Questions regarding a 2D tile map editor!

Author

Message

Yodaman Jer

User Banned

Posted: 25th Jul 2015 03:29 Edited at: 25th Jul 2015 03:30

OK, this is something that I *know* I should know by now, but honestly it has been so long since I've programmed everything from scratch I'm having a hard time remembering how to do these basic things.

I want to create a tile map editor for my game, and I know the best way to store map data is an array. My problem is... I can't quite work out how to do that! And nay tutorials I google for some reason skip over this part and automatically use something like Tiled, which is a great idea but I want to make my own system.

Can someone help point me in the right direction please? Just give me some ideas and maybe an example or two? I know I figured this out ages ago in DBP but I can't remember how I did it.

Thanks y'all!

EDIT: Specifically, I'm wondering HOW I would store a tile that was just created in that array. And should the array be predefined or can I make it an expandable list? Just curious!

Official Forum President from June 20th, 2015 - June 20th, 2016 (when my successor is elected, whomever that may be!).

Back to top

Profile

MrValentine

AGK Backer

13

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 5th Dec 2010

Playing: FFVII

Posted: 25th Jul 2015 23:59

Link

I don't know if AppGameKit supports Token Keys, but you could just throw everything into an array cell and use a token key to separate each value?

Yup I do have a headache right now...

Back to top

Profile PM

Yodaman Jer

User Banned

Posted: 26th Jul 2015 00:09

Link

I will copy my post from another thread here to make it a bit clearer as to what I'm trying to achieve.

I am wondering how I would store 2D map data in an array. It seems the most common thing to do in this type of situation is to make the array two dimensional, so that one array focuses on the vertical lines and the other the horizontal. So, how I would I store data in that?

I know in general, it seems to be something like...

+ Code Snippet

for y = 0 to arrayLength
    for x = 0 to arrayLength
        // If the user has clicked in the grid, create a tile
        CreateSprite(0)
        SetSpritePosition(gridX, gridY)
    next x
next y

That part seems fairly simple, at least creating the tile, but HOW do I store it in those two indices?

@MrV:

I could do something like that, you mean something similar to a UDT and just use one indice to store the data? That would be a huge variable haha

Official Forum President from June 20th, 2015 - June 20th, 2016 (when my successor is elected, whomever that may be!).

Back to top

Profile

Clonkex

Forum Vice President

14

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 20th May 2010

Location: Northern Tablelands, NSW, Australia

Posted: 26th Jul 2015 03:28

Link

Not sure if it's any help but http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=114323&b=2&msg=2565566#m2565566

Placement Editor Professional -- Code Line Counter -- Tiled TMX Map Loader 2.0
Open Bezier Curve Library -- Image Tools -- MarbleX GUI Library -- NeoParticle -- Simple Serial

Back to top

Profile PM Email

Yodaman Jer

User Banned

Posted: 26th Jul 2015 05:07

Link

Pretty sure I solved this one (with all the advice I got in the Posting Competition as well as some of my own Googling and finally remembering how I did a few things

).

Basically, this is what I have:

` Project: Jack Rabbit Map Editor 
` Created: 2015-07-25

` Include us some AGC files!
#Include "constants.agc"

` Set up a test

Type thisTest
	tileID as Integer
	tileX as float
	tileY as float
	tileName as String
EndType

#constant width = 8
#constant height = 12

map as thisTest[width,height]

lastPosX as float
lastPosY as float
click as integer

itemCount = 0

` Main Loop
do
    
    ` When the user clicks...
	If GetPointerReleased() = 1
		lastPosX = GetPointerX() ` Get the x position
		lastPosY = GetPointerY() ` Get the y position
		click = 1
	EndIf

` If click is true then loop through the array
	` Loop through the array to find a clean slot to store our new tiles in
	If click = 1
		for x = 0 to width-1
			for y = 0 to height-1
				` Create the sprite
				map[x,y].tileID = CreateSprite(0)
				SetSpriteSize(map[x,y].tileID, 32, 32)
				SetSpritePosition(map[x,y].tileID, GridSnap(lastPosX, 32), GridSnap(lastPosY, 32))
				map[x,y].tileX = lastPosX
				map[x,y].tileY = lastPosY
				
				` Reset click to 0
				click = 0
			next y
		next x
		itemCount = itemCount + 1
	Endif

Print( itemCount )
    Sync()
loop

Function GridSnap(value, gridSize)
	local result
	result = value/gridSize
	result = result*gridSize
EndFunction result

+ Code Snippet

` Project: Jack Rabbit Map Editor 
` Created: 2015-07-25

` Include us some AGC files!
#Include "constants.agc"

` Set up a test

Type thisTest
	tileID as Integer
	tileX as float
	tileY as float
	tileName as String
EndType

#constant width = 8
#constant height = 12

map as thisTest[width,height]

lastPosX as float
lastPosY as float
click as integer

itemCount = 0

` Main Loop
do
    
    ` When the user clicks...
	If GetPointerReleased() = 1
		lastPosX = GetPointerX() ` Get the x position
		lastPosY = GetPointerY() ` Get the y position
		click = 1
	EndIf

	` If click is true then loop through the array
	` Loop through the array to find a clean slot to store our new tiles in
	If click = 1
		for x = 0 to width-1
			for y = 0 to height-1
				` Create the sprite
				map[x,y].tileID = CreateSprite(0)
				SetSpriteSize(map[x,y].tileID, 32, 32)
				SetSpritePosition(map[x,y].tileID, GridSnap(lastPosX, 32), GridSnap(lastPosY, 32))
				map[x,y].tileX = lastPosX
				map[x,y].tileY = lastPosY
				
				` Reset click to 0
				click = 0
			next y
		next x
		itemCount = itemCount + 1
	Endif

    Print( itemCount )
    Sync()
loop


Function GridSnap(value, gridSize)
	local result
	result = value/gridSize
	result = result*gridSize
EndFunction result

This is pretty much exactly what I wanted! Now it should be easy to store level data

However! There are still a few questions I have.

What is the best way to determine if a tile already exists in a grid space so that you can't create a new tile there until you delete the previous one? Should I use some kind of collision detection system, or is there another more elegant way? Ideas are appreciated!

Official Forum President from June 20th, 2015 - June 20th, 2016 (when my successor is elected, whomever that may be!).

Back to top

Profile

MrValentine

AGK Backer

13

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 5th Dec 2010

Playing: FFVII

Posted: 26th Jul 2015 05:20

Link

I mentioned it in the PConp already... Dirty...

Back to top

Profile PM

Yodaman Jer

User Banned

Posted: 26th Jul 2015 05:35

Link

Ah what a clever clue!

