the level begins, regardless of whether a given instance was visible at the time.
- Note that there are 18 ticks in one second, and 1092 ticks in one minute.
- Be aware that unlike special counters, repetition counters can be reduced past zero -- often to undesirable results.
- Simple technique for pixel-perfect environmental hazards (spikes, water, lava) without the pop-in that you get from raw monster sprites. Create a borderless background block of your desired element, that the player can easily pass through. On top of that, layer an identical monster sprite -- except with clear pixels where you don't want any collision to occur. Bang: you have functional, stable pixel-perfect spikes. Or whatever else you need.
Links
- The Making and Unmaking of a Game-Maker Maker (Gamasutra)
- Bonus Time with Andrew Stone (Gamasutra)
