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Community => Your projects => Topic started by: 20degree on September 06, 2015, 06:35:39 PM

Title: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 06, 2015, 06:35:39 PM
Id like to create some book(s) for beginners to help solarus software users. Some kind of step by step pdf guide. I have build in time some pdf guides about a software, so i can say i have some little experience about it. Solarus quest engine even if at it starting stage i think it is some great software. But as a beginner my self i find it hard to understand. I wonder if the creator of this software and maybe others could help me about this personnal project.

Maybe the creator of this software could send me a pm, so i could give him the direct link to one of my free pdf guides. So like that he will have a better view of what kind of guide id like to create. The advantage of some pdf guide with step by step images and text, is that the user dont need to be online to read the pages; and try to understand the software that i believe have good things about it.

Thank's for your time. A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Christopho on September 07, 2015, 10:08:19 AM
Hi,
A solarus book is a great project! :)
I don't have a lot of time because I work on my own solarus tutorials (http://www.solarus-games.org/development/tutorials/), but I can answer your questions on the forum.

No problem to use the Solarus logo and screenshots of the quest editor, as long as you clearly mention that this is not an official book and that it is completely independent from the Solarus team.

You can even make a commercial book, but of course don't use Nintendo graphics.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 07, 2015, 01:53:32 PM
Thank's for your acceptance. I cant wait for your other video tutorials. I think it is better more free guides, beside commercial guides; even so thank's. I have to understand version 1.4.4 it's a good thing it work on my old Windows XP there is a lot of peoples that still have windows XP and dont have money to buy newer computer with newer operating system.

If i'm correct there is more then 7 billions peoples on earth, so by these facts there is an incontestable number of peoples around the world that still have as i Windows XP and dont have money for a newer computer; or dont want to move to the next generation for various reasons. Keeping it compatible with Windows XP at minimum, will make reach far more peoples around the world.

Making the software incompatible with Windows XP at minimum, will make millions of peoples that have this operating system around the world; loose total interest in the solarus software. So please keep it at this minimum operating system. Thank's for your time.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Renkineko on September 08, 2015, 07:29:11 AM
Keeping Windows XP is dangerous. You should migrate on a Linux system if you don't want a newer version of Windows (because of hardware issue or because you don't like it). One day or another, the compatibility will go, it cannot be avoided : there is a dependance from projects like SDL or Qt which are not under our control directly, so if SDL is not supporting XP anymore, the engine will probably follows. I'm not even sure XP is supported on purpose, because no tests are made in my knowledge.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 08, 2015, 01:13:54 PM
Quote from: Christopho on September 07, 2015, 10:08:19 AM
Hi,
A solarus book is a great project! :)
I don't have a lot of time because I work on my own solarus tutorials (http://www.solarus-games.org/development/tutorials/), but I can answer your questions on the forum.

No problem to use the Solarus logo and screenshots of the quest editor, as long as you clearly mention that this is not an official book and that it is completely independent from the Solarus team.

You can even make a commercial book, but of course don't use Nintendo graphics.

Christopho! Your tutorials are excellent. I can understand your programming in the french tutorials, I have no idea what you are saying.  :D

Quote from: 20degree on September 06, 2015, 06:35:39 PM
Id like to create some book(s) for beginners to help solarus software users. Some kind of step by step pdf guide. I have build in time some pdf guides about a software, so i can say i have some little experience about it. Solarus quest engine even if at it starting stage i think it is some great software. But as a beginner my self i find it hard to understand. I wonder if the creator of this software and maybe others could help me about this personal project.

Maybe the creator of this software could send me a pm, so i could give him the direct link to one of my free pdf guides. So like that he will have a better view of what kind of guide id like to create. The advantage of some pdf guide with step by step images and text, is that the user dont need to be online to read the pages; and try to understand the software that i believe have good things about it.

Thank's for your time. A+
I can't wait for the PDF! I could help you outline the chapters?

Also, XP is pretty much still a modern operating system. It won't die and over 25% of the world population still uses it. You can even add programs and skins that make Windows XP as good as Windows 7. Security wise....no Windows Operating system is really safe from the internet. Sadly, church sites have more viruses. I recommend Ubuntu Precise or Elementary Luna if you ever switch to Linux or Dual Boot. (Make sure to test it with a LIVE CD First because it is easier to install it that way too. Make a partition, change boot settings for the disk first or USB, and install it along side windows XP if you want.)

I hope Wine will start on Windows sooner because Windows 8 & 10 are terrible with compatibility of old windows programs. I even heard Chrome didn't work on 10! XP still beating new versions is sad. Luckily, Windows 7 still works great.

Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: oclero on September 08, 2015, 07:42:52 PM
A Solarus book is a great idea ! I would be happy to help  :D
We have to make it open-source. The last time I did a PDF for Solarus, it was the walkthrough for Mystery Of Solarus (http://www.solarus-games.org/downloads/zsdx/zsdx_walkthrough_fr.pdf), with Renkineko who wrote all the texts and did all the screenshots. It was made with Adobe InDesign. If the final result can look professional, the problem is that the .ai file fomat is not free. Do you plan to use Scribus ? Or Latex ?
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Diarandor on September 08, 2015, 08:16:39 PM
If you plan to use Latex and need some help, maybe I could help you, I have some experience with it.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Maxs on September 08, 2015, 09:15:56 PM
If you choose LaTex (or something else that uses files that can be read in clear), it will be a good idea to create a git repository.
So the book could be maintained more easily (branch for manage versions, issues, team work, etc ...).
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 08, 2015, 11:06:42 PM
Can we use Christopho's scripts to help with the books creation?

Also, can't LibreOffice be used? It can export to a PDF and it has PDF creation tools.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: oclero on September 09, 2015, 12:24:00 AM
Quote from: zutokaza on September 08, 2015, 11:06:42 PM
Also, can't LibreOffice be used? It can export to a PDF and it has PDF creation tools.
Is it possible to version one single .odt file ? With several Latex files, it would be easier for people to collaborate. But is it really useful for the moment? Online tutorials might be the priority ?
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 09, 2015, 12:57:56 AM
Quote from: Neovyse on September 09, 2015, 12:24:00 AM
Quote from: zutokaza on September 08, 2015, 11:06:42 PM
Also, can't LibreOffice be used? It can export to a PDF and it has PDF creation tools.
Is it possible to version one single .odt file ? With several Latex files, it would be easier for people to collaborate. But is it really useful for the moment? Online tutorials might be the priority ?

http://extensions.libreoffice.org/extension-center/writer2latex-1

I have never used LaTeX, but that looks like an extension for LibreOffice for it. Many people work better with books and others with videos.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 09, 2015, 10:59:11 PM
It's just because some peoples have told to my self that i see things and explain things clear. Also i am a beginner with Solarus and would want to know a lot of things about it. I can say that my brain feel like some green size pea beside all the incredible peoples here with there fantastic knowledges loll

I have writen some free pdf guides about a software called Futurepinball. Have made the pdf with the software OpenOffice. Made with the autorizations of the administrators of the website Futurepinball.com, Pinsimdb.org, Gopinball.com, the president Ton Roosendaal from Blender.org, the president Mete Ciragan from Milkshape3d.com and others. I would have not made some free pdf guides without there writen autorizations. Because i do have respect for authors, do have respect for copyrights, because i dont want any problems; briefly because i want to respect and find it important to do so.

Here is the direct link to one of my free pdf guide about the software Futurepinball:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHZXAyZGxRRmRXNm8/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHZXAyZGxRRmRXNm8/view?usp=sharing)
You can read it online, you can download it if you want, there is no formula to fill for having; and there is no need to click on things or to register to something to have. It's really free!

What i have think is simply put the Solarus Logo in big size in the middle of the page as some background image. Have simply things to click that go on a page as: "How to make an image intro animated after the solarus animeted intro". "How to replace the Solarus Intro". How to import some tileset". "How to import sounds and musics". "How to import some caracters" and more and more and more. For peoples looking my free autorized pdf guide, you can visualise what kind of pdf guide id like to make. But i wont be able without the great brains knowledges around here. You can say some how that i'm lost.

Also i must experiment it also, so i can "as a beginner" put my self into some beginners shoes. Also that a beginner clicking on a simple link going on some page with the explications and thing the beginners can do to understand "exercises". What is also important is that the images put into the pages, must not be copyrighted and respect the authors. I dont think Nintendo would give me a writen autorization to put some "snes zelda link to the past" or other images as tileset, caracters, etc; that i could find with the keyword free on the web. I even have respect for Nintendo and others. I'm not a master to create some pdf books, but i do believe that Solarus have some potential.

The advantage to create some free pdf guide, with step by step images with detail explications. Is that a Solarus user can read the pages offline, it could also help for beginners to do some experiments; even could help to make remember knowledges forgotten. Well i hope that the link of one of my free pdf guides, can help peoples visualise the kind of book id like to create. But as i say it must respect the authors, respect copyrights; to not have any problems of any kind. But again i cant do it without peoples help.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 10, 2015, 12:06:53 AM
Here is some look ive created, it's only have 1 pdf page, and you see in the background Solarus. If you want you can take a look with the folowing link. Its not much, i'm not a pro. It only have one page, but can give the idea of the design i think.

http://www.filedropper.com/solarusnotofficialsfavronlookebook (http://www.filedropper.com/solarusnotofficialsfavronlookebook)

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 10, 2015, 01:01:25 AM
Scribus and Latex dont know about these?? Me i use OpenOffice 4.1 and use some other softwares. I have seen some youtube video tutorials to make some basic book template with OpenOffice. For the *.ai file i suggest the free software https://inkscape.org (https://inkscape.org) it is a software that can do image that can be vectoriel, some say could be similar to Adobe Illustrator. A free software about creating photos or images is: http://www.gimp.org (http://www.gimp.org) wich some peoples say is like Adobe Photoshop. There is also this free image soft: https://krita.org (https://krita.org). Well i hope that these links help. I know other free and legal softwares, but not sure giving the links here would be appropriate to the subject here.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 10, 2015, 07:38:20 AM
We could always use Google Drive, but daily back ups would need to me made. That way everyone can edit and add to it easily.

I try to set up a table of contents in 24 hours. :D
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: oclero on September 10, 2015, 02:07:50 PM
I strongly suggest Latex, since the final document can be separated in several files that will be included later, and since it is text-based, it works perfectly in a git flow (merges and diff will be easy). Traductions in foreign languages will also be easy. Moreover, Latex is FOSS, and widely used for books. It can of course generates a PDF file.

Wikipedia (if you don't know Latex): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaTeX (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaTeX)

Latex final result, even with default formatting, is beautiful and very professional. I can help you to get a nice design. You can of course include pictures in Latex, and even vectors (if you you EPS or PDF files). However, it is not a WYSIWYG program, but some WYSIWYG editors exist, on Windows, OSX and Linux.

The disavantages of a big odt document or google drive document are :

Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 10, 2015, 02:33:57 PM
The walktrough Zelda Dx guide is made wonderfull, id like to have such talents as drawing, design, etc. My strength is more about the organisation and structure; but it's quite possible there have great peoples here with more experiences then me.

I'm at leas gonna tell what i do believe is important:
1 - My link to the FileDropper, putting the pages as panoramic is better. Why? Because peoples dont like too much scrooling up and down some pages.
2 - The background image (same image on each pages) should be of big size and have 300dpi (dots per inchs), so when the pdf is zoomed the pixels dont apear too fast.
3 - The images in the pages should have some dimensions as height but not much, doing images too big could make images in some invisible table want to be on the next pages.
4 - The inner images on the pages should have a resolution of 96dpi, this because of the quality if some peoples want to zoom in the pdf file; but not like 300dpi this because when the content weight too much then the total pdf file weight too much.
5 - If there is too much content "How to do this and that" the pdf file should always be less then 5MB (mega bytes). Why? Because if peoples want to share the pdf file by e-mail, i know that standard e-mail account can not send and receive a file that is higher then 5mb. So if necessary it could have as: (First Book, Second Book, Third Book, etc.), this like books that say: "Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, etc."
6 - We must always put ourself into some beginners shoes, peoples that have no knowledges in scripting programming, no knowledge in how importing images, animating caracters, etc. Thinking as some 6 -8 years kid that would want to do things with Solarus.
7 - Some peoples might find it bad this thing that i know is also important. It is that each pages we must repeat most step by step with explications. Why? Because we dont know if a reader want to go directly to a section and not looking the previous sections and explications. So each "How to do this and that" should be explained step by step.
8 - Before creating some pages, it is important that we do some brainstorming; that we try to exchange our ideas (it is a team work) not an individual work.
9 - The fonts writing the pages must be common fonts on multiple operating system. This to be sure that reader gonna see the text on the pages. Comon fonts i know is: (Arial, Courrier, Helvetica, Times New Roman), there maybe more; but i'm sure that these police fonts you are gonna find them on your operating system wether it is Windows, Mac Os X, Linux, Ubuntu, Cisco, etc.
10 - The last thing i believe is important to help Solarus for the pdf book(s), we must think as "How to do this and that with step by step and details explications". To explain it more (what Solarus users would like to know how to do); this before creating pages. So we can make some brainstorming and figure out the pages from start to finish.

Here is my old second free book:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHcFlkNmxUWWxmZUE/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHcFlkNmxUWWxmZUE/view?usp=sharing)
Here is my old third free book:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHZ0VRWHFLTThTUFk/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHZ0VRWHFLTThTUFk/view?usp=sharing)

These old free pdf books ive made are also about the software Futurepinball i have writen in the past. Just sharing so peoples can know reading the pages, what i mean by giving some step by step exercises with details. But mostly to make peoples understand, that i have repeated some explications as other pages (because not knowing if some reader gonna want to go directly to a section from the index); that's why i say it's also important to explain step by step from start to finish each "How to do this and that".