A flag variable is an idea I thought of as well, however it doesn't seem to work :/ Here's what I tried:

` Project: Jack Rabbit Map Editor 
` Created: 2015-07-25

` Include us some AGC files!
#Include "constants.agc"

` Set up a test

Type thisTest
	inUse as integer
	tileID as Integer
	tileX as float
	tileY as float
	tileName as String
EndType

#constant width = 32
#constant height = 8

map as thisTest[width,height]

lastPosX as float
lastPosY as float
click as integer

itemCount = 0

` Main Loop
do
    
    ` When the user clicks...
	If GetPointerReleased() = 1
		lastPosX = GetPointerX() ` Get the x position
		lastPosY = GetPointerY() ` Get the y position
		click = 1
	EndIf

` If click is true then loop through the array
	` Loop through the array to find a clean slot to store our new tiles in
	If click = 1
		for x = 0 to width-1
			for y = 0 to height-1
				` Create the sprite
				If map[x,y].inUse = 0 and click = 1
					` set the flag to in use
					map[x,y].inUse = 1
					
					map[x,y].tileID = CreateSprite(0)
					SetSpriteSize(map[x,y].tileID, 32, 32)
					SetSpritePosition(map[x,y].tileID, GridSnap(lastPosX, 32), GridSnap(lastPosY, 32))
					map[x,y].tileX = lastPosX
					map[x,y].tileY = lastPosY
					
					` Reset click to 0
					click = 0
				EndIf
			next y
		next x
		itemCount = itemCount + 1
	Endif

Print( itemCount )
    Sync()
loop

Function GridSnap(value, gridSize)
	local result
	result = value/gridSize
	result = result*gridSize
EndFunction result

+ Code Snippet

` Project: Jack Rabbit Map Editor 
` Created: 2015-07-25

` Include us some AGC files!
#Include "constants.agc"

` Set up a test

Type thisTest
	inUse as integer
	tileID as Integer
	tileX as float
	tileY as float
	tileName as String
EndType

#constant width = 32
#constant height = 8

map as thisTest[width,height]

lastPosX as float
lastPosY as float
click as integer

itemCount = 0

` Main Loop
do
    
    ` When the user clicks...
	If GetPointerReleased() = 1
		lastPosX = GetPointerX() ` Get the x position
		lastPosY = GetPointerY() ` Get the y position
		click = 1
	EndIf

	` If click is true then loop through the array
	` Loop through the array to find a clean slot to store our new tiles in
	If click = 1
		for x = 0 to width-1
			for y = 0 to height-1
				` Create the sprite
				If map[x,y].inUse = 0 and click = 1
					` set the flag to in use
					map[x,y].inUse = 1
					
					map[x,y].tileID = CreateSprite(0)
					SetSpriteSize(map[x,y].tileID, 32, 32)
					SetSpritePosition(map[x,y].tileID, GridSnap(lastPosX, 32), GridSnap(lastPosY, 32))
					map[x,y].tileX = lastPosX
					map[x,y].tileY = lastPosY
					
					` Reset click to 0
					click = 0
				EndIf
			next y
		next x
		itemCount = itemCount + 1
	Endif

    Print( itemCount )
    Sync()
loop


Function GridSnap(value, gridSize)
	local result
	result = value/gridSize
	result = result*gridSize
EndFunction result

Official Forum President from June 20th, 2015 - June 20th, 2016 (when my successor is elected, whomever that may be!).

Back to top

Profile

MrValentine

AGK Backer

13

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 5th Dec 2010

Playing: FFVII

Posted: 26th Jul 2015 06:40

Link

Why are you using an integer for a bool? Or are you using states/types on it? (InUse)

Back to top

Profile PM

Clonkex

Forum Vice President

14

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 20th May 2010

Location: Northern Tablelands, NSW, Australia

Posted: 26th Jul 2015 06:59 Edited at: 26th Jul 2015 07:00

Link

With tile maps I would be simply recording whether there's a tile there in the data, like so:

+ Code Snippet

Type thisTest
        exist as integer
	inUse as integer
	tileID as Integer
	tileX as float
	tileY as float
	tileName as String
EndType

Usually in these cases I just set the variable recording the sprite's number to -1 if the tile hasn't been used yet. If for some reason that's not viable, I just include an "exist" variable like the above code.

EDIT:

Quote: "Why are you using an integer for a bool? Or are you using states/types on it? (InUse)"

AFAIK AppGameKit uses integers internally for bools anyway and therefore there's no reason to use them. Or it doesn't support them. Can't remember. I think DBPro at least used ints internally instead of real bools.

Placement Editor Professional -- Code Line Counter -- Tiled TMX Map Loader 2.0
Open Bezier Curve Library -- Image Tools -- MarbleX GUI Library -- NeoParticle -- Simple Serial

Back to top

Profile PM Email

Yodaman Jer

User Banned

Posted: 26th Jul 2015 16:11

Link

@MrV:

Eventually my integers will be replaced with constants I've declared. I just haven't gotten around to it.

I believe Clonkex is correct about AppGameKit using ints internally and so it doesn't support proper bools.

I tried using the exist flag, and I think I'm getting closer! But now after I create the first tile nothing happens.

Code:

` Project: Jack Rabbit Map Editor 
` Created: 2015-07-25

` Include us some AGC files!
#Include "constants.agc"

SetVirtualResolution(1024, 768)

` Set up a test

Type thisTest
	exist as integer
	inUse as integer
	tileID as Integer
	tileX as float
	tileY as float
	tileName as String
EndType

#constant width = 32
#constant height = 8

map as thisTest[width,height]

lastPosX as float
lastPosY as float
click as integer

itemCount = 0

` Main Loop
do
    
    ` When the user clicks...
	If GetPointerReleased() = 1
		lastPosX = GetPointerX() ` Get the x position
		lastPosY = GetPointerY() ` Get the y position
		click = 1
	EndIf

` If click is true then loop through the array
	` Loop through the array to find a clean slot to store our new tiles in
	If click = 1
		for x = 0 to width-1
			for y = 0 to height-1
				` Create the sprite
				If map[x,y].exist = 0 and click = 1
					` set the flag to in use
					map[x,y].exist = 1
					map[x,y].inUse = 1
					
					map[x,y].tileID = CreateSprite(0)
					SetSpriteSize(map[x,y].tileID, 32, 32)
					SetSpritePosition(map[x,y].tileID, GridSnap(lastPosX, 32), GridSnap(lastPosY, 32))
					map[x,y].tileX = lastPosX
					map[x,y].tileY = lastPosY
					
					itemCount = itemCount + 1
					click = 0
					Exit
				ElseIf map[x,y].exist = 1 and click = 1
					click = 0
					Exit
				EndIf
			next y
		next x
	Endif

Print( itemCount )
    Sync()
loop

Function GridSnap(value, gridSize)
	local result
	result = value/gridSize
	result = result*gridSize
EndFunction result

+ Code Snippet

` Project: Jack Rabbit Map Editor 
` Created: 2015-07-25

` Include us some AGC files!
#Include "constants.agc"

SetVirtualResolution(1024, 768)

` Set up a test

Type thisTest
	exist as integer
	inUse as integer
	tileID as Integer
	tileX as float
	tileY as float
	tileName as String
EndType

