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Community => Your projects => Topic started by: Zefk on May 06, 2016, 10:23:55 PM

Title: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 06, 2016, 10:23:55 PM
Solarus Resource Help Project

Update:
Go here for more official information: Here (https://gitlab.com/solarus-games/awesome-solarus)

About:

This project is meant to help Solarus. The contents are below. Please make suggestions.

Reports:

Let me know of:
Basic Question:

Q: Can Solarus make more than ARPG games?
A: Solarus can make visual novels, monster battle, card battle, and any other game type in the 2D realm. (Although, there is talk of mode7. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mode_7)) Solarus is aimed at ARPG, so there will need to be more coding for other game types, but Solarus is made to make coding easy. (At least in my opinion.)

Q: Is Solarus an emulator?
A: No.

Q: Is there a simple android export option?
A: No. Not "yet."

Q: Single exe?
A: You can make a single .exe with a free packager software like "Inno Setup (http://www.jrsoftware.org/isinfo.php)".

Q: Can I sell my game in communities like Steam, and make money from it?
A: Yes, but follow the GPLv3 license.

Q: Is there online support? (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,1089.msg6282.html#msg6282)
Q: Can I make a game without programming? (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,14.msg33.html#msg33)
Q: How much experience in Lua is needed prior to starting to use Solarus? (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,7.msg15.html#msg15)
Q: Is there a short explanation for GPLv3? (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,906.msg5128.html#msg5128)
Q: What basic information will pixel artists want to know? (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,956.msg5502.html#msg5502)

ARPG 2D Games good for studying:

-The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
-The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords
-The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
-The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons
-Zelda ARPG games: Wiki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda#Reception_and_legacy)
-Secret of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 2)
-Secret of Evermore (Not related to the Mana series, but pretty much has the same functions and was made by the same company.)
-Seiken Densetsu 3
-Sword of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 5)
-Children of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 6)
-Avatar The Last Airbender GBA
-Boktai
-Alundra
-Soul Blazer
-Illusion of Gaia
-Shining Soul II
-Juka and The Monophonic Menace
-Yu Yu Hakusho - Ghostfiles - Spirit Detective
-The Legacy of Goku
-The Legacy of Goku II
-Buu's Fury
-Terranigma (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terranigma)

SideScrolling Games:

-Gunstar Super Heroes gba (Full of ACTION)
-Mario Land
-Wario Land
-Sonic
-Metroid
-Mega Man
-Lady Sia

SideScroller/ARPG: (Half/half):

-Summon Night: SwordCraft

Port information:

Homebrew 3DS: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,27.msg4716.html#msg4716)

Wii port information: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,27.0.html)

Android port news: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,760.msg4008/boardseen.html#new)
There is an older android port for an older version of Solarus, but there seems to be a better port in progress for maybe 1.5

Old android port info: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,295.msg1129.html#msg1129)

Some information of people that did the ports: Here (http://www.solarus-games.org/games/zelda-mystery-of-solarus-dx/)

Lua learning information and Solarus documentation: Here  (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.msg3495.html#msg3495)
Solarus uses Lua for scripting with Solarus libraries to make things easy. This should not be an issue if one already has experience in a high level language like C or C++. Do not let that scare you because Lua is actually a very easy programming language and it will actually help you with learn C or C++ later, but C languages are not needed for making games with Solarus. It will help if you want to assist with the Solarus engine or modify it.

C++ SDL 2.0 and QT Creator: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php?topic=790.msg4319#msg4319)
Want to help program for Solarus and fix bugs? This would be a good place to start. Once you begin, fork Solarus and do a pull request once you made your changes on GitHub. Scroll down to GitHub on this post if you have no clue what I just typed.

Upgrading:

The migration guide will help one upgrade from different versions of Solarus: Here (http://wiki.solarus-games.org/doku.php?id=migration_guide)

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 sample_quest (https://github.com/solarus-games/solarus-sample-quest) and Children of Solarus (https://github.com/Bertram25/ChildrenOfSolarus/tree/master/data) project have some free graphics too.

Book:

Solarus 1.5 free book by zefk: Online (https://zelphor-solarus-book.000webhostapp.com/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2.html) - PDF (https://github.com/Zefk/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2/blob/master/Book/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2.html.pdf) - GitHub (https://github.com/Zefk/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2) - Post (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,401.msg7143.html#msg7143)

Basics:

The new Solarus 1.5 tutorial series: Here (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzJ4jb-Y0ufxwkj7IlfURcvCxaDCSecJY)
The basics for Solarus (http://www.solarus-games.org/development/tutorials/) - Video Tutorials by Christopho! The Creator of Solarus!