I do believe that Solarus even as a beginner my self have some great potentials and i do believe there are great talents here.

Well i hope at leass that peoples understand the important things i find, that i think is also essential to help Solarus?

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 10, 2015, 09:27:15 PM
Sorry for double posting, but here is what I thought of today.

Chapter 1: Project Setup
-Download
-Installation
-Themes
-Linux
-Windows
-Making a new map
-Loading a new map
-Saving Project

Chapter 2: Making a map
-Shortcuts
-Zoom
-Grid
-Layers
-Test Run
-Options
-Map Size
-Custom tilesets
-Custom Animation
-Resize
-Repeat clone selected tile
-Storage - Copy/paste

Chapter 3: Treasures
-Chests
-Hidden under Grass/rock/etc treasures
-Hidden treasures (Invisible items)
-Other treasures

Chapter 4: Saving Game
-Setting path
-Setting up save script
-User Wine save file Location
-User Windows save file location
-Preventing item save reset

Chapter 5: Jumpers
-Jumping distance
-Common jumping glitches
-Diagonal Jumping
-Front jumping
-Backward jumping

Chapter 6: TeleTransporters

Chapter 7: Stairs, Platforms, Elevators, and Holes

Chapter 8: Forest, Jungle, lake, Sea

Chapter 9: Swimming and Water Transportation

Chapter 10: Switch to Trigger

Chapter 11: Obstacles and Tricks

Chapter 12: Currency

Chapter 13: Shops and Trade

Chapter 14: NPC (Non-Player-Characters)

Chapter 15: Dynamic Tiles

Chapter 16: Entrances and Doors

Chapter 17: Timer events

Chapter 18: Movements actions

Chapter 19: Title Screen and Menus

Chapter 20: Scrolling Credits

Chapter 21: Distribution

Edit:

Chapter 22: Sprite setup

Chapter 23:  Hud Display

Chapter 24: Currency display

Chapter 25: Inventory

Chapter 26: Combat

Chapter 27: Guard with Weapons and shield

Chapter 28: Returning weapons (Boomerang)

Chapter 29: Projectiles

Chapter 30: Explosions and Destructable objects

Chapter 31: Day and night cycle

Chapter 32: Weather (Fog, Rain, etc)

Chapter 33: Enemy AI

Chapter 34: World map

Chapter 35:  Coordinats/location (Play location display or motion sensor)

Chapter 36: Cheat system

Chapter 37: Kinematics

Chapter 38:

Chapter 39:
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 11, 2015, 01:42:58 AM
Zutokaza you seem to have some great ideas, that's wonderfull!!

I have made a zip file that is near 4.3MB of size. It include an Open Office design with some notepad text file describing a little the Open Office, an jpg image, an Photoshop v7 psd file. Even if i know that the zip file has no virus, i always encourage peoples to antivirus scan; i dont want to be accused of anythings.

Here is the link:
http://www.filedropper.com/20degreesolarusbookexample (http://www.filedropper.com/20degreesolarusbookexample)

It's not much but it is a start.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 11, 2015, 02:23:19 AM
I edited my post for the table of contents above. It can still use a lot of work, organizing, and spiffing up, but it can give everyone an idea of what needs to be done. I will try to add more over the month, mostly sub sections in the contents.

I will be teaching my wife solarus in 2 months, so I will probably post that stuff for the book if no one beats me to it.  ;D


Quote from: 20degree on September 11, 2015, 01:42:58 AM
Zutokaza you seem to have some great ideas, that's wonderfull!!

I have made a zip file that is near 4.3MB of size. It include an Open Office design with some notepad text file describing a little the Open Office, an jpg image, an Photoshop v7 psd file. Even if i know that the zip file has no virus, i always encourage peoples to antivirus scan; i dont want to be accused of anythings.

Here is the link:
http://www.filedropper.com/20degreesolarusbookexample (http://www.filedropper.com/20degreesolarusbookexample)

It's not much but it is a start.


I use Linux, so no virus will affect me. Not without my permission anyway. Haha
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 11, 2015, 02:59:55 AM
Sorry again for double posting.

I found some CC-By 3.0 Sprites we can use in the book.
http://opengameart.org/content/antifareas-rpg-sprite-set-1-enlarged-w-transparent-background-fixed

http://opengameart.org/content/18x20-characters-walkattackcast-spritesheet

CC0 Public doman Explosions, weapons, tileset, items:
http://opengameart.org/content/explosion-animations

http://opengameart.org/content/16x16-rpg-items

http://opengameart.org/content/old-frogatto-tile-art

http://opengameart.org/content/old-frogatto-tiles-pt2

Menu CC- BY
http://opengameart.org/content/fantasy-ui-elements-by-ravenmore

GUI 1: CC- BY - SA
http://opengameart.org/content/denzis-gui-artwork

Other GUI and UI

http://goo.gl/eWFZmT

http://goo.gl/bFYYJR

http://goo.gl/Mkru1b

Faces CC- BY and SA (CC0 as well)
http://opengameart.org/art-search-advanced?field_art_tags_tid=anime

Patterns for the book (Covers and pages)
http://goo.gl/B0Wjvy

Music CC- By and CC- SA

http://opengameart.org/content/8bit-thingy

http://opengameart.org/content/music-2

http://opengameart.org/content/randomtheme

Other music:
http://opengameart.org/art-search-advanced?field_art_tags_tid=chiptune


Sound effects:
http://opengameart.org/art-search-advanced?keys=&field_art_licenses_tid%5B%5D=2&field_art_licenses_tid%5B%5D=3&field_art_tags_tid_op=and&field_art_tags_tid=sfx&name=&sort_by=created&sort_order=DESC&items_per_page=24&Collection= (http://opengameart.org/art-search-advanced?keys=&field_art_licenses_tid%5B%5D=2&field_art_licenses_tid%5B%5D=3&field_art_tags_tid_op=and&field_art_tags_tid=sfx&name=&sort_by=created&sort_order=DESC&items_per_page=24&Collection=)

We can find some more as we go on with the chapters.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Christopho on September 11, 2015, 08:49:43 AM
Free graphics and sounds are useful not only for the book, but more generally to make quests without Nintendo content.
This is the goal of the Children of Solarus project: https://github.com/Bertram25/ChildrenOfSolarus
I shared your links to them, they can be very helpful.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Christopho on September 11, 2015, 09:04:12 AM
Now about the books, you don't have to follow closely the chapters of my tutorials. The order of chapters of the tutorial was influenced by what was available at some point in Solarus.
For example, chapter 36 is about blocks and chapter 55 is about destructible objects, because they were not customizable enough in previous versions to deserve a chapter at that time.
Also, I was trying to alternate between chapters with code and chapters on using the quest editor.

Maybe you could organize the book in 3 or 4 big parts, each part having a common theme with its own chapters.

Part 1: Using the quest editor
Getting started, sprites, dialogs, tilesets, treasures, entities (teletransporters, NPCs, jumpers, enemies, stairs, dynamic tiles, blocs...), Lua basics
(Maybe part 1 should be splitted in more parts?)

Part 2: Lua scripting
Lua/engine interaction, how to use the documentation, creating an enemy, creating an item...

Part 3: Menus
HUD, inventory, map, savegame menu...

Part 4: Advanced
Metatables, complex custom weapons, dungeon system...
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 11, 2015, 12:49:16 PM
Yes, the table of contents can be set up better.

Also, Open game art http://opengameart.org/ has an unlimited supply of free music. Pixel art is a bit tougher to find for a Zelda Style ARPG. I am pretty sure there might be more luck at finding free pixel art on Deviant art, but the reliability of being true open source pixel art is very low.

The following were made for RPG Maker, but Solarus has flexible mapping, so it should still be useable. BUT! One has to make sure they are not just edits of RPG Maker art because there would be license issues. And a lot of  fan art.....too much fan art....

http://ayene-chan.deviantart.com/art/RPG-Maker-VX-TileA3-338363699

http://www.deviantart.com/browse/all/?section=&global=1&q=RPG+maker

This person has a lot of CC-BY 3.0 Pixel art, but I don't know if can be considered CC-By because a lot are RPG Maker RTP edits. One will notice the license on the lower right side as you scroll down. Credit is required and credit should always be given in my opinion....no matter if not required.
http://ayene-chan.deviantart.com/art/RPG-Maker-VX-Door-270033133

If I notice some real CC-BY art, then I will post a link.

Edit:

A Zelda like Tileset.  It is CC-BY 3.0.
http://hasgraphics.com/2d-zelda-like-rpg-tileslostgarden/

More of his stuff
http://lunar.lostgarden.com/labels/free%20game%20graphics.html

Free sprite characters created for RPG Maker, but are unique and can be used in other Game engines. CC-BY
http://untamed.wild-refuge.net/rmxpresources.php?characters

Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: oclero on September 11, 2015, 01:53:57 PM
I feel like repeating myself but if you want a nice result like the Zelda DX PDF Walkthrough I made with Renkineko, you'll have to use a more profesional tool than LibreOffice/OpenOffice.  :) Our Zelda DX walkthrough was made in 2 times :
You can begin by sending to each other by mail or the forum a single odt file, but I can assure you this is the less handy way to collaborate ... :D

Anyway, if you want a profesional result at the end but still don't want to use a better tool, I think I will re-wrote everything in Latex because I would like everything related to Solarus to look polished :P

Do you know O'Reilly (http://www.oreilly.com/) book editor? It's the more famous computing book editor in the world, and they use Latex. Someone has made a template to make your Latex document look like a O'Reilly book (link on tex.stackexchange.com (http://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/107862/oreilly-template)).

In the first place, you could help Renkineko with his written tutorials on the Solarus wiki (http://wiki.solarus-games.org/doku.php?id=fr:tutorial:create_your_2d_game_with_solarus) (only in French for the moment). Don't hesitate to ask him for help. Once everything is written on the wiki, I can help you to turn the pages into a beautiful book, even better than the one for Zelda DX, since I have mastered better the tools over the last 2 years ;) But you have to write the content before thinking about the visual result. What do you think about that?
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 11, 2015, 02:41:55 PM
Well, collaboration can be done easily with Google Drive and images can be inserted in LibreOffice for a professional looking background for each page. (Same in Google Drive) Also, the LibreOffice files or other formats are converted to Google document format when clicked. That way a open office files formal or any other format won't have to be tossed around. LibreOffice can do professional work and it has everything needed.  A github mentioned before will be good, but what matters now is getting it started.

The whole purpose is to make a book to help others learn Solarus easily and I honestly don't think the look matters unless it will be sold.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 11, 2015, 03:09:41 PM
I have forgot that it is important to mention some terms, say that the book is free and that peoples participating are not responsible for some problems and can not be pursuit, su; ask some compensation as financial and others for any reasons at any times and any where.

It is also important to indicate in the book the web full url writen, indicating some opengameart files. This proove the source of the files, it give proper credits to the authors of the files wich make them some good publicity; and not making money with there files (book totally free) they can not say the peoples participating make money with peoples and others.

The authors can not say the peoples making this book gain some profits from it. Also the links point to the website url files, it can not put with the book as some attatchement as cd-rom and other of this kind. Unless there writing autorization to do so, but it's not worth to do it; and it take more energy and time from us.

I write this because i dont want any problems of any kinds, but i write this also for peoples that participate in this project; i dont want that any peoples have any problems of any kinds.

I want to share a link of free pdf books that are guides for authors. I have not read them, i have my ways of life as groceries, pay bills, etc. My personnal knowledge come from simply looking fiew printable books. As i say i'm not a master of the domain. The link i'm gonna give it's free books from a publisher house, that are guides for authors; but as i say i have not read them because of my time.

I do not work for this publishing house, i just have find the link on the web by making a search; i hope it will help? http://www.bookbaby.com/free-publishing-guides (http://www.bookbaby.com/free-publishing-guides)

At the bottom of the page it is writen "all guides" wich make you go on an other webpage. You simply write an email, then the name you could (as suggested) "Solarus Forum" or others. Then you check mark the two squares your interest. The "How long you want to publish", the first rectangle you can choose (18+ months). The next rectangle you can choose as: (Other). Then the submit button. After you click on submit, this will make you go on an other page with the button "Download all guides".

I hope it will help?

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zeror on September 11, 2015, 05:15:50 PM
Making a (digital) book of Solarus is really a fantastic idea.

Like Christopho already mentioned the book needs only a few chunks.

Here is my idea of the contents:

And i'd like to mention. If you need help with graphics or something I can support on that. And if you are using Adobe Indesign i can help too. For my job i am actually working with the Adobe suite software, so no problem with that. ;)

Edit: Chapter 4 and 5 switched as suggested by Christopho.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Christopho on September 11, 2015, 05:43:32 PM
The contents suggestion of Zeror is great. Maybe switch parts 4 and 5 because Lua is needed for the user interface.
Slight remark: we should write Lua, not LUA. It is not an acronym.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 11, 2015, 06:46:31 PM
I like the reply number 17 for this: Seem to have multiple things as multiple branchs of a tree.

I also like the reply number 27 for this: Seem for me more oriented as a "How to do this and that".

As for the message saying putting the book pdf free, and maybe sometime some commercial book. I think for the free pdf book it would be better that the instructions repeat some times (i know it make more pages), this for beginners that would simply want to go to some page directly. But for a commercial book, what is important is that the exercises would be with "tiny steps forward" each later sections and not repeat it self too much. Also that the explications of the next sections should be some how related to the previous section; this make readers get not lost or at leass less lost. This also can make some commercial book have less pages, so cost less to potential buyers.

