Using pictures for maps instead of tilesets

[vlake0]

I'm super sorry if this is the wrong area for this. I've googled and looking through tutorial lists (still going through beginner tutorials to get used to RPG Maker after nearly 11-13 years away from older versions). Anyway, I can't seem to figure out on my own how to set up custom pictures as maps. What I'm hoping to do is, for example, have one picture (painted) as the ground with another picture layer being things that the player can walk behind, like trees and poles and such. Then I'd (hopefully) be able to place tiles under the pictures (or invsible times over the picture) that determine where the player can and can't walk, so like if a rock or wall is on the picture, I can just place said tiles approximately on that area.

I assume this is something an absolute beginner shouldn't be worried about, but honestly, I just want to make sure it's possible before I invests my time into this hobby again. I figure since I'm a low level art student, I might as well try to apply those skills in painting maps instead of using tiles. But anyway, I'm getting back into the swing of things. I'm used to doing events and even managed to come up with some crazy systems just using them back in the day that are now long forgotten, but i never touched scripts, but I can copy and paste and edit/changed numbers with the best of them.

tl;dr: I want to paint my own maps and use them in the game instead of using tiles and would like a tutorial on how I might put these maps into the game

 

[Sharm]

This is called parallax mapping.  If you do a search with those terms you'll find the tutorials you're looking for, or you could buy the one Celianna made. 

 

[vlake0]

This is called parallax mapping.  If you do a search with those terms you'll find the tutorials you're looking for, or you could buy the one Celianna made. 

Aha, so there's a name for it! Thank you very much!

 

[estriole]

you can't make things you can walk behind using parallax mapping techniques. the parallax image will always below character....

but you can create event and change event image to that object (pole, tree, etc)

you need to covert the image to charset format though...

make it same as character. and when you walk behind it. the picture will cover the actor.

another method maybe using parallax + overlay scripts...

 

[Hollow]

@estriole: Yes, you can actually. There's a parallax image for the base, and then a fixed image (using Show Picture) for the objects to be shown above the player. Of course, you'd need a script to lock the image in place (I believe Modern Algebra has one), but there's no real need for events.

 

[vlake0]

you can't make things you can walk behind using parallax mapping techniques. the parallax image will always below character....

but you can create event and change event image to that object (pole, tree, etc)

you need to covert the image to charset format though...

make it same as character. and when you walk behind it. the picture will cover the actor.

another method maybe using parallax + overlay scripts...

@estriole: Yes, you can actually. There's a parallax image for the base, and then a fixed image (using Show Picture) for the objects to be shown above the player. Of course, you'd need a script to lock the image in place (I believe Modern Algebra has one), but there's no real need for events.

Yeah, I managed to get stuff working after an hour or two. Since i had the name for what I wanted to do I was able to find this thread which helped a lot and now I can display an image below and above my character and determine where my character can and can't walk: http://www.rpgmakervxace.net/topic/12299-getting-started-with-parallax-mapping/

Now that i know I can do this, I'm going to start learning all the basics like creating switches and variables because I completely forgot how to do all those things. thanks very much for all the replies and help.

 

[estriole]

@estriole: Yes, you can actually. There's a parallax image for the base, and then a fixed image (using Show Picture) for the objects to be shown above the player. Of course, you'd need a script to lock the image in place (I believe Modern Algebra has one), but there's no real need for events.

yeah that work too... but just want you to know the secret of great thing that can be achieved using event picture...

you can ANIMATE your house /  tree / object .

1) create the charset with different pose

2) use move route to change the face left, right, up, down... to animate it

then you got yourself a house with smoke out from it's chimney, with weathervane spinning around slowly.... or a tree that slightly sway by wind. or a machine that operating...

the downside is if you use too much animated event it might be lag... you might need effectus for your project to prevent it .

also... you might need large event script so you cannot pass your house wall without adding invisible event...

(i use my own script http://www.rpgmakervxace.net/topic/15689-est-build-and-decor-series/ for that)

but even without script invisible event already do the trick..