Tutorials by ffomega: Website (http://absolute-hyrule-tutorials.solarus-games.org/)

Advanced Screen Capture Tools:
Error Solutions:
-Function at line has more than 60 upvalues for local variables, arrays, & 200 Local Variables Limit Problem solutions: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,748.0.html)
-Control structure too long near: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,773.msg4231.html#msg4231)
-Solarus Graphic scaling solution/Images beyond 320x240 solution: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php?topic=756.msg4073#msg4073)

Scripts:

A list of scripts: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,856.0.html)

Audio:

Audio: timer and timer_hurry (CC0): here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,850.msg4673.html#msg4673)

My music for Solarus
(http://goo.gl/yeuF49)
A free music making software list and soundfonts (sf2) (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,622.0.html)

Looping .Ogg music Solarus: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,726.msg3804.html?PHPSESSID=52dkkk1f6t80ll2bv68k5cpn34#msg3804)

Font:

Bitmap font - Direct download
(http://goo.gl/uruQRa)
Making Font Resources and Template (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php?topic=636.msg3236#msg3236)

Font (.ttf) to Bitmap and Glyph Dump: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.msg3757.html#msg3757)

Pixel art or graphics:

Animation list for sprite characters: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,956.msg5502.html#msg5502)

Diarandor's selective outlining post: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,954.msg5482.html#msg5482) and my: comment (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,954.msg5486.html#msg5486)

Diarandor's Design of graphs of dungeons post: here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,950.msg5456.html#msg5456) & my comment: here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,950.msg5477.html#msg5477)

Spritesheet Editor Software: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.msg4877.html#msg4877)

LPC Character Sprite Generator: Here (http://gaurav.munjal.us/Universal-LPC-Spritesheet-Character-Generator/#?sex=female&body=darkelf)

Free Pixel art: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,850.msg4671.html#msg4671) (login to view)
-Crystal, switch, & block (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,850.msg4671.html#msg4671)
-Unlucky Studio graphics (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,850.msg4715.html#msg4715)
-Urbansquall ARPG Graphics (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,850.msg4721.html#msg4721)
-ARPG Skull Shield (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,850.msg5280.html#msg5280)

ARPG Heroine Sprite Eldrina: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php?topic=946.msg5412#msg5412) (Eldran Sprite Mod by ZEFK)

Sprite Character Templates - Opensource Free
(http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,615.0.html)
Open Source Graphic Pack - Finished (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,609.msg3059.html#msg3059)
Part1: Fairyolica World Outside/exterior Finished (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,653.0.html)

Free Pixel Art Making Programs for Linux, Windows, and Android
(http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,614.0.html)
Transparency and opacity (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,663.msg3429.html#msg3429)

Making maps with a program called, "Tiled."  (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,663.msg3397.html#msg3397)

Easy palette swapping tool. A post by MetalZelda : Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,720.0.html)

Story:

Most of this section has been deleted and added to the Solarus book project: Here (https://github.com/Zefk/Solarus-ARPG-Game-Development-Book_2/blob/master/separated_chapters/done/20_chapter-17.md)

Interesting brainstorm features: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,795.msg4328.html#msg4328)

Music, mapping, and story help (http://goo.gl/1KMGpt)

Free Office Suites for online and offline use: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.msg3431.html#msg3431)

Linux:

Solarus Linux Wine Guide based on Zuto Kaza's (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php?topic=618.msg3117#msg3117)

Mac:

Having trouble installing the Mac version? Use Wine to use the Windows Solarus version on your Mac. Here is a Wine Installation guide for Mac. Here (https://www.davidbaumgold.com/tutorials/wine-mac/)

Android:

You might be able to use Wine on your android by emulating Ubuntu. There is a root and no root method. Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php?topic=727.msg3808#msg3808)

Running Android apps through chrome. The article is detailed enough. Some android programs can be used to help with Solarus game making, but not all will work because a lot of apps that you buy have annoying verification that may need something that is not functional. Also, some apps crash when sound is used.
http://askubuntu.com/questions/605589/can-android-apps-be-used-in-ubuntu

Raspberry Pi:

I am not sure about the Solarus Editor, but the engine works. Here are two sources.

Source: Solarus's creator confirms it works (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php?topic=736.msg3863#msg3863)

Source: Successful test (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,648.msg3297.html#msg3297) and Github source. (https://github.com/RetroPie/RetroPie-Setup/commit/11c6f1bb0dc5c731b34f05415bc745e9dfd21ed7)

Source: How to set up solarus on raspberry pi? (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,787.msg4312.html#msg4312)

Legal:
License help
(http://goo.gl/lh8uOi)
Storage:
Attachment too big? Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.msg3402.html#msg3402) is where you can upload large image files and other file types for free. They are good places to store your files too.

GitHub Help:

Github in my opinion the best free service to use for your project. There are obviously other as good free alternatives (http://toppersworld.com/top-10-free-github-alternatives-for-private-repositories/).