What is also important is think if the images in the pages, the explications of the images should be very details; just in case if the interior of the pages would be printed in black and white, by some publisher even if the images where in colors; or some person that buy an ebook and want to print it in black and white. As you can see, i try my best to think of diverse possibilities and probabilities. To make it a great book.

If there where some commercial book, id like to have some percentage of it. But i think it would be more just and fair if my percentage is less then some peoples that i think are more on the project of mine. This even if my financial situation is very bad, it's important for my self to be just, fair and honest with peoples.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zeror on September 11, 2015, 07:20:51 PM
Quote from: 20degree on September 11, 2015, 06:46:31 PM
What is also important is think if the images in the pages, the explications of the images should be very details; just in case if the interior of the pages would be printed in black and white, by some publisher even if the images where in colors; or some person that buy an ebook and want to print it in black and white. As you can see, i try my best to think of diverse possibilities and probabilities. To make it a great book.
If you want to make sure that images comes out great in black and white (greyscaled) then it's best to use a good high contrast in those images. Make sure black is really black and white is really white. Also use a proper resolution to have nice sharp images. That can be tricky because you use screenshots, which are always 72dpi, but for good printing results you need actually 300dpi (you need nearest-neighbor scaling for this actually for the best results).
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: oclero on September 11, 2015, 08:41:45 PM
If we do a commercial book, why not crowdfunding ?
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zeror on September 11, 2015, 09:24:09 PM
Quote from: Neovyse on September 11, 2015, 08:41:45 PM
If we do a commercial book, why not crowdfunding ?
No offense to Solarus, but i think it would fail. I would not recommend that.
If you want, let's say, 500 copies produced then the costs are already around the 2.750-3.400 dollar / 2.500-3.000 euro pricerange at minimum. Let's say everyone funds 12 dollar / 10 euro you still need 300 people. I don't see that happen.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 11, 2015, 10:50:07 PM
Me the free pdf guides ive writen in the past has 96dpi images into. The images in it is not 72dpi. I know that 72dpi is the standard for web imagery. But what i wonder Zeror, if for a free pdf guide or commercial that 96dpi is enough or if it should be 300dpi as you say?

It's because i think of the total file size weight.

Thank's for your time and thank's to others also.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 12, 2015, 02:48:03 AM
I have think for peoples looking for free and legal images as on the website of OpenArtist, i think it could be a good idea that the authors them self be a member here; and write here there acceptances for putting images "printscreens" of there file for the book. This to protect the administrators, the other Solarus members; and even the peoples that would like to make some games.

I think it's important that the authors files and components write here publicly there acceptances to help for this free book. Like if some image is way too long (example: http://opengameart.org/content/18x20-characters-walkattackcast-spritesheet (http://opengameart.org/content/18x20-characters-walkattackcast-spritesheet)), that it can be cut for the pages. Also as images zoomed "but respecting there size properties",wich i mean not stretched; briefly make the images into the pages respecting the authors.

I have made (not so far 3 pages). The first page "welcome", second "terms", third "for who is this book". The next thing i'll do for this free pdf guide is write the chapters. But by experience all the pages must be made before linking them. This because i have made the error in the past to create some pages that i have said this is linked to as page 4, this on page 10, etc. But i have not think that some chapters could have more pages then others; wich resulted in links to pages that was incorrect.

Beside that i help an old person that i know, help some friends. Also i have helped a bit an none lucratif organism that have an .org site; helped for web pages to help lives and could maybe even saves lives of peoples. But this dose not mean that i dont care for this personnal free project. Also as a beginner with Solarus that id like to create my own free snes zelda style games to show to some friends.

Once again thank's for the peoples help and for your great and fantastics talents that you share. Some of you might find my self disturbing telling so many times my thank's to your self. I find it important to appreciate peoples that surround us. Me i tell it to my mom, my dad, my brothers and friends. I dont know when there time alive gonna pass by and be no more. If ive touched hearts, please tell to your surrounding also as i do your appreciations and love to your surrounding.

Again thank's to all and thank's beiing part of this personnal free project of mine.

;) A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Diarandor on September 12, 2015, 11:45:01 AM
I still think it would be much better to use LaTeX, as someone said before. LaTeX is very professional (it's usually the one used to write scientific articles) and you would not have that problem with the links to reference other pages when the pages change. If you change your mind I might help you using Tex when I have some free time.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zeror on September 12, 2015, 11:47:38 AM
Quote from: 20degree on September 11, 2015, 10:50:07 PM
Me the free pdf guides ive writen in the past has 96dpi images into. The images in it is not 72dpi. I know that 72dpi is the standard for web imagery. But what i wonder Zeror, if for a free pdf guide or commercial that 96dpi is enough or if it should be 300dpi as you say?

It's because i think of the total file size weight.

Thank's for your time and thank's to others also.

A+
The amount of dpi depends on the distribution method. Will be it be shared as PDF file then 72 or 96 dpi is just fine, but when you want sell it as an actual printed book then you should use 300 dpi images for the best results (actually most printing offices require you to use 300 dpi).
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Christopho on September 12, 2015, 12:02:02 PM
Quote from: 20degree on September 12, 2015, 02:48:03 AM
But by experience all the pages must be made before linking them. This because i have made the error in the past to create some pages that i have said this is linked to as page 4, this on page 10, etc. But i have not think that some chapters could have more pages then others; wich resulted in links to pages that was incorrect.
Are you serious? Never hardcode page numbers, use references to do them for you.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 12, 2015, 02:59:07 PM
Dont worry Christopho i dont link to the page numbers. What i do on some pages i simply choose to "insert some bookmark". Later i simply select the text (by putting the cursor before the text i want, after holding the shift key and clicking with the mouse on the last word); so it select multiple words. Then i choose the option to add some link to the selected text, after i choose link to this document to some bookmark. This turn the words to some clickable phrase to some bookmark. I have done this terrible error in the past, but trough time ive learned fiew things. That's what i did with my previous free pdf guides, that the clickable text link point to the corresponding bookmark or to some external web url.

To respond to you Zeror, the intention is mostly do a free pdf guide, not a commercial guide. The interior image quality it is important for me that they are of 96dpi at leass. Because i have notice by my own experience in the past that 72dpi interior images when the pdf file was openend. By zooming id did not take too much time that the images of 72dpi became pixelized, beside 96dpi image into the pdf file; and i think of peoples that would want to learn Solarus that could have bad eye sight vision.

Now to respond to you Diarandor i have downloaded last day the software http://www.libreoffice.org (http://www.libreoffice.org) and installed it wich is version 5.0.1. Then from the same official website ive done a search with the word: Latex. I have find some extension wich i downloaded. Today ive installed the LibreOffice software, after from the software have choosed "tools" then "add extension" and have gone to the "Latex" file ive downloaded. The software LibreOffice told the message, there is no need to install it because it is already in the LibreOffice software. After it asked if i want to still install or cancel. So i cancelled because the software told that it already have "Latex".

I have to told to you Diarandor, that i'm totally blind with the software LibreOffice at leass i notice that it have some tools similar as OpenOffice. Ive opened my OpenOffice file with LibreOffice. But from there i'm really lost, this because i dont know the software and dont know Latex at all. I even wander if Latex is already active or not? I feel very small right now, beside peoples that know LibreOffice and Latex; as some kids that is crawling before walking. But i'm glad that you Diarandor and other peoples that know Latex with LibreOffice could teach me things.

Once again thank's to all!

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Diarandor on September 12, 2015, 04:23:00 PM
I have never used LibreOffice and never heard about it before, so I don't know how it is. LaTeX is something like a text editor and a programming language at the same time, and has hundreds or thousands of libraries to do whatever you want (although for your purposes you do not need that). All serious science  researchers of physics, maths, and other sciences use it to make their articles, although it can be used to write a book or whatever.

Of course, LaTeX is very very active, but normal people without programming knowledge are afraid of these things and use programs like Word and convert it with PDFCreator or other tools (much easier but not professional and bad quality).

LaTeX is not hard to to learn (at least compared to Lua, and Lua is a very very easy programming language, so don't be scared of it). I use the Miktex distribution (you can find it with google) but there are others. You also need an editor to use LaTeX, and there are lots of choices (the one I use is TeXnicCenter, which is free and multiplatform if I am not wrong, but there are other good and better editors too that you can find using google). (I use it to write my math articles, and currently to write my PhD thesis. So I would gladly help you if you choose to use Tex.)

Anyway, this was just my opinion. You are free to use the program you want, and it will be a huge work in any case. Good luck with this work!!! ;D
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: oclero on September 12, 2015, 04:37:46 PM
LibreOffice is just the new name of OpenOffice. Actually, OpenOffice development was stopped a few years ago. Since the code was open-source, some people took the following. You should use LibreOffice instead of OpenOffice, much more stable, fast and better
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zeror on September 12, 2015, 07:39:38 PM
Since you like open-source, why not using Scribus? It looks like a solid tool and it's an alternative to Adobe Indesign, which is in my opinion the tool to create nice books and stuff.

http://www.scribus.net/
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 12, 2015, 09:06:56 PM
I want to thank for the link http://www.scribus.net (http://www.scribus.net). Why i seem to want open and free softwares? Well the reason is just because the montly money i have is very not much; i can say that i survive with the help of some peoples. But i wont complain, because some peoples have lived worst beside my self. The other reason, is simply because i want to be legal. I have heard on the web there are a lot of free softwares, but some peoples say there are software that are free with no limits but there are not free. So it's quite confusing for me.

I have find the site: http://www.texniccenter.org/ (http://www.texniccenter.org/), ive downloaded but not installed because i have find an other website: http://www.texstudio.org/ (http://www.texstudio.org/) that i also downloaded but not installed. I'm not sure but i think that "TexStudio" may have many more features beside "TexNicCenter". Why? Well first the latest news on there sites, "TexStudio" have some dated news that seem more recent. The second reason its because of the comparaison of "TexNicCenter" and "TexStudio", the file size of "TexStudio" weight more; wich could possibly make me think (more features and options). So i wonder wich one should i install because they both have "LaTex" and seem have very similar tools and options (seeing the images on the web)? What is important is that it can save the document and turn it to a pdf file that can be opened with Adobe Reader and other pdf readers.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 13, 2015, 03:32:01 AM
Just sharing this link to the 3 pages pdf file "unfinished". I have change a bit some text, to make it also protect the authors of OpenArtist.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHQXJtMk5jMlNpN1k/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHQXJtMk5jMlNpN1k/view?usp=sharing)

I dont know much things about "Terms and others of this type". But i hope that the text's is good?

Also for peoples, please dont rush for helping me. I understand that you also have your ways of life, as i do also.

As i say some good fruits start from a seed, it need to be harvested good; before it is reached.

I would find fantastic if this free pdf guide, could bring many peoples interest into Solarus.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: oclero on September 13, 2015, 11:43:09 AM
If you want to use Latex:
If you're using Windows, install MikTeX. Here is a tutorial (http://www.howtotex.com/howto/installing-latex-on-windows/), since I can see you don't know his software.

Once again, it is not a "direct" editor, you don't directly see what the document will look like. You have to "generate" the document each time you want to see the actual result. But is has lots of advantages, like it's very professional (every pro in the scientific domain uses this).
Once you've discovered Latex, we can show you how to create a Git repository to store your files, if you don't know, so that people can contribute and modify just one file without modify the original document. You'll see, it is so much better than one unique big single file (or one unique big single Google document).

And after that, we can also help you to improve the aesthetics of the document. First, don't use the logo as a background, it prevents from a good readability. The background has to be all white, it the best, for clarity and for economy. We'll see later for other improvements when you have gone further in the writing.

Quote from: Zeror on September 12, 2015, 07:39:38 PM
Since you like open-source, why not using Scribus? It looks like a solid tool and it's an alternative to Adobe Indesign, which is in my opinion the tool to create nice books and stuff.
Yes Adobe InDesign would be the best :) But it's really expensive. I've never really tried Scribus. The last time I tried, it was not really handy. Do you use it ?
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zeror on September 13, 2015, 02:23:01 PM
Quote from: Neovyse on September 13, 2015, 11:43:09 AM
Yes Adobe InDesign would be the best :) But it's really expensive. I've never really tried Scribus. The last time I tried, it was not really handy. Do you use it ?
Never tried Scribus. I do use Indesign, it's part of my job ^^
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: oclero on September 13, 2015, 02:32:07 PM
Quote from: Zeror on September 13, 2015, 02:23:01 PM
Never tried Scribus. I do use Indesign, it's part of my job ^^
So I have to ask you some questions about it. I use it as an amateur and try learning it by myself, and I was wondering if you can automatically import text in text boxes, for files, or something like this ?
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 14, 2015, 12:56:31 PM
I'd still just use LibreOffice or Google Drive.

The book could always be CC0 Public domain or any other free license. That way anyone can make any version or do whatever they want with it.

Honestly, maybe a Game made with Solarus to teach Solarus?

Anything I do will be CC-BY 3.0 because for a successful crowdfunding......I think more free assets will need to be made or collected for Solarus. Even though....I have been spamming Christopho with free assets I find online.  ;D

I suggested a competition on another post. Maybe a crowdfunding book will be a success if  free tilesets, sprites, and audio came with it. I'd throw money at it. Possibly with a game that teaches people how to use Solarus.  Maybe even video tutorials to go with the book.

I am pretty sure it "can" happen if we all get together.

Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 14, 2015, 03:20:00 PM
I still try to download MikTek, the monthly bandwith of a person that i know is very limited. Because it can upload and download some amount each month. That's why i try to use a free wifi connexion. But sometimes the wifi stop and most times it say the server from where the files are downloaded stop or freeze.

