Auto-tiles with LVZ's

[Samapico]

This is just a little something I did quickly as a special request as it was required for the C&C zone.

 

It's a feature that I wanted to implement eventually, but not in that way

 

Basically, if you draw with a particular LVZ image, some tiles will be drawn with it automatically.

To make this work: Right-click on the image in the LVZ library tileset, and choose 'Edit animation settings...'

It will ask you each animation setting, and it will ask you something like 'how many tiles you want to associate with this lvz image?'

 

If you want to lay solid tiles under a 48x48 pxl LVZ image, for example, you enter 9 tiles (3x3).

Then it will successively ask you where and what each tile is. The X and Y settings are relative coordinates, relative to the top-left tile of the map object. So if you want each of these tiles to be tiles #26, except the center one, where you want tile #28, your answers will look like:

 

 

 

Tile 1 X: 0

Tile 1 Y: 0

Tile 1: 26

 

Tile 2 X: 1

Tile 2 Y: 0

Tile 2: 26

 

Tile 3 X: 2

Tile 3 Y: 0

Tile 3: 26

 

Tile 4 X: 0

Tile 4 Y: 1

Tile 4: 26

 

Tile 5 X: 1

Tile 5 Y: 1

Tile 5: 28

 

Tile 6 X: 2

Tile 6 Y: 1

Tile 6: 26

 

Tile 7 X: 0

Tile 7 Y: 2

Tile 7: 26

 

Tile 8 X: 1

Tile 8 Y: 2

Tile 8: 26

 

Tile 9 X: 2

Tile 9 Y: 2

Tile 9: 26

 

 

 

These are not saved for the moment... so each time you re-open the map you'll have to specify them again.

This is a very temporary solution, as a real implementation will require a lot of tweaking and would have taken me much more time to finish up.

 

I hope this can save you some time

 

I attached the source for this, feel free to tweak my tweak as you see fit. Search the project for 'ASSOCIATE TILES WITH LVZ' to find where I modified the code for this.

It probably wouldn't be hard to make DCME save the tile pattern to some external file, if you really need to.

DCME3414 lvztiles.zip

[JoWie]

It works!

 

Nice, thanks. Maybe I can get it to save later. But a bit to busy atm

[JoWie]

I added a menu option in file named "Import LVZ Tiles" which reads a simple text file and adds the lvz tiles. You have to re-import it everytime you open the map

The text file looks like:

@rocks.lvz

#rocks_image0.png
 0,0,192 1,0,192 2,0,192
 0,1,192 1,1,192 2,1,192

#rocks_image1.png
 0,0,192 1,0,192 2,0,192
 0,1,192 1,1,192 2,1,192
 0,2,192 1,2,192 2,2,192

#rocks_image2.png
 0,0,192 1,0,192 2,0,192
 0,1,192 1,1,192 2,1,192
 0,2,192 1,2,192 2,2,192
 
#rocks_image3.png
 0,0,192 1,0,192 2,0,192
 0,1,192 1,1,192 2,1,192
 0,2,192 1,2,192 2,2,192

#rocks_image4.png
 0,0,192 1,0,192 2,0,192
 0,1,192 1,1,192 2,1,192

#rocks_image5.png
 0,0,192 1,0,192 2,0,192
 0,1,192 1,1,192 2,1,192
 0,2,192 1,2,192

#rocks_image6.png
 0,0,192 1,0,192 2,0,192
 0,1,192 1,1,192 2,1,192

#rocks_image7.png
 0,0,192 1,0,192
 0,1,192 1,1,192
 0,2,192 1,2,192
 
#rocks_image8.png
 0,0,192 1,0,192 2,0,192 3,0,192
 0,1,192 1,1,192 2,1,192 3,1,192
         1,2,192 2,2,192 3,2,192

 

This is how I implemented it (frmMain)

There is 1 bug, it does not clear the old tiles if you reimport

 

 