#constant width = 32
#constant height = 8

map as thisTest[width,height]

lastPosX as float
lastPosY as float
click as integer

itemCount = 0

` Main Loop
do
    
    ` When the user clicks...
	If GetPointerReleased() = 1
		lastPosX = GetPointerX() ` Get the x position
		lastPosY = GetPointerY() ` Get the y position
		click = 1
	EndIf

	` If click is true then loop through the array
	` Loop through the array to find a clean slot to store our new tiles in
	If click = 1
		for x = 0 to width-1
			for y = 0 to height-1
				` Create the sprite
				If map[x,y].exist = 0 and click = 1
					` set the flag to in use
					map[x,y].exist = 1
					map[x,y].inUse = 1
					
					map[x,y].tileID = CreateSprite(0)
					SetSpriteSize(map[x,y].tileID, 32, 32)
					SetSpritePosition(map[x,y].tileID, GridSnap(lastPosX, 32), GridSnap(lastPosY, 32))
					map[x,y].tileX = lastPosX
					map[x,y].tileY = lastPosY
					
					itemCount = itemCount + 1
					click = 0
					Exit
				ElseIf map[x,y].exist = 1 and click = 1
					click = 0
					Exit
				EndIf
			next y
		next x
	Endif

    Print( itemCount )
    Sync()
loop


Function GridSnap(value, gridSize)
	local result
	result = value/gridSize
	result = result*gridSize
EndFunction result

If someone could tell me what exactly it is I'm doing wrong, I would be ever so indebted unto you!

Official Forum President from June 20th, 2015 - June 20th, 2016 (when my successor is elected, whomever that may be!).

Back to top

Profile

Clonkex

Forum Vice President

14

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 20th May 2010

Location: Northern Tablelands, NSW, Australia

Posted: 27th Jul 2015 09:35 Edited at: 27th Jul 2015 09:39

Link

You're only exiting one loop. You need to use a variable instead and check it in both loops to ensure you get out of both. Like so:

+ Code Snippet

	If click = 1
		shouldExit=0
		for x = 0 to width-1
			for y = 0 to height-1
				` Create the sprite
				If map[x,y].exist = 0 and click = 1
					` set the flag to in use
					map[x,y].exist = 1
					map[x,y].inUse = 1
					
					map[x,y].tileID = CreateSprite(0)
					SetSpriteSize(map[x,y].tileID, 32, 32)
					SetSpritePosition(map[x,y].tileID, GridSnap(lastPosX, 32), GridSnap(lastPosY, 32))
					map[x,y].tileX = lastPosX
					map[x,y].tileY = lastPosY
					
					itemCount = itemCount + 1
					click = 0
					shouldExit=1
				ElseIf map[x,y].exist = 1 and click = 1
					click = 0
					shouldExit=1
				EndIf
				if shouldExit=1 then exit
			next y
			if shouldExit=1 then exit
		next x
	Endif

That's one problem. The other is that you've completely misunderstood the point of the 2D array (*facepalm*)

Here is how I would do this (untested):

` Project: Jack Rabbit Map Editor 
` Created: 2015-07-25

` Include us some AGC files!
#Include "constants.agc"

SetVirtualResolution(1024, 768)

` Set up a test

Type thisTest
	exist as integer
	tileID as Integer
	tileName as String
EndType

#constant width = 32
#constant height = 8

map as thisTest[width,height]

lastPosX as float
lastPosY as float
click as integer

itemCount = 0

` Main Loop
do
    
    ` When the user clicks...
	If GetPointerReleased() = 1
		lastPosX = GetPointerX() ` Get the x position
		lastPosY = GetPointerY() ` Get the y position
		x=GridSnap(lastPosX,32) //tile indices - I'm assuming GridSnap works as expected
		y=GridSnap(lastPosY,32)
		if x>=0 and x<width and y>=0 and y<height //check if the tile under the mouse is within the bounds of the map
			` Create the sprite
			If map[x,y].exist = 0
				` set the flag to in use
				map[x,y].exist = 1
				//map[x,y].inUse = 1 //no need for "inUse" since that's what the exist var is for
				
				map[x,y].tileID = CreateSprite(0)
				SetSpriteSize(map[x,y].tileID, 32, 32)
				SetSpritePosition(map[x,y].tileID, GridSnap(lastPosX, 32), GridSnap(lastPosY, 32))
				
				//FAIL. the point of the array is that the array indices ARE the position of the tile
				//obviously you'll need to x*32 or y*32 to get the actual position given the tiles are 32*32, not 1*1 :P
				//although of course sprites record their own positions so you can always easily get the position of a placed tile
				//map[x,y].tileX = lastPosX 
				//map[x,y].tileY = lastPosY
				
				itemCount = itemCount + 1 //As long as this is just a debug variable, you're not doing something else dumb lol
			Endif
		Endif
	Endif

Print( itemCount )
    Sync()
loop

Function GridSnap(value, gridSize)
	local result
	result = value/gridSize
	result = result*gridSize
EndFunction result

+ Code Snippet

` Project: Jack Rabbit Map Editor 
` Created: 2015-07-25

` Include us some AGC files!
#Include "constants.agc"

SetVirtualResolution(1024, 768)

` Set up a test

Type thisTest
	exist as integer
	tileID as Integer
	tileName as String
EndType

#constant width = 32
#constant height = 8

map as thisTest[width,height]

lastPosX as float
lastPosY as float
click as integer

itemCount = 0

` Main Loop
do
    
    ` When the user clicks...
	If GetPointerReleased() = 1
		lastPosX = GetPointerX() ` Get the x position
		lastPosY = GetPointerY() ` Get the y position
		x=GridSnap(lastPosX,32) //tile indices - I'm assuming GridSnap works as expected
		y=GridSnap(lastPosY,32)
		if x>=0 and x<width and y>=0 and y<height //check if the tile under the mouse is within the bounds of the map
			` Create the sprite
			If map[x,y].exist = 0
				` set the flag to in use
				map[x,y].exist = 1
				//map[x,y].inUse = 1 //no need for "inUse" since that's what the exist var is for
				
				map[x,y].tileID = CreateSprite(0)
				SetSpriteSize(map[x,y].tileID, 32, 32)
				SetSpritePosition(map[x,y].tileID, GridSnap(lastPosX, 32), GridSnap(lastPosY, 32))
				
				//FAIL. the point of the array is that the array indices ARE the position of the tile
				//obviously you'll need to x*32 or y*32 to get the actual position given the tiles are 32*32, not 1*1 :P
				//although of course sprites record their own positions so you can always easily get the position of a placed tile
				//map[x,y].tileX = lastPosX 
				//map[x,y].tileY = lastPosY
				
				itemCount = itemCount + 1 //As long as this is just a debug variable, you're not doing something else dumb lol
			Endif
		Endif
	Endif

    Print( itemCount )
    Sync()
loop


Function GridSnap(value, gridSize)
	local result
	result = value/gridSize
	result = result*gridSize
EndFunction result

Placement Editor Professional -- Code Line Counter -- Tiled TMX Map Loader 2.0
Open Bezier Curve Library -- Image Tools -- MarbleX GUI Library -- NeoParticle -- Simple Serial

Back to top

Profile PM Email

Yodaman Jer

User Banned

Posted: 27th Jul 2015 13:04

Link

Thanks Clonkex! I had to change some stuff around a bit but once I saw your code I finally see what you mean about about the indices being the coordinates for the sprites!