I have seen how to download with the instructions you have givin. Its a good think you have indicated the link to the instructions to download the MikTex. Because the file on MikTek homepage it self is a file of 170mb if i remember and is the basic. But the instructions say you should have some MikTek Net installation. So ive done a search and have find the MikTek Net Installation from the official website. Then the instruction say to download and choose the option "Complete" because the Basic is not much good and is better the Complete Download. That's why it take my self some time to download the soft. I still have not the file from Canada server, so i choose an other one.

I wonder if some peoples could download it "the complete" for me all the files and put it in some folder. Then put the folder into a zip file, but the folder make it separated into multiple parts; as 200MB each file? Like some zip files that have like: MikTek29_part00.zip, MikTek29_part01.zip, MikTek29_Part02.zip; etc etc. That each parts would be as on the site http://www.filedropper.com (http://www.filedropper.com). Then for each file give me the direct link to "Part00", "Part01", well i think youve got the picture. By double-clicking on the first part, it then "recompile it self" and the files in the folder is beeing put back together. But what is the most important for me, is that there is no bad intentions "virus and others". Briefly an honest person.

It's a good thing i'm a beginner, with the soft Solarus and i dont know the programming language Lua. I still do believe in the potential of Solarus and want to make the peoples know the Solarus software and the peoples that have participated and put there time into it. I'm known as explaining things in ways that are easy for all to understand. If you have looked at my old free pdf guides about the software Futurepinball and autorized, i'm sure you have notice that i explain quite very well things. This talent i have can bring more peoples interested in Solarus.

If some peoples wander if it is true that i have the rights for creating these old free pdf guides, well i'm simply gonna tell that you simply go at: http://www.gopinball.com (http://www.gopinball.com). Going down from this page you should see in yellow-orange color the tile "who is online". Just below you see in tiny the text "Administrators" and you notice that the word is in "Red Color". Then you go check this link: http://www.gopinball.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=55 (http://www.gopinball.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=55). You should notice the section "Beginner Tutorial by 20degree", but what is most important is that you notice the "Author" who have made this post. The color of the author name is "Red Colored". So you know it is one of the administrators that have put it for me. Also if you look at the author name "TheNalex" it is one of the administrators, that also is an administrator of http://www.pinsimdb.org (http://www.pinsimdb.org)

Just mentionned it "briefly giving me some credits" in case if some peoples wonder if it is true that i do have the autorizations from peoples of: Futurepinball.com, Gopinball.com, Pinsimdb.org, the president Ton Roosendaal from Blender.org, the president Mete Ciragan from Milkshape3d.com, and others.

I really want to help with the Solarus, well honestly i'll try my best; even with my ways of life (groceries, paying bills, etc). Id like to have for my self and to give to others a free pdf guide for beginners that explain the Solarus software. I have always also wanted to create my own Zelda style game to play and make play others. I had even think about this game but not much. The story is that the devil was once again captured, but 100 years later have find again an opening, but the opening go to the world of Rick (wich would be the cousin of Link). I even have made a plan of 9 squares horizontal by 9 vertical ("the world" indicating the position of the vilages and castles place) where the player can and can not pass from one square to the other. The old Nintendo Zelda 1, the player could some times go in the 4 directions to the next square frame and some times less.

As i say i cant without your help do the free pdf guide, and once again a very big thank's to all!

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Christopho on September 14, 2015, 03:27:01 PM
I don't want to discourage you, but the first you need to do is to learn Lua and then make a game with Solarus, you can't seriously start a book if you are a newcomer.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 14, 2015, 03:51:51 PM
I totally agree with you Christopho  ;) that's why i would like to learn things and at the same time write the things ive learned into the pdf book. That's why i think to write things as: "What is the Solarus Software", "Where can i download this software". Later on show the interface of the Solarus Editor in some pages, then explain as "What files can be used"; "What can i put into some corresponding folder" and so on. Really each step by step. I can still trough time by learning Lua make some other free pdf guides, as new edition that could replace previous guides.

Also you Christopho and others could tell me what would be better to write and to explain. Put also into the pages your own knowledges and experiences. I have also think that it could be great with the OpenArtist files, put some links to some files and make beginners do some step by step exercises. As the reader create a caracter and in the book it explain things as, how to make it move up-down-left-right. How to make the caracter move on some map. How to make some map things that can be pass trough and some not. How to make items as chess on some map and script. Briefly some "How to do this and that" free pdf guide for beginners.

I know i have still much to learn, by checking the youtube videos and reading the text. I'm sure "together" we could create a fantastic and easy to learn free pdf guide.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 16, 2015, 03:35:14 AM
This is a simple message for the administrators. I was wandering if i could do simply some printscreens of the "Solarus-Games" and the "Zelda Solarus". I ask by respect of copyrights. I have think it could be a good idea as the tutorial youtube video 1, that have shown both websites. Putting some images of these websites into the pages and writing the Url, could possibly be a good idea. I want to respect in every ways, that's why i ask for permissions; and i dont want to be some person that would do printscreens without autorizations.

Well just letting the administrators know about it. If it's ok?

I still try to have MikTek, but its hard. I also have downloaded the Basic and try to install and got an error saying some errors, wich i googled and find i'm not the only one that see:
problem: C:\Program Files\MiKTeX 2.9\miktex/bin\MiKTeX209-core-PS.dll does not exist
problem: C:\Program Files\MiKTeX 2.9\miktex/bin\MiKTeX209-core.dll does not exist
problem: C:\Program Files\MiKTeX 2.9\miktex/bin\MiKTeX209-packagemanager-PS.dll does not exist
problem: C:\Program Files\MiKTeX 2.9\miktex/bin\MiKTeX209-packagemanager.dll does not exist

A lot of comments from peoples say, it is some how them who have done the files, that have made somme errors.

Thank's for your time. A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Christopho on September 16, 2015, 08:13:05 AM
Yes you can put some screenshots of our websites.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 16, 2015, 08:24:20 PM
Just letting peoples know that my 3 pages free pdf guide, has become 7 pages today. It still need much more to do, but just want to share the link. Also that it is important for my self to know if it respect the peoples of Solarus?

From time trough time, i'm gonna let peoples know the progress made; this to be sure if it also respect. Note that it is an unfinished free pdf guide. It's done with LibreOffice.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHQXJtMk5jMlNpN1k/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHQXJtMk5jMlNpN1k/view?usp=sharing)

Thank's to all!

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 20, 2015, 03:52:04 AM
Your french video tutorial are great, have not seen much till now. Dont want to charm, but i like it's french accent. Wonder who it is? I like the video tutorials. Only thing i had to do so Solarus accept the files is change the "quest.dat (version 1.2) and with notepad++ change to (version 1.4)" It's sad that some peoples destroy this language.

I have notice that for the music files type. I wonder if there is a free legal software to edit or to convert to the music files type ( it )? Because in the book i'm putting some links to some sites like (audacity, gimp, notepadd++, etc). But wonder if there is a soft for ( it ) files, that is free and legal? Briefly sites that have free softwares for creating or converting files that can be used by Solarus Game Engine Editor and legal.

Thank's for your time and your suggestions. A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 23, 2015, 02:43:23 AM
Christopho sounds very kind and cheery in the English tutorials, but in the French tutorials he sounds benevolent and mature with a flare of charm. (It won't be a surprise if he get all the ladies)

The free audio format that should be used is .ogg. (It is open source and works with Solarus) Freemake is a great converter for windows.
http://www.freemake.com/free_audio_converter/

Freemake has more converters for windows too.

If you are looking for an audio editor, then Audacity is definitely the way to go, but if you want to make music with soundfonts, then you should is LMMS which is free too.
https://lmms.io/
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Christopho on September 23, 2015, 10:57:42 AM
Quote from: zutokaza on September 23, 2015, 02:43:23 AM
Christopho sounds very kind and cheery in the English tutorials, but in the French tutorials he sounds benevolent and mature with a flare of charm. (It won't be a surprise if he get all the ladies)
;D
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 24, 2015, 05:24:04 PM
Ok it's Christopho, well nice french accent man.

Thank's for the links ill add them to the free pdf guide.

Now i'm playing Solarus DX, it help my self visualise more the software; this beside the tutorials. I have reached some flaming head that i have entered, because of 3 flamming stones. I try the game mostly without looking the walktrough guide. Ive got to say that the person(s) that created this game must have some "puzzling mind" hihihi.

I have not tryed the Android Solarus APK. It could be great if the Solarus Game Engine could export also to Android APK version 4.2 minimum; because ive notice that most Android Tablet OS that are sold in my country and some other country has a mimimum of version 4.2. What i suggest if it would export your Zelda Solarus Style game, the game should be as panoramic view, like the portable game console PSP.

I have notice that most touch screen tablet (phones and android) can only handle the touching of two places at the same time. So a game like the old Nintendo Super Mario Bros 1, when he move, run and jump (wich is 3 buttons at the same time) could not work on Android Tablet. I even have tryed some free emulators and tryed games that needed 3 buttons pressed at the same time and notice it dont work. So the Android Tablet can only notice two fingers pressed on the screen at the same time.

If in a new free Solarus Game Engine it could also compact and export to an "Android APK File". Like i say the game should be as panoramic. But for the controls, this is real important (by my own experience and maybe yours); the types of controls and buttons it should have. For controlling the player it should have a joystick at the bottom corner on the left, something like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em4Qa09-y90 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em4Qa09-y90). But it is a white big semi-transparent circle (no yellow or color into), with some little auto-centered white circle (replacing the red colored example).

For the buttons, i suggest that you play the game on google play "Swordigo" https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.touchfoo.swordigo&hl=fr (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.touchfoo.swordigo&hl=fr). The button on the keyboard "C" should be placed in the corner right at the bottom. The button "X" should be placed also at the bottom, but on the left of the the "C" button. The button "V" should be placed (above) the button "C" on the total right. The button "Spacebar" should be placed above the button "X" and on the left side of the button "V". On the keyboard the "D" button on an android should be placed at the top of the screen in the middle.

So if you look at the google play android game "Swordigo", the rectangle that have a sword is the button "X" of Solarus. The Swordigo rectangle that show some "swirling arrow" at the bottom corner in right, in Solarus this button would be the "C". I think you figure out the rest.

This could be a great control interface covering the game made with Solarus Game Engine for the Android Tablets. Yup great that Solarus could also create android "APK file" with an control interface as this. Could bring much more peoples here!

Again thank's for your time and help.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 25, 2015, 02:51:08 AM
Quote from: Christopho on September 23, 2015, 10:57:42 AM
Quote from: zutokaza on September 23, 2015, 02:43:23 AM
Christopho sounds very kind and cheery in the English tutorials, but in the French tutorials he sounds benevolent and mature with a flare of charm. (It won't be a surprise if he get all the ladies)
;D

@Christopho
I knew it  :D

@20degree
Isn't that a bit off topic for the book? I think that should go in the "Bugs & Feature requests" section. Also, it might be better to number it in an easy to read fashion because constantly reading essays takes a bit of time for developers.

1. APK for android 2.2 and up.

2. Android can only detect 2 buttons. I did not know this. I heard people have no problem playing Zelda Ocarina of Time on their Android with emulators and it is a 3D game. I don't use roms though, so I don't know. Maybe the emulators you tried need some work.

3. If Christopho and his team make an android export, then they will probably make the buttons customizable. There are many free buttons at opengameart.org I think someone else made the android port though and it needs to be updated.

I honestly think that Christopho is concentrating on an export distribution for Solarus PC though and not really on an android apk export yet. Although, this is my opinion on what I heard, asked, and read on the forum. You should drop the question at the "Bugs & Feature requests" section.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I set this up. Anyone can suggest just by typing it. No sign in required.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16Zynv0ScGCRAcOkUxpCFuahAoC_ziiQRtuS1F4BoYlw/edit?usp=sharing

Not much is there yet, but I will be adding stuff there as I teach my waifu. There is a bunch of free resources I collected though.

Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 25, 2015, 03:14:27 PM
Your right Zutokaza about telling that talking about APK is out of context. Ive notice that ive forgot to mention about it is out of content, before mentioning about it.

I have looked to your link, the chapters with sub section you have writen is real nice  :D. I could put it in the free pdf guide i'm creating. Me what i think is explain also where to download the Solarus (from the official site of course). Indicate to download after the resource pack ALTTP from Solarus. Then explain a bit at start the Solarus (exploring the menus), explaining things of it; what it does mean. Explaining when some tiles is clicked (right click) if it is some wall, water, etc. Explaining the layers (seem a little like the Rpg Maker 2003 if i'm correct?). Briefly really the basics with the basics.

After explaining how to create a map, putting the player caracter on it. Explaining from one point going on an other map. Really the basics (no treasure, no npc, no ennemies at this time). Progressing step by step, by making the reader make some exercises with explications. Trough the pages, getting more serious (items, chess, switch's, ennemy's, hud's, etc). Like i say my intensions is to make some beginners (knowing how to use a computer and softwares) progress slowly but effectively. As some child begin to crawl before walking. I want to give anyones interest in the Solarus Game Engine and mostly the Editor.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 26, 2015, 12:32:51 PM
Solarus is wayyyyy better that RPG Maker. Not only because it's free, but because it is educational, has no real limitations, amazing support in complex areas, and has a great community that doesn't try to kill you for posting in the wrong section.  :D

People think RPG maker ACE is easier, but the code in RPG Maker isn't even close to being as easy as Solarus or as fast. People just don't like typing code and think it is harder for that very reason. I have already done everything in ACE and Customizing isn't easy. Repetitions sprains with all that clicking too. I just want nice soft typing of beautiful code.

