Multiple Level Loading via text file?

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Amon

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Posted: 18th Dec 2021 01:44

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I'm making a simple puzzle game in 3d. Each layout of the puzzle is loaded via a text file. What would be the best solution to having 100 levels that are loaded via a text file? Would I have 100 different text files or just one text file that loads each level when the level is up?

How would I do the latter? How do I separate the levels data in a text file and load it on demand when the level is needed to be set up?

Thank you all.

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Virtual Nomad

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Posted: 18th Dec 2021 02:43 Edited at: 18th Dec 2021 02:55

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can you give an example of a "simple" level's data?

regardless, IMHO, i see (literally) loading each level separately as "old fashioned". ie, when RAM mattered more.

i would consider loading it all at once and storing it. even better, to simply include the level data inside the executable/project file(s)

(see BuildMap() and AddRow() functions HERE)

that being said, if you're intent on loading each level from a single data file, and given what AppGameKit can (and can't) do when loading data from files, all i can think of is formatting the file something like:

+ Code Snippet

then, when it's time to load a level, open the file, read each line and check the first character.

if it's a >. it's a "level header" so grab the rest of it to see WHICH level (1, 2, 3...).

if it's the correct level, read the subsequent lines while continuing to check for > which would signify the end of the level data.

if it's not >, parse it as level data.

if it IS >, end the process. the level's done loading.

reading potentially HUNDREDS of lines each time you want to load a level from a single file is inefficient, at best, but i can't think of another way to "load on demand" from a single data file.

DBPro has/had File Pointers (at least as an IanM Matrix command?) which would help here but i don't think we have anything like that in AppGameKit?

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PartTimeCoder

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Posted: 18th Dec 2021 02:57

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Quote: "but i can't think of another way to "load on demand""

use XML type marker tags, "<LEVEL_1>level data here</LEVEL_1>" then either search the forum for a xml parser (there's a few) or read the entire file to string and "string find" for the level marker tag and "mid" from the start point omitting the tag (what the XML parsers do), still inefficient but faster than parsing line by line over and over and you only need to load the string once.... probably better to parse it and load it into a type array at project load and dump the string

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Virtual Nomad

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Posted: 18th Dec 2021 03:04 Edited at: 18th Dec 2021 03:07

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.toJSON/.fromJSON is better than parsing but the first time i read the OP, i guess i hung onto "the latter" part as the (only) question (despite the previous ?s

).

i still want to know what the "simple" level data is like.

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PartTimeCoder

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Posted: 18th Dec 2021 03:55 Edited at: 18th Dec 2021 03:59

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Yes, the json route is definitely the way to go, I over looked that aspect.

a crude example for a grid based level system

+ Code Snippet

// type structure must match json structure
Type tCellData
	color
EndType
Type tLevelData
	cell as tCellData[2, 2]
EndType
Global gLevel as tLevelData[2]

// add random junk
for l=0 to gLevel.length
	for x=0 to gLevel[l].cell.length
		for y=0 to gLevel[l].cell[x].length
			gLevel[l].cell[x, y].color = MakeColor(Random(0, 255), Random(0, 255), Random(0, 255))
		next
	next
next
sJSON$ = gLevel.toJSON()
OpenToWrite(1, "LevelData.json")
WriteString(1, sJSON$)
CloseFile(1)

// clear array
gLevel.length = -1

// read back json
OpenToRead(1, "LevelData.json")
sJSON$ = ReadString(1)
CloseFile(1)
gLevel.fromJSON(sJSON$)
for l=0 to gLevel.length
	for x=0 to gLevel[l].cell.length
		for y=0 to gLevel[l].cell[x].length
			Log(Str(gLevel[l].cell[x, y].color))
		next
	next
next

LevelData.json

[
    {
        "cell": [
            [
                {
                    "color": -16678287
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -5581662
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -3642407
                }
            ], 
            [
                {
                    "color": -10702302
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -15323970
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -15130900
                }
            ], 
            [
                {
                    "color": -2878879
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -10786115
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -10149877
                }
            ]
        ]
    }, 
    {
        "cell": [
            [
                {
                    "color": -9029573
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -10772472
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -3281583
                }
            ], 
            [
                {
                    "color": -13101438
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -5403034
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -12990599
                }
            ], 
            [
                {
                    "color": -6630275
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -10512296
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -13476183
                }
            ]
        ]
    }, 
    {
        "cell": [
            [
                {
                    "color": -14487349
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -571560
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -6168606
                }
            ], 
            [
                {
                    "color": -6650017
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -13976914
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -6230576
                }
            ], 
            [
                {
                    "color": -9966376
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -8940801
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -6769959
                }
            ]
        ]
    }
]

