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Parallaxing for Dummies: Carpets & Layers
Contents Welcome back, to the second part of the Parallaxing tutorial of Dummies. A step by step guide to Parallaxing, in the previous tutorial we learnt:
What are Parallaxes?
How to change the passability settings.
How to change your tileset
Making a "base" map, that is used to create your Parallax
How to use the script Editor
Inputting Scripts
Using the Script Command
Creating a new Event Page
Exporting your map as a PNG
In this tutorial we will learn:
What are Layers?
Layer Toolbar
What are Parallaxing Tilesets?
Photoshop Tools and Shortcuts
How to select your Tiles
Placing Tiles and Basic Manipulation
Common Errors
Using Layers >>> What are Layers? First of all let's open up the image from the previous tutorial, I am currently using Photoshop CS5 so open it up and it should look like this:
Reopening our map
Top Tip: New way of using Photoshop CS5:
If like me you are using CS5 you have gained the ability to use scripting to change the way that Photoshop works, you can change it to look more like an animation setup, this helps in many different ways, however this also helps people who want to parallax map, as you can have your main map at the top and your multitude of Parallax Tilesets (more on that later) open below to save you having messy screens...the script is located here and it works a charm, please remember that this is NOT an RGSS2 Script, it is a Photoshop CS3+ Script.
Now if you take a look in the right hand corner you will see the Layers Tab:
Layer Tab
Each additional layer that is added is either added on top, or underneath the previous layers, most of the time you want to make sure that your Map Layer is at the bottom. To make sure you do not get confused, rename this layer to Base (you can call it whatever you want, just as long as you can remember what it is, because there will be A LOT of layers by the end of your map!)
Before be continue let's take a look at the Layer Tab again, and explain some of the features that will become awfully helpful during your usage of Parallax Mapping...
Using Layers >>> Layer Tools
Layer Toolbar
These three tools will become your best friend when it comes to Parallaxing; there are many more tools that I will teach you how to use when we go onto advanced Parallaxing but for now we are going to work with the following tools:
1. Layer Linking: This tool allows you to link 2 or more layers together, this is useful for when you have created a table which has a number of different objects on top, and if you want to move the table, instead of Merging the layers (squashing the layers into one) you can move one of the layers and all the other layers move with it which is a really helpful tool
2. Create a Group: This tool creates a special tool, it means that on top of the linking layers you can group these layers together, this is especially useful when used with the Layer Linking tool, it also helps to just keep your Layers organised, especially when you are creating bigger maps for outside areas.
3. New Layer: This is very self explanatory, this creates a new layer, and Layers are the most important tool in a Parallax Mappers arsenal. Each time you place an object whether it be a carpet/flooring or even using your eraser, it happens on a layer. Layers ensure that if you make a mistake you do not have to start all over again.
Starting to Parallax >>> Tilesets
Now there are two different Tilesets that you can use to parallax, you can either use standard Tilesets; these are ones that are used in standard mapping, these are specially organised so that these can be used in RPG Maker VX editor as well.
There is also a "Parallax Tileset" these are different, they aren't set up in any order in particular and 95% of the time cannot be used in standard mapping as they are not organised within the 32px squares or in the correct sizes, however they are perfect from Parallaxing.... As we are concentrating on Parallax Maps, we are just going to use Parallax Tilesets... In this tutorial I am going to be using Tilesets from Celianna and Lunerea found here on RRR, they are probably the most advanced Parallax Tilesets that you can currently find for RPG Maker VX. So let's go into your graphics Editing Program now, where we should still have our Map open and ready to create the interior.
Starting to Parallax >>> Photoshop CS5 Tools Exposed!
We are almost into the interior design but first we need to know how to use Photoshop, this isn't going to go into large amounts of detail, it will just be a quick speed through the simple tools that are used for immediate Parallaxing...
Simple Parallaxing Tools
The select tool basically enables you to move the current layer that you are on (if it isn't locked) if used with the Marquee tool, it enables you to move just the area selected by the Marquee, (more information on that later) There are many other tools that you can use for Parallaxing including the Clone Brush, Colour Picker, Blender, Pen, and Pencil but we will go into more detail about them later on in more advanced tutorials.....