I went off topic, but it had to be said.

I believe that Solarus should be getting more support than it's currently getting. Hopefully, the open source book, resources package, etc will help bring more people in.

I am also thinking about competitions related to the book or unrelated. Maybe Christopho could come up with an easy prize.

The book can be changed or set up in any way. Feel free to copy and paste it. It will most definitely be going through crazy changes. Today Chapter 1 was combined with chapter 2 because chapter 1 is too short.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 26, 2015, 08:04:01 PM
Zutokaza

I have made a book cover for you for the link you have givin:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16Zynv0ScGCRAcOkUxpCFuahAoC_ziiQRtuS1F4BoYlw/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/16Zynv0ScGCRAcOkUxpCFuahAoC_ziiQRtuS1F4BoYlw/edit?usp=sharing)

It's an jpg image of 300dpi into a zip file that weight near 2.09mb and unzipped near 2.38mb. The image is very big, so you can reduce the size. I know it have no virus, but as always i encourage to antivirus check the file.

I wonder what you think about the look? If other peoples see the link to the file, i also wonder what they think about the look? Here is the link:
http://www.filedropper.com/20degreesolaruscover (http://www.filedropper.com/20degreesolaruscover)

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 27, 2015, 12:12:08 AM
The cover looks beautiful, but there might be a slight error. It says "none" commercial use. Did you mean Non-Commercial use?

Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 27, 2015, 03:03:05 AM
I have created an other image that is also big but is writen "Non-Commercial". I have difficulties with my english as my french, thank's for correcting my self. The zipped size is near 2.42mb this because it is more bigger, its not 2020px height as the previous file. I have put it 2465px height (keeping the proportions and the dpi) so it's normal the weight is bigger. But as always i encourage peoples to antivirus scan the file.

As you notice there is some space to put some text, higher and below; of the big text Solarus. Example: First Book or Volume One, etc.

Here is the link:
http://www.filedropper.com/20degreesolaruscover02 (http://www.filedropper.com/20degreesolaruscover02)

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on September 27, 2015, 05:11:01 AM
I will add it sometime soon. Also, French is a tough language due to gender endings and your English is better than most native speakers. The same goes for Christopho. I prefer Japanese and Chinese mandarin because they are easier for me to learn and speak.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 27, 2015, 03:47:52 PM
Well my native language is french (français), but i'm better in english because they have less grammatical things. In english it have: (I, You, He/She, We, They) but in french: (Je, Tu, Il/Elle, Nous, Vous, Ils/Elles). Just that it already have more things. There is so many things in french. Also that a language know around the world is "English" this because it is called the "Money Language". Company's and peoples exchanging and discussing, do it trough the language "English" so it's an important language to learn. I dont know all words, but i have a real good basic, enough to exchange informations as to write here.

Id like one day to learn chinese mandarin. I think "Thank you" in chinese is: "Che-che" or maybe "Aligato" or "Kamsamida"? I Think also that saying "Hello" in cambodgian-vietnamen is "Sussday"? But not sure. I know a little bit but very not much in spanish like "Good Morning" is "Buenos Dias", in italian i think it is "Bonjourno", in german-allemang i think it is "Gutten Tag". I think also that in arabe saying "Thank You" is "Shoukran". There is so many languages.

I know a little bit also the "Hand-Sign Language" for peoples that can not speak. Like if some speachless person "with there finger (french: le majeur) between the fingers called (the index and anuaire "french") tapping with there tip of there "finger" on the tip of there nose, mean that the person is going to the toilet or want to go to the toilet. I'm not sure if it is other things, tapping the tip of there nose with this finger in other province or country; but i think this is universal for speachless person. So if you see it in a restaurant, you'll know that the person want to go to the toilet.

Well i dont want to talk too much on the language subject, because this post is about: the book that id like to create to help peoples. Who know maybe one day you can teach me some words of the language(s) you know?

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on October 17, 2015, 01:41:26 PM
Just letting peoples know that i have find work at a company and gonna begin work starting this november. I'll have less time because of it. But i'm letting peoples know that i have made fiew other pages (not updated online for now), but will still continue trough time for this personnal free project of mine.

Once again thank's to all, and thank's for your help!

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on December 19, 2015, 04:39:51 PM
Long time ive come here, sorry for my pending personnal project i still have to experiment the solarus game engine; wich i find amazing!! Since i have find a job and things of life i have less time. Also i want to simply say merry christmas (x-mas) and a happy new year. A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: zutokaza on July 08, 2016, 04:59:59 PM
I will no longer be hosting this book stuff.
http://www.megafileupload.com/fv5p/Solarus_Book_Alpha_v0.1.7z

Download it. Save it or just let it vanish.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on July 13, 2016, 10:16:19 AM
Long time ive come here, these time i dont have much time to create a book; but i am still interested in doing it. A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on July 14, 2016, 12:15:44 AM
I uploaded it to TinyUpload to give it more than 7 days. Unlimited time (unless file is not downloaded for 100 days)
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=47753875379504425945
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on August 14, 2016, 02:14:18 PM
I have many things to learn about Solarus to create free pdf guides, this because i am a beginner with it. But with time and your help i know that i can create a wonderfull guide about Solarus. I'll have many questions that i call "How to do this".

Ive created till today 6 free pdf guides oriented to a software called Futurepinball. The comments of my guides from peoples all around the world say that they are fantastics, well made; and mostly easy to learn. Those guides talk about POO wich is "programming oriented object". If you want to check them here are the links:

My first book explain the Futurepinball software some basics:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHZXAyZGxRRmRXNm8/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHZXAyZGxRRmRXNm8/view?usp=sharing)

My 2nd book explain some component of the software, and explain basic things about programming oriented object:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHcFlkNmxUWWxmZUE/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHcFlkNmxUWWxmZUE/view?usp=sharing)

My 3rd book explain how to create your own DMD animations still oriented to Futurepinball
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHZ0VRWHFLTThTUFk/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHZ0VRWHFLTThTUFk/view?usp=sharing)

My 4th book talk about a soft called Softimage XSI Mod Tool v6.01, the soft FPMeditor and fiew about Blender soft. Ton the president of Blender have been nice to me saying that i can do some printscreens of the soft:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHdnRqRGU4MnVmY0k/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHdnRqRGU4MnVmY0k/view?usp=sharing)

My 5th book explain doing things about modeling, since Futurepinball you can import 3d models into
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHc0diOFpfaGlQYnM/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHc0diOFpfaGlQYnM/view?usp=sharing)

My 6th book explain mostly the software Milkshape3D, Mete is also a person that have givin me the authorizations to do printscreens of the software to explain fiew things about creating some 3D models with Milkshape3D:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHOUlLYXFVMGRlX1k/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHOUlLYXFVMGRlX1k/view?usp=sharing)

It's important for my self to say and give my thank's to Christopho for accepting and giving me the authorizations that i do some printscreens, so i can do some guide about Solarus. But i'll need a lot of help of you guys. If you look at my free online pdf guide that can be also downloadable, it should give peoples here an idea of the pdf guides id like to create to help peoples know this great software that is called Solarus.

Ive writen also to Nintendo, to ask if i can put some Nintendo Images like the sprites, tiles of the pack Zelda a Link to the Past. Here is there responding to me (in french), ive asked because i respect copyrights and respect the authors:

Nous sommes reconnaissants pour toutes les demandes d'autorisation pour
l'utilisation des propriétés de Nintendo; toutefois, nous recevons des
milliers de telles demandes et nous n'avons pas suffisamment d'employés
pour toutes les lires. Donc, notre politique générale est de refuser toutes
les demandes, sans exception. Nous nous rendons comptes que cela n'est pas
ce que vous voulez entendre et nous vous remercions pour votre compréhension.

Même si nous ne pouvons pas accorder l'autorisation, l'utilisation des
propriétés de Nintendo sans l'autorisation formelle de Nintendo pourrait
quand même être permise dépendant des circonstances. Nous vous encourageons
à chercher votre propre conseil légal pour savoir si l'utilisation que vous
proposez est permise sans l'autorisation de Nintendo. Ceci n'est pas un
commentaire sur notre croyance ou non que votre utilisation proposée en
particulier soit acceptable – Nintendo ne peut pas donner de conseils légaux.

This mean that even if Nintendo would not give some formel acceptations and refuse all request, that Nintendo could still make permissible to do so; depending of the circonstances. But can not give some legal suggestions and to ask some person that could.

As i say i'll need some help, because my guides is mostly oriented to some basics but mostly one basic question wich is: "How to do this".

Like:
How to make some intro animated image as Solarus intro.
How to make some story intro as Zelda Solarus DX
How to import some tiles, How to import some sprite.
etc, etc, etc.

There is so many (How to do this) that peoples here would like to know with the version 1.5 of Solarus. I'm sure that peoples that have started with Solarus, asked to them self "How to do this" with Solarus. I'd like peoples of experiences with Solarus, that i can ask a lot of questions. The comments of my ways of writing is known to be easy to understand and have many details.

Thank's for your time and responding.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on August 15, 2016, 01:04:32 AM
You are allowed to use Nintendo graphics under Japanese fair use law.
http://omonomono.com/2014/08/13/japanese-law-and-fair-use-comon/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_law_of_Japan#Educational_use

Besides that there has been much free graphics made by Diarandor.

Diarandor's Audio and Pixel art:
Updates Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,538.0.html) and his work is in the sample quest in Solarus Engine!

Sample Quest:
The Children of Solarus (https://github.com/Bertram25/ChildrenOfSolarus/tree/master/data) project has some free graphics too.

Fairyolica World Graphics:
There is the Fariyolica world Graphics you can use. It is full of opensource art found on legit sites. I have not had time to continue the project. My hobby time has been almost zero.
Part1: Fairyolica World Outside/exterior Finished (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,653.0.html)

Solarus help Project:
You can refer to the Solarus help Guide because it might help you out.
The Solarus Resource Help Project (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.msg3080.html#msg3080)
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Diarandor on August 15, 2016, 02:39:18 AM
Actually, most of my art is not yet in the Children of Solarus project, but in the sample quest and my deviantart website.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: MetalZelda on August 15, 2016, 03:08:57 AM
Wait wait, Children of Solarus = sample quest ?
I though it was a complete rework of Zelda MoS ?
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Diarandor on August 15, 2016, 03:12:49 AM
Nope, Children of Solarus is not the sample quest. As you say,  Children of Solarus will be the remake of MoS with free art. The sample quest is distributed with the engine (it can be found in the same github repo as Solarus).
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on August 15, 2016, 06:08:45 AM
This is my mistake. Now I understand why it was illogical to report sample quest bugs to the Children of Solarus project. I will go ahead and correct my error.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on August 16, 2016, 01:55:41 AM
Zefk

You seem to know things about laws? You say i can put images of Nintendo as Zelda a Link to the Past, because of some Japanese rules.

Because my idea is simply do some printscreens of Solarus, after do some printscreens of the things as "importing the pack ALTTP" so it's Nintendo image and so on. Mostly oriented as a free pdf guide none official solarus, that the basic question is mostly "How to do this/that".

I wonder if under the Japanese Rules, if it cover also International Country Rules. This because the pdf guide can be online on the web, downloadable, saved for safe keeping; and be shared if wanted?

Here is some terms and agreements i have writen (note that i'm not an expert, i just see sometimes theses into some books):
The content in this guide is for your information and doesn't have an exhaustive characterization of the software. It is only for giving you some basic knowledge to understand more, how to do this...; with the software. The editor, writer and others can not be held responsible for all the errors or/and part errors and others. The images in this document were found on the web with the keyword "Free" and some other images and more in this file are also considered Free and available thank's to some peoples and the web.

Even if the content is free, it doesn't give you and others, the right to use the document files freely, dismantle and others at any time. This Ebook is free, can be distributed freely, saved for safe keeping. No money is made from it and can be made of it.

Thank's to the peoples from http://www.solarus-games.org, that have helped me to understand more this great software. Also for giving me authorization to take images to put into the pages. Note that it is not an official Solarus guide. The images of the game Zelda a Link to the Past belong to Nintendo, it's a game that i like very much. Note that the author dont make any profits of any kinds at any times from this document and it's content. This book can not be sold by any ones, can not be profitable.

Also you agree to not pursue, not sue, ask money and others; the persons making this document possible. Note that you also agree all terms, conditions and others that can be modified, added, deleted  and others at any times by the author of this book. This is writen to protect the peoples of Solarus, of Nintendo as my self.

I wonder what peoples think of terms as does? Should i add/modify things? It's important for me to know, this to respect Solarus, to respect Nintendo and mostly to protect my self.

Thank's for your time.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on August 16, 2016, 02:43:05 AM
@20degree
It might be best to keep it simple.

"The Zelda assets are owned by Nintendo. They are used under non-commercial and press purposes under Japanese law. I hold no responsibility on how the book affects others."

Something like that should be fine. I doubt Nintendo will run after you. The most they do will tell you to remove their content. They are civilized.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_law_of_Japan#Educational_use

I would suggest setting up the book on Github. It is based on coding, so it should be okay. That way people can submit code or documents you can add to the main book.


Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on August 17, 2016, 10:49:56 AM
I dont know what is Github and how it work (create Github, load things, etc). I feel so much tiny right now because of my miss of experience.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on August 17, 2016, 02:51:18 PM
Quote from: 20degree on August 17, 2016, 10:49:56 AM
I dont know what is Github and how it work (create Github, load things, etc). I feel so much tiny right now because of my miss of experience.