+ Code Snippet

[
    {
        "cell": [
            [
                {
                    "color": -16678287
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -5581662
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -3642407
                }
            ], 
            [
                {
                    "color": -10702302
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -15323970
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -15130900
                }
            ], 
            [
                {
                    "color": -2878879
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -10786115
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -10149877
                }
            ]
        ]
    }, 
    {
        "cell": [
            [
                {
                    "color": -9029573
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -10772472
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -3281583
                }
            ], 
            [
                {
                    "color": -13101438
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -5403034
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -12990599
                }
            ], 
            [
                {
                    "color": -6630275
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -10512296
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -13476183
                }
            ]
        ]
    }, 
    {
        "cell": [
            [
                {
                    "color": -14487349
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -571560
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -6168606
                }
            ], 
            [
                {
                    "color": -6650017
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -13976914
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -6230576
                }
            ], 
            [
                {
                    "color": -9966376
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -8940801
                }, 
                {
                    "color": -6769959
                }
            ]
        ]
    }
]

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Bored of the Rings

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Posted: 18th Dec 2021 07:34 Edited at: 18th Dec 2021 07:35

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@Amon-would be good to see your level data example.

Many ways to do this, the old fashioned 8 bit way is DATA / RESTORE statements in your program and read them in at will ,but not good for 100 levels. XML/JSON is a good way to go. Other ways are reading into memory and deleting the memory when done with the leve i.e. txt files to memblocks.

What I did recently was read some files in e.g. .txt etc put them into memory then save out as binary files then remove the code that reads in the original format and just read in the binary files.

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blink0k

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Posted: 19th Dec 2021 22:52

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The beauty of JSON is it will happily throw away variables that aren't in your type.

+ Code Snippet

type tA
  a as integer
  b as string
  c as integer
endtype
type tB
  b as string
  c as integer
endtype

So both tA and tB can be loaded from the same JSON file. In the case of tB it will throw away the "a" portion of the JSON file/string

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Steve Ancell

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Posted: 20th Dec 2021 01:01 Edited at: 20th Dec 2021 01:02

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I do separate text files for each level and write a custom parser for loading them. That's assuming you're not making levels in the scene editor.

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Amon

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Posted: 21st Dec 2021 05:05

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Hi, thanks all for the replies. Here's a little bit more clarification on what I'm doing.

The game is in 3D. The outer wall of the puzzle will be a series of GreyCubes. Each cubeID for the GreyCubes will be 1. RedCubes 2, OrangeCubes 3 and so on. Within the play area 2 sets of each non grey coloured cube will be placed and the goal is to match them up. Red to red, yellow to yellow etc. Any non matched coloured cubes that collide will result in the loss of the level.

A simple example of how I will be loading th elevels, this is going to be contained in the level.txt/.json file, is below.

1 = Grey Cube
2,3,4 and onwards represents the different coloured cubes.

Example Level.txt file:

1111111111
1000000001
1000000021
1000000011
1000000001
1000000001
1100000001
1200000001
1000000001
1111111111

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Virtual Nomad

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Posted: 21st Dec 2021 05:12 Edited at: 21st Dec 2021 05:15

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Quote: "Example Level.txt file:"

that's what i expected and why i don't understand the need for loading anything vs keeping it in-code. from the TD template:

Function BuildMap() // We'll add 6 Rows (0-5) and 10 Columns (0-9) of Tiles for this demo Map
    AddRow(0 ,"2122222222") //Row, TileType signified by a 1 (Road) or 2 (Ground or Buildable space for Towers)
    AddRow(1 ,"2111111112") //3 = Castle Walls where to Towers can be built. Don't forget the size of the Map[] array. Anything we don't
    AddRow(2 ,"2222222212") //specify here will = "0". Note that with Arrays, the first Index is 0. Hence, Row 0, 1, 2, etc.
    AddRow(3 ,"2222222212") //Rows will determine the Y on the Map while each character (read Column) in the String
    AddRow(4 ,"2221111112") //will determine the X coordinate (both multiplied by our TileSize (64).
    AddRow(5 ,"2331333222") //Note, when we later use MID(), the Characters returned begin at 1 (not 0) so we'll
                            //need to account for that when we place the Tile where we want the top-left corner of the map to be 0,0.
 
    //Waypoints for the Enemies to follow. We added 6 Rows (0-5) and 10 Columns (0-9) of Tiles above.
    AddWP(1,-1) :   AddWP(1,1)  :   AddWP(8,1)      //Note that WP(1,-1) is "off the Map" as is WP(3,6)
    AddWP(8,4)  :   AddWP(3,4)  :   AddWP(3,6)      //Same as above, the Top Left corner is 0,0 (* TileSize)
    //We can use WayPoints.Length to determine if an Enemy has reached the last Waypoint.
EndFunction
 