Link to GitHub: Here (https://github.com/)

Some basic markdown formatting: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,401.msg3821.html#msg3821)

Formatting Cheatsheet: Here (https://github.com/adam-p/markdown-here/wiki/Markdown-Cheatsheet)

Uploading files to your repo: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,401.msg3818.html#msg3818)

Pull requests: Here (https://help.github.com/articles/about-pull-requests/) and video tutorial: here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTbRzhQju4c)

Fork: Here (https://help.github.com/articles/fork-a-repo/)

Markdown offline editors: 
-I like CuteMarkEd (http://cloose.github.io/CuteMarkEd/) because it is portable. Go here (http://stackoverflow.com/questions/9843609/view-markdown-files-offline) for more options. (Buggy)
-Haroopad (http://pad.haroopress.com/user.html) - best here in my opinion. One can even insert a table of contents based on the headers, no bugs to be found, and the html file can be turned into a pdf with chrome. (Table of contents still work in pdf)

Common bug fix  (https://github.com/jasonsanjose/brackets-sass/issues/53)for Haroopad on older Linux distributions:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-toolchain-r/test
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libstdc++6-4.7-dev


-Asciidoc Book Editor (http://www.asciidocfx.com/) - Has everything, but only for 64 bit! No x86...

Funding online platforms that can help your project with donations:
Have you ever thought of using Patreon (https://patreon.com/invite/yvjmm), Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/), and IndieGoGo (https://www.indiegogo.com/#/picks_for_you)? These could be funding platforms that could help your Solarus game projects. I think Patreon would be the best because people can send recurring payments monthly to creators. As in people can give you money monthly.

Funding platforms:

Steam:

Related post: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,975.0.html)

You will need to use Steamworks SDK (https://partner.steamgames.com/) if you want steam achievements (you do not need it) and your game only gets on steam if Valve likes it.

You need to use Greenlight. If Valve likes the game, then they will publish it on Steam.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c61YgiNDd8E

More info on Greenlight:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raIef6QXu0E
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 08, 2016, 03:21:59 AM
Added:
Pixel Art Making Programs - I will actually put this on its own post later. I want this post clean with just table of contents.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: oclero on May 08, 2016, 06:23:35 PM
Great! You did an awesome work to help people :) Thanks!
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 08, 2016, 06:32:51 PM
You are welcome!  :D

I will add some sprite templates today sometime.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 12, 2016, 06:26:53 AM
Added to help project: (Links above below content)
Solarus Tower Defence Style by Kibos1er! Preview and Download

Side Scrolling functionality by wrightmat! Here and Zutokaza test project  - As I can see there are bugs to work out because of new updates probably.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 12, 2016, 06:42:23 AM
Added:
ARPG game Scripts by Christopho and his team! Here (http://www.solarus-games.org/games/solarus-team/)
-Click the game and at the bottom will be the source code that can be used as a template.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 12, 2016, 07:21:35 AM
Added:

A project by MetalZelda! Has a lot of good scripts.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: GameboyArda on May 14, 2016, 01:46:10 PM
I have a Question: Do you know a free Music making program?
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: llamazing on May 14, 2016, 03:03:09 PM
I've heard  good things about musagi (http://www.drpetter.se/project_musagi.html), though I haven't used it myself. It's by the same guy who wrote sfxr for making sound effects for games.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 14, 2016, 07:17:15 PM
Quote from: GameboyArda on May 14, 2016, 01:46:10 PM
I have a Question: Do you know a free Music making program?

LMMS (https://lmms.io/download/#linux) (Linux Multi media studio) It is for Windows too and OS X. I used this program to make over 500 free audio for Solarus and all my music is made with it. For instance, my Klgo Journey music I added for Solarus as well to use. LMMS is very very easy after you do a few tutorials. The soundfonts I listed at the bottom of my music section can be used in it. It is basically a free FL Studio.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Diarandor on May 14, 2016, 07:22:27 PM
Quote from: llamazing on May 14, 2016, 03:03:09 PM
I've heard  good things about musagi (http://www.drpetter.se/project_musagi.html), though I haven't used it myself. It's by the same guy who wrote sfxr for making sound effects for games.

I have never used musagi. But I use sfxr to create my 16-bit sounds and I recommend it (it is very easy, simple and intuitive to use).
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 14, 2016, 07:27:41 PM
It seems that I can now add a list of free music making software.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 14, 2016, 07:48:31 PM
Here is the link (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,622.0.html) to the list. I mentioned those who recommended the software. I will now update this post.

http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,622.0.html
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 14, 2016, 08:04:06 PM
Added:
The basics for Solarus (http://www.solarus-games.org/development/tutorials/) - Video Tutorials by Christopho! The Creator of Solarus!
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 15, 2016, 03:56:17 AM
Added:
Quest types - Story help for beginners.

Note: It is very similar to the wiki article that I learned about quest types from and I added a bit of it into it. I made it the source link.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 15, 2016, 06:23:22 AM
Added:
I somewhat organized the Solarus help guide by adding sections.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 16, 2016, 01:56:07 AM
Added:

How to make characters - Story help for beginners - Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,623.msg3165.html#new)
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: GameboyArda on May 16, 2016, 10:10:55 AM
QuoteI have never used musagi. But I use sfxr to create my 16-bit sounds and I recommend it (it is very easy, simple and intuitive to use).
LMMS has a free plugin of sfxr from the start  ;)
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 16, 2016, 10:45:31 AM
My LMMS must be outdated then.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: GameboyArda on May 16, 2016, 01:19:51 PM
Newist version of LMMS is 1.1.3
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on May 16, 2016, 08:38:14 PM
I know, but I would have to update my Linux too and it is not worth the trouble.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For those that are interested. I started the Zolarus Chripora (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,624.msg3177.html#new) pseudocode like code. A lot of you could probably finish the scripts before I have completed all the pseudocode like code, but I "probably" will get them functioning at some point.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on June 15, 2016, 03:58:56 AM
I edited some of the story help guides. I read them out loud, fixed errors, added on, and made them clearer. I am sure there are more mistakes somewhere.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on June 19, 2016, 05:58:42 AM
Added:
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 Children of Solarus (https://github.com/Bertram25/ChildrenOfSolarus/tree/master/data) project. That is the sample in the Solarus Engine!
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on June 20, 2016, 05:14:28 AM
Free Cloud or File Storage Sites

About:
This is a list of free storage providers or Clouds as they call them. How does this help Solarus? Well, some people might need to store their files somewhere to share them. Sometimes files are too big for the forum.

MEGA (https://mega.nz): My Favorite is Mega 50 GB free. This is the secure and better version of the fallen MegaUpload.

I would add ADrive to this list for 50GB free, but they quit doing that. They are no longer free at all.

SFshare (http://sfshare.se/home.html):  This is another 50GB free storage cloud. This is only for a limited time, but they have been saying that for about 2 years.

HubiC (https://hubic.com/en/): HubiC offers 25 GB free.

PromptFile (http://www.promptfile.com/): PromptFile offers 250 GB for free, but it has guest accounts too with 1 GB free. That is an interesting feature for those that do not want to sign up.

GoogleDrive (https://www.google.com/drive/) is an email provider based cloud storage. They offer 15 GB for free, but google offers a lot more for free.

MediaFire (https://www.mediafire.com/): MediaFire offers 10GB for free and it is known for sticking around.

Now do not get me wrong. There are Chinese clouds that offer TB for free like "10 TB free Chinese 360 Cloud Drive." Also, there was an unlimited free storage, "Hive," but that has shutdown. There is others like Userscloud (https://userscloud.com/unlimited.html) or FileFactory (http://www.filefactory.com/). The problem with Userscloud is that files can be deleted after 30 days of inactivity.

Also, there are quick storage sites like FileDropper. (http://www.filedropper.com/) This requires no account and allows a 5 GB upload. TinyUpload (http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php) allows 50 MB uploads and works the same as FileDropper. PostImage (https://postimage.org/) works well for large image files to post on forums. No sign up for that either.

Return to the Solarus Help Guide (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.0.html)
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on June 25, 2016, 06:10:08 PM
Free Office Suites

About:
These are the office suites I recommend. That means an office writer, slideshows, calculator, math, draw, ect. LibreOffice can be used for offline and Google Docs for online. There are too many out there to list, but these have a grammar checker or a plug in for it.

LibreOffice (https://www.libreoffice.org/download/libreoffice-fresh/): This is great for offline use! Not all of us want to use a browser.

Grammar checker plug in: Language Tool (http://extensions.libreoffice.org/extension-center/languagetool) (Make sure to have the correct Java version installed or you will get an error.)

Download the 8.3 GB d-gram data for complex grammar checking. You can load it in the Language Tool options: Here (http://languagetool.org/download/ngram-data/)

Google Docs (https://www.google.com/docs/about/): An excellent online service provided by Google.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Renkineko on June 27, 2016, 07:46:16 AM
About the outlines styles, don't know if the first one corresponds to it, but there is also mindmap (that's what this tool is used for : write down idea, main lines of something and add more details when need it).

An open source and free one is wisemapping (the french version is on framasoft, called framindmap, but it's based on the wisemapping installation :) ).

Not sure libre office is the best way to do this kind of things anyway. About the offline thing, there is softwares like MindMaple (don't know the licence) or freemind (GNU GPL).
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on June 28, 2016, 05:31:01 PM
QuoteAbout the outlines styles, don't know if the first one corresponds to it, but there is also mindmap (that's what this tool is used for : write down idea, main lines of something and add more details when need it).

An open source and free one is wisemapping (the french version is on framasoft, called framindmap, but it's based on the wisemapping installation :) ).

Not sure libre office is the best way to do this kind of things anyway. About the offline thing, there is softwares like MindMaple (don't know the licence) or freemind (GNU GPL).

There is not much difference between Microsoft Office Suite and LibreOffice Suite. LibreOffice is free though. I do not know why many people dislike it.

I like Wisemapping and MindMaple. I will add them to the list, but I find it faster to do this style of outlining on paper. (Unless the person has no paper or is an extreme environmental person.)
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Renkineko on June 29, 2016, 07:53:26 AM
I didn't make a comparison between the three offices (Microsoft, Open and Libre). For me, it's clearly Libreoffice the winner. I was just saying that for "outline", it can be more useful to have mind map than text editor. Because that's what mind maps are for :)

But I have a problem with people who does everything (and when I say everything, I mean EVERY GOD DAMN THING) with Office. Some clients I have sometime send me screenshot in pdf. Made with Office. So, they paste their screenshot on a Writer/Word document, and then convert it to pdf. But that's when I'm lucky. Sometimes, they take a PHOTOGRAPHY of their screen, and do the same thing (paste on a writer/word doc, then convert it to pdf). I hate this.