A+

Github is actually quite easy to use. You might need to practice a bit and ask questions. Otherwise, people can submit material to this post.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on August 18, 2016, 02:30:15 AM
When i have simply "take a look" at Github.com i have seen the word "pricing" and it say the minimum by month it cost is 7$/month. I'm not sure if i should because i dont have some money. Life cost very much, so using Github make me step back. A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Diarandor on August 18, 2016, 06:18:01 AM
No, you are wrong. Normal accounts on github are free (zero-price).
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on August 20, 2016, 12:38:28 PM
I have created some Github and have seen the "Hello Readme Example", so ive done what they have said to do. Create a repository, create some Readme file, create some Readme-Edits branch. Still i dont understand at all Github. How can i upload the pdf guide of 3 pages only for now? I really dont know anythings about Github, all i see is some statistics graphs, wiki, just clicking link's that i dont know what it is used for, because the "Hello Readme Example" dont indicate everything. I'm truly a beginner with Github. Here is the url: https://github.com/20degree/solarusguide (https://github.com/20degree/solarusguide)
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on August 20, 2016, 01:21:07 PM
Here is a little example of the background look of a none official solarus guide created at a temporary link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHSmVMbHZIbXR2eTA/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHSmVMbHZIbXR2eTA/view?usp=sharing)

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Diarandor on August 20, 2016, 06:05:58 PM
I think it is possible to upload files with drag-and-drop, so it should not be that hard for you to upload the file there. (That was not possible some time ago, but they added that feature recently, one year ago or so if I am not wrong.)
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on August 20, 2016, 09:51:06 PM
The background image of the page ive made is very like the free pdf guide ive created, that peoples can find on google called: "Milkshape3d pdf guide". The difference i have made is the interior zone, it have taken me some time to put the zelda asset character; make it repeat as some checker board. Also i have put the Solarus image over the zelda repeated character. All of this behind some white zone, that i have put the transparency of the white; so it show the zelda asset and the solarus into. But white at some level so it should be able to read the text over the zone. This beside put some printscreen image, so as that peoples can visualize the image; and read the text associated to it explaining steps "How to do this/that".

I wonder what the things peoples would like to know "How to do this/that?" with the Solarus Quest Maker. Me i know a lot of questions i would ask as a beginner that would be on the subject. How to import Zelda assets, How to create a quest, How come when ive imported Zelda assets i see some "Question Mark Icon", How to create some story in the beginning as Zelda Solarus DX that can be skippable, How to program a menu, How to create maps, How to create events, How to build a character that would sell items, How to cut-lift some bush or rock, How to indicate that some rock can not be lift because need some gloves, How to shot some magic flame in the direction zelda look with some magic wand, How to activate-deactivate some blocks with some crystal color ball, etc. etc. etc.

So many questions. I'm sure many beginners as i am wander "How to do this.." and how to program it? Maybe peoples wander to know how to do things with Solarus. Me what ive just discover is nothing lolll, but ive notice "if i'm correct" that LUA when you do some programming there are parts that start with "function" and that it end with "end". Like some paragraph text that start with a capital and finish with a point.

If the book weight so much in MB, then it should have many books. Because some e-mail account can send file that are less then 5MB. So if there would want to share, i must think about the content as number of pages, images size and quality, etc.

If there are peoples that would teach "steps by steps" things as "How to do this/that" with some printscreens it could help me understand more solarus, it could help others also; even could give me great ideas to put trough the pages for this amazing software. I always wanted to create a Super Nes Zelda style game, to make some friends play it for fun; and helping peoples that would like to create there own Solarus Quest would make me happy. Because i understand the feeling of beiing proud about creating it's own game and make others play it.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on August 21, 2016, 12:38:41 PM
I have tryed to "drag-and-drop" from my window to my firefox browser Github window, and it say doing so "save as" and ask to what directory on my computer to save the file. Strange! It's not on my pc that i want to save my own file, put to put it on Github. I must be doing something wrong, but what must i do? Like i say i'm a beginner with Github.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Diarandor on August 21, 2016, 12:48:55 PM
You should use google whenever you don't know how to do something. It is practically omniscient :D.
Anyway, to upload a file go to your repo -> "Code" tab -> "upload files" tab, there you will see in big letters "Drag files here... blablabla".
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on August 21, 2016, 02:49:27 PM
Thank's Dirandor

There is many things i must learn, here is the open document made with open office descriptions:
https://github.com/20degree/solarusguide/commit/master (https://github.com/20degree/solarusguide/commit/master)

I wonder how come it is in the Master the file and not the other branch? I feel like so tiny in my short, beside peoples knowledges with Github loll. At this time i must do some groceries, gonna try probably later some experiment to understand Github.

Thank's for the help!

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on August 21, 2016, 11:23:16 PM
You can open up issues, labels, and milestones on the Github. That way people will know how to help the guide.
https://github.com/20degree/solarusguide/issues

For the ReadMe.md formatting. The format is called markdown.

Images:
![text to show if image is no longer exists online](URL or link to the image)

EX:
![Fairyolica World Progress](http://s33.postimg.org/5vwatpy6n/Fairyolica_World_tiles.png)

Bold:
You put a double Asterisk** around the text.

EX:
**License:**

Large Title Header text:
You put the Octothorp(#) or more commonly know as a hashtag(#) before the text.

EX:
#Outside/Exterior

You can have different sized headers too. Just got to add more hashtags.

EX:
###Outside/Exterior

Table of Contents:

You can make a table of contents with headers.

[Text for the header](#header lowercased)

EX:

When you go to a header. A link will appear. You want the hashtag part.

https://github.com/Zefk/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2/blob/master/Solarus%20ARPG%20Game%20Development%20Book.md#chapter-9-key-press-mouse-press-image-fade-and-playing-audio

[Chapter 9: Key press, Mouse press, Image fade, and playing audio](#chapter-9-key-press-mouse-press-image-fade-and-playing-audio)

Embed Links:

[Go to Google](https://www.google.com)

Bullets:

Dash + space

-[space here][text]

EX:
- This is a bullet

Table & Nextline:

You can make a table with the "|" character. It is located by the brackets. Press shift when pressing the slash key.

1.The first part of making a table it to set a title or category.

|Category|

2. The second part is the spacing. This requires some colons and minus signs / dashes.

Centered
|:---:|

Left
|:---|

Right
|---:|

3. The last set is to add a section.

|Section|

4. Everyone needs a next line in a table. It can make a messy situation look nice. Use <br> for a next line.

Line_1: <br> Line_2: <br> Line_3:

EX:

|Category_1|Category_2|
|:---:|:---|
|Section| Line_1: <br> Line_2: <br> Line_3:

Task List:

Note: No spaces for the "x."

- [ ] Mercury
- [ x ] Venus
- [ x ] Earth
- [ x ] Mars
- [ ] Jupiter
- [ ] Saturn
- [ ] Uranus
- [ ] Neptune
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on August 22, 2016, 02:20:39 AM
I have made an Issue and Millestone. I dont know if i have made it correctly on Github??

I have programmed, design some 3d models, of a pinball playable table game called "Faxanadu Pinball" with the software Futurepinball in the past. So i understand this great feeling to have made some game and share it. I always dreamed to create for fun not for money my own Super Nintendo Zelda Quest. I believe that the free software Solarus Quest Maker can make it possible. But as i say i'll need a lot of help to understand the software, this will help me a lot to help others with some none official Solarus Quest Maker free guide.

As always it is important for my self to give many thank's to the peoples.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on August 23, 2016, 02:28:16 PM
I will add some issues too and "might" contribute a little when I get some time.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on August 24, 2016, 01:51:56 AM
Thank's Zefk for all your help i do appreciate, i wonder if it's ok with you that i put your nick name in the book? I ask by respect of your self. There is so many things to teach with Solarus. For now what i'd like is tell how to create a new quest, how to replace the ALTTP in the directory of your quest, how work the map tiles of ALTTP, what are the different layers for your map, how to indicate on what map at what position the player start, how to go from one map to an other like the old Zelda 1 from Nintendo, how to lift some bush, how to chop some bush, how to lift some breakable item as a vase to have some item as a heart, how to make Link simply jump, how to make Link fall from some floor to a lower one on the same map as in the Zelda a Link to the Past in the first castle of SNES.

Brief make peoples use the tiles of ALTTP and indicate things. So the user can create there own little even tiny map and simply understand things they can do in the same map.

Also i agree Zefk making some chapters is important. Here is an example of the first free pdf book ive created about the software Futurepinball: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHZXAyZGxRRmRXNm8/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHZXAyZGxRRmRXNm8/view?usp=sharing), on the page number 5 i have put some chapters that linked to the subject. If you look totally my first guide about Futurepinball software, you will see and understand that ive done some printscreens and that ive explained many basics things.

Solarus will need more then one pdf guide, i'm sure that you know that to make peoples interrested in Solarus; the beginners and mostly none programmer need to see some printscreens. So they see, they do exactly what is said, they program and each little exercises is explained in detail.

If christopho think when he have shown a little video telling how to put some vase, lift it, trow it to destroy and give a heart. I'm sure he have seen the numbers of youtube hits by the day of little examples that the user can do and understand. Peoples need to do little experimentings, after medium experimenting, after more advance experimenting. A simple explications i would say is: A baby need first to know how to crawl, then need to be able to be on his two feet and not fall, then the baby start to walk.

Not giving the chance of peoples to crawl, before walking; can make peoples be afraid to try Solarus. That's something that can be poisining for some peoples. That something that i know by experience, because the free pdf guides ive writen about the pinball software, peoples needed to have already some programming skill at that time i did not know nothing about programming with this pinball soft. But there where some peoples that teached me and ive done some little experimenting at first to understand.

As told peoples must learn Solarus by doing easy things, this is how the interest to do more come. If they dont do little steps at first, and peoples say you must already know things. What happen then is that there is less peoples interrested in Solarus, because there is some portion that are beginners and none programmer. Making them also interrested by doing little exercises make the interest percentage of peoples raise in Solarus Quest Maker.

Also what i know is that each book must have less then 5mb of size, this because some peoples might want to share it trough e-mail by sending to others. Some e-mail account dont permit sending file higher then 5mb.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on August 25, 2016, 02:07:28 AM
I have not done much, ive made some little 5 pages pdf file that is on Github at: https://github.com/20degree/solarusguide (https://github.com/20degree/solarusguide). Ive got to go to sleep, when i'll have time i'll put more. Thank's for your help! A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on August 26, 2016, 05:48:43 AM
Great work! I will keep adding/thinking of issues that can be added to the book.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on August 27, 2016, 03:45:49 PM
It's nothing much Zefk. The first part of the book should be about explaining the environment of Solarus. Like the tiles, the layers, the tool icons (jump, go to stairs, go to map, etc.). It's important to explain at first the Solarus Quest Maker environment, doing this will make the readers get more comfortable with using Solarus; this will strength the confidence of it and strategically raise the numbers of peoples to use Solarus.

If you look at many guides most of them indicate how to use the environment of the software "X" at first. You may ask your self why i have not put some link "chapter section" that go to some page? It's because the content of the book must be done before putting the internal links. I have heard "rumors", i dont know if they are true or false; saying that some pdf software reader (the internal link's goes more to a page number). So with this rumor in head if there is some internal text link cliquable that point on some page, by adding more pages even making subjects much wider; then it's possible that the "How to do this/that" internal link goes to the wrong page. You must also know that on the web there is also a vast of file converter as (pdf to word or excel or etc). This bring again the idea to put before all the content in the pages, then after put the internal links that go to the corresponding page.

One thing for sure i know that many free pdf guides have raised the peoples interrest in some software. I have the same feeling that i can do for Solarus Quest Maker. It's truly a good thing that i dont know LUA, but believe that i can learn. Beside ive always wanted to create my own Zelda Super Nes style for fun and none profit. Yup i'm sure that i can help, ive helped peoples know the Software Futurepinball. The administrators of http://www.gopinball.com (http://www.gopinball.com) and http://www.pinsimdb.org (http://www.pinsimdb.org) that are named: "LvR" and "TheNalex" knows who i am and about my free pdf guides. So Christopho can ask them, even you about it. Also if you look at: http://www.gopinball.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=55 (http://www.gopinball.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=55), there is a section called: "Beginner Tutorial by 20degree", the author that have made this post is "TheNalex" and you will notice that the (color) of it's nick name is in "red". The only peoples that can have there nickname this color is the administrators of there website. So by this they know!

I appreciate very much your help Zefk and Diarandor and others. It's important for me to give my thank's. Many peoples dont appreciate there surrounding and i find it sad they do. Well ive got to go, ive got things to do.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on August 28, 2016, 09:23:55 AM
QuoteIt's nothing much Zefk.
Every bit of progress deserves praise.  :D
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on August 28, 2016, 03:49:14 PM
I have added one page to the PDF file, it is just some example that can help peoples identify the tile properties. http://www.github.com/20degree/solarusguide (http://www.github.com/20degree/solarusguide). I think it is a good thing if some user that put the ALTTP asset, know if the tile the user put on the map; what type of ground it is. It's nothing much i'm a beginner also with Solarus and i try to explain things that i try to figure; so that anyones can understand.

