Lazy Tilesets

[Shaz]

Lazy Tilesets 1.0
Shaz​

Introduction
We all love getting new tilesets for our games, and can't wait to get them installed and start using them. But there's the importing of images to be done, the allocation to correct slots, the setting of passage, counter, ladder, bush, damage and terrain data, and heaven help us get it right the first time!

NO MORE!!!

These two companion scripts allow a tileset creator to export all the settings from the Tilesets tab into one or more files to distribute with the resources, and for users to allocate a tileset, specify which settings file to use, and import all the settings in one quick, easy action.

Over time, resources packs on the store that include tileset resources for Ace will include these scripts and the .VXATileset files, so when you buy tilesets from the store, the settings file will come with it, and you will be able to load them quickly and easily. In the meantime, as the artists are able to provide the files, they'll be added to this thread.


Features
- Pulls tileset images into correct slots - no more wondering why your map isn't being drawn the right way when you've put the images into wrong slots.
- Sets all passage, counter, ladder, bush, damage and terrain data just the way the artist intended them to be.
- Mix and match resources from different tilesets, including moving a resource from one B-E slot to another.
- Set up multiple tilesets at a time
- Creates a backup of your Tilesets.rvdata2 file prior to making any changes - if things go terribly pear-shaped, you can just replace the file with the backup.

How to Use
Instructions are in the scripts, but ...

Lazy Tilesets - Exporter

• As an artist creating your tilesets, once you have all the database settings correct, import the Lazy Tilesets - Exporter script, and in the notebox of each tileset you want to export, add the following command:
  

  <export tilesetname>

• tilesetname can be a mix of letters and numbers only - other characters will be removed. The name must be unique - if you have more than one tileset using the same name, the second one will overwrite the first one.
• Run your game. When the title screen appears, close the game.
• In your Graphics/Tilesets folder, there will be a new .VXATileset file for every tileset where you placed the <export ...> note.
• Package this file with the rest of your resources for distribution.

Lazy Tilesets - Importer

Beginner Mode

• As a developer downloading tilesets and importing them into your game, make sure the .VXATileset files provided with your resources are saved into the Graphics/Tilesets folder.
• Import the Lazy Tilesets - Importer script.
• DO NOT RENAME ANY FILES - EITHER THE .VXATileset FILES OR THE TILESET IMAGE FILES.
• Open the Tilesets tab and insert slots for your new tilesets.
• Name your tilesets, and in the notebox, add the following command:
  

  <import tilesetname>

• tilesetname must be exactly the same as the .VXATileset file for the pack you want to import (without the extension).
• Run your game. When the title screen appears, close the game.
• Close the editor (do not save, if prompted) then open it again (you might be able to just reopen the same project - what we're looking for is for all the database files to be reloaded in the editor).
• Take a look at your tileset - all the images will have been placed into the correct slots, and the settings all updated.
• If all looks good, remove the import statements from the tileset note boxes, and remove the script - you do not want to distribute the script. You should also remove the .VXATileset files when you're done with them.

Intermediate Mode

• What if you want to create a tileset that is a combination of tiles from different sets, with settings in different .VXATileset files?
• That's pretty easy too. Just add the slot IDs after the tileset name, and it will only import those slots from that tileset.
  

  <import tilesetname B C D E>

  the above will import only tabs B, C, D and E from the tileset file, leaving all the A tiles alone.

Advanced Mode

• So you want to get clever and shuffle things around a bit? You want slots A and B from tileset 1, and slots A and B from tileset 2 as well, but you want to put those into the D and E slots?
• Still pretty easy. Just add a series of slot combos, separated by a colon : and it will take the first slot from the tileset and place it into the second slot:
  

  <import tileset1 A B><import tileset2 A:C B:D>

  the above will import slots A and B from tileset 1 and place them into the A and B slots, then will import slots A and B from tileset 2 but place them into the C and D slots.

Demo
Celianna's Tileset

Spoiler

Not a demo to download, but an example using files kindly provided by Celianna, from her editor (grid-based) tileset:

Download Celianna's tiles from her topic and save them into your Graphics/Tilesets folder. You should have (these names must be exactly the same, including the case):
celianna_TileA1.png
celianna_TileA2.png
celianna_TileA3.png
celianna_TileA4.png
celianna_TileA5.png
celianna_TileB(1).png
celianna_TileB(2).png
celianna_TileC.png
celianna_TileD.png
celianna_TileE.png

Also save the following files into your Graphics/Tilesets folder:
CeliannasTilesetSummer.VXATileset
CeliannasTilesetWinter.VXATileset


In your project, create two new tilesets and name them.

Put the following into the first tileset's note box:

<import CeliannasTilesetSummer>

Put the following into the second tileset's note box:

<import CeliannasTilesetWinter><import CeliannasTilesetSummer A3 A4 C D E>

Run your game then close it, and close the editor.

When you are happy with the tilesets and don't want to do any more importing, remove the import statements in the note tab. Then remove the script.

