Q & A 291-300

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( Balmung Zero ) Q291: Can you make the camera switch from the player to a npc at another map without the player warping too?

( Topaz ) A291: Greets BZ: I don't think so .. This is one of the problems with the Shadow command. It can't be easily fixed because the code is far too complex for me at this point to be tampered with, and it would introduce new errors in existing worlds already. This is one of the main reasons I am working towards as it will fix many of these camera/mapper problems. For now, you can control the camera solely and SHADOW to a new position understanding that you must SHADOW back to the player when complete, or it will jump back which may not look very good. Hope This Helps !

( Creepy Dead Guy ) Q292: How about XBasic? I forgot the url. Sorry! Or Rapid-Q? You can search for them at google. You can try XBasic. It's free, and I think it's 32-bit. I'm not sure. There's also Rapid-Q. You can find them by searching at Google.com or your favorite search engine!

( Topaz ) A292: Hi CDG: I just tried out XBasic. It's really odd .. It seems no one wants or is willing to make an IDE that is at least comperable to GFABasic. That is what is really important to me, is the Integrated Development Environment. I chose to program in GFA for several reasons, but one of which is because it has a superb IDE, the finest I've seen anywhere and that's saying quite a bit considering all the programming languages I've looked over and reviewed. It's still GFA for now until something better comes along and surprisingly enough even in 2003, nothing has yet. . . . Regarding Rapid-Q, well that is one nice programming language I've known now for about a year, but the IDE which better than most still doesn't measure up to GFA. And I know the author of Rapid-Q as well; we go way back. Look for GFABasic being a downloadable program with source code examples of mine sometime in October, so everyone can get a chance to see a really easy-to-use programming language. Hope This Helps !

( Dorothy ) Q293: How is the DarkEngine you have been developing ?

( Topaz ) A293: Greets Dorothy: DarkEngine ? None that I know of. I've been working on , , and I.F. but not any program like a DarkEngine. There was DarkBasic I was dabbling in earlier but it proved to be too slow for rapid debugging. Hope This Helps !

( Sayanoran Avon ) Q294: I have 2 Q's for you today! I wrote them down this time, so no need to worry about me ranting off-subject! hehehe. (a) I want to make a custom inn that takes out so much GP (gold pieces). How do I make a 'you're broke' and 'you're health is fine' flag? I've ran it a few times, only to have my hero keep being rehealed, and the gp in the negatives! It actually comes up -(numeral)! (b) I love my old rusty version of scen010103, and don't want to get rid of it! (not for this game I'm writing, but my later ones, ya), so how can I make a defeated check for my hero without dying in battle? (I don't have too many savepoints between battles, and my other tester was tearing out his hair because of that. My saves are in key locations). This defeated check will have him back in the last inn he was in, minus some money (the evil guy jacked him up, you think?) How do I write this in? Long winded, yes? But only two? Gotcha! Well, that's all I have in my lint-lined pockets! Until next time! Zoom!

( Topaz ) A294: Hi Spinner ! (a) Since this question is one that could apply to several world files, Your answer is stored at 01:57/26. Click to download the world Answers which has your new room in it ! (b) You can create a boss combat and select the label for LOST BATTLE which could then use a WARP ARROW to warp to an Inn. Hope This Helps !

( Creepy Dead Guy ) Q295: How about Profan2? www.profan2.com. Or Liberty Basic? www.libertybasic.com. An finally, how about Envelop Basic? http://pages.cthome.net/xx/e.htm. All these languages are Basic and 32-Bit. Hope this helps!

( Topaz ) A295: Hi CDG: I just tried out Profan2 and once again, a poor IDS. I just tried out EnvelopBASIC and although it features a decent IDS, it is clumsy to use, and lacks many features that GFABasic already has by default. To satisfy yours (and everyone else's) curiousity, I have enclosed a copy of GFABasic that you can download by clicking . I have included the advanced help with it and this is a patched version that exceeds the 1000 default line limit. If you make something interesting in it, please let me know, and I will open up a GFABasic Station where you and others can upload yours and download others' creations. I have also added Crystal Waves, one of the first programs I wrote effectively in GFABasic to get you started. NOTE: Because GFABASIC was originally designed for windows, using the default compiler, you will not be able to make any executables that run correctly in Windows XP. This is a limitation of Windows XP, and not of GFABasic. I am getting to run in it because I purchased a specialized compiler from Germany which cost me 125 American dollars converted to Deutsche Marks. You should use FILE MERGE and FILE WRITE to load/save files as saving in the *.GFW format will corrupt your entire program if one byte is out of place. As a general rule, I save in both formats each time. . Hope This Helps !

