Comments on: TileMap Class – DONE

By: gintasdx

gintasdx — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:03:28 +0000

I wonder how to use those simple array [mapx][mapy] maps like layers? I mean one array could easily draw a rocks,grass and roads and other array solid objects like buildings,rocks. Something like in RPG games.

By: mike

mike — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:07:09 +0000

Hi geminEyeTwin

Yes, TileD does support this kind of information. Rather than assigning properties to a tile which is not possbile, you create an object group layer. Within this group you can then add objects that are pixel based in location not tile based and can also support any number of user defined properties.

In the version of TileD for the tutorials I did not implement the code to parse object layers in the tiled file, but I have added that code to the version of TileD for my book.

The TileD editor is not great at handling objects and so it is common to add and edit objects in the XML rather than through the GUI. A new QT based version of TileD is being written at the moment which is much nicer and handles object groups and objects in a much cleaner way.

Mike

By: gemInEyeTwin

gemInEyeTwin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:03:15 +0000

Hello Mike,

Do you know if Tiled supports user defined tile properties?

I liked the multiple layers, but did not see where I could define properties such as animation to play here, sound to play here, object to appear, etc.

Thanks

By: mike

mike — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 08:59:28 +0000

Hi Chris

To be honest I’m using all sorts of sources to get my info. Some is experience as I’ve been developing software since I was 13 and was writing stuff in Basic on the Sinclair Spectrum 48k :D

My job has moved away from developing software full time although I do still have to get my hands dirty from time to time. All my recent experience has been with Java and that is where the OO side of things has been learnt. As for Objective-C, I’ve only used one book called Cocoa Programming for Max OS X which is a good book.

For the iPhone I’ve just used everything I can find on the Apple website, their examples and as many web sites I can find. I need to put links to some of these sites on the blog which I will get done at some point :)

Some sites I’ve found helpful are:

http://iphonedevelopment.blogspot.com/

http://www.idevgames.com/forum.....y.php?f=66

http://books.google.co.uk/book.....er#PPP1,M1

http://nehe.gamedev.net/

http://www.anotherearlymorning.....-response/

Check these out and I’ll get all my links I use posted up to the blog asap. Hope this helps.

Mike

By: chris

chris — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 06:53:11 +0000

Mike, I’m finding your tutorials excellent and was wondering where your getting all your info from, experience ? , or are there specific books, articles or sites your reading? If you could share these it would great. I know there are loads of books but some recommendations would really help speed up the process

By: mike

mike — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:23:33 +0000

HI Kenson

Yes, I’ve seen Cocos2D and had a look through the code base as well. It looks good with some great ideas and concepts on how to get things done. It could end up being something I use, but while I’m learning Obj-C and OpenGL I find that writing my own code really helps that process. I’m a sucker for wanting to know how things work under the hood before I start using them :)

Mike

By: Kenson

Kenson — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:51:17 +0000

Have you guys ever tried cocos2d? It appears to be an open source game engine that is designed for 2D based games. I think they have some tilemapping class but I’ve never used it before, so not sure if it is any good.

By: Eskema

Eskema — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:21:55 +0000

mappy only works in windows, or linux through wine, i usually do the map work on my laptop with linux ;)
mappy supports multiple layers, but only one tilesheet, of course you can define properties for the tiles. But i use another approach to define tiles properties, im gonna clean a bit my level class and comment it for you

By: mike

mike — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:43:22 +0000

I’m always interested in seeing other peoples approach to things :) so if you can share that would be great.

From what you have described, does Mappy support things like user defined tile properties, multiple tile sets and multiple layers? They are the kinds of things I normally use.

Do you know if there is a Java version I could run under OS X?

If you want to send me something via email its mike@blog_domain_name.co.uk

Cheers

Mike

By: Eskema

Eskema — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:30:44 +0000

Actually i use mappy in all my projects, so iphone included ;) .With mappy there are various options, the native format .fmp, the .map format and export as array. I test the native format and find very slow to use in a mobile platform (before iphone i was making games in PSP), so i decided use the speed option, array format. All the maps are exported in array 2d, so like this: int map1[MAPX][MAPY];
Of course with this simplicity you can use the array and create a class to give the values you want to the tiles, you know, doors, water, etc,etc.
Basically you have an array, and do a simple double for to see what number its in the array, and draw the tile associated to this number.
Of course mappy do this number association for you, when you start a project and import the tilesheet, mappy assign each tile image with one position number. So its easy render into screen, and the speed its fantastic :)
If you want i can share my “level” class so you can see how i use the maps, its really easy :)