Script
Lazy Tilesets - Exporter (for artists)
Lazy Tilesets - Importer (for those using the art)

FAQ

Q: My tileset settings aren't being imported
A: Make sure the filename used in the <import ...> statement is exactly the same as the .VXATileset file name, without the extension. Also make sure you haven't renamed any of the tileset image files or the .VXATileset files.


Post questions below if you need help running these scripts. A screenshot of your Tilesets tab and a screenshot of your Graphics/Tilesets folder might be helpful too.


Credit and Thanks
- Shaz
- Thanks to Celianna for her tilesets for the opening thread, and to other artists who will provide their exported VXATileset files to be added to the thread over time.


Author's Notes
These scripts are NOT intended to be distributed with your released game (or even for demos or beta testing). You WILL have issues if you compress your game while these scripts are active. Please remove them as soon as your tilesets are all set up correctly.

Free for commercial use.

You do NOT need to credit me in your game if you use these scripts. They are developer tools and I never ask for credit for scripts that are being pulled from your game before release.

 

[GrandmaDeb]

/me does the happy dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Shaz, this is great! A true creator tool!


And a very added-value kind of service to commercial packs.


And makes me very happy!Thanks!


(can't wait to play!) (/me starts looking around at Mack tilesets with a suspicious eye)


( /me smiles and waves at Celianna and says "Woo Hoo girl such great tiles and now so easy for new users!")


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


Used it already! Worked beautifully.





thanks!

 

[Jomarcenter]

Finally I am tired on thinking if I set the tileset correctly or even opening up the tileset database game. (contain all my purchased tilesets and other stuffs.) just to get the data.

 

[AwesomeCool]

One of the best scripts ever!

 

[Kes]

I've had a go, and yes this is going to save so much time and effort.  

It occurs to me that even if I'm not creating tile sheets for other people I do a lot for myself and having to format each one every time I put it into a different tile set is a pain.  I assume I can do the export thing for myself and use it in just the same way.

If so, I think this calls for a celebration.  Shaz, here's to you.

 

[GrandmaDeb]

Totally. I mean, the real benefit of this whole forum deal is collaboration. This script allows even more collaboration, right? One person can set up all of the tile settings for a resource, and no one else ever has to do it again.

Now, the sad truth is that you invariably will have people griping (what??? people griping on the internet???) that this particular tile or that one is not set up to their preference. Well, that is why we have tuts and custom settings still. But for the overwhelming, vast majority, (and I am thinking of the kiddos in my classes) this is a huge help.

On to making notepad files to describe tiles and getting passibility set up and making my very own tilename.vxatileset files!

BTW, once the import is completed, are the VXAtileset files needed anymore? (you remove the script)

 

[Silent Darkness]

Ooooh. Shweet.

Now all we need is an automated Script Editor importer, and things will be awesome.

 

[Shaz]

Yes, you're all correct.


ANYONE who sets up tilesets in the database can use the export tool and share the file with others. They just need the resources. This means if you create tilesets to share, if you already have settings for a tileset (*cough* Mack, anyone?) and want to share the settings, if you're working in a team and you're in charge of setting up the tilesets database, whatever.


Of course, it goes without saying ... you can share the .VXATileset files freely, but you must NOT share store resources with anyone who hasn't already purchased them.


GrandmaDeb, yes, once you've finished importing, you can remove the .VXATileset file. That's only needed during the initial setup. Also remove the note from the tileset tab so it doesn't try to reimport.


Things this will NOT work for:


- parallax tilesets


- tilesets not formatted for Ace


- tilesets that require modification before you import them


If you want to change the content in your individual tileset images, you need to do that manually, of course. If you've only made a few changes, you can still use the script to pull in most of the settings, but you'll need to change the settings on the tiles you have modified.


Enjoy!

 

[Tornado Samurai]

Thanks so much for making this script, Shaz! This script is an ultimate help and a timesaver! Once I followed the instructions and implemented the correct procedures, the tilesets, along with the correct passabilities and settings were all set up and the entire process was finished in a matter of five minutes! Can't wait to see this script implemented in many more store packs and DLC! This script is absolutely an amazingly crafted invention! Thanks again, Shaz!

- Tornado Samurai

 

[Shaz]

Glad to see someone actually using this


What tileset did you use it on - did you create the settings files, or take them from someone else?

 

[Tornado Samurai]

I used this script, under the guidance of Beginner's Mode, with the POP! Horror City DLC Pack and the two .VXATilesets files that came with it. It really came in handy!

- Tornado Samurai

 

[Shaz]

Ooh, nice! I didn't know the new packs included the files. That's awesome! Thanks so much for posting about it. I'm just chuffed now

 

[jwideman]

Can anyone share their settings file for the following tilesets:

Time Fantasy

Pixel Myth: Germania

RPG Maker DS Pack

RPG Maker DS+ Pack

Rural Farm Tiles

Old School Modern

If you can, that would be a big help. Thanks.