Sub ImportLVZTiles(filename As String)
   Dim f As Integer, i As Integer, ln As Integer
   
   Dim line As String, linenr As Integer
   Dim currentLVZ As Integer
   Dim currentImage As Integer
   Dim firstChar As String
   Dim defs() As String, parts() As String
   Dim hasError As Boolean
   Dim imgdef As LVZImageDefinition
   
   hasError = False
   currentLVZ = -1
   currentImage = -1
   linenr = 0
   f = FreeFile
   
   Open filename For Input As #f
   
   Do Until EOF(f)
       linenr = linenr + 1
       Line Input #f, line
       line = Trim$(line)
       If Len(line) = 0 Then GoTo nextDo
       
       firstChar = Left$(line, 1)
       
       If firstChar = ";" Then 'comment
       ElseIf firstChar = "@" Then 'lvz file
           i = 0
           ln = lvz.getLVZCount
           
           Do While i < ln
               If LCase$(lvz.getLVZ(i).name) = LCase$(Mid$(line, 2)) Then 'found it
                   currentLVZ = i
                   Exit Do
               End If
               
               i = i + 1
           Loop
           
           If i = ln Then
               If Not hasError Then MsgBox "Error in LVZ Auto Tiles definition on line " & linenr & ": LVZ File (" & Mid$(line, 2) & ") not found"
               hasError = True
               GoTo nextDo
           End If
           
       ElseIf firstChar = "#" Then 'image file
           i = 0
           If currentLVZ < 0 Then
               If Not hasError Then MsgBox "Error in LVZ Auto Tiles definition on line " & linenr & ": Image definition before LVZ definition"
               hasError = True
               GoTo nextDo
           End If
           ln = lvz.getImageDefinitionCount(currentLVZ)
           
           Do While i < ln
               
               If LCase$(lvz.getImageDefinition(currentLVZ, i).imagename) = LCase$(Mid$(line, 2)) Then 'found it
                   currentImage = i
                   Exit Do
               End If
               
               i = i + 1
           Loop
           
           If i = ln Then
               If Not hasError Then MsgBox "Error in LVZ Auto Tiles definition on line " & linenr & ": Image File (" & Mid$(line, 2) & ") not found"
               hasError = True
               GoTo nextDo
           End If
       Else 'tile definition
           If currentImage < 0 Then
               If Not hasError Then MsgBox "Error in LVZ Auto Tiles definition on line " & linenr & ": Tile definition before Image definition"
               hasError = True
               GoTo nextDo
           End If
           
           Do While InStr(line, "  ")
               line = replace$(line, "  ", " ")
           Loop

           defs = Split(line, " ")
           i = 0
           ln = UBound(defs) + 1
           imgdef = lvz.getImageDefinition(currentLVZ, currentImage)
           With imgdef
               Dim oldTilesCount As Integer
               oldTilesCount = .tilescount
               .tilescount = .tilescount + ln

               ReDim Preserve .tiles(.tilescount)
               
               Do While i < ln
                   With .tiles(oldTilesCount + i)
                       
                       parts = Split(defs(i), ",", 3)
                       
                       If UBound(parts) < 2 Then
                           If Not hasError Then MsgBox "Error in LVZ Auto Tiles definition on line " & linenr & ": wrong syntax for >" & defs(i) & "<"
                           hasError = True
   
                           .X = 0
                           .Y = 0
                           .tilenr = 0
                       Else
                           .X = val(Trim$(parts(0)))
                           .Y = val(Trim$(parts(1)))
                           .tilenr = val(Trim$(parts(2)))
                           
                           If .tilenr < 0 Then .tilenr = 0
                       End If
                      
                   End With
                   i = i + 1
               Loop
           End With
           lvz.setImageDefinition currentLVZ, currentImage, imgdef
       End If
nextDo:
   Loop
   
   Close #f
End Sub

 

 

Edited July 10, 2009 by JoWie

[JoWie]

i'm getting the following error:

 

 

11-7-2009 03:30:21 pm --- Drake Continuum Map Editor (v3.4.14) @ C:\dcmesrc\Project1.exe starting...