For me, each software as a purpose. Trying to hack this software to do something else, when specific tools are made for that, it's a nonsense. :)
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on June 29, 2016, 05:14:42 PM
QuoteI didn't make a comparison between the three offices (Microsoft, Open and Libre). For me, it's clearly Libreoffice the winner. I was just saying that for "outline", it can be more useful to have mind map than text editor. Because that's what mind maps are for :)

My mistake. I read that wrong.

QuoteBut I have a problem with people who does everything (and when I say everything, I mean EVERY GOD DAMN THING) with Office. Some clients I have sometime send me screenshot in pdf. Made with Office. So, they paste their screenshot on a Writer/Word document, and then convert it to pdf. But that's when I'm lucky. Sometimes, they take a PHOTOGRAPHY of their screen, and do the same thing (paste on a writer/word doc, then convert it to pdf). I hate this.

For me, each software as a purpose. Trying to hack this software to do something else, when specific tools are made for that, it's a nonsense.

Why would they do this?!?! They need to learn how to print screen and use a paint program to crop. Greenshot for Windows and Shutter for Linux would be even better. I use the pdf export in LibreOffice for quick back ups in case the document gets corrupted.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on June 30, 2016, 12:23:44 AM
Added:

Advanced Screen Capture Tools:
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on July 10, 2016, 09:45:16 AM
Lua Programming Help

Solarus:
You can learn the basics of Lua in the Solarus editor. There is a terminal that shows up when one play tests the game.

Android:
The best tool to use for learning the basics of Lua on android is an app called Lua Scripting (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nvreformat.luascripting). You can run lua scripts and there are example scripts that come with it. The print(variable) will not work unless it is Screen:Print(variable). That will be the only issue, but I tested it with a lot of my scripts and it works very well. No sound or image file display, but it has some basic draw features. You can create sprites with code if you are a masochist.

Another good app for android is a lua book called Learn Lua (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tdt.learnlua&hl=en). It can be used for quick lua reference or learning.

Ubuntu 12.04 precise Linux Lua installation:
Installing Lua on Linux: Here (http://kb.solarvps.com/ubuntu/how-to-install-lua-on-ubuntu/) or this one here (http://rasyid.net/2014/03/04/install-lua-on-linux-ubuntu/) for information on installing different versions on Ubuntu. I hear people are having trouble installing lua on later version after Ubuntu 12.04 precise.

Online Lua Compilers:
Tutorialpoint Online Lua Compiler: Here (http://www.tutorialspoint.com/execute_lua_online.php)
-Tutorialpoint compiler has many options on it.

Repl Lua Compiler: Here (https://repl.it/languages/Lua)
-A simpler online compiler for quick tests. It could be good for the learning process too.

Windows Installation:

I recommend just using ZeroBrane (https://studio.zerobrane.com/download?not-this-time)

I do not use Windows for programming because it is much easier on Linux, but here is what I could find on it.

Tutorialpoint has Windows and Mac installation instructions. Here (http://www.tutorialspoint.com/lua/lua_environment.htm)

Installing Lua on Windows: Here (http://www.thijsschreijer.nl/blog/?p=863) (You might want to check out the video on Luaforge instead.)

LuaForge for Windows: Here (http://luaforge.net/projects/luaforwindows/) and a video series (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEXdKgSoLak&list=PL91C5D87FAC3D0194&index=1) to help you with that.

IDE: (For Windows and Linux)

ZeroBrane (https://studio.zerobrane.com/download?not-this-time) is a good lightweight IDE

Books or PDF:

TutorialPoint  (http://www.tutorialspoint.com/lua/lua_overview.htm) is always be helpful with programming. Here is a offline book version (http://www.tutorialspoint.com/lua/lua_tutorial.pdf) of the lua Section. You can learn C++ and a bunch of other languages at tutorialpoint too, but only Lua is needed for Solarus. The PDF is free, but there is an option to buy it for $10.

Lua 5.1 Manual:
Lua Manual (http://www.lua.org/manual/5.1/manual.html)

Free Lua Book:
Lua Book (http://www.lua.org/pil/contents.html)

Basic Lua Tutorials:
A List of Lua tutorials (http://lua-users.org/wiki/TutorialDirectory)

Solarus French and English Series:
The new Solarus 1.5 tutorial series: Here (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzJ4jb-Y0ufxwkj7IlfURcvCxaDCSecJY)

This is an older French Tutorial series (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMN54k8-DjM&list=PLzJ4jb-Y0ufySXw9_E-hJzmzSh-PYCyG2&index=1). It might still be useful for programming, Solarus history, and finding out some things the English series  (http://www.solarus-games.org/development/tutorials/) does not mention.

For Solarus 1.4.5 I confirmed (Maybe for 1.5 too) that the following tutorials still work for the old French series.