Final code:

` Project: Jack Rabbit Map Editor 
` Created: 2015-07-25

` Include us some AGC files!
#Include "constants.agc"

SetVirtualResolution(1024, 768)

` Set up a test

Type thisTest
	exist as integer
	tileID as Integer
	tileName as String
EndType

#constant width = 2048
#constant height = 256

map as thisTest[width,height]

itemCount = 0

` Main Loop
do
    
    ` When the user clicks...
	If GetPointerPressed() = 1
		posX = GetPointerX() ` Get the x position
		posY = GetPointerY() ` Get the y position
		x = GridSnap(posX,32) //tile indices - I'm assuming GridSnap works as expected
		y = GridSnap(posY,32)
		If x >= 0 and x <= width and y >= 0 and y <= height //check if the tile under the mouse is within the bounds of the map
			` Create the sprite
			If map[x,y].exist = 0
				` set the flag to in use
				map[x,y].exist = 1
				
				map[x,y].tileID = CreateSprite(0)
				SetSpriteSize(map[x,y].tileID, 32, 32)
				SetSpritePosition(map[x,y].tileID, GridSnap(posX, 32), GridSnap(posY, 32))
			
				itemCount = itemCount + 1 //As long as this is just a debug variable, you're not doing something else dumb lol
			Endif
		Endif
	Endif

Print( itemCount )
    Sync()
loop

Function GridSnap(value, gridSize)
	local result
	result = value/gridSize
	result = result*gridSize
EndFunction result

+ Code Snippet

` Project: Jack Rabbit Map Editor 
` Created: 2015-07-25

` Include us some AGC files!
#Include "constants.agc"

SetVirtualResolution(1024, 768)

` Set up a test

Type thisTest
	exist as integer
	tileID as Integer
	tileName as String
EndType

#constant width = 2048
#constant height = 256

map as thisTest[width,height]

itemCount = 0

` Main Loop
do
    
    ` When the user clicks...
	If GetPointerPressed() = 1
		posX = GetPointerX() ` Get the x position
		posY = GetPointerY() ` Get the y position
		x = GridSnap(posX,32) //tile indices - I'm assuming GridSnap works as expected
		y = GridSnap(posY,32)
		If x >= 0 and x <= width and y >= 0 and y <= height //check if the tile under the mouse is within the bounds of the map
			` Create the sprite
			If map[x,y].exist = 0
				` set the flag to in use
				map[x,y].exist = 1
				
				map[x,y].tileID = CreateSprite(0)
				SetSpriteSize(map[x,y].tileID, 32, 32)
				SetSpritePosition(map[x,y].tileID, GridSnap(posX, 32), GridSnap(posY, 32))
			
				itemCount = itemCount + 1 //As long as this is just a debug variable, you're not doing something else dumb lol
			Endif
		Endif
	Endif

    Print( itemCount )
    Sync()
loop


Function GridSnap(value, gridSize)
	local result
	result = value/gridSize
	result = result*gridSize
EndFunction result

I think part of my problem (and thus misunderstanding) was because I was trying to convert a bunch of C++ code I had seen for this type of thing that used for loops and still stored the position of sprites in the array. SHould I not do that just as a safety measure?

One thing I noticed too, was that in order to get the amount of tiles that I wanted, I had to multiply my width and height variables. For example, if I wanted my level to be 8 tiles high, the value for height has to be 256, like you see in the code. Does this make sense, or should I multiply my variables in the If statement that checks if the mouse is in the correct coordinates?

Official Forum President from June 20th, 2015 - June 20th, 2016 (when my successor is elected, whomever that may be!).

Back to top

Profile

Clonkex

Forum Vice President

14

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 20th May 2010

Location: Northern Tablelands, NSW, Australia

Posted: 27th Jul 2015 15:09

Link

Quote: "I had to change some stuff around a bit but once I saw your code I finally see what you mean about about the indices being the coordinates for the sprites!"

Haha I'm glad

Quote: "SHould I not do that just as a safety measure?"

I don't see why. You should always be able to reliably get the theoretical tile position based on its grid position (the array indices) and if you need the graphical sprite position, that's recorded by AppGameKit in the sprite itself. Basically, if you need to use a safety measure to make your code work, some part of your code is broken.

Quote: "One thing I noticed too, was that in order to get the amount of tiles that I wanted, I had to multiply my width and height variables. For example, if I wanted my level to be 8 tiles high, the value for height has to be 256, like you see in the code. Does this make sense, or should I multiply my variables in the If statement that checks if the mouse is in the correct coordinates?"

Ah no! If you're multiplying the width and height vars, you're making the array exponentially larger than it needs to be! (Specifically, at 32*8 it contains 256 elements; at 2048*256 it contains 524,288 elements

) I just didn't look at how GridSnap actually worked. I've worked it out now; put the array sizes (the width and height vars) back to whatever you had them at (32*8 I think) and change this bit of code to look like this:

+ Code Snippet

x = GridSnap(posX,32)/32 //tile indices - I'm assuming GridSnap works as expected
y = GridSnap(posY,32)/32

Placement Editor Professional -- Code Line Counter -- Tiled TMX Map Loader 2.0
Open Bezier Curve Library -- Image Tools -- MarbleX GUI Library -- NeoParticle -- Simple Serial

Back to top

Profile PM Email

Yodaman Jer

User Banned

Posted: 28th Jul 2015 04:34 Edited at: 28th Jul 2015 04:42

Link

Yeah, I realized once I got to work (15 minutes after my post!

) that THAT was a ridiculous idea I had, and then had pretty much the same solution in mind when I got home and read your post!

EDIT: That is to say, I had the same solution that you had proposed in your post, in my head, so when I came home and read your post and saw that it made me happy haha!

Thanks for the help! Mucho appreciado!

Official Forum President from June 20th, 2015 - June 20th, 2016 (when my successor is elected, whomever that may be!).

Back to top

Profile

Clonkex

Forum Vice President

14

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 20th May 2010

Location: Northern Tablelands, NSW, Australia

Posted: 28th Jul 2015 10:44

Link

No problem!

I'm just glad it's clicked for you and you understand what we were babbling on about

Placement Editor Professional -- Code Line Counter -- Tiled TMX Map Loader 2.0
Open Bezier Curve Library -- Image Tools -- MarbleX GUI Library -- NeoParticle -- Simple Serial

Back to top

Profile PM Email

Yodaman Jer

User Banned

Posted: 29th Jul 2015 01:48 Edited at: 29th Jul 2015 02:28

Link

ISSUE SOLVED!

Hmm well now I have another question!

I didn't get this far with my last attempt so I don't really have any ideas. How would I make it so that when I scroll the map around (using the middle mouse button), my grid lines and sprites get drawn correctly?