Starting to Parallax >>> Floor Layers
So, after we have opened up some parallax tilesets, we can now begin:
Without CS5 Script
With CS5 Script
The best place to start is from the bottom, for this tutorial I am going to use Celianna's Clutter tileset†located here. All tiles I am using for this part of the tutorial are from this set (unless otherwise stated).
So for this we will be using the Rectangular Marquee Tool, the quickest way of doing this is simply by pressing (M) as this is the shortcut for this tool. So press M and the cursor changes to a Cross. So ensuring that your cursor is now a cross, we now need to select the Carpet of your choice, so click in the left hand corner of your Carpet of Choice, and drag to select the entire carpet of your choice, if you have done this right it should look like this:
Selecting a Carpet
Starting to Parallax >>> Floor Layers >>> CTRL C and V (the Magical Shortcuts of Parallaxing)
So, you have selected your carpet now anything you have selected you can now copy it, the quickest way to do this is to hold down CTRL and then press C. Simple as that . Now, ensure you are on your map and then holding down CTRL press V this is the quicker way of Pasting. So after doing that you should be here:
After the Paste
Now obviously that ISN'T in the right position so let's move it around abit
Starting to Parallax >>> Floor Layers >>> Arranging Objects
So, unless you have an exceptionally magical carpet, it needs to be moved! So let us learn how to move a layer. Press (V) on the keyboard; the cursor will then change to the Move tool cursor, and the top Tool should be selected on the Tool Toolbar (Yeah I liked that too)
Selected Move Tool
Now, ensuring you are on the correct layer click on the carpet you want to move and drag it to a floor area of your choice:
Positioned Carpet
Excellent, now currently the floor still looks slightly bare, and there are still not enough carpets...so following the above steps place down a few more carpets, however be aware, that there will be other items that will go on the floor. Once complete you should have something similar to this:
More Carpets
Starting to Parallax >>> Floor Layers >>> Adapting Objects
So we now know how to do the simple thing of copying and pasting of carpet layers....Pretty simple, However, our map doesn't look very realistic....Remembering currently we are looking down from a top down view, there are going to be carpets that are going underneath our ceilings...So let's start looking at carpets that are going underneath and how we go about editing our objects to suit:
So firstly using the steps above copy and paste a new carpet...Position the carpet in an area where it would normally be overlapped by a ceiling:
Overlapping Carpet
Now this obviously isn't going to work...We need to erase a small section of the Carpet layer image, to make it look like it is underneath the carpet... so first of all zoom in on the Carpet, using either your mouse wheel or CTRL +; now press M to switch to the Marquee/Select tool...
Now, you need to select the section of the Carpet that overlaps the Ceiling, the more you have zoomed in, the clearer it will be:
Selected Carpet
Delete this section either by pressing the delete button or pressing E and scribbling over that area, either way if done correctly it should now look like this:
No more Overlapping
Starting to Parallax >>> Floor Layers >>> Adapting Objects >>> Overlapping >>> Common Errors
To much deleted
In this image you can see that there is some flooring showing; which isn't the effect we are looking for.
Looks Normal Enough!
This, at first glance, is fine; however zooming in shows there is still a problem:
Overlapping ever-so slightly
Not many people will notice these errors, but eagle eyed mappers and gamers will and most likely bring you up on it
End Of Part 2 So that is it for this tutorial Leave comments and feedback below, it is really appreciated, the more feedback I receive the more tutorials I can create. Something missing, either PM me or post here
Credits and Disclaimers
Parallaxing Tilesets: Celianna
Photoshop Animation Script: GB Production/Gagay.
This Tutorial is currently for RRR/R3 only, DO NOT DISTRIBUTE ON ANY OTHER SITES...FULL STOP! If you wanna show on other sites, a link to this thread is allowed
This post has been edited by Jonnie19: Aug 21 2011, 07:10 PM
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[Mapping]Parallaxing For Dummies, Part 2: Carpets and Layers
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Aug 14 2011, 11:06 AM
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(Yeah I liked that too)
