I did a quick search on the forums on Gonstruct but i did not see any thread that really tried to help and explain how to use gonstruct. (i forshadow some other thread links)
What does Gonstruct really let you do? how?
Basically Gonstruct the main and big difference is that it offers layers. Everything else is the same. The layers work just like the ones in photoshop simply showing over the bottom layer under it. Or some may understand it more as if it was your old retroprojector back in school.
The sheets used on retro projectors work the same way. If you take a marker and make a tree. Then you take a second clearsheet and put it over it, what ever you draw on that second sheet or "layer" will show over the bottom one. It will not effect the bottom layer at all.
So in gonstruct AT the moment you get a limit of 4 layers.
Layers 0, layer 1, layer 2, layer 3. They are all like their own clear sheet for a retroprojector showing in order. Highest number ontop.
WARNING: if you use 4 layers or more, the CLient WILL Bug out in this current version.
Converting your tileset to Gonstruct:
Here is an example of a level completed fully in gonstruct from maloria. The red circles represent spots that wont have to be extra tiles in a tile set or have to go over and do with an image so it doesnt show back ground.
You see on the right all the pink around the tiles. Basically the pink in game is going to be invisible thus letting the tiles SHOW OVER other tiles. All the tiles that are transed will be layer 1-3 beacause they will need back grounds to replace the pink that will be gone in game and in the editor.
To make a Tileset Gonstruct friendly First someone has to go in and paint all the backgrounds around the detailer tiles pink. as seen in this image. Only keep the parts of the tiles that you want to keep of course.
Once the backgrounds are all painted that same pink color all over. You need to get a program that will allow you to make a certain color transparent. In this case i will show Paint Shop Pro, Pro photo X2.
NOTE: when you make a new layer the first top left tile gets pasted all over that layer. To save you some trouble simply make that first tile 100% pink so its transed and wont cause any annoying problems.
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/4887/84377667.png
First step open the tileset image
Second step click Image > Pallet > Set pallet transparency.
Then set the color to pink and thats it, save!
Now in the Gonstruct i'll show you my settings. When you click "show a list of tilesets" it should look something like this. It seems if you have another tileset infront of the one you want. Even if you select it as main, it will still bug out. So its best to just delete every other tileset. (as far as i know)
In the "preferences" it seems not having graal set as the folder can bug your editor as well.
Now how to use the layers? There is not really any correct way to use layers as long as it looks nice. Here is how i have used them to create a few levels without taking too much time.
Getting started:
Adding removing viewing layers:
To add layers you click the small plus sign beside the number witch shows your current layer. The minus sign is to delete the top layer. The box with a check mark is to toggle the layer invisible or not. This will show you witch tiles are on that layer its pretty helpful.
WARNING: if you open a second level the previous levels layer will show the same no the next but its acutally 0. So you need to click it to change it and its back on track. Everytime you switch levels you need to do this.
Heres how i like to do it as a general guide line.
Layer 0 = Dirt, grass, water, chairs, bushy grass.
Layer 1 = the smallest grass borders
layer 2 = the second taller grass borders and cliffs.
layer 3 = all the grass/dirt/water detailers and trees.
you may find situations where you need to wing it in many cases.
Here an example its kinda messy and i dont know if it will help but i will post it anyway.
layer 0 = background not highlighted but grass dirt water etc
layer 1= orange
layer 2 = blue
layer 3 = purle
KNOWN BUGS:
1. do not go over 3 layers or you will see its not going to work right when you try to upload it online in RC
2. If you try to copy paste something from one edtior to another editor, it will crash.
3. If you highlight something and drag it out of its spot, what ever that is in your bottom right filling tile will replace it and cause problems. (not somuch a bug but can be VERY confusing with layers when its in the middle layers.)
4. possible problem if you dont set your folder as graal.
5. having a tileset above the one you want to use.
6. if you open a second level the previous levels layer will show the same on the next layer but its acutally 0. So you need to click it to change it and its back on track. Everytime you switch levels you need to do this.
I am sure ive made some spelling errors, i will edit again later.
In the end is it worth it?
yup!!
very convenient!!!
02-03-2010, 11:28 PM
Linear Mode