It seems that I when I use SetViewOffset(), it messes with the creation/placing of new sprites and it gets offset by quite a bit.* This is the code I have now...

` Project: Jack Rabbit Map Editor 
` Created: 2015-07-25

` Include us some AGC files!
#Include "constants.agc"

SetVirtualResolution(1600, 1200)
SetWindowSize(1600, 1200, 0)
SetWindowTitle("Jack Rabbit - Tile Map Editor")

` Set up a test

Type thisTest
	exist as integer
	tileID as Integer
	tileName as String
EndType

#constant width = 100
#constant height = 36
#constant gridSpace = 64

map as thisTest[width,height]

itemCount = 0

` Main Loop
Do
    ` Draw the grid
    DrawGrid()
    
    ` Store the x and y position of the mouse cursor
    posX = GetPointerX()
    posY = GetPointerY()
    
    ` Use middle mouse button to move our map
    If GetRawMouseMiddleState() = 1
		SetViewOffset(posX/12, posY/12)
	EndIf
    
    ` If the user left-clicks to create a tile
	If GetRawMouseLeftState() = 1
		
		` Tile indices
		x = GridSnap(posX,gridSpace)/gridSpace
		y = GridSnap(posY,gridSpace)/gridSpace
		
		` If in bounds create the sprite
		If x >= 0 and x <= width-1 and y >= 0 and y <= height-1 
			If map[x,y].exist = false
				` set the flag to in use
				map[x,y].exist = true
				
				map[x,y].tileID = CreateSprite(0)
				SetSpriteSize(map[x,y].tileID, gridSpace, gridSpace)
				SetSpritePosition(map[x,y].tileID, GridSnap(posX, gridSpace), GridSnap(posY, gridSpace))
			
				itemCount = itemCount + 1 
			EndIf
		Endif
	Endif
	
	` If the user right-clicks to delete a tile
	If GetRawMouseRightState() = 1
		
		` Tile indices
		x = GridSnap(posX,gridSpace)/gridSpace
		y = GridSnap(posY,gridSpace)/gridSpace
		
		If x >= 0 and x <= width-1 and y >= 0 and y <= height-1 
			` Create the sprite
			If map[x,y].exist = true
				
				DeleteSprite(map[x,y].tileID)
				
				` Set the flag to not in use
				map[x,y].exist = false

itemCount = itemCount - 1 
			EndIf
		Endif
		
		
		
	EndIf

Print( itemCount )
    Sync()
Loop

Function GridSnap(value, gridSize)
	local result
	result = value/gridSize
	result = result*gridSize
EndFunction result

Function DrawGrid()
	` Define the size of our grid
	rows = width
	cols = height
	
	` Use these as the "line ending" variables
	w = width * gridSpace
	h = height * gridSpace
	
	` Draw the rows
	For x = 0 to rows
		DrawLine(x * gridSpace, h-h, x * gridSpace, h, MakeColor(25, 25, 85), MakeColor(25, 25, 85))
	Next x
	
	` Draw the columns
	For y = 0 to cols
		DrawLine(w-w, y * gridSpace, w, y * gridSpace, MakeColor(25, 25, 85), MakeColor(25, 25, 85))
	Next y
EndFunction

+ Code Snippet

` Project: Jack Rabbit Map Editor 
` Created: 2015-07-25

` Include us some AGC files!
#Include "constants.agc"

SetVirtualResolution(1600, 1200)
SetWindowSize(1600, 1200, 0)
SetWindowTitle("Jack Rabbit - Tile Map Editor")

` Set up a test

Type thisTest
	exist as integer
	tileID as Integer
	tileName as String
EndType

#constant width = 100
#constant height = 36
#constant gridSpace = 64

map as thisTest[width,height]

itemCount = 0

` Main Loop
Do
    ` Draw the grid
    DrawGrid()
    
    ` Store the x and y position of the mouse cursor
    posX = GetPointerX()
    posY = GetPointerY()
    
    ` Use middle mouse button to move our map
    If GetRawMouseMiddleState() = 1
		SetViewOffset(posX/12, posY/12)
	EndIf
    
    ` If the user left-clicks to create a tile
	If GetRawMouseLeftState() = 1
		
		` Tile indices
		x = GridSnap(posX,gridSpace)/gridSpace
		y = GridSnap(posY,gridSpace)/gridSpace
		
		` If in bounds create the sprite
		If x >= 0 and x <= width-1 and y >= 0 and y <= height-1 
			If map[x,y].exist = false
				` set the flag to in use
				map[x,y].exist = true
				
				map[x,y].tileID = CreateSprite(0)
				SetSpriteSize(map[x,y].tileID, gridSpace, gridSpace)
				SetSpritePosition(map[x,y].tileID, GridSnap(posX, gridSpace), GridSnap(posY, gridSpace))
			
				itemCount = itemCount + 1 
			EndIf
		Endif
	Endif
	
	` If the user right-clicks to delete a tile
	If GetRawMouseRightState() = 1
		
		` Tile indices
		x = GridSnap(posX,gridSpace)/gridSpace
		y = GridSnap(posY,gridSpace)/gridSpace
		
		If x >= 0 and x <= width-1 and y >= 0 and y <= height-1 
			` Create the sprite
			If map[x,y].exist = true
				
				DeleteSprite(map[x,y].tileID)
				
				` Set the flag to not in use
				map[x,y].exist = false

				itemCount = itemCount - 1 
			EndIf
		Endif
		
		
		
	EndIf

    Print( itemCount )
    Sync()
Loop


Function GridSnap(value, gridSize)
	local result
	result = value/gridSize
	result = result*gridSize
EndFunction result

Function DrawGrid()
	` Define the size of our grid
	rows = width
	cols = height
	
	` Use these as the "line ending" variables
	w = width * gridSpace
	h = height * gridSpace
	
	` Draw the rows
	For x = 0 to rows
		DrawLine(x * gridSpace, h-h, x * gridSpace, h, MakeColor(25, 25, 85), MakeColor(25, 25, 85))
	Next x
	
	` Draw the columns
	For y = 0 to cols
		DrawLine(w-w, y * gridSpace, w, y * gridSpace, MakeColor(25, 25, 85), MakeColor(25, 25, 85))
	Next y
EndFunction

What would I need to do to correct my aforementioned issues?

EDIT: This issue I solved by doing this:

+ Code Snippet

    ` Store the x and y position of the mouse cursor
    posX = GetPointerX()+GetViewOffsetX()
    posY = GetPointerY()+GetViewOffsetY()

So that's all well and good! Now I just need to figure out how to get my grid to align properly...

EDIT 2: Oh well duh, why don't I just use the above technique for positioning my grid lines? Hmm what do you know, that works just dandy!