Windows version: 51

Screen resolution: 1680 x 1050

args:''

Untitled 1 @ NewMap, path = '' usingDefaultTileset Waar

Untitled 1 @ NewMap, DefaultWalltiles =

Untitled 1 @ NewMap, DefaultTileset =

Untitled 1 @ InitTileset, tilesetpath= Default usingDefaultTileset Waar

+++ Last update: 10-07-2009 - Update period: 2

11-7-2009 03:30:22 pm --- DCME ready

tst.lvl @ SaveMap, saving map... C:\dcmesrc\tst.lvl

tst.lvl @ Flags = 65535

tst.lvl @ SaveMap, C:\dcmesrc\tst.lvl exists, checking for .bak file

tst.lvl @ SaveMap, opening C:\dcmesrc\tst.lvl for binary as #1

tst.lvl @ ImportTileset, importing: C:\dcmesrc\tempTileset15080828.bmp

tst.lvl @ Bitmap info header:

--- Color Depth: 24

--- Size: 304x160

--- BiSizeImage: 145920

--- Compression: 0

tst.lvl @ ImportTileset, bmpdata is imported from: C:\dcmesrc\tempTileset15080828.bmp

tst.lvl @ InitTileset, tilesetpath= C:\dcmesrc\tempTileset15080828.bmp usingDefaultTileset Onwaar

tst.lvl @ SaveMap, bitmap header position: 1

tst.lvl @ SaveMap, bfReserved1 set to: 145976 (145976)

tst.lvl @ eLVL.PutELVLData, Saving Hashcode FFFF1872D168 at 145989

tst.lvl @ eLVL.PutELVLData, Saving LVZ 'game.lvz' at 146009

tst.lvl @ eLVL.PutELVLData, Saving LVZ 'rocks.lvz' at 146041

tst.lvl @ eLVL.PutELVLData, Saving LVZ 'newwater.lvz' at 146077

*** Error 9 (Subscript out of range) in frmMain0.SaveMap C:\dcmesrc\tst.lvl 65535(0,0)

--- Mbox prompt --- DCME - Error 9 (Subscript out of range) in frmMain0.SaveMap C:\dcmesrc\tst.lvl 65535(0,0)

If the error persists, please post your log file (dcme.log) at http://www.ssforum.net in the DCME board.;48

 

 

 

if i load it up in the debugger, it goes wrong in clsMD5 in MD564Split on the line "arrSplit64(intInnerLoop) = bytBuffer(intLoop2 + intInnerLoop)". Could it be that the lvz file is getting to big for dcme? it tries to go over 65535 in bytbuffer

Edited July 11, 2009 by JoWie

[Samapico]

Hmmmm, are these things using Integers or Longs? VB ints are only 2 bytes

That MD5 code was taken from somewhere, we didn't change anything in it though

[Drake7707]

try changing the integers to long ?

[mkruer]

[Samapico]

You can import png already for the LVZ's, I think (I may be wrong; if I am, it should be an easy fix). However, Continuum only supports black transparency... so PNG's with a defined transparency will have no effect on Continuum. Though maybe they'll appear transparent in the editor, but that's not something I really can control.

 

Good idea about having undo/redo buttons on the switch/replace dialog... As for selecting from the map view, I thought about this, but it's not really easy to do so I never really did it.

 

For the lvz+tile auto thing, the idea isn't bad, but DCME would need to eventually save the file as a .lvl anyway, and since the tileset itself is limited, LVZ's would be used anyway. So instead I was just planning to add another tileset tab where you can configure tile+walltile+lvz combos of various sizes, and you can use these combos to draw on the map. If you need flyover or flyunder tiles, you don't really need to do that, since you can just lay lvz objects at the correct layer. But if you need for example a solid tile that has various LVZ graphics around/on it, you could draw with it.

