I feel lost with VX ACE

[chungsie]

So I decided around the beginning of this year, to become more familiar with ruby. with the help from members on gitter, and this forum, as well as vxacecentral, I came up with a working text game based off my novel. http://pastebin.com/WNdtgHai (a mod said I could post this and not have issues, because of what I'm trying to do)

I really want to make it graphical, and without having to learn GOSU or another ruby library, I decided with the comments from members on this forum, to give VX ACE another shot.

I have so little experience in ACE, graphics or scripts, but I think the easiest thing to do would be graphics. Is that wrong?

Where should I start? Are there any tutorials for graphics someone could point me towards?

I already have some panels from my Comic Book of the Novel, that I think would work for cutscene movies. I'm just hoping a mod doesn't decide I'm breaking the rules for posting a ruby script in a forum about an engine that uses ruby.

I don't want to sell the game, just make it for my readers to enjoy and immerse themselves into the story better, same reason for why I am paying an artist to make the novel into a comic.

Anyways, I could really use some guidance. I have made a game in ACE before with default graphics and eventing, but I would like to try something a little more advance.

I took the liberty to attach the EXE of the text game, it's small, and simple. I just pray the Mod Gods don't get angry and lock this thread, I need help.

View attachment Cupid.exe

 

[Cadh20000]

I snatched these banners/hyperlinks from GrandmaDeb's sig, hope she doesn't mind. Some of it you will likely know, but you may learn some new things as well if you look through them, hopefully enough to figure out what you need to know for what you are working on.


************

 

[ロリ先輩]

As opposed to porting your entire script over, it may be more effective to adapt your design to use RPG Maker VX Ace database and eventing functionality, and then implementing anything that wasn't possible as scripts. It's not effective to reinvent the wheel, when VXA supplies a lot of functionality that you can extend from.

 

[mlogan]

I'm not certain what you mean by "tutorials for graphics". There are many different graphical components to using Ace/other RM software and I don't know if you mean designing graphics for it, displaying a particular type of graphic for it, using scripting to alter the graphics or what.


It's hard for any of us to know how to help you further without some more specific questions. It might be best to follow the tutorials above to get familiar with how Ace works, spend some time in the Learning Ruby and RGSSx forums to see how what you know about Ruby specifically applies to Ace and then post specific questions about troubles you are having.

 

[chungsie]

I thought it might be easiest to create a tileset. I have Gimp 2. I don't mind if the graphics are simple. 

 

[mlogan]

Personally, I would not start out with creating a tileset, no matter how simple the graphics. If you want to commit to trying Ace for this project, I would strongly advise learning Ace first. Focus on something small, like the first chapter of your novel. Use graphics that are available - there are plenty of amazing free graphics here on this site and elsewhere on the web. There are great packs in the store in different styles and are not too expensive, plus there are usually great sales here and on Steam throughout the year.


If I were you, I'd use what's available already and work on incorporating the images for your novel into cutscenes or whatever.

 

[MadMaus]

As opposed to porting your entire script over, it may be more effective to adapt your design to use RPG Maker VX Ace database and eventing functionality, and then implementing anything that wasn't possible as scripts. It's not effective to reinvent the wheel, when VXA supplies a lot of functionality that you can extend from.

Personally, I would not start out with creating a tileset, no matter how simple the graphics. If you want to commit to trying Ace for this project, I would strongly advise learning Ace first. Focus on something small, like the first chapter of your novel. Use graphics that are available - there are plenty of amazing free graphics here on this site and elsewhere on the web. There are great packs in the store in different styles and are not too expensive, plus there are usually great sales here and on Steam throughout the year.


If I were you, I'd use what's available already and work on incorporating the images for your novel into cutscenes or whatever.

Your post is kinda subjective but, if I understood your issue well, I'd follow what our friends mlogan and the cute blue-haired anime-girl (Sorry, I can't read kanjii) said above. RPG Maker already have a lot of both graphical and audible materials ready-to-use, so I'd start working with that and try to achieve something you like first (Which is exactly the approach I'm having with my current project).

 

[chungsie]

but I need red grass, and many dragons... the first chapter, and all of act 1 takes place on a planet of dragons...

 

[MadMaus]

There's a resource request forum here. You can start asking if anyone can made these for you. You can try searching for different people to join your project too, it would be a lot easier and faster to achieve things, as you wouldn't have to come ask in the forums every time you need something new.

 

[mlogan]

I'm having trouble finding it, but I feel certain I've seen recolored grass tiles in reds and purples to be used in an alien-like setting. I know there are dragons out there as well and as MadMaus said, we have the request section where you can for help with small requests or help finding already made resources (like the darn alien landscapes I know are out there).


I'm not saying don't make your own tiles or start learning how to do graphics. But it's not an easy process and I'm concerned that if you put "making a tileset" as a requirement before you do anything else, you will get frustrated and quit, as making a full tileset is a difficult and time-consuming process.


Also, you can always use placeholder graphics for now and once you've made some progress and decided it is what you would like to continue, then you can work on more customized graphics. I'm not saying this to discourage you - quite the opposite. I just speak with someone who has the experience of trying to do things way too big before I had the knowledge and experience.

 

[chungsie]

true. I found this helpful tool for character sheets. http://gaurav.munjal.us/Universal-LPC-Spritesheet-Character-Generator

 

[chungsie]

ok. so tilesets are really difficult. so I made a sprite sheet for Lakmi. and a parallax map for the first scene. but I'm still working on the parallax map. I like it, Rikifive helped me figure out how to use it for a map in ACE.

 

[mlogan]

@chungsie, please avoid double posting, as it is against the forum rules. You can review our forum rules here. Thank you.


So it looks like you are moving in the right direction. Let me point out some topics that will be helpful to you.


The Resource WIP thread is a great place to get feedback on tiles and sprites and things you are working. There are some really knowledgeable people who keep an eye on it that can give you some great tips.


The Game & Map Screenshot topic is the best place to get input and tips on your maps, as well as see what others are doing that may inspire you.


The Resource Request topic is where to go if you need help making something beyond your abilities or need help finding certain types of resources that already exist.


As it seems you've gotten the info you need, I'm going to have this closed.