Parallax Mapping

[Fernyfer775]

If I wanted to make a parallax map that is, let's say 35x25 or so, how do I go about getting a screenshot of my map and maintain the 48x48 tile ratio?

If I zoom out and then screenshot it, that won't work.

I tried using the MV "save image as" option but the image is smaller than it should be for some odd reason.

Is there a plug-in or method to get a bigger scope of a map?

 

[Tommy Gun]

I think they're going to fix the "save image" thing, but until then you have to take a screenshot of your map at 100%. If it's too big, take multiple shots and stitch them together in Photoshop (you can probably use the panorama feature but it's not too hard to do manually, unless your map is REALLY big).

 

[fallenlorelei]

You'll need to make a canvas the size of your map (so, 1680x1200) and then paste multiple screenshots of your map onto it, making sure to align them correctly. At least until a better way comes out. (Maybe there is a better way already!)

 

[Fernyfer775]

Thanks you two. I guess I'll work with what I got! :>

 

[Iavra]

The easy (yet very performance intensive) way would be to set the screen size to be equal or higher to your map size, create a canvas, grab the 2d context and render all layers you want onto that canvas. The reason why you increase the screen size is, that Tilemap only loads those tiles that are currently on screen + a small margin around (which is a good thing).


So, unless you want to basically move the camera and stitch the screenshots together, you make it so that a single screen captures everything.

 

[Fernyfer775]

"grab the 2d context and render all layers you want onto that canvas."

What exactly do you mean by this part?

To check if I understand what you're saying is:

Zoom out my map and make sure I capture the whole thing in one screenshot (assuming I use snipping tool or print screen).

I paste that into the canvas of my editor program, and then go from there?

Wouldn't zooming out the map like that pretty much mess up the dimensions of the map and the tiles?

 

[Tommy Gun]

No, I think lavra is talking about creating a script that changes the game window size to be huge, render all the tiles, and print an image out. But that's a plug-in someone should write.

 

[Sneakaboo]

Truth be told parallax mapping is pretty inconvenient in RPG maker MV as it stands now.

Imageshot is tedious to work with and I keep getting blur with parallax mapping during tests (minus picture overlay).

Anyway there is a work around.

This is a script for ace.

http://himeworks.com/2013/02/map-screenshot/

It is basically what image shot should have been.

I think that there will be a MV version.

So my advice is ignore image shot for your sanity.

Just pretend it was never made, a bit like windows defender or explorer.

Which brings me to the alternative.

http://www.mapeditor.org/

What you basically do is just making your walls/water in tiled.

You can import tilesets and it is in general user friendly.

Now by doing so you'll have every wall (for depth) on a different layer (unlike image shot)

Which means if you make a mistake, you'll be able to fix it a lot easier.

Now once you are done you'll simply export each layer as PNG and open them into gimp or photo shop.

With the lay out done you can add the fluff on a separated layer and fix the passability.

For now this seems the best, unless you want to draw your own walls.

But in that case you would do it all in gimp/shop.

 

[Fernyfer775]

Thanks for the help folks.

Guess it's lame default editor maps until a map screenshot script like the one for ACE comes out

 

[White Demi]

If you don't know already, there is a thing made for this.


http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/49711-orange-mapshot/&page=1


Its fairly easy to use.