It's not an easy task for a beginner with Solarus Quest Editor to understand how solarus work. I try to make it simple for peoples to understand, but as i say without you guys i wont be able to do much.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on September 01, 2016, 05:14:20 AM
I finished a volume_control script with loading directory help from Diarandor. I am going to type up a document and add images explaining the process step by step tomorrow for the book. It should cover most of the basics for menu creation, images, sound, script loading directories, basic scripting knowledge, etc.
http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,737.msg3880.html?PHPSESSID=iq28ofb9pri7oun31qsvroopr2#msg3880

This will solve this issue on GitHub and a few more.
https://github.com/20degree/solarusguide/issues/23
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 01, 2016, 10:39:16 AM
Thank's Zefk i really do appreciate all your help! I have not done much since of my ways of life, the document on my pc have now 7 pages. Ive explained how to simply create a new map by simply clicking with the mouse on the icon "map" and right click mouse to show menu and choose "new map". I'm gonna explain a bit also the different part when you see the map. Like layer 0 is some level that the player can walk over, layer 1 is tiles that are at the same level of the player, layer 2 is tiles that can be above the player. Size: is the size of the map. Music: is the music that plays when the player is on this map. Well at leass you know where i want to go and in what direction things is going.

I dont know Zefk the option layers that have the possibility to put some "number" (not the icon at top)? Dont know "Set a floor", dont know "Set a world", dont know "Location in its world"?

Also i believe that it can be good that the reader create a simple map and the player put some entities on it like: "Add destination", "Add teletransporter", "Add pickable" etc. etc. Like also create some map with stairs that link "move-turn" going up and down in the same map. Just little exercises to make the reader comfortable. For each little exercises the player could create a new map, doing so the player if he/she forgot about how to do things; can take a look of the things that have been done in the past to remember. Also as a beginners with Solarus it would be things that i would like also to know.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Diarandor on September 01, 2016, 12:04:54 PM
QuoteLike layer 0 is some level that the player can walk over, layer 1 is tiles that are at the same level of the player, layer 2 is tiles that can be above the player.
This is not true. The hero can be in a layer different than 1 and he can change its layer (stairs, teleporters,...).
Note that you can add more layers in the Editor, positive and negative layers, and as many as you want (believe me, I have set the max layer to be 2000 in the Editor and a giant context menu with 2000 labels has tried to kill me :o).
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 02, 2016, 02:33:36 AM
So if i've correctly understand Diarandor? The layers is like some floor levels that you can put some tiles that can be passable and none passable. I wonder when you choose some tile and right click to see some menu as "One layer Up", "One layer Down"? I wonder also the option "Bring to front" and "Bring to back"?

I think i dont understand too much, possibly because i have tryed in the past Rpg Maker 2003 and try to compare it with Solarus to do some good explications. But when i think Solarus is more advanced because each individual tiles can be indicated what is the type and the corresponding with the player. Rpg Maker 2003 if i remember each tiles was on the same level and simply indicate if the player can go over or not. Solarus is more advanced i believe.

I wonder if you would have some experimentations (simple) that i and the reader can do, to more understand the layers; so like that i can think about ways to explain it in simple ways? It's a part that i find important that the reader would need to know, because the quest maker need to understand it also; since the game is based on creating map and understanding layers.

What could i know about the subject?

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on September 02, 2016, 07:08:59 AM
Rough draft:
I made a small rough draft without images explaining most programming I did for the volume control script. I attached it. I will go through it tomorrow and clean it up.

Index:
You can index key words in open office. I did not notice it in the guide you started. Just want to let you know it is possible. I have an index in the rough draft. I click default > heading 3

(https://s13.postimg.org/xrmagguuv/Selection_002.png)

QuoteSolarus is more advanced because each individual tiles can be indicated what is the type and the corresponding with the player.

Solarus is indeed more advanced than Rpg Maker engines in many ways. The coding is about 10 times easier and basically have total control over layers.

RPG Maker community has so many free scripts though and a lot of people are too lazy to type even though eventing can cause repetition strains due to so much clicking. (RPG Maker Ace ARPG enemy and Ally AI experience) I can pretty much do everything in Ace, but I like Solarus more.

QuoteSo if i've correctly understand Diarandor? The layers is like some floor levels that you can put some tiles that can be passable and none passable. I wonder when you choose some tile and right click to see some menu as "One layer Up", "One layer Down"? I wonder also the option "Bring to front" and "Bring to back"?

Christopho's video tutorials pretty much cover those answers.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on September 02, 2016, 04:25:47 PM
Here is the volume_control script project. This should cover a lot of the basics. Everything is included, so modify it the way you want.

Link (https://mega.nz/#!2UVUUY7Z!BdyQnw3F_ZDJANwchpOZIwNGBl-c7g35TsCdpuR1E_Q)

Preview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxiYEWe6nlU&feature=youtu.be
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 03, 2016, 03:05:00 AM
I have updated the pdf file that have 7 pages now. If you want you can take a look: http://www.github.com/20degree/solarusguide (http://www.github.com/20degree/solarusguide)
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on September 03, 2016, 10:48:08 AM
It would be nice to include directions on how to download Solarus for the book.

It would solve this issue:
https://github.com/20degree/solarusguide/issues/21
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 03, 2016, 09:13:10 PM
Ive added 2 pages to the pdf guide. One page that say where to download Solarus Quest Maker, and one page that say where to download the Zelda a Link to the Past Resources Pack. http://www.github.com/20degree/solarusguide (http://www.github.com/20degree/solarusguide)

It's a very nice idea you have Zefk for helping peoples find and download Solarus. I dont read too much the Github issues, but still i read them when i have time; i prefere by the forum here issues.

If some peoples have nice step-by-step "little" ideas that can use the ALTTP Pack, so that i can do and experiment and other peoples can do and experiments; it would be very nice! Things that you already know exactly how to do and program.

Examples: Break some vase that make apear some heart. Pick-up some shield. Create some pause items-menu. Simple things to do in the first pages, later on medium level things to do; later on advanced things to do. The peoples must understand small steps, even i must understand small steps before doing some big steps.

Thank's Christopho for letting me do printscreens to put in the pages. I dont know much about Solarus, but try things with it. Ive always wanted to create my own Super Nes Zelda style free personnal game, with a free software that can do it.

Once again, thank's to all!

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on September 04, 2016, 12:47:50 AM
QuoteIt's a very nice idea you have Zefk for helping peoples find and download Solarus. I dont read too much the Github issues, but still i read them when i have time; i prefere by the forum here issues.

You're welcome.

The issues I made on GitHub are a little unorganized. I will probably go through them sometime and refine the issues. I will most likely will do that when solving the chapter issue (https://github.com/20degree/solarusguide/issues/6), but the chapters will most likely change overtime, but it is good for the thinking process.

The community is probably watching this project, but are still waiting for basic progress before contributing. Most of their code is free to use. (At least the code they released publicly) The community is always willing to help to solve script problems. In my case, I am just bored on my breaks and doing some volunteer service for the book is more fun.  ;D

I will probably make a bank script next. I already made out some pseudo code and will cover some lua programming that I did not do in the volume control script.


Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 04, 2016, 04:59:18 AM
Ive done a very tiny change of the pdf file. I know that ive asked yourself if i can put your nick name, and you did not givin me the authorizations. Still ive put your nick name in the page "Terms", just to give you my thank's Zefk. It's maybe not necessary for your self that i do, but for me it is to give my thank's and appreciations. I also appreciate very much Christopho also Diarandor that have posted here on the project.

The administrators of http://www.gopinball.com (http://www.gopinball.com) and http://www.pinsimdb.org (http://www.pinsimdb.org), knows how much for me it is important to give my thank's and appreciations to peoples. As i find it important to say it to my mother, my father, my brothers, my friends; brief the peoples that surround my self. Even Ton Roosendaal from http://www.blender.org (http://www.blender.org) know my appreciations.

I know it is out of the subject, but peoples that read this at leass please tell to your surrounding; how much you appreciate them, like them and love them. Me i dont know when my mom or dad, friends, etc, will be there no more. So it's important to tell at leass once a while to your surrounding, how much your care, how much you appreciate them.

Once again thank's for all your help.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 04, 2016, 02:00:04 PM
I want to add a page about free graphics and audio files that can be used to create free games or commercial games. An example is: http://diarandor.deviantart.com/ (http://diarandor.deviantart.com/), or https://github.com/Zefk/Fairyolica-World (https://github.com/Zefk/Fairyolica-World)
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 04, 2016, 03:19:27 PM
Ive updated the pdf guide, it has now 11 pages. http://www.github.com/20degree/solarusguide/ (http://www.github.com/20degree/solarusguide/) It have the simple link to the files of Diarandor and Zefk. It say fiew operating system that Solarus can be put on. It give link's to free graphical tool software and free audio tool software. It have fiew other links to some documentations also. Well i'll hope it will help peoples? There is much to do, to be done; as told it's under construction.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on September 04, 2016, 08:24:33 PM
Chapters*:
I began listing chapters and will post issues based on it. That way I can see if I can solve some while scripting.

For the license link you added:*
I took my text from the license page and attached it here on this post in a document form. It will be good for people without "much" internet access. It would be good to add to the book.
http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php?topic=610.msg3066#msg3066

For the menu documentation link:*
I think there is no need for then "menu" link because you already added a link to the documentation. It might begin to become a mess if one were to add all the documentation links....I think the PDF version of the documentation covers it.

For the software links:*
It would be nice to categorize them. For example, audio, graphic, etc. That way you will not have to describe the software. You could provide a link to the Solarus help guide for description needs or to their website. I mention quite a bit of free software that you can add.

Audio:
http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,622.0.html

Graphic:
http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,614.0.html

Font: (I will have to finish that bash script mod....forgot about it)
http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.msg3757.html#msg3757

At the bottom of this post is more font programs:
http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,636.msg3236.html#msg3236

Advanced Screen Capture Tools:

Mind mapping:
http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.msg3430.html#msg3430

Office Suites:
http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.msg3431.html#msg3431


For Diarandor's works:*
It would be nice to mention that quite a bit of his work is packed in the Solarus "Sample Quest" that comes with the Solarus download. Also, that he can be contacted (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,538.30.html). He mentions email, so I am guessing that is the the email he provided on the forum (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php?action=emailuser;sa=email;uid=65).


Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 05, 2016, 01:07:30 AM
Ive modified the pdf at page 7, modified a bit page 6; and ive added Zefk Basic License Informations. It have now 19 pages.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on September 06, 2016, 12:27:17 AM
That was fast. The book is looking great! You can add the document I added to this post to the book. The rest of the files are here (https://mega.nz/#!2UVUUY7Z!BdyQnw3F_ZDJANwchpOZIwNGBl-c7g35TsCdpuR1E_Q) That is all the files for the volume control script. (Including the gimp menu xcf) You can upload it at Github to use it as a sample. Only 2.5 MB and before the start of the section tell them to check the volume control script sample, so they can see the code in action.

Let me know if Mega gives you a huge wait time. It does that for Germany IP address sometimes and I am not sure if they have limits for other countries. It is almost no wait time in the USA.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 07, 2016, 03:03:16 AM
Ive added 2 pages into the pages, so some pdf pages are on other page. On page 8 i have told how to do some printscreens with windows. On page 13 ive told how to create some staring position, if some people want to try there player on some map. As you see i try to understand more Solarus it's not easy for me as a beginner.

You say Zefk its great work, but there is much to do. Thank's for the help!

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on September 07, 2016, 08:04:13 AM
You're welcome. I will be busy, but I will see what else I can do for the book. I should have the chapters done tomorrow, but of course it will change a lot. I can just add more issues to solve on GitHub. I will go through some of the tutorials and code I studied, so it can be added to the book. I will first complete the bank script. I didn't have time today to work on it, but tomorrow for sure.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 08, 2016, 02:31:42 AM
Now i'm reading a bit about "stairs and bridge" that is on the site:
http://solarus_resource.site88.net/tutorial/bridges.htm#method2 (http://solarus_resource.site88.net/tutorial/bridges.htm#method2)
To make readers know how to do some stairs and bridge for there zelda. I will indicate to copy the code of the file "quest_manager.lua" said on the site to donwload and simply put at some directory. This because i dont know if the reader would read the pdf guide and be on the internet. So thinking the reader is not on the web, copying/writing the code in the pages and put it in the file with Notepad++ should help.

Ive got to go prepare things for tomorrow as going to work, gonna continue later the pages about stairs and bridge. Here in the province of Quebec when it is here 20h30pm, in France is 2h30am.

If you Zefk or others know how to do simple things, would be great! Even I as a beginner must learn to do simple things.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 10, 2016, 01:46:12 PM
I try to understand the Bridge Method of the previous link, but it dont work or i must do something wrong. I must do some experimenting of the things i see and read here and others to make me more know Solarus to help better in the book.

Here is the map i try to do some stairs that go up and down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rt8kXxYgZs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rt8kXxYgZs), you can see the room. The floor is at level 0, the Destination is at level 0, the tileset is "house", the specific house tileset is (patern id: stairs_inner_up.2) have said also that the ground of it is "ladder" at layer 0. Ive told that (patern id: stairs_inner_up.2.top) is also "ladder" at layer 1. The (patern id: stairs_inner_up.2.border.1) is a "wall" at layer 0. Then (patern id: stairs_inner_up.2.top.border.1) is a "wall" at layer 1.

Next ive put two sensors. The one at the bottom of the stairs is called "Down_layer" and is on layer 1. The other sensor is named "Up_layer" and is on layer 0. The sensors have some distance between them of one step. Also i have created some floor at the end the stairs, that the tile is (patern id: floor.2) and is on layer 1. Link can pass under the (patern id: floor.2), but when he climb the stairs "ladder" he should turn out to be at layer 1 so can walk on (patern id: floor.2) and not be under??