Function AddRow(Row,Data$) //to the Map
    //remember the Row determines the Y coordinate in Gridspace while the x in the following For/NExt loop will be used for the X coordinate 
    for x = 1 to LEN(Data$) //LEN gives you the # of characters in a String. IE, LEN("2122222222") = 10
        ThisTile = CreateSprite(0) //Create a 64x64 Sprite:
            SetSpriteSize(ThisTile,TileSize,TileSize)
             
        ThisTileType$ = MID(Data$,x,1) //Retrieve Charater (x) in the String to determine Tile "Type": Road, Land, or Castle
            //Remember, MID(String$) begins at 1. we need to convert it to GridSpace which begins at 0
            If ThisTileType$ = "1" //Road
                SetSpriteColor(ThisTile, 255,192,128,255)
                Map[x-1,Row] = 0 //0 signifies that the player CANNOT build a tower on this tile
            Endif
            If ThisTileType$ = "2" //Land
                SetSpriteColor(ThisTile,10,128,0,255)
                Map[x-1,Row] = 1 //1 signifies that the player CAN build a tower on this tile
            EndIf
            If ThisTileType$ = "3" //Castle
                SetSpriteColor(ThisTile,192,192,192,255)
                Map[x-1,Row] = 0 //Can't build here, either.
            EndIf
             
        SetSpritePosition(ThisTile,(x-1)*TileSize, Row*TileSize ) //Remember the first MID in a String is 1 so we need to subtract 1 to place
        SetSpriteDepth(ThisTile,100) //Below everything else visually.
        MapSprites.Insert(ThisTile) //Record the Sprite ID so we can delete them between Maps. 
                                    //Not actually used in this Template since we only have 1 Map
    next x
EndFunction
 
Function AddWP(x,y) //Center a small sprite in the center of a tile to indicate Waypoint
    WP = CreateSprite(0)    :   WayPoints.Insert(WP) //Add it to the (sequential) queue.
    SetSpritePositionByOffset(WP,(x*TileSize)+HALF, (y*TileSize)+HALF) //center in gridspace
    SetSpriteDepth(WP,90)   //just above the Ground (@ depth 100)
    MapSprites.Insert(WP)
EndFunction

+ Code Snippet

Function BuildMap() // We'll add 6 Rows (0-5) and 10 Columns (0-9) of Tiles for this demo Map
    AddRow(0 ,"2122222222") //Row, TileType signified by a 1 (Road) or 2 (Ground or Buildable space for Towers)
    AddRow(1 ,"2111111112") //3 = Castle Walls where to Towers can be built. Don't forget the size of the Map[] array. Anything we don't
    AddRow(2 ,"2222222212") //specify here will = "0". Note that with Arrays, the first Index is 0. Hence, Row 0, 1, 2, etc.
    AddRow(3 ,"2222222212") //Rows will determine the Y on the Map while each character (read Column) in the String
    AddRow(4 ,"2221111112") //will determine the X coordinate (both multiplied by our TileSize (64).
    AddRow(5 ,"2331333222") //Note, when we later use MID(), the Characters returned begin at 1 (not 0) so we'll
                            //need to account for that when we place the Tile where we want the top-left corner of the map to be 0,0.
 
    //Waypoints for the Enemies to follow. We added 6 Rows (0-5) and 10 Columns (0-9) of Tiles above.
    AddWP(1,-1) :   AddWP(1,1)  :   AddWP(8,1)      //Note that WP(1,-1) is "off the Map" as is WP(3,6)
    AddWP(8,4)  :   AddWP(3,4)  :   AddWP(3,6)      //Same as above, the Top Left corner is 0,0 (* TileSize)
    //We can use WayPoints.Length to determine if an Enemy has reached the last Waypoint.
EndFunction
 
Function AddRow(Row,Data$) //to the Map
    //remember the Row determines the Y coordinate in Gridspace while the x in the following For/NExt loop will be used for the X coordinate 
    for x = 1 to LEN(Data$) //LEN gives you the # of characters in a String. IE, LEN("2122222222") = 10
        ThisTile = CreateSprite(0) //Create a 64x64 Sprite:
            SetSpriteSize(ThisTile,TileSize,TileSize)
             
        ThisTileType$ = MID(Data$,x,1) //Retrieve Charater (x) in the String to determine Tile "Type": Road, Land, or Castle
            //Remember, MID(String$) begins at 1. we need to convert it to GridSpace which begins at 0
            If ThisTileType$ = "1" //Road
                SetSpriteColor(ThisTile, 255,192,128,255)
                Map[x-1,Row] = 0 //0 signifies that the player CANNOT build a tower on this tile
            Endif
            If ThisTileType$ = "2" //Land
                SetSpriteColor(ThisTile,10,128,0,255)
                Map[x-1,Row] = 1 //1 signifies that the player CAN build a tower on this tile
            EndIf
            If ThisTileType$ = "3" //Castle
                SetSpriteColor(ThisTile,192,192,192,255)
                Map[x-1,Row] = 0 //Can't build here, either.
            EndIf
             
