RMXP for life! ^,^

Maybe some day I will finally complete a game once I'm done with these scripts, demos, and starter kits to get newbies into this seasoned program and those veterans who have moved on back into RGSS.

By the way these simple little tips are not meant to "amaze" you, they are meant to be used via event or script to make your project "more amazing"

TIP #1 SCREEN FLASH!

here's an easy way to make the screen flash!

Code:

$game_screen.start_flash(
Color.new(255,255,255,200), 50)

255,255,255, = color (rgb white)
200 = is the alpha or opacity
50 = is duration

Now use your imagination and think of a few ways you could use a touch of flash...

here's a few ideas off the top:

- healing (using white)
- hurting/low on hp (using red)
- just got poisoned (using green)
- successfully blocking powerful attacks
- finding an item
- defeating a boss
- using a super light sword flashing with every hit

now imagine all of the above happening without that touch of flash... not as cool right?

well that's your tip for now, until next tip, tip you later.

TIP #2 EVENT SELF SWITCH!

here's an easy way to control self switches of an event

Code:

$game_self_switches[[9, 12, "A"]] = true
$game_map.refresh

9 = MAP_ID (bottom left, map properties, top let)
12 = EVENT_ID (open event - id is on the top left)
"A" = the letter of the event's self switch (A,B,C,D)
true = switch is on (false switch is off)
$game_map.refresh = refreshes map for event page to turn

Now use your imagination and think of a few ways you could use that instant control...

here's a few ideas off the top:

-talking to one NPC activates another nearby (perfect for cut scenes)
-a power lock that will open/close a door in another area of the map
-a light switch, a time bomb, hidden messages or hints...
-heck, anything you can think of that turns off and on but controlled remotely :~P

now imagine all of the above done through just event commands...not as easy right?

well that's your tip for now, until next tip, tip you later.

TIP #3 TRICKING OUT THE MAIN SCRIPT

Auto Full Screen (1 of 3)

---

Do you really want your awesome game to start in a tiny window when it can easily take up the whole screen and wow the player? I didn't think so. To have your project "Alt+Enter" itself (aka full screen command) simply hit 'F11' or go into your script database and look for that special script named "Main"

in that script add the following code right after "begin"

Code:

#auto full screen
  if not $full
    $showm = Win32API.new 'user32', 'keybd_event', %w(l l l l), ''
    $showm.call(18,0,0,0)
    $showm.call(13,0,0,0)
    $showm.call(13,0,2,0)
    $showm.call(18,0,2,0)
    $full = 1
  end

Increase the frame rate (2 of 3)

---

Why not increase the frame rate if your game can handle it?
Especially if you would like a faster feel to your game and have better looking animations?

Again go into the main script and add the following code after 'begin'

Code:

#increase frame rate
    Graphics.frame_rate = 60

*you could also adjust the player's speed to be slower and add more frames to your animations if they seem a bit rushed.


Font Settings (3 of 3)

---

First of all, if you have been using that 'Arial' font for every project you have ever made with RMXP then you need to switch it up a bit by simply changing the font and it's size.

Once again go into the main script and add the following code after 'begin'

Code:

#font
    Font.default_name = "Times New Roman"
#font size
    Font.default_size = 18

*make certain the name matches exactly how the font file is spelled in the system.

OK now if you are planning on using all three tips/tricks for your 'Main' script here you go:

Code:

#==============================================================================
# ** Main (edited to auto full screen, increase frame rate, change font & size)
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#  After defining each class, actual processing begins here.
#==============================================================================
begin
#auto full screen
  if not $full
    $showm = Win32API.new 'user32', 'keybd_event', %w(l l l l), ''
    $showm.call(18,0,0,0)
    $showm.call(13,0,0,0)
    $showm.call(13,0,2,0)
    $showm.call(18,0,2,0)
    $full = 1
  end
#increase frame rate
    Graphics.frame_rate = 60   
#font
    Font.default_name = "Times New Roman"
#font size
    Font.default_size = 18
  # Prepare for transition
  Graphics.freeze
  # Make scene object (title screen)
  $scene = Scene_Title.new
  # Call main method as long as $scene is effective
  while $scene != nil
    $scene.main
  end
  # Fade out
  Graphics.transition(20)
rescue Errno::ENOENT
  # Supplement Errno::ENOENT exception
  # If unable to open file, display message and end
  filename = $!.message.sub("No such file or directory - ", "")
  print("Unable to find file #{filename}.")
end

*make sure you either paste this to replace the existing "main script" or replace it by removing the old one.

Now you got full screen at start, better frame rate, and not the default font at it's regular size + + +

Well that's your tip for now, until next tip, tip you later.

TIP 4: Event interaction

long time no tip :~P

how about when using a text box, an easy way to display an actors name can simply be done by the following:

Code:

\n[X]

where X = actor ID

or creating a conditional branch for an event based off an actor's level.

Code:

$game_actors[X].level > Y

X = actor ID

Y = actor's level

good luck on your never-ending quest ^,^