It's strange? Following the http://solarus_resource.site88.net/tutorial/bridges.htm#method2 (http://solarus_resource.site88.net/tutorial/bridges.htm#method2) ive downloaded the file "quest_manager.lua" put it in the correct directory, knowing it is in the good directory because i can see it in the tree. Ive not modified the "quest_manager.lua" file. Also i have added in the "main.lua" file:  local quest_manager = require("scripts/quest_manager"). As told on the site. When i test it dont work?? Even putting the sensors at different places so that Link can step-onto dont not make him be at layer 0 to layer 1 and vice-versa? Ive simply only said what is the ladder and simply added two sensors on the tile. What i have done wrong?

Because it's a part that i would like to know to teach in the book, to make Link climb some stairs to be on some other floor higher. The next thing id like that the reader can do as an other exercise, is beeing then on the higher floor can simply fall down to the layer below.

What i think to have understand but not sure "i'm a beginner" is that in the "main.lua" file when you write as:  local quest_manager = require("scripts/quest_manager"). It indicate to the file "main.lua" to go see the file named "quest_manager.lua" then after it is writen the patern of where the file is; if i'm correct?

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 11, 2016, 07:53:35 PM
I have made a little update of the free pdf book: http://www.github.com/20degree/solarusguide (http://www.github.com/20degree/solarusguide). There is much i must learn about Solarus. There is a page that explain how to indicate and program on what place your hero start. There is also a page about the Solarus Quest List Player; that give basic infos about making your logo for your game and icon.

Thank's Zefk for suggesting to me, to do some keyboard/mouse shortcuts. Like when your into Solarus Quest Editor, and you press the keyboard key's ( CTRL + P ), it make apear the "Properties" of your quest. I have not put it for now into the book, but later will be good.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 11, 2016, 09:54:18 PM
I have just figure out how to make the hero step on some stairs entity and go to a lower or higher level.

Boy i feel so tiny in my short, this because when ive put the stairs entity i did not choose the option (platform stairs (same on map)) lolll. I have more choosed the option (straight) and got an error message about some teleporter. Ive done a page of the book about these stairs that go on a lower or higher layer.

I must then figure out how to make the player step-on some stairs and teleport on some place. Dont know how to program this?

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 12, 2016, 02:42:20 AM
Ive updated the pdf file on http://www.github.com/20degree/solarusguide (http://www.github.com/20degree/solarusguide), on page 14 it explain how to create your own logo for the Solarus Quest Player. On page 15 it explain how to make your hero go up and down of some stairs in the same map. On page 16 explain how to create some rotating stairs and explain how to make the hero be teleported to some destination.

I'm pretty sure the explications are real simple, even so i wonder what peoples think about it? There is much more i need to understand about Solarus.

Thank's to Christopho for accepting that i do printscreens of the Solarus, thank's Zefk for helping me with this project, thank's Diarandor also for your tips; and thank's to the peoples help.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 15, 2016, 10:34:40 AM
Here are things that id like to understand to do, i try to understand by seeing the videos and reading things about LUA even looking at the data of Solarus DX; cant seem to figure it out.

How to make hitted crystal that make some crystals blocks activated on other map, or crystal blocks activated on a same map but there state dont change by going on some other map; until the crystal hitted again. How to make communicate some crystals that can be hit like if a crystal is hit and turn to red or blue, then the crystal switch on some other map can be also the same color as red or blue.

How to make your hero open a treasure to find a bow and other treasure to find arrows on some map, then go on an other map to shoot some target across some fall down floor; that when the arrow hit the target it make apear some bridge to walk on.

How to make the hero have the treasure that make him have some equipment that can create some rope between two hooks, with between some fall floor; so that the hero can walk on the rope to cross.

How to make the hero have some fire cane, that can shoot some fire to light up some spot to make some passage way.

How to make the hero have some bomb to explode a wall so he can go to the next room.

Thank's for the help!

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on September 15, 2016, 12:05:42 PM
You are french I believe. If not, then it is clear to understand without knowing the language. This worked in Solarus 1.4.5 for me, but I have not tested it in Solarus 1.5.
Tutorial Create a game with Solarus - E48 Crystal Switches (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7z-P3G6tmU&list=PLzJ4jb-Y0ufySXw9_E-hJzmzSh-PYCyG2&index=48)

I have a list that worked for me in 1.4.5 for the ancient Solarus. They have a very high chance of working in 1.5 Solarus. Check this (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.msg3495.html#msg3495) page near the bottom.

P.S. You should probably ask those questions in the development (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/board,4.0.html) section.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 17, 2016, 03:58:54 PM
Yes my native language is french, but i write in english because 25% of the world pouplation speak english. Brief to reach more peoples. I have updated the pdf http://www.github.com/20degree/solarusguide (http://www.github.com/20degree/solarusguide).

I have put on page 16 fiew indications to create some rotating stairs that when Link go to, Link rotate and is teleported to an other map. On page 17 i explain how to connect some crystal switchs and crystal blocks, that are on two different maps.

Thank's Zefk for your help. I think you are right i must ask those questions in the section "Development", even if it is things i would like to know to put in the guide.

A+
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on September 22, 2016, 06:03:28 PM
You are welcome. I am glad to see those older french tutorials are still functioning. I think you should study the Solarus games for more map entity  (http://www.solarus-games.org/doc/latest/lua_api_entity.html)related things. Sometimes the documentation can be confusing until you get used to it.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: 20degree on September 24, 2016, 02:26:09 PM
Thank's for the link to the map entities. If i understand entities are object that the creator put on the map, the thing i wonder like:
entity:remove()
if it's possible to replace the word "entity" by the name the creator have givin? Like if id give to the entity the name of "headache", if i could tell:
headache:remove()

Here is a link to an image of a map ive created (just in case you check here Zefk):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHRTQ3b2VMZVhfV3c/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHRTQ3b2VMZVhfV3c/view?usp=sharing)

Also Zefk here is an old image ive created before knowing there is a Solarus website to create Zelda SuperNes style game and other games. Ive always wanted that one day i find some soft to create a Zelda Super Nes game. Thank's to the great talents of Christopho and peoples that help him for this free software. It's an image of an idea ive created of some outside world that the hero go trough finding villages map, dungeon entrance map, etc. (Real basic as Zelda1 from Nes):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHOC05cUZYR1hqT0E/view?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B60m6W-FuLPHOC05cUZYR1hqT0E/view?usp=sharing)

Ive put some post in the section "Development" to not be too much out of this project about creating my own book at the link:
http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,754.0.html (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,754.0.html). Gonna ask more questions there, to be like you say "less out of the title of the post here" The book has advanced on my computer, slowly but surely; not put it on Github for now. Tell me if so far the pdf ive put on Github if the things i explain are easy to understand and to follow?

A+
Title: Stable book in progress
Post by: Zefk on December 19, 2016, 05:37:12 AM
This week on my free time I decided to make a stable book: Here (https://github.com/Zefk/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2/blob/master/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book.md)

What does everyone think so far?

+I finished chapters 1-9, and 11.

Table of contents:

Reference I: RGB Color Reference

Chapter 1: About Solarus, Basic History, Download Instructions, Shortcuts, and Documentation

Chapter 2: Free Graphics, audio, scripts, and Basic Free License Information

Chapter 3: Moving around the Solarus Editor

Chapter 4: Using the Sprite editor

Chapter 5: Using the Tileset editor

Chapter 6: Very Basic Lua Scripting, Tutorial Point Lua PDF, ways to load script, and lua console

Chapter 7: Setting up dialog and pause

Chapter 8: Displaying an image, opacity, color fill, and font display

Chapter 9: Key press, Mouse press, Image fade, and playing audio

Chapter 11: Map editor
Title: Update: Solarus Book
Post by: Zefk on December 22, 2016, 06:19:20 AM
Book update:

Stable book in progress: Here (https://github.com/Zefk/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2/blob/master/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book.md)

What does everyone think so far?

+Added a lot more script basics (https://github.com/Zefk/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2/tree/master/Lessons/Chapter_6/Chapter_6_Lua_Quick_Basics/Chapter_6_basic_lua_2).
+Blend modes
+Added tables so that the book looks nicer.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: ffomega on December 22, 2016, 09:14:35 AM
Someone could try, in similar fashion to youtubers with RPG Maker MV, to create a small game with Solarus.  It's one thing to create tutorials for Solarus, showing off different examples of what things do.  But maybe creating a small game that walked you through step by step the process of creating a small game might be something users new to Solarus would enjoy and benefit from if they have difficulty making a game or know where and how to start.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on December 22, 2016, 08:00:06 PM
Quotemaybe creating a small game that walked you through step by step the process of creating a small game might be something users new to Solarus would enjoy
I plan on having a small mixed quest chapter toward the end, but it will be a strain (for a book) without people at least knowing basic tutorials or knowledge about the Solarus engine.

The chapter will called, "Chapter 15: Make a Chain Quest." The chapter will include a small mixed quest project.
Title: Solarus Book: Update
Post by: Zefk on December 30, 2016, 06:55:09 PM
Stable book in progress: Here (https://github.com/Zefk/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2/tree/master/seperated_chapters/done)

+Chapter 10: Timers and getting coordinates
+Chapter 12: Menus and Window Options
+Chapter 16: Game Design Walkthrough
+Chapter 6: (Added a few more scripting examples)
+Glossary: Game Terms
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on April 20, 2017, 08:53:22 AM
Stable book in progress: Here (https://github.com/Zefk/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2/tree/master/separated_chapters)

18/19 chapters are mostly done for the book. Only the chain quest chapter (chapter 16) is left.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: oclero on May 02, 2017, 02:13:41 PM
This is great !
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on July 17, 2018, 04:16:17 AM
Scrolling credits for the book. I am making a super simple script based on my name pick script. Still needs a little tweaking. For instance, changing the size of font for one line of text and variable names. (Those will actually be quite easy.)

(https://media.giphy.com/media/w8gynQcTBkVDAB1o9w/giphy.gif)


Some features:
Code ( lua) Select
--The amount of  text to display
local list_box_amount = 7

--The space between each character and box.
name_list.spacing = 14

--use a font list
name_list.font_list = true

--Change characters to show
name_list.hero_name[0] = "Zefk"
name_list.hero_name[1] = "Diarandor"
name_list.hero_name[2] = "Christopho"
name_list.hero_name[3] = "MetalZelda"
name_list.hero_name[4] = "Wrightmat"
name_list.hero_name[5] = "llamazing"
name_list.hero_name[6] = "ffomega"
name_list.hero_name[7] = "None" --This will be my character input script in the future.

--Adjust the x-axis of font pack display for the seven names.
name_list.font_x[0] = 160
name_list.font_x[1] = 150
name_list.font_x[2] = 150
name_list.font_x[3] = 150
name_list.font_x[4] = 150
name_list.font_x[5] = 150
name_list.font_x[6] = 150
name_list.font_x[7] = 157

--Adjust how far down the name list goes.
name_list.font_y_axis = 25

--Change the font package
--Leave it nil to use the Solarus team made bitmap font. (At least in this demo or if you have it in your project.)
--name_list.font = nil
name_list.font = "minecraftia"

--Change font size
name_list.font_size = 6

--Change color. It was set to snow white (Not white 255,255,255, but snow white 255,250,250. Yeah, they are different.)
--Check in of script for some RGB color values.
name_list.color_type = {255,255,255} --139,0,139

Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on July 17, 2018, 06:12:40 AM
Okay, scrolling credits is basically done. Not sure if any other feature is needed. (gif is choppy)

(https://media.giphy.com/media/4EEV4sweMd2VSJgC65/giphy.gif)

Features:
+Change spacing
+Change scroll Speed
+Unlimited lists of text
+Adjust the x-pos of text
+Change the y-pos starting point
+Change the font of any line of text
+Change Color of any line of text
+Change the size of any line of text
+Change the distance of the credits stopping point
+Change finishing sound
+Change option for resetting the game
+Change direction of the scrolling credits
+Change whether the game pauses during the start of credits (as in suspend)
+Change skip speed and the key's letter
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Diarandor on July 17, 2018, 05:29:09 PM
Is it my phone or the movement is not completely smooth? (I do not have internet at home now to check this.)
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: YoshiMario2000 on July 17, 2018, 06:23:58 PM
Quote from: Diarandor on July 17, 2018, 05:29:09 PM
Is it my phone or the movement is not completely smooth? (I do not have internet at home now to check this.)
No, It's also choppy on my PC.
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on July 17, 2018, 07:17:33 PM
The "gif" is choppy, but the scrolling credits is working fine on my computer. I think I will go ahead and finalize the script for the book. I should also release a demo in the script section of the forum.

Edit: Did further tests and added a few more features. I updated the script above (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,401.msg7070.html#msg7070).

On another note, I made changes on Github: Changelog (https://github.com/Zefk/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2/blob/master/changelog.txt)
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Max on July 18, 2018, 12:04:09 AM
So, don't credits normally scroll from the bottom to the top?
Title: Re: Id like to create book to help beginners about solarus editor
Post by: Zefk on July 19, 2018, 04:31:13 AM
@Max
Good point.

Script above: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,401.msg7070.html#msg7070)

Okay, I finalized the scrolling credits script. You can get the script above for now until I add it to the script section. One can either load it or modify it for require.

Feature added:
+Change direction of the scrolling credits
+Change whether the game pauses during the start of credits (as in suspend)
+Change skip speed and the key's letter
Title: Re: Book Alpha Release
Post by: Zefk on August 03, 2018, 07:55:29 AM
Okay, this is still experimental, but here it is the book!

You can find everything in Github release. The pdf is in the "book" directory.

Github Alpha Release: Here (https://github.com/Zefk/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2/releases)
Website: Here (https://zelphor-solarus-book.000webhostapp.com/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2.html)

Please report any errors/suggestions here or on Github and see new commits (https://github.com/Zefk/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2/compare/Alpha-v0.9...master) for fixes