The way I see it, these would be configured just like in a mini-map editor.

If you are familiar with AutoCAD, the 'blocks' would be a good comparison.

[Drake7707]

For the lvz+tile auto thing, the idea isn't bad, but DCME would need to eventually save the file as a .lvl anyway, and since the tileset itself is limited, LVZ's would be used anyway. So instead I was just planning to add another tileset tab where you can configure tile+walltile+lvz combos of various sizes, and you can use these combos to draw on the map. If you need flyover or flyunder tiles, you don't really need to do that, since you can just lay lvz objects at the correct layer. But if you need for example a solid tile that has various LVZ graphics around/on it, you could draw with it.

The way I see it, these would be configured just like in a mini-map editor.

If you are familiar with AutoCAD, the 'blocks' would be a good comparison.

 

I think he means to store all data as a *.dcme file, and have a 'Compile to lvl file' in the menu, that way no unnecessary data is saved in the lvl file and allows easier storage of data (like dumping a struct to a file & back, with obvious version control included).

 

As for the lvz's, if i understand what you mean, then you'd like it to be like this: you import lvz's and tileset and handle them all as tiles, like a tileset from some rpg game map editor. Then afterwards 16x16 tiles that have been used could make up for the tileset and all the rest as lvz's, so for the map maker there wouldn't be a difference between tiles & lvzs (as that is only technical when saving to lvl & lvzs). I can see the use of a custom *.dcme file for that, but to implement such a thing it would mean another big overhaul of the entire map editor and its functions. Annnnnd i've pretty much neglected DCME for over a year and a half already.

[mkruer]

[Samapico]

Walltiles, yes they will be upgraded eventually to give much more possibilities. You could in theory specify any kind of corner diagonal you might want. Imagine a single tile is surrounded by 8 other tiles. The combination of the 8 surrounding tiles give this tile its pattern... i.e. if there's a tile to its left and to its right, well the tile should be a straight horizontal. Thick walls can be done the same way... if a tile has neighbors like this:

[X][X][X]
[X][O][X]
[ ][ ][ ]

Then it's the bottom part of a thick horizontal wall. Some combinations have no particular interest in most cases, but if you need a particular kind of corner/diagonal, it will be possible. For example, these 2 combinations would most likely require the same tile:

[ ][X][X]
[ ][O][ ]
[X][ ][X]

[X][X][X]
[ ][O][ ]
[X][ ][X]

Also, an important part of what I had in mind... These combinations don't only result in 1 output tile, but in a complete block, much like the LVZ+tile combo blocks I mentioned earlier. So if you want 3-tiles-thick walls, you could actually tile with only a single width line, and each tile you specify would be replaced by a 3-tiles-thick wall.

Note that all this will be storable directly in the LVL file, requiring eLVL tags only for the block definitions. This also means that unlike the current walltiles system, which are actually just normal tiles drawn automatically, these will be recognized by the editor as walltiles, and you'll be able to see them as such. So if you tile a full base with the single-line-becomes-3-tiles-thick thing, it's still easy to edit since you can simply change the single-width lines.

 

 

Hmmm, for the perspective, the only way this is possible is by making bg## images to replace the planets and stuff... but you can't decide where they end up because they'll be placed randomly.

[Drake7707]

bomb lines are already available in the test map function. Hold 'B' to see them.

 

 

It would also be useful to have some sort of stamp tool, where you compile your stamp with various tiles and lvzs, then take that and use it as a brush. Those 'stamps' could be seen as 'tiles' too, allowing you to use all the tools with them (or even include them in walltiles). This also partially resolves the auto-tiling.

 

You can do it at this point, but it's somewhat limited: make your stamp on an empty area and copy paste it as selection (cut out the tiles you don't want to if it's not rectangular).

