Un-Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

[Rodak]

OK, Since I found this site there have been repeated threats from various people to produce one of these.

When I took hundreds of screenshots for an RPGM3 character guide I commented that a VFX Editor guide should be next. Draygone stated he wanted to make one and I offered screenshots.

I want to see this happen and I want it to be as good as possible, so this is a call for ideas.

What do you want to see described?

What do you want to see pictured?

What do you want to drink?

Should it be just a guide or have step by step tutorials explaining how to use VFX Characters and Enemies as well?

There have been many complaints about the VFX Editor and it's difficulty to learn. In fact, one of my first posts was a question about the VFX Editor! At the time I thought the whole setup was counter-intuitive. Now it is second nature.

So...

Waddayathink??

[RPGD]

Re: Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

I say give it a shot. I wanted to make one for a while, as I was the first person to take advantage of the VFX editor the way you do now, but I've been far too pre-occupied with/distracted by other things to do so, and it does not look like that will change much in the near future.

Make sure it has step-by-step instructions and illustrations, and show a video or two if you can.

Maybe someday I'll actually get to making that one video VFX tutorial, but by then, who knows what we'll have..?

[Biggie]

Re: Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

I aplaud you Rodak! I always wanted to do this, but knowing myself, if I did an FAQ it would get less and less detailed with every paragraph.

[Rodak]

Re: Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

Thanks for the responses, but you two are both way too good at this!

I wanted to hear from those who are struggling, or have struggled, with the VFX Editor. It is them for whom this guide is being created. I doubt there's much I, or Draygone, could teach either of you!

I'd like to know what's giving people trouble.

While some problems cannot be overcome (object textures, etc) others can (more than 10 elements in the same Visual Effect, etc).

Speak Up!

Peace.

[RPGD]

Re: Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

Sounds logical to me.

[Manji]

Re: Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

although i wish i could say otherwise, i'm pretty uneducated for the most part when it comes to the complicated scripting and vfx for rpg maker 2.

..and i say, yes. please make one. a faq with pictures and even a video would be extremely helpful and probably inspire me to work with rpg maker 2 more.

so, please, by all means.. make one, but make it good.

[Red Dragon]

Re: Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

Do you even make rpg's anymore Rodak? It seems you're making/helping out on FAQ's/Guides lately.

But still i bet alot of people appreciate it.

[HolyPhoenix]

Re: Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

Me want guide. You make please. We all thank you. This be very handy for me.

[Jamos' Old Account]

Re: Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

Rodak, if your guide could help me do anything 1/10th as good as the stuff you made then I'm all for it.

[ErikaFuzzbottom]

Re: Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

Basic pictures to start with, as I said in the other topic. Normal blending preferred, aside from the few that look better with added blending.

[WilliamKirk]

Re: Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

There's one thing that, so far, I've only seen me do with vfx, which combine numerous together for different moves. I can and will help with that, and write a portion with a good enemy action application technique of mine.

[Rodak]

Re: Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

Do you even make rpg's anymore Rodak? It seems you're making/helping out on FAQ's/Guides lately.

Oh Fear Not, I make games still. I am working actively on two games (One for 2 and one for 3) and both are rolling right along. I plan a Videogamedrome Demo The Last prior to releasing the final version and returning to The Clean Underwear Quest! (My favorite project, currently on hold while I hone my skills on Videogamedrome) (never make your favorite project first! You'll regret it once you get good... I'm thinking of trashing everything in The Quest and beginning anew). The Clown Killers for RPGM3 is being worked on sporadically and is mostly just an experiment to see how offensive I can be and how far I can push the system.

so, please, by all means.. make one, but make it good.

How do I make it Good? I am grateful for the encouragement, but if any of you have had difficulty with this, then surely you have Questions... FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions. It's hard to know where to start or what to include without Questions!

There's one thing that, so far, I've only seen me do with vfx, which combine numerous together for different moves. I can and will help with that, and write a portion with a good enemy action application technique of mine.

But when The Boobyprize (That's Your ship, Capn') fires, I am layering 4 different VFX with 20 elements on one ship (plus the weaponry). But Please, write up as much as you like! Your enemy actions were Great!

Draygone wants to handle the descriptions of the individual ojects and effects, which I assume frees me to describe how to use them.

So... I guess I'll just go with something like this:

I) Making a simple effect

Examples:
World: A Campfire
Battle: A Sword Strike

II) Making a Layered Effect

Examples:
World: A Campfire w/smoke & sparks
Battle: A Sword Strike w/Blood Splash

III) Making a Complex Effect

Examples:
World: Above Campfire doused w/water
Battle: Ball and Chain weapon strike

IV) Scripting Simple Effects

Examples:
World: Lighting The Fire
Battle: Making the Sword Appear in Battle

V) Scripting Layered Effects

Examples:
World: Character putting out above fire
Battle: Sword Strike: hit/miss (with/without Blood)

VI) Scripting Complex Effects

Example: The Starship Boobyprize Firing on The Doomsday Machine, which reacts.

VII) Controlling Many Effects at Once

Example: The Cow Setting two old ladies' hair on fire with his Horn Beams, then lighitng a fire in the fireplace which begins smoking from the chimney a moment later

Comments welcome.

Now...

Would anyone be willing to type up the text of the help files in the editor? There are many, many and even lots of them. Too many to do them all unless you are out of your mind, but I'm sure if someone is willing to transcribe a good chunk of them we can cram even more names into the credits for this effort! Just post here if you wish to do this. Not posting beforehand could result in someone else doing it first or something.

Thanks for the encouragement!

Peace.

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EDIT:
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Now...

Would anyone be willing to type up the text of the help files in the editor? There are many, many and even lots of them. Too many to do them all unless you are out of your mind, but I'm sure if someone is willing to transcribe a good chunk of them we can cram even more names into the credits for this effort! Just post here if you wish to do this. Not posting beforehand could result in someone else doing it first or something.

WOW! Doan (of Doan's Domain) (another RPGM2 Forum) offered to transcribe the help files that quickly!!

This is truly coming together.

Expect images as soon as I finish the RPGM3 images promised for that Character FAQ. Probably next weekend (unless I get snowed in this weekend).

Peace Again.

[WilliamKirk]

Re: Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

Wow! 20 elements is a lot. Do you have them set-up like this, to time them right?

Apply Together
VFX 1
Wait XF
VFX2
Apply In Order

Basically, doing this you can ignore markers and combine the same two VFX with an infinite number of different timing to them. I do this to make 5 or 6 moves out of 2 or 3 weapon VFX (like Normal Attack, 'Twin Slash', 'Omni-Slash', to give an idea).

That's basically all I have to say about using multiple VFX together.

[WilliamKirk]

Re: Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

I wrote the part for Enemy Actions. Do you have an email I could send the file to?

[Rodak]

Re: Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

Surprisingly, the Boobyprize is a single frame effect (all right... 2 single frame effects) (one for the ship and one for the lights). When you set an element rotating it does not care how many frames the effect has, it rotates (sort of like an action script). Being only one frame made it easier to work with in my IACBS (Imitation Active Custom Battle System) because I did not have to "clear all effects" (and restore them) in order to play it's attack animation like I did with the other forms whose motion took place over time.

And thanks for the quick work! This is still a weekend project for me and there are still two projects in front of it... I was hoping to use the time between then and now to organize my thoughts and outline the guide so it will go smoothly once work begins.

Check your private messages for the requested email address.

Peace.