Tutorial Create a game with Solarus - E25 Sprites
Tutorial Create a game with Solarus - E29 Fighting
Tutorial Create a game with Solarus - E30 Guard with sword
Tutorial Create a game with Solarus - E31 Guard that identifies the player
Tutorial Create a game with Solarus - E36 Blocks
Tutorial Create a game with Solarus - E37 Police A Link to the Past
Tutorial Create a game with Solarus - E38 System day-night fog
Tutorial Create a game with Solarus - E39 Reusable enemies
Tutorial Create a game with Solarus - E40 Separators
Tutorial Create a game with Solarus - E48 Crystal Switches
Tutorial Create a game with Solarus - E50 Kinematics move the hero
Tutorial Create a game with Solarus - E51 Kinematics move a NPC

Solarus documentation:
This is very useful and the first thing I did was read it all. You can find it online and a pdf version: Here (http://www.solarus-games.org/development/documentation/)

Solarus Game Source Code:
Here (http://www.solarus-games.org/development/source-code/.)
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on July 10, 2016, 07:45:55 PM
Added:

An article on programming video game gravity. Here (http://gamedev.stackexchange.com/questions/15708/how-can-i-implement-gravity)
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on August 08, 2016, 09:12:07 PM
Font (.ttf) to Bitmap and Glyph Dump

I found a easy to use python script and a GUI program for turning truetype (.ttf) in to bitmaps (png).

BMFont (http://www.angelcode.com/products/bmfont/) - This program allows someone to pick a font or scroll through already installed fonts and select what glyphs (letters) to turn into a bitmap. The user can change the font size and has a few output options. I believe it was designed to make bitmap fonts for video games.

ttf-to-pngs (https://github.com/lorem--ipsum/ttf-to-pngs) - A utility script to convert ttf symbol font to png images. That means you can export the letters to their own PNG file. For instance, 'A' will have its own png, 'B' will have its own png, ect. You get the point. There will need to be adjustments to positions and other Unicode added because it was meant for a picture based font, but I added a modded version with bash scripts for Linux users. Windows users will have to install WSL (https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/commandline/wsl/faq) to use Bash scripts. Remember to give it permission to execute. I never used WSL.

You need to open the tff_to_pngs.py and edit the positions.

#!/usr/bin/env python

import CSV
import ImageFont, Image, ImageDraw
import os
import sys
from optparse import OptionParser


def get_size(character, font):
    size = font.getsize(character)
   
    return (16, 16)


def draw_image(character, font):
    size = get_size(character, font)
   
    image = Image.new("RGBA", size, (255,255,255,0))
   
    dark_grey = (71, 72, 80)
    yellow = (222, 129, 49)
   
    ImageDraw.Draw(image).text((1, -3), character, font=font, fill=dark_grey)
   
    return image
   


Positions and dimention:
return (16, 16)

ImageDraw.Draw(image).text((1, -3)

Color:

image = Image.new("RGBA", size, (255,255,255,0))


dark_grey = (71, 72, 80)
yellow = (222, 129, 49)


Size:
Change the default or use "-s ."


parser.add_option('-s', '--size', dest='size', default=20, type='int',
                        help='the font size'


Alternative Download:
ttf-to-pngs-master_mod (https://mega.nz/#!jJdmiAxB!TuommTV37cIDw0SlcNBcaDoD7t0LH3CgZIJY6HUt7tg)
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on September 07, 2016, 08:09:28 AM
Added:

-I added some script updates and links to interesting topics.

-Solarus Help Guide posts are backed up
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on September 08, 2016, 04:56:29 AM
Added:

Font to png script mod. I added all the basic Unicode and bash scripts to make execution a bit easier. You can download the mod on this post (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.msg3757.html#msg3757). I will update it soon, but you need to open the tff_to_pngs.py and edit the positions.

#!/usr/bin/env python

import CSV
import ImageFont, Image, ImageDraw
import os
import sys
from optparse import OptionParser


def get_size(character, font):
    size = font.getsize(character)
   
    return (16, 16)


def draw_image(character, font):
    size = get_size(character, font)
   
    image = Image.new("RGBA", size, (255,255,255,0))
   
    dark_grey = (71, 72, 80)
    yellow = (222, 129, 49)
   
    ImageDraw.Draw(image).text((1, -3), character, font=font, fill=dark_grey)
   
    return image
   


Positions and dimention:
return (16, 16)

ImageDraw.Draw(image).text((1, -3)

Color:

image = Image.new("RGBA", size, (255,255,255,0))


dark_grey = (71, 72, 80)
yellow = (222, 129, 49)


Size:
Change the default or use "-s ."


parser.add_option('-s', '--size', dest='size', default=20, type='int',
                        help='the font size'
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on September 08, 2016, 11:10:53 AM
Update:

Fixed the ttf to png mod script and added size details. Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.msg3757.html#msg3757)

I am going to try to tweak it some more, but I will never be able to make it perfect for all font sizes.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on September 26, 2016, 08:31:24 AM
Added:

Android:
The best tool to use for learning the basics of Lua on android is an app called Lua Scripting (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nvreformat.luascripting). You can run lua scripts and there are example scripts that come with it. The print(variable) will not work unless it is Screen:Print(variable). That will be the only issue, but I tested it with a lot of my scripts and it works very well. No sound or image file display, but it has some basic draw features. You can create sprites with code if you are a masochist.

