Posted By: HellThunder
[Winter 2016 Contest] YED Map Editor - 03/03/16 23:34
YED is my contribution for the Winter 2016 Contest.
What is YED?
YED is a realtime Map Editor for Acknex' 3D Gamestudio, created with 3D Gamestudio.
I used C# and Lite-C to create a powerfull development tool, wich offers the opportunity to create maps within some minutes.
The keyword to create simple maps within no time is 'tile-based'.
By the creation process of a map the user will be able to choose a size. For every map a own piece of music and environment sound can be chosen. It is also possible to change the map properties at every time.
Block Mode
The Block Mode allows the developer to place different kind of tiles. This will be the essential functionality of YED. Place them on each other or next each other.
There is also a "Fill" function, which allows to fill a choosen area with a chosen type of tiles.
For each tile it will be possible to choose a unique texture. If the workspace path contains a normal map, it is also possible to choose normal map tiles.
The Undo functionality allows to go back in time, in order to re-delete or re-create single objects.
Entity Mode
The origin of an entity is a model, which can be places at every point of the created map.
What means everey point? The functionality "Ignore Entities" will place entities only on tiles of the map. By deactivating the object it will be possible to create entities on entities - e.g. if the developers ground is a terrain.
Included engine flags for entities are: Passable, Transparent, Overlay, Bright, Shadow and Unlit. Another custom flag is called Gras, which simulate wind and affect the animation of a model.
For every entity a special scale factor can be chosen. But there is also a oppurtunity to choose a random scale factor between two values.
There is also a possibilty to chose a random pan value for each entity.
Combined, this two values will be an advantage if a developer wants to place vegetation entities.
Also very own light sources can be used for entities. If the developer wants to place a light, the light strength and color can be chosen. It is also possible to create invisible lightsources.
YED will also know every entity actions of the source code within a project. So it will even be possible to use an existing project and use all created actions for entities.
Movement of YED Objects
Changes of the position or pan value of an entity or a tile. For precise changes a simple mouse would not be suitable.Therefore there are predefined keys in order to move or rotate objects.
Sunlight and Ambient Color
It will also possible to change the strenght and color of sunlight and ambient color. It is If needed it is even possible to change the sun's position.
Fog
Chose a predefined color and the strength of fog.
Skymap
Every YED Map owns the capability to present a very own skycube. Just a simple picture is needed. After that the position of the sky/horizont can be chosen.
Native Engine Loader
All maps which are created with YED can be loaded with a simple function - e.g. level_load_("YED_MAP.ymp");
Missing Features
YED is a modified tool of my YRPG Toolkit Map Editor. I'll try to add new features until the deadline. But some features will not be available, because I do not own the right A8 version. Right now I am using Lite-C free.
So normal maps and waving gras will not be a part of YED - even if I have already tested this features with A8 Trial.
I hope it will be usefull for the community.
Cheers,
HellThunder
