Server Help :: View topic - Theme Graphics for a Zone (Trees/Background etc...)

Server Help

LVZ/LVL Questions - Theme Graphics for a Zone (Trees/Background etc...)

KomodoDragon - Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:14 pm
Post subject: Theme Graphics for a Zone (Trees/Background etc...)

I couldn't find anything for this topic, or maybe I just don't know what I'm looking for.

Anyway

I would like to replace some of the tile groups in my zone (CBCC Siege of Avalon) such as trees to actual graphics rather than wierd looking things made out of tiles. HOW? Or CAN I DO THIS? I have noticed things like this in zones like samuri.

Also, how do I put a grassy background, and or water background inplace of the stars? This would add to the Story line of my zone. Thanks in advance for your help.

Quan Chi2 - Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:26 pm
Post subject:

...
You're kind of taking a big step on sharp rocks with no shoes on here...(meaning, you are skipping a big part of the process by not knowing lvz, and this will only end up in FAILURE if you dont know)

Learn how to make lvz files... go to http://subspacedownloads.com/ and download lvz toolkit.. experiment with it alittle bit. learn how to work with them..

for the graphic portion of the process, u can use MSPaint.. any graphics editor..

Make a simple zone first before you go to a big zone with such a theme...
Im no expert though

But take my advice

Cancer+ - Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:27 pm
Post subject:

do you know how to make lvz's?

KomodoDragon - Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:56 pm
Post subject: Graphics

First I want to extend an apology to Sai Saici, who was kind enough to check out my zone, and extend his services, but I was busy at work, and didn't realize He/She was talking to me.

I am very sorry, and hope that Sai Saici would please accept this apology, and come back for another chat, either here or on the zone when I'm on.

KomodoDragon - Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:58 pm
Post subject: Graphics

I don't know anything about Lvz's, and I will probably take Quan's advice and learn how to use and make them. Like I said, I didn't know where to start. Thanks guys!

KomodoDragon - Wed Sep 07, 2005 6:27 pm
Post subject:

If anyone can help me learn lvz and graphics stuff please do. I downloaded lvztoolkit.zip but I still don't understand it very well, but I'll give it a trail and error try anyway.

thanks/.

Quan Chi2 - Wed Sep 07, 2005 8:50 pm
Post subject:

werd..

Bak - Wed Sep 07, 2005 9:03 pm
Post subject:

delete lvz toolkit and download Continuum Level / Ini Tool, then just put your images on the map and the program will make lvz files for you, all that's left is uploading to the sever(*putfile) and changing the settings so your lvz are used (Misc:LevelFiles).

Anonymous - Wed Sep 07, 2005 9:15 pm
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Thanks for the input. I'll definitly try that. Sounds much easier.

Cyan~Fire - Thu Sep 08, 2005 6:04 pm
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Lol, bak, don't delete the toolkit period. What about LVZ files that don't include mapobjects (or images at all)?

KomodoDragon - Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:06 pm
Post subject:

I am just interested in the images part of the lvz at the moment., however, I am still open for more suggestions and help. much of the readme files are not written for someone who doesn't know java or c++. All I know is flash actionscript.

What someone really needs to do when writing the readme's is to write them so people with at least average intelligence can understand. Not so you need a degree in computer science! LOL. Anyway. I'll probably figure it out in the long run I usually do. Taught myself most everything I know anyway.

Cheers. PS> I would still suggest writing the readme's a bit more user friendly.

Anonymous - Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:41 pm
Post subject:

It shows you an example? How much more user friendly do you need? You want them to write the zone specific lvz for you? Cut and paste into a new .txt. Change specifics for your files. Run the (debug, right?), and voila, <whateveryouwant>.lvz

D1st0rt - Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:47 pm
Post subject:

CLIT comes with the toolkit in a folder

Bak - Thu Sep 08, 2005 11:55 pm
Post subject:

not anymore, I've opted for the cross platform support and tighter compression offered by X-Lvz Toolkit and embedded it right into the editor.

KomodoDragon - Fri Sep 09, 2005 9:56 am
Post subject:

Katie - The lazy one wrote:

People do you ever do any research before you post comments like this?

If you notice in the example most of the "help" information as good as it is for the sake of an example happens to be in "tech c++ terms" I am sorry that I don't understand c++ techy terms!

Solo Ace - Fri Sep 09, 2005 10:30 am
Post subject:

Katie is just... lazy.

KomodoDragon - Fri Sep 09, 2005 5:00 pm
Post subject:

I've realized that, but I don't like to put anyone down. Anyway. I still need some help with this lvz stuff. I am not currently using the lvz toolkit, but the other one. It really makes it easy, but If the file separates all the images I used for the background then it could get quite combersome.

If someone wants to do this part for me I would be more than greatful. I have a 2 kids and wife and another baby due anytime so I don't have much time for this stuff. Although it is pretty interesting.

Thanks.