Another good app for android is a lua book called Learn Lua (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tdt.learnlua&hl=en). It can be used for quick lua reference or learning.


Full post: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.msg3495.html#msg3495)
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on October 11, 2016, 04:46:27 AM
Update:

New version:
Platformer or Side Scrolling functionality by wrightmat! New fully working version with ladder functionality for Solarus 1.5: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,297.msg4237.html#msg4237)

(https://media.giphy.com/media/l0HlBNX6tlVUZn7Bm/giphy.gif)

Old version:
Old version of Platformer or Side Scrolling functionality by wrightmat! Here  (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,297.0.html)and Zutokaza's test (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,428.0.html)  - As I can see there are bugs to work out because of new updates to the Solarus Engine probably.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on October 25, 2016, 01:06:53 PM
Update:
It has been quite some time since I mentioned updates on the guide. Quite a few things have been added. For instance, a list of good games to study and some script example links.

EX:

ARPG 2D Games good for studying:

-The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
-The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords
-Zelda ARPG games: Wiki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda#Reception_and_legacy)
-Secret of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 2)
-Seiken Densetsu 3
-Sword of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 5)
-Children of Mana (Seiken Densetsu 6)
-Boktai
-Alundra
-Soul Blazer
-Illusion of Gaia
-Terranigma
-Shining Soul II
-Juka and The Monophonic Menace
-Secret of Evermore
-Yu Yu Hakusho - Ghostfiles - Spirit Detectiv

EX:

Some scripts:

Grab char in a string: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,770.msg4296.html#msg4296)

Clicking the screen with your mouse: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,783.msg4295.html#msg4295)

Get mouse coordinates and click an image around the screen: here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,783.msg4310.html#msg4310)

Dragging an image with the mouse cursor: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,783.msg4311.html#msg4311)
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on October 27, 2016, 07:43:14 AM
Update:

Added:

C++ SDL 2.0 and QT Creator: Here (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php?topic=790.msg4319#msg4319)
Want to help program for Solarus and fix bugs? This would be a good place to start. Once you begin, fork Solarus and do a pull request once you made your changes on GitHub. Scroll down to GitHub on this post if you have no clue what I just typed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And in the GitHub section I added:

Pull requests: Here (https://help.github.com/articles/about-pull-requests/)

Fork: Here (https://help.github.com/articles/fork-a-repo/)

Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on January 18, 2017, 07:53:02 AM
Added:

LPC Character Sprite Generator: Here (http://gaurav.munjal.us/Universal-LPC-Spritesheet-Character-Generator/#?sex=female&body=darkelf)
Title: Spritesheet editors
Post by: Zefk on January 27, 2017, 06:20:15 AM
darkFunction Editor (http://darkfunction.com/editor/): This is a Spritesheet packer and animator. It is one of my favorite, but I think it needs more spacing options and the ability to cut up a spritesheet.

-Packs Sprites
-Animates sprites
-Has cool color options
-You can just click the sprite to highlight it

(http://darkfunction.com/images/screenshot2thumb.png)

Napoleon's Simple Sprite Editor (https://sourceforge.net/projects/simplespriteedi/): A sprite editor with quite a bit of options.

- Merge sprites
- Cut sprites
- Preview animations
- Preview tiling on a map (Tiling Test tab)
- Create flashing spritesheets from regular images
- Spacing options

(https://a.fsdn.com/con/app/proj/simplespriteedi/screenshots/315551.jpg/1)

Cosaneitor's SpriteCutter (https://sourceforge.net/projects/spritecutter/?source=recommended): Tool to help the process of cutting sprites. I have not tried this one, but it looks nice!

-Cut several images with the same size.
-Get all together in a new image ready to use as a sprite.
-It has tools to auto-cut and animation tester.

(https://s23.postimg.org/q9u8hkad7/Sprite_Cutter_001.png)

Sprite Decomposer (http://www.creacore.be/blog/2011/06/sprite-decomposer-2/): French members will like this site. The site is in french! The program is in English too.

-Cutting grid
-Cutting rectangular
-Auto cutting

(http://www.creacore.be/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Capture-d%E2%80%99%C3%A9cran-2011-06-05-%C3%A0-02.25.45.png)

Spaceship Generator || PartArt: Space (https://sourceforge.net/projects/partartspace/?source=recommended): This sprite editor is good for making spaceships.

-Save projects online
-Make PNG sprites for games
-Scale
-Rotate
-Position
-Depth
-Symmetric and asymmetric adjustments

(https://s27.postimg.org/c9z045nhf/Screenshot_from_2017_01_26_20_41_52.png)

Power Sprite Editor (https://sourceforge.net/projects/psefx/?source=directory): I really like this one. The way it detects overlapping and automatic pixel detection. This is similar to darkFunction editor. This is a sprite split and rejoin program though. I think it could use more options though.

