template mode problem

[betty_corna]

hi guys! ok so I`ve found a way to add almost all the entities but how can i add...for example the bind song or the energy form song? and how can I make a way out from that "circle"? please help me

[Hiro]

Well for learning songs you need nodes and a songslist/scripts. The tutorial mod has some info there, and the wiki should have the rest (the link is somewhere on the forums). Its kinda hard, but not once you have everything set up.

For a 'way out of the circle' you actually just need a new map. The basis of the map (that circle) is rendered from a picture. You need to make a picture of what you want your map to look like. The picture has to have dimentions of powers of 2 (I think) so 256*256 or 1024*1024 etc. with white as pathways (where you want Naija to be able to go) and black for walls and stuff. Then you put it in the template in a 'maptemplates' folder and load it into the editor. Saving the loaded map will generate the map file of that template so you can load that map later.

At least, I think thats how it works. The wiki will probably be better than me, do a forum search for it.

[betty_corna]

thank you very much but i didn`t understood too well...can you tell me in steps? 1.... 2.... 3... ..... ... please

[silverflagon]

I must admit that I tried to understand the instructions on saving a map file? I can design a background to the specifications but being a total newcomer to saving game files in the game folder those instructions in the Wiki just fall a touch short for me also..

it's similar to when I wanted to design a web site, all the info I found explained about how to write the html, but none of it explained about using notepad and saving the first page has

Code: [Select]

homepage.html and if you don't understand that then you fall at the first hurdle.
So if you or someone else could explain to us total beginners in baby talk if need be, what the file should be called and do we need to paint a background in Photoshop to save as this file, and does it need a totallu separate folder for placing in the mods folder? 

[Hiro]

I'm not sure what the wiki has to be honest. Ummm... I know how to make map files but..how to explain..?
The wiki is here if you didn't know: http://aquaria.sfiera.net/wiki/Main_Page

Download The Bear's mod and have a look at the folders/files there. That should help. http://www.bit-blot.com/forum/index.php?topic=1031.0
Put both the extracted files into the _mods folder to be able to run the mod, but I'm sure you both know that already.

When you open the maptemplates folder, thats what it should basicly look like for you. A bunch of black and white png pictures where black is walls and white is space.

So for your mod, make a template like that to work from. Remember that this is the map without entities and stuff, so things like doors shouldn't be put on the template (you wont be able to open them).
Then put them into the maptemplates folder for your mod (if its not there, make it).

Then you need to make a map file to edit. The map file has to have the same name as the template you made (but it will be an xml file not a png ). Instuctions for making  map file can be found here: http://aquaria.sfiera.net/wiki/Modding_Guide:Maps#Map_Templates
Really, just make an xml file with the right name and put in

<Level tileset="Main" waterLevel="0" gradTop="1 0.5 0.5" gradBtm="0.1 0.1 0.8" gradient="1" parallax="0.5 0.55 0.6" music="YOUTH" sceneColor="1 1 1" />

After that, open your mod in aquaria, load the map you want to apply the template to, and press f11, then 12. Then be sure to save the map. This will make the game edit the xml file with the info of the map that you used.
After that you don't actually need the png template file anymore since the game loads the layout of the map from the xml file. But you may want to keep the templates anyway for easy reference and editing.

To edit a map, just change the template file and then while in the map press f11 and f12 again (or use the menu for it if you want...).

[silverflagon]

Thank you Hiro that might make it a bit easier for us

[Hiro]

I hope so.