Guide to simple tileset edits [Rearranging, clumping and recoloring]

[Tigersong]

Ah, now that makes sense. Thanks, Indrah.

 

[d_a_renoir]

I need some tips on clumping, especially on making trees/other objects to tile. How do I make sure the objects line up so they tile properly? Thanks

 

[Indrah]

What do you mean by lining up? Staying intside the tile grid? -.-? Just set the grid to visible within the image editor...?

Well generally always remember the player is on tile high, so if you have large bunches of tiles clumbed up thinkg how the player will interact with them: totally impassable, all below him, all above him, part of it impassable, etc.

Hoenstly I don't quite get what you mean, you may want to explain further.

 

[d_a_renoir]

The trees. The block of trees that can tile into a huge forest? How do I make sure I put them right so when I line them up they don't get screwed up? Is it just a matter of choping them in half and place them on opposite ends of the grid?

 

[Indrah]

I...do you mean the B tile trees? I don't understand. They already come with the tiles for mixing them up, you just have to make sure you repeat the tile properly. Can you show a screenshot of what you mean?

 

[d_a_renoir]

Yes, I mean making those B tile trees. If I have custom trees or trees imported from XP, I'll have to rearrange the clumping myself.

 

[servantb7]

Thanks for the tutorial! I gave it a try, and it was much simpler than I thought it would be. Mapping is a weak area in my skillset, but being able to edit tilesets is definitely a step in the right direction. Thanks!

 

[7676Games]

Thank you for this Guide!

 

[100LittleDreams]

Yay! Thanks for the tut this will be really helpful. I always hated how tiles were so scattered about. And the perk is that you used gimp. )o) whoo! Who needs Photoshop to get the job done.

 

[Lunarea]

Since we get a lot of questions about how to add tileset add-ons and how to format B-E tilesets, I've gone ahead and pinned this.

 

[Indrah]

Woo a pin~

 

[DeadSketch]

Still a beginner with rpg maker so this tutorial was very helpful. Can't wait to try some of these out, especially the clumping.

 

[shindow]

For someone who wants to use mainly RTP for a simpler project, this will help a ton with the blandness! Thank you

 

[Tigersong]

If you're using a normal graphic editor like gimp or similar, set an alpha layer (transparent background isntead of a color) and save it like that (so it doesn't have a background at all) and import that.

Sorry for asking such a novice question, but how does one set up an alpha layer? (I should know- I did take some texturing classes- but a reminder wouldn't hurt.)

 

[KeyJester]

I am probably a complete idiot for asking this question, but where do I find the default tiles to edit?

I've never in my life tried to do any edits like this, so I'm about as newb as you can get, but I really want to have a go at making some custom tilesets for what I'm working on. The default tilesets that comes with the program are good, but I want to try and edit them to suit my taste a bit more. The tutorial seems really easy - and it's using GIMP, which is what I have myself - so I feel confident about trying. I just... Can't seem to figure out where to find those default tilesets so I can edit them. >.>

For the record, right now I'm using the Free Trial VX Ace. I'm gonna buy it, but the I need the trial time to save up the money for it. >.<;

Edit:

I was right, I AM a complete idiot.

I figured things out, literally seconds after I posted this.

You may feel free to make fun of me now. X3

 

[Tigersong]

For the record, right now I'm using the Free Trial VX Ace. I'm gonna buy it, but the I need the trial time to save up the money for it. >.<;

I'm confused. Don't you have Ace Lite, the unlimited-time version?

 

[KeyJester]

I'm confused. Don't you have Ace Lite, the unlimited-time version?

No, I downloaded the free trial, just to test out the program while saving up to buy it. From what I could gather, the Lite version isn't as good as VX Ace? You just gotta excuse my blondness, but when I'm new to things I'm about as dumb as can be. ^^;

 

[Sharm]

It's not as good, but since it's a stripped down version you could work in that for a while until you've saved up the money.

 

[KeyJester]

It's not as good, but since it's a stripped down version you could work in that for a while until you've saved up the money.

Then my initial thought was actually right! Yay me! =D

Actually got all the money saved up now, finally, so I bought it today. I highly doubt I'll regret that decision. =)

And, thanks to this amazing tutorial, I've already edited tons of tilesets, as well as sprites. Just getting the hang of the basics, as explained in this tutorial, makes it really easy to understand how to more complicated stuff. The test-project I'm making in VX Ace right now will only be using the defualt sets, but my goal is to only use edited ones for my proper projects. =)

 

[Tigersong]

A belated question- if I'm making a new tileset, what color should the background be? Transparent?