-Split and Rejoin sprite sheets

(https://a.fsdn.com/con/app/proj/psefx/screenshots/PSE.png/1)

Chase's Sprite Cutter (http://csdgn.org/projects/sprite-cutter):

-Cuts spritesheets into individual sprite images.

(http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/280/9/5/gui2_by_chase_san-d5h4z95.png)

Sprite Creator 3 VX and XP (https://www.mediafire.com/folder/8348p3kmtbazs/Sprite_Creator_3): Understand that the RPG Maker graphics cannot be trusted in these generators. You can use your own art. Funny how Mack's Sprite base got in there. That is not Enterbrain.

Video for adding your own graphics (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JdVfyoFPBQ)
Sprite Creator 3 - Remove all built in images. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V91Ljthi7g0)

(http://opengameart.org/sites/default/files/forum-attachments/New%20Layout.png)
(http://opengameart.org/sites/default/files/forum-attachments/Sprite%20Creator%203%20XP%20new.png)

Mohamed Asfour Cut Sprites (http://masfour.com/Cut%20Sprites.exe): This software can select all sprite locations automatically and cut them into separate images.

Video demonstration  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vHS-5oTuP8)

(https://s28.postimg.org/6224b6h6l/Screenshot_from_2017_01_27_15_55_05.png)

Spricer v0.2: (http://dukertcm.com/knowledge-base/downloads-rtcm/duke3d-tools-editart/Spricer.zip) This is like a more advanced version of Hohamed Asfour's cut Sprites. This software can select all sprite locations automatically and cut them into separate images. It has a few more options.

(http://i.imgur.com/nwUX9v3.png)

Spricer Beta v8-21-2012 (http://dukertcm.com/knowledge-base/downloads-rtcm/duke3d-tools-editart/SpricerBETA.rar) Similar to Spricer 0.2, but with more features.

Video demonstration (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz28lOTalMs&feature=plcp)

(https://s29.postimg.org/lkp7xnuo7/Screenshot_from_2017_01_27_16_07_49.png)

Alferd Spritesheet Unpacker: (https://github.com/ForkandBeard/Alferd-Spritesheet-Unpacker/releases) This is another sprite cutter like Spricer.

Walkthrough and video
(http://www.alferdspritesheetunpacker.forkandbeard.co.uk/forkandBeard/apps/AlferdSpritesheetUnpacker/Screenshots.aspx)
(http://www.alferdspritesheetunpacker.forkandbeard.co.uk/forkandBeard/apps/AlferdSpritesheetUnpacker/images/ryu.png)

dcarlile's Sprite Sheet Creator (http://crappycoding.com/files/SpriteSheetCreator_20090912_102.zip): This is a packer software for making spritesheets.

Website (http://crappycoding.com/2009/08/sprite-sheet-creator/)

(http://crappycoding.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/SpriteSheetCreator.jpg)

amakaseev's Sprite Sheet Packer: (https://github.com/amakaseev/sprite-sheet-packer/releases) This is a basic spritesheet packer.

Website (https://github.com/amakaseev/sprite-sheet-packer)

-Support multiple screen resolutions
-Pack multiple sprite sheets at once
-Trimming / Cropping (Save space by removing transparency)
-Include GUI and command-line interface.

(https://raw.githubusercontent.com/amakaseev/sprite-sheet-packer/gh-pages/screens/main.png)
Title: Update: Spritesheet Editors
Post by: Zefk on January 28, 2017, 12:51:10 AM
Update:
I updated this post: spritesheet editors (http://forum.solarus-games.org/index.php/topic,611.msg4877.html#msg4877)

Added:
-Mohamed Asfour Cut Sprites
-Spricer v0.2
-Spricer Beta v8-21-2012
-Alferd Spritesheet Unpacker
-dcarlile's Sprite Sheet Creator
-amakaseev's Sprite Sheet Packer
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: MetalZelda on January 28, 2017, 03:54:50 AM
The spritesheet unpacker is really handy, thank yu for sharing it !
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: Zefk on January 28, 2017, 04:12:18 AM
Quote from: MetalZelda on January 28, 2017, 03:54:50 AM
The spritesheet unpacker is really handy, thank yu for sharing it !

You're welcome! Some of these free software were difficult to find. Spricer Beta was almost impossible to locate. It is sad that great tools like these are either dead or no where to be found.
Title: Re: The Solarus Resource Help Project
Post by: oclero on April 16, 2020, 02:32:15 PM
I've created an awesome-solarus list, as the famous 'awesome' lists (https://github.com/sindresorhus/awesome) (You can find 'awesome' lists about every existing topic related to programming).

Here it is: https://gitlab.com/solarus-games/awesome-solarus

You can add resources, scripts and projects, if they're complete or near completion, and ready to be use for people who want to make a Solarus quest. I think lots of what is indexed in this topic could go to this list.

Once the Solarus awesome list is sufficiently long, I will add it to some related lists like: awesome-lua, awesome-gamedev, etc. to help Solarus visibility and popularity.