        SetSpritePosition(ThisTile,(x-1)*TileSize, Row*TileSize ) //Remember the first MID in a String is 1 so we need to subtract 1 to place
        SetSpriteDepth(ThisTile,100) //Below everything else visually.
        MapSprites.Insert(ThisTile) //Record the Sprite ID so we can delete them between Maps. 
                                    //Not actually used in this Template since we only have 1 Map
    next x
EndFunction
 
Function AddWP(x,y) //Center a small sprite in the center of a tile to indicate Waypoint
    WP = CreateSprite(0)    :   WayPoints.Insert(WP) //Add it to the (sequential) queue.
    SetSpritePositionByOffset(WP,(x*TileSize)+HALF, (y*TileSize)+HALF) //center in gridspace
    SetSpriteDepth(WP,90)   //just above the Ground (@ depth 100)
    MapSprites.Insert(WP)
EndFunction

BuildMap() could easily become BuildMap(ThisMap) followed by a buncha If or Case statements (which, if i continue the template, it will).

but, as you wish. it's your baby

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Amon

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Posted: 21st Dec 2021 05:36

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Thank you Virtual Nomad. I kindof got it working:

// Project: Graviton3D 
// Created: 21-12-17

// show all errors

SetErrorMode(2)

// set window properties
SetWindowTitle( "Graviton3D" )
SetWindowSize( 1366, 768, 0 )
SetWindowAllowResize( 1 ) // allow the user to resize the window

// set display properties
SetVirtualResolution( 1366, 768 ) // doesn't have to match the window
SetOrientationAllowed( 1, 1, 1, 1 ) // allow both portrait and landscape on mobile devices
SetSyncRate( 60, 0 ) // 30fps instead of 60 to save battery
SetScissor( 0,0,0,0 ) // use the maximum available screen space, no black borders
UseNewDefaultFonts( 1 )

global tempGreyCube
tempGreyCube = loadObject("GreyCube.obj", 1)
global tempGreyCubeImage
tempGreyCubeImage = LoadImage("GreyTex.png")

SetObjectImage(tempGreyCube, tempGreyCubeImage, 0)

type GreyCube
	id as integer
	image as integer
	x as float
	y as float
	z as float
endtype

global GreyCubeList as GreyCube[]

type Cube
	id as integer
	x as float
	y as float
	z as float
	thrust as float
	gravity as float
	canMove as integer
endtype
global CubeList as Cube[]

//~global CubeArray as integer [10,10]

//~file = OpenToRead("levels.txt")
//~level$ =  ReadLine(file)
//~CloseFile(file)
//~	
//~local x = 0
//~local y = 0

//~For iter=1 to Len(level$) 
//~	if x = 10
//~		x = 0
//~		y = y + 1
//~	endif
//~	CubeArray[x,y] = val((Mid(level$, iter, 1)))
//~	x = x + 1
//~next

//~for x = 0 to 10 -1
//~	for y = 0 to 10 -1 
//~		if CubeArray[x,y] = 1
//~			gc as GreyCube			
//~			gc.id = CloneObject(tempGreyCube)		
//~			gc.x = x * 1
//~			gc.y = y * 1
//~			gc.z = 0
//~			GreyCubeList.insert(gc)
//~		endif
//~	next
//~next

BuildMap()

do
    Print( ScreenFPS() )
    Sync()
loop

Function BuildMap() // We'll add 6 Rows (0-5) and 10 Columns (0-9) of Tiles for this demo Map
    AddRow(0 ,"1111111111") //Row, TileType signified by a 1 (Road) or 2 (Ground or Buildable space for Towers)
    AddRow(1 ,"1000000001") //3 = Castle Walls where to Towers can be built. Don't forget the size of the Map[] array. Anything we don't
    AddRow(2 ,"1200000001") //specify here will = "0". Note that with Arrays, the first Index is 0. Hence, Row 0, 1, 2, etc.
    AddRow(3 ,"1100000001") //Rows will determine the Y on the Map while each character (read Column) in the String
    AddRow(4 ,"1000000001") //will determine the X coordinate (both multiplied by our TileSize (64).
    AddRow(5 ,"1000000011") //Note, when we later use MID(), the Characters returned begin at 1 (not 0) so we'll
    AddRow(5 ,"1000000021")//need to account for that when we place the Tile where we want the top-left corner of the map to be 0,0.
    AddRow(5 ,"1000000001")
  	AddRow(5 ,"1111111111")
  	
//~    //Waypoints for the Enemies to follow. We added 6 Rows (0-5) and 10 Columns (0-9) of Tiles above.
//~    AddWP(1,-1) :   AddWP(1,1)  :   AddWP(8,1)      //Note that WP(1,-1) is "off the Map" as is WP(3,6)
//~    AddWP(8,4)  :   AddWP