( Magickat ) IF Maker is neat! I've been tinkering on it and made some sample games. I'm used to the weird code (ampersand for midi? whew!), so now I want to make tons of games for it (OK, not tons, but some). I just love it!!! I'm so old skool :) Q296: Do you have an updated version of IF Maker? I really need those GOSUB/RETURNS. Making extra rooms is a pain (sob).

( Topaz ) A296: Hi Magickat: -Heh- Glad you like I.F. It's not as polished as but for a room-based RPGMaker, it does seem to get the job done. The "&" (ampersand) was chosen for MIDI as it resembles closest to me a G Clef. The other commands were chosen based on their visual appearance and usage. Since there are no Sprite Messenger icons, I had to come up with some other scheme. Regarding an updated version, yes, there is, and it includes GOSUB / RETURN commands. Use ">" for GOSUB/GOTO and "<" for RETURN. You cannot nest your gosubs so don't have one call another or it won't know where to return to. Other than that, it should work well. Click to download the latest engine of I.F. Hope This Helps !

( Jed ) Hi, Topaz. I thought it was time I introduced myself its just I don't have access to the net at home.(yet) Scenario has provided access to parts of my own imagination. The world of fantasy is truly unique. Q297: When I move a NPC right one square(for example) then move something else, how do I move the original NPC again from its new position. I have already succeeded by creating a hidden NPC and 'switching' the original off, new on- does that make sense. This way I can control the 'shadow'. Still, is there a better way? Thanks.

( Topaz ) A297: Greets Jed: Building worlds in can be tricky at best times and other times very difficult when you make use of the elusive shadow command. There is a working example of moving multiple Sprites here in SuziQ, the SAMPLE game included with the system: 03:06/22 From here, talk to the Sprite to the left of you and watch as the Sprite Messenger interacts and animates all 3. The shadow command does not work 100% properly unless you "tweak" it to, and that takes timing, and sometimes additional commands or pages. This is all I can offer you. Hope This Helps !

( Balmung Zero ) Q298: Can scenario change the map to a monochrome look?

( Topaz ) A298: Hi BZ: No, and yes, it should .. Look for that to appear in the next engine release. It's a good suggestion, but note that turning the screen to B&W is a tedious effect so it will be done slowly where it can be seen changing. Because it is just an effect, it vanishes once the Sprite Messenger message is complete. Hope This Helps !

( Lios / MetaLiosX ) Q299: If I press a button too long while playing a game in Scenario, it will slow down greatly, even with Rappid Rabbit. If I press a button too long or much, Scenario slows down greatly. How do I fix this(aside from not pressing a button too much. I'mm too used to doing that!) How can I fix this? I find Scenario as a really neat program. Keep up the good work!

( Topaz ) A299: Greets Lios: I have heard of this occuring before. I believe it is caused by playing music (and this library is JUST about ready to be updated to Mp3), or if not, I can write a routine that does not wait for a NULL keystroke .. I will have to experiment with it .. Unfortunately the error is not occuring here, of course, this computer is 2.0ghz and I have no idea how slow is running on a different computer. Please let me know if the version after this current one of 03-1008 (not yet posted) runs any better. Hope This Helps !

( BalmungZero ) Q300: Can you make the monster change appearance after it's Hp falls down to a certain point? Ex. Monster's Hp becomes 1/10 of it's max HP, then changes appearance into Monster2.

( Topaz ) A300: Hi BZ: You certainly have some good ideas ! Unfortunately this would encourage others to have two separate images for all bosses, and most of the time that is just not possible with the current Add-Ons I've prepared. It would also require me to write a fair bit of new code in the Sprite Messenger. I'm using a single array to keep tabs on the critter and introducing a new image would require further arguments and in some cases invalidate current boss definitions already in place. However, I have seen multiple boss images done in RPGs and it really does add to the game. I'll have this written and planned for which I've been coding for about a week now. Up to two additional images can be selected for bosses then, with optional music change as well. Hope This Helps !

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