+ Code Snippet

Function DrawGrid()
	yOffset = GetViewOffsetY()
	xOffset = GetViewOffsetX()
	` Use these as the "line ending" variables
	w = (width * gridSpace)
	h = (height * gridSpace) 
	
	` Draw the rows
	For x = -w to width
		DrawLine(x * gridSpace - xOffset, h-h-yOffset, x * gridSpace - xOffset, h-yOffset, MakeColor(5, 125, 110), MakeColor(5, 125, 110))
	Next x
	
	` Draw the columns
	For y = -h to height
		DrawLine(w-w-xOffset, y * gridSpace - yOffset, w-xOffset, y * gridSpace-yOffset, MakeColor(5, 125, 110), MakeColor(5, 125, 110))
	Next y
EndFunction

Now everything works just as expected!

Official Forum President from June 20th, 2015 - June 20th, 2016 (when my successor is elected, whomever that may be!).

Back to top

Profile

Clonkex

Forum Vice President

14

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 20th May 2010

Location: Northern Tablelands, NSW, Australia

Posted: 29th Jul 2015 10:39

Link

I like you post with a problem and by the time I see it you've solved it already

Placement Editor Professional -- Code Line Counter -- Tiled TMX Map Loader 2.0
Open Bezier Curve Library -- Image Tools -- MarbleX GUI Library -- NeoParticle -- Simple Serial

Back to top

Profile PM Email

Duncro

9

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 25th Jul 2015

Location:

Posted: 29th Jul 2015 20:22 Edited at: 29th Jul 2015 21:55

Link

Im currently making a tilemap editor as well.
What i did is define a tilemap size by nr of tiles in x and y, then create blank sprites with 1 pixel spacing in between.
Each sprite ID is stored in an [i,j] array, as well as the tile id according to the atlas i imported.
You can then use "getspriteid()" according to the mouse pointer to get the sprite id you want to modify.

global paint=0
global mode=0
once = 1
function game ()
if once=1
	once=0
	buildmap()
endif

if GetRawKeyPressed(81) then mode=1

print(GetSpriteImageID(selection[1,1]))
print(GetSpriteImageID(selection[1,1]))
if GetRawKeyPressed(39) then shiftright()
if GetRawKeyPressed(37) then shiftleft()

if GetRawKeyPressed(87) then mapup()
if GetRawKeyPressed(65) then mapleft()
if GetRawKeyPressed(83) then mapdown()
if GetRawKeyPressed(68) then mapright()

if GetPointerX()>(screenX-6*17)
	if GetPointerPressed()
		paint=GetSpriteImageID(GetSpriteHit(ScreenToWorldX(GetPointerX()),ScreenToWorldY(GetPointerY())))
	endif
	print("capturing")
	else
	if GetPointerState()=1
		SetSpriteImage(GetSpriteHit(ScreenToWorldX(GetPointerX()),ScreenToWorldY(GetPointerY())),paint)
	endif
endif

for j = 1 to tilemapy
	for i = 1 to tilemapx
		SetSpriteVisible(tilemap[i,j],1)
			SetSpriteShapeBox(tilemap[i,j],16,16,-16,-16,0)
		if GetSpriteX(tilemap[i,j])>ScreenToWorldX(screenX-6*17)
			SetSpriteVisible(tilemap[i,j],0)
			SetSpriteShapeBox(tilemap[i,j],1,1,1,1,0)
		endif
		if GetSpriteX(tilemap[i,j])<ScreenToWorldX(0)
			SetSpriteVisible(tilemap[i,j],0)
			SetSpriteShapeBox(tilemap[i,j],1,1,1,1,0)	
		endif	
	next
next
			
print (paint)
	
endfunction

function buildmap()
atlass=loadimage(atlasname$)
 dim atlas[16,16]
 dim name[16,16] as string
for j = 1 to 16
	for i = 1 to 16
		x=(j-1)*16+i
        atlas[i,j]=LoadSubImage(atlass,str(x))
        name[i,j]=str(x) 
    next
 next
global dim tilemap [tilemapx,tilemapy]

for j = 1 to tilemapy
	for i = 1 to tilemapx
		size=33
		tilemap[i,j]=CreateSprite(0)
		SetSpriteDepth(tilemap[i,j],10)
		SetSpritePosition(tilemap[i,j],(i-1)*size,(j-1)*size)
		SetSpriteSize(tilemap[i,j],size-1,size-1)
	next
next
for j = 1 to 16
	for i = 1 to 16
		size=33
		SetSpriteImage(tilemap[i,j],(atlas[i,j]))
		SetSpritePosition(tilemap[i,j],(i-1)*size,(j-1)*size)
		SetSpriteSize(tilemap[i,j],size-1,size-1)
	next
next

setupselection()
paint=0
endfunction	
	
function setupselection()
global dim selection[4,16]
for j= 1 to 16
	for i=1 to 4
		selection[i,j]=CreateSprite(atlas[i,j])
		SetSpriteSize(selection[i,j],24,24)
		
		SetSpritePosition(selection[i,j],screenX-(5-i)*25,1+(j-1)*25)
		FixSpriteToScreen(selection[i,j],1)
	next
next
global dim borders[2]
borders[1]=GetSpriteImageID(selection[1,1])
borders[2]=GetSpriteImageID(tilemap[16,16])
global selectionrow=1
endfunction

function shiftleft()
	if selectionrow>1 
		selectionrow = selectionrow-1
		for j=1 to 16
			is=1
			for i = (selectionrow) to (selectionrow + 3)
				SetSpriteImage(selection[is,j],atlas[i,j])
				is=is+1
		next
	next
	endif		
endfunction

function shiftright()
	if selectionrow<13 
		selectionrow = selectionrow+1
		for j=1 to 16
			is=1
			for i = (selectionrow) to (selectionrow + 3)
				
				SetSpriteImage(selection[is,j],atlas[i,j])
				is=is+1
		next
	next
	endif	
endfunction	
	
function mapup()
SetViewOffset(GetViewOffsetX(),GetViewOffsetY()+33)
endfunction

function mapdown()
SetViewOffset(GetViewOffsetX(),GetViewOffsetY()-33)
endfunction

function mapleft()
SetViewOffset(GetViewOffsetX()+33,GetViewOffsetY())
endfunction

function mapright()
SetViewOffset(GetViewOffsetX()-33,GetViewOffsetY())
endfunction