KomodoDragon - Fri Sep 09, 2005 5:10 pm
Post subject:

Well I feel a little stupid, although not too much. I just noticed the lvl/lvz section of the forum, and read the tutorial! THAT WAS BIG HELP. The tutorial should be included in the readme or the example or be just a tutorial, but it should be included, because that my friends makes much more sense. Now I wont have to much trouble making a good lvz file. All I need are some good, high quality, low kb graphics. anyone willing to give me some?

anyway thanks for all your help.

Bak - Fri Sep 09, 2005 9:23 pm
Post subject:

Quote:

but If the file separates all the images I used for the background then it could get quite combersome

can you elaborate what you mean by this?

KomodoDragon - Sat Sep 10, 2005 8:59 am
Post subject:

I have used a grass image that is 1024X1024 pixels. Inorder to cover the arena background that required alot duplicate images. Therefore if the lvz program doesn't create one big background image from all the grass images I put there, then it could be a very big file.

That is what I meant.

Smong - Sat Sep 10, 2005 2:18 pm
Post subject:

If you're using CLIT and you are painting your background image, then that image is only going to be in the lvz once, but the lvz also stores all the locations on the map where you painted it (this part takes very little space). Also lvz files are compressed, but it's good that you care about the download time users have to sit through.

Anonymous - Sun Sep 11, 2005 2:02 pm
Post subject:

I finally got this stuff figured out. Thanks for the help

Katie - Sun Sep 11, 2005 2:28 pm
Post subject:

I actually really like your bg image.

Anonymous - Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:02 am
Post subject:

Katie wrote:

I actually really like your bg image.

Katie, "THANK YOU" (/bow)(/hat off)"

After our little disagreement, I do thank you for your help, and appreciate your time. I really am trying to make this work. And look forward to your input in future posts.

PS> now for the fun stuff: ship sets and the like!
PS..> If you are ever on the zone, and you notice something that should be changed or would make the game play more interesting, do tell.

Thanks.

Anonymous - Mon Sep 12, 2005 4:46 pm
Post subject: ....

Just be wary of the file sizes clit is creating. For example,
if you have a 1024x1024 jpeg image that is about 50k
which you're tiling your background with, you might notice
that clit will convert it to .png format and the file size could
end up being something like 500k.

If you're using a lot of high-compression jpeg files with
small file sizes, this could become a problem. It would be
a shame to have a 3 mb zone download when your zone
could just as easily be a 500k download without loss of
graphic quality.

You can always correct this, however, by editing the .ini
file that clit creates (swapping in your jpeg for the .png)
and using buildlevel.exe to rebuild the lvz file.

Even with this minor problem, clit is still the best map
editor and/or lvz editor available today.

-ws-

Anonymous - Mon Sep 12, 2005 5:57 pm
Post subject:

Thanks for the tip. I did notice that PNG and BMP and GIF were a lot bigger than jpg. That is why when I built the lvz file it changed all my graphics to jpgs. Also, using Tiled Majik for making the background was 100% easier, and took about 5 seconds. All I had to do after was insert the rest of the information and use Builder.exe and viola done.

I will probably use CITN for placing trees and stuff, but for background I would strongly suggest Tiled majik!

Purge - Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:59 pm
Post subject:

I wouldn't recommend using JPG for all of your images. It has problems with Continuum's black transparency, so just go with PNG.

Quan Chi2 - Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:03 pm
Post subject:

PNG = Purge Needs Girls

Purge - Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:13 pm
Post subject:

Speak for yourself, ugly.

wEaViL - Tue Sep 13, 2005 1:30 am
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Quan needs to be banned... thats 2 post i've seen where out of nowhere he feels the need to be a ass... i just wanna pimp smack people like that

AoS - Thu Sep 15, 2005 5:58 pm
Post subject:

http://www.freewebs.com/devme/

site i made, has everything on it, or atleast all that i know >.>

Assassin2684 - Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:05 pm
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Go weavil go! Damn I would love to see that.

Quan Chi2 - Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:10 pm
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weavil... i was just playing and purge knows that :/ mabey you need to butt out... It wasnt major.. now was it?

Purge - Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:30 pm
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You hurt my feelings.

Assassin2684 - Fri Sep 16, 2005 2:59 pm
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DONT EVER HURT HIS FEELINGS! Or i will hurt more then your feelings.......

Quan Chi2 - Fri Sep 16, 2005 3:32 pm
Post subject:

what will you hurt? You hand by punching the computer screen?

KomodoDragon - Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:12 pm
Post subject:

People, People what in the world are you doing?

GET A LIFE!

I ask a question and you people get upset with each other and start flaming each other, WHAT UP WITH THAT!!!??

I'd say that there should be more staff on this forum, which would remove rifraf like ..... well, I wont name any names but it's very obvious.

Let's keep our heads on, and do the right thing: STOP FLAMING EACH OTHER WHEN YOUR ON OTHER PEOPLES POSTS! Do it on your own posts!!!!!

You guys sicken me!