[Samapico]

The idea of 'blocks' or tile-lvz combos I described above are exactly what you call 'stamps'... It's actually a better name

 

 

Since maps would most likely use a lot of them... plus my walltiles idea would also use similar stamps (You could auto-tile stuff with LVZ's, woo!)... Might be a good idea to zlib them and put them in eLVL tags. I wonder how compact it could be...

Actually, we could simply have a 'Save optimized LVL' button to save the map without all the stuff players don't need at the other end of the server. Even though the unoptimized LVL would still work, but maybe be a bit larger. We already have a 'Save items...' form where you choose what you save, shouldn't be too hard to make an optimized setup. Yeah.

[mkruer]

It seems that we are all on the same general page for the adding of tiles, which is good; it is just the implementation that is going to be the trick I guess. The “stamps” are a good first start, but at the end of the day, people would still have to go in and manually tweak the map. BTW there might be an issue with calling the option “stamps”. Extend Wall Tiles or Dynamic Wall Tiles might be a better term. The reason is why is because if you are extending the editing capability of the editor and including a project save state, it is only a matter of time before someone asks for the ability to save custom stamps.

 

I make the general distinction between a stamp, brush as being a stamp is a onetime only placement where as a brush would be the ability to place and smear/spread the tiles beyond the original size. I could be wrong though, hell just pull a page out of AutoCAD and call then Templates.

 

Anyway my “stamp” might a little more tricky then most because I opted to use ½ diagonals, (22.5 degrees) to give a more complete roundedness feeling to the circle. See Example Below.

1. Ideal circle “stamp” (grey areas are fly under tiles)

2. Current implementation that I am using. (grey areas are fly under tiles)

3. Rough Example of Ideal Circle* EDIT: I know its not fully correct.

4. Current implementation that I am using, as it would display on screen.

 

If I did my math right, I would need 11 solid tiles, and 12 fly under per corner.

 

Tweaks

1. Importing a PNG with a transparent layer, coverts the layer to black, the Continuum editor’s transparent layer. Currently it imports it as a white background.

2. Undo does not undo added LVZ additions that were just placed on the map.

3. Saving a tileset, add the .bmp extension by default, if there is an existing extension. I noticed that the exporting of tiles were picking up the .lvl after the autosave.

4. Larger LVZ Library Icons.

 

Requests

1. Save a snapshot of the full map at full half or even quarter resolution? This would be for post able full map previews.

2. If/When you implement the “stamps” I will more then likely require some massive editing of the map I have. Is it possible to add a work layer and edit the data on the work layer while preserving the original data. I guess this would be analogous to the selection option, but with the ability to keep the original data.

3. User saved a stamp, brush, templates, patterns; whatever you decide to call them.

 

Project I was working on before it crashed. (Dont worry I only added the lvz to the map and was doing some dragging when it crashed.)

 

Any additions would be appreciated and most helpful, worst case is i have to do it by hand (shutter)

 

BTW I am not sure if this is a windows7 but or a 64-bit bug, but when I do some heavy editing the application seems to stall out, and then not crash per say, but anything I save becomes junk. I am adding the error log as an attachment for your review.

errorlog.txt

Edited August 5, 2009 by Lord Voelker

[Samapico]

[mkruer]

Edited August 5, 2009 by Lord Voelker

[mkruer]

Sorry to keep making requests of you:

 

Tweak:

Alt + Selection Tool selects only Tiles within the selection area. (basically the same as selecting a region and then using the magic wand to remove the non tiles) Faster and one motion.

 

Oh on the layers, if you opt to do them, it would be nice be able to select items in the background and replicated to the current working layer.

[Samapico]

You do know about the transparent mode, right?

[mkruer]

You do know about the transparent mode, right?

Sorry missed that one, but I found it now.

 

Back to the topic of Autotiles with LVZ. DBS is interested in the map I am working on, so I am going to proceed on finishing. However because it will eventual require extensive tiled backgrounds. I just want to know if you will be able to treat them like the extended tile set as mentioned in previous posts?

[Samapico]

Maybe, but not soon