+ Code Snippet

global paint=0
global mode=0
once = 1
function game ()
if once=1
	once=0
	buildmap()
endif

if GetRawKeyPressed(81) then mode=1

print(GetSpriteImageID(selection[1,1]))
print(GetSpriteImageID(selection[1,1]))
if GetRawKeyPressed(39) then shiftright()
if GetRawKeyPressed(37) then shiftleft()

if GetRawKeyPressed(87) then mapup()
if GetRawKeyPressed(65) then mapleft()
if GetRawKeyPressed(83) then mapdown()
if GetRawKeyPressed(68) then mapright()

if GetPointerX()>(screenX-6*17)
	if GetPointerPressed()
		paint=GetSpriteImageID(GetSpriteHit(ScreenToWorldX(GetPointerX()),ScreenToWorldY(GetPointerY())))
	endif
	print("capturing")
	else
	if GetPointerState()=1
		SetSpriteImage(GetSpriteHit(ScreenToWorldX(GetPointerX()),ScreenToWorldY(GetPointerY())),paint)
	endif
endif
 

for j = 1 to tilemapy
	for i = 1 to tilemapx
		SetSpriteVisible(tilemap[i,j],1)
			SetSpriteShapeBox(tilemap[i,j],16,16,-16,-16,0)
		if GetSpriteX(tilemap[i,j])>ScreenToWorldX(screenX-6*17)
			SetSpriteVisible(tilemap[i,j],0)
			SetSpriteShapeBox(tilemap[i,j],1,1,1,1,0)
		endif
		if GetSpriteX(tilemap[i,j])<ScreenToWorldX(0)
			SetSpriteVisible(tilemap[i,j],0)
			SetSpriteShapeBox(tilemap[i,j],1,1,1,1,0)	
		endif	
	next
next
			
print (paint)
	
endfunction

function buildmap()
atlass=loadimage(atlasname$)
 dim atlas[16,16]
 dim name[16,16] as string
for j = 1 to 16
	for i = 1 to 16
		x=(j-1)*16+i
        atlas[i,j]=LoadSubImage(atlass,str(x))
        name[i,j]=str(x) 
    next
 next
global dim tilemap [tilemapx,tilemapy]

for j = 1 to tilemapy
	for i = 1 to tilemapx
		size=33
		tilemap[i,j]=CreateSprite(0)
		SetSpriteDepth(tilemap[i,j],10)
		SetSpritePosition(tilemap[i,j],(i-1)*size,(j-1)*size)
		SetSpriteSize(tilemap[i,j],size-1,size-1)
	next
next
for j = 1 to 16
	for i = 1 to 16
		size=33
		SetSpriteImage(tilemap[i,j],(atlas[i,j]))
		SetSpritePosition(tilemap[i,j],(i-1)*size,(j-1)*size)
		SetSpriteSize(tilemap[i,j],size-1,size-1)
	next
next	

setupselection()
paint=0
endfunction	
	
function setupselection()
global dim selection[4,16]
for j= 1 to 16
	for i=1 to 4
		selection[i,j]=CreateSprite(atlas[i,j])
		SetSpriteSize(selection[i,j],24,24)
		
		SetSpritePosition(selection[i,j],screenX-(5-i)*25,1+(j-1)*25)
		FixSpriteToScreen(selection[i,j],1)
	next
next
global dim borders[2]
borders[1]=GetSpriteImageID(selection[1,1])
borders[2]=GetSpriteImageID(tilemap[16,16])
global selectionrow=1
endfunction

function shiftleft()
	if selectionrow>1 
		selectionrow = selectionrow-1
		for j=1 to 16
			is=1
			for i = (selectionrow) to (selectionrow + 3)
				SetSpriteImage(selection[is,j],atlas[i,j])
				is=is+1
		next
	next
	endif		
endfunction

function shiftright()
	if selectionrow<13 
		selectionrow = selectionrow+1
		for j=1 to 16
			is=1
			for i = (selectionrow) to (selectionrow + 3)
				
				SetSpriteImage(selection[is,j],atlas[i,j])
				is=is+1
		next
	next
	endif	
endfunction	
	
function mapup()
SetViewOffset(GetViewOffsetX(),GetViewOffsetY()+33)
endfunction

function mapdown()
SetViewOffset(GetViewOffsetX(),GetViewOffsetY()-33)
endfunction

function mapleft()
SetViewOffset(GetViewOffsetX()+33,GetViewOffsetY())
endfunction

function mapright()
SetViewOffset(GetViewOffsetX()-33,GetViewOffsetY())
endfunction

Maybe this could be a bit easier to manage?
I'll be putting the final product on the forum for anyone to use. Just having an issue with the menu atm to define all the variables

Ps, I noticed the code above isnt quite doing what it is supposed to. Currently implementing the write to file part of it

Back to top

Profile PM

Yodaman Jer

User Banned

Posted: 2nd Aug 2015 17:40

Link

So now I have a new issue, sort of.

I want to make it so that I can set the width and height of the map within the editor itself. The problem is that AppGameKit doesn't like how I try to do this.

Currently, I'm using constants to define my map array:

+ Code Snippet

map as tileData[width, height]

Since it can only be define with constants or literal integers, I thought that maybe assigning a variable like so would work...

+ Code Snippet

mapWidth = 150
mapHeight = 32

#Constant width = mapWidth
#Constant height = mapHeight

map as tileData[width, height]

But this still doesn't work. What can I do so that I can make the array resizable within the editor?

Forum President until June 20th, 2016. Bow down to me!

Back to top

Profile

JLMoondog

Moderator

15

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 18th Jan 2009

Location: Paradox

Posted: 3rd Aug 2015 05:58 Edited at: 3rd Aug 2015 06:01

Link

Hey Yodaman Jer, I'm also currently building a tile map editor for my game.

Thought I'd give you some tips..

Quote: "I want to make it so that I can set the width and height of the map within the editor itself. The problem is that AppGameKit doesn't like how I try to do this. "

When you create your tile map array, define it's x and y sizes with a maximum amount. Basically, what's the largest size map you'd ever want to be able to build?

+ Code Snippet


maxx = 1000
maxy = 1000

Dim TileData[ maxx , maxy ]

Then when you go to create a map or edit the size, use a defined size for x and y..

+ Code Snippet


sizex = 10
sizey = 10

When you do a function check with your TileData array, use the defined sizes..

+ Code Snippet


for x = 1 to sizex
     for y = 1 to sizey
     
          `edit tile TileData[ x , y ]
     next y
next x

Now when you want to increase your map size, you just increase your defined sizes.

+ Code Snippet


sizex = sizex + 10
sizey = sizey + 10

If you want to decrease your map size, you decrease your defined size, but you also need to get rid of whatever data you had stored outside the defined bounds..

+ Code Snippet


sizex = sizex - 10
sizey = sizey - 10

for x = sizex+1 to maxx
     for y = sizey+1 to maxy
 
          `clear data TileData[ x , y ]
     next y
next x

Hope that clears it up a bit.

Try and keep it as simple as possible when building a map editor. If your function/code seems too complicated, than it probably is.

Good luck!

http://jlmoondog.weebly.com/

Back to top

Profile PM Email Website

Uncle Martin

18

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 9th Jul 2006

Location: Tampa, Florida, USA

Posted: 3rd Aug 2015 06:12 Edited at: 3rd Aug 2015 06:20

Link

JLMoondog's suggested approach is of course solid, you probably need to decide on worst case dimensions for GUI reasons; but to address the question of resizing arrays, if need be...

From the AGK2 Help Guide regarding new features of Arrays...

myArray as integer[5,10,15]

note that in these cases
"myArray.length" would return 5,
"myArray[0].length" would return 10 and
"myArray[0,0].length" would return 15,
and each dimension can be resized individually
myArray[0,0].length = 20
myArray[0,1].length = 30

I don't quite understand this syntax & I couldn't seem to get it to work. If someone knows how this works or can see an error in the help file, it would be good for us to know.

Anyway, reverting to the old array syntax, you could use DIM initially & then DIM again when you want to resize. The following code does all that.

NOTE: I'm not sure what happens to the data in the array when it is resized, probably safest to assume it is undefined, but in my example where both dimensions are enlarged, the initial data seems to remain intact.

+ Code Snippet


// Project: UncleM_ArrayTest1
// Created: 2015-08-02
// set window properties
SetWindowTitle( "MQ_ArrayTest1" )
SetWindowSize( 1024, 768, 0 )
SetVirtualResolution( 1024, 768 )
SetOrientationAllowed( 1, 1, 1, 1 )

type tileData
	tileType as integer
	tileColor as integer
endtype

// Initial size of map
dim map[30, 20] as tileData

// Use small array
map[12,5].tileType = 1
map[12,5].tileColor = 2

// Get new map size from user
mapWidth = 150
mapHeight = 75

// Resize map
dim map[mapWidth, mapHeight] as tileData

// Use enlarged array
map[125,50].tileType = 7
map[125,50].tileColor = 3

// Prove data is there
repeat
    Print(map[12,5].tileType)
    Print(map[12,5].tileColor)
    Print(map[125,50].tileType)
    Print(map[125,50].tileColor)
    Sync()
until GetRawKeyState(27) // Esc

I hope this helps.

Code every line like it might be your last...
Someday it will be.

Back to top

Profile PM

Clonkex

Forum Vice President

14

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 20th May 2010

Location: Northern Tablelands, NSW, Australia

Posted: 3rd Aug 2015 10:08

Link

Quote: "When you create your tile map array, define it's x and y sizes with a maximum amount. Basically, what's the largest size map you'd ever want to be able to build?"

That has a couple of rather nasty disadvantages; one, and the most important, is the excessive memory usage (i.e, the memory used with be far more than necessary); two, how do you decide what size to limit the map to? If you make it too small, maps will be limited; make it too big, and the memory usage will be too great.

Quote: "From the AGK2 Help Guide regarding new features of Arrays..."

This, on the other hand, would be ideal, but I don't know much about AppGameKit arrays so I can't help much on actually writing code

Placement Editor Professional -- Code Line Counter -- Tiled TMX Map Loader 2.0
Open Bezier Curve Library -- Image Tools -- MarbleX GUI Library -- NeoParticle -- Simple Serial

Back to top

Profile PM Email

JLMoondog

Moderator

15

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 18th Jan 2009

Location: Paradox

Posted: 3rd Aug 2015 10:36

Link

Quote: "That has a couple of rather nasty disadvantages; one, and the most important, is the excessive memory usage (i.e, the memory used with be far more than necessary); two, how do you decide what size to limit the map to? If you make it too small, maps will be limited; make it too big, and the memory usage will be too great."

Lol what? I doubt believe that for a second.

throw me some actual tested figures and I'll eat my words.

http://jlmoondog.weebly.com/

Back to top

Profile PM Email Website

Hockeykid

DBPro Tool Maker

17

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 26th Sep 2007

Location:

Posted: 3rd Aug 2015 12:06

Link

Quote: "That has a couple of rather nasty disadvantages; one, and the most important, is the excessive memory usage (i.e, the memory used with be far more than necessary);"

An integer array of [1000, 1000] (Equivalent to 1,000,000 integer variables) like the one from JLMoondog's example would only be 4 Megabytes of memory, which for a PC (I assume that's what this is for) would be nothing. A grid of 1,000 x 1,000 with 32x32 pixel tiles would be a huge 32,0000x32,0000 map.

Quote: "That has a couple of rather nasty disadvantages;"

It has the disadvantage of using more memory (very little memory) than needed, but the advantage of not having to find adjacent memory later when needing to reallocate the array which could negatively affect performance (especially when the array gets to be [1000, 1000]).

The best solution is to combine the two methods. Make your array a decent size at first for example: [100, 100]. Later when more space is needed in the array, allocate a decent amount more at a time rather than a single tiles worth. For example, increase each dimension of the array by 20 so your [100, 100] array would become [120, 120]. The reason for allocating a chunk at a time is to less frequently have to resize the array. When resizing an array, the memory locations must be adjacent. If an adjacent block of memory is being used by something else the entire array must be copied to a different location in memory so it can be expanded.

Sean

Back to top

Profile PM Email

Clonkex

Forum Vice President

14

Years of Service

User Offline

Joined: 20th May 2010

Location: Northern Tablelands, NSW, Australia

Posted: 3rd Aug 2015 14:32

Link

Quote: "Lol what? I doubt believe that for a second. throw me some actual tested figures and I'll eat my words."

What are you going on about? It's a simple fact that you can't deny. Hard-coding the array at a worst-case size will use more memory than dynamically allocating memory as needed, unless the map happens to reach the maximum size. I don't know what you want me to test.

Quote: "An integer array of [1000, 1000] (Equivalent to 1,000,000 integer variables) like the one from JLMoondog's example would only be 4 Megabytes of memory, which for a PC (I assume that's what this is for) would be nothing. A grid of 1,000 x 1,000 with 32x32 pixel tiles would be a huge 32,0000x32,0000 map."

Fine, whatever. All I'm saying is that it's a bad way to write code, to just assume the array will never need more elements than it starts with. Hard-coding values is almost always bad practice, and it annoys me no end. It's why I so often felt frustrated with the way Lee was writing Game Guru. Maybe it's just my OCD, but deliberately writing inefficient code tends to drive me crazy.

Quote: "It has the disadvantage of using more memory (very little memory) than needed, but the advantage of not having to find adjacent memory later when needing to reallocate the array which could negatively affect performance (especially when the array gets to be [1000, 1000]).

The best solution is to combine the two methods. Make your array a decent size at first for example: [100, 100]. Later when more space is needed in the array, allocate a decent amount more at a time rather than a single tiles worth. For example, increase each dimension of the array by 20 so your [100, 100] array would become [120, 120]."

Depends on the situation. In this case, it's a tile map editor where you set the size once and then edit the map. A slight delay while the array resizes is totally acceptable in this case, and a fully dynamic array would probably be preferable. However, in a real-time situation (can't think of any right now - too tired), your suggestion of "chunk allocation" (the way C++ Vectors work) would probably be ideal.

Placement Editor Professional -- Code Line Counter -- Tiled TMX Map Loader 2.0
Open Bezier Curve Library -- Image Tools -- MarbleX GUI Library -- NeoParticle -- Simple Serial

Back to top

Profile PM Email

Yodaman Jer

User Banned

Posted: 10th Aug 2015 05:36

Link

@JLMoondog:

Thanks for those tips! I shall modify my editor in the appropriate manner

Sorry it took so long to respond, been a rather crazy week.

Forum President until June 20th, 2016. Bow down to me!

Back to top

Profile

Sorry your browser is not supported!

AppGameKit Classic Chat / Questions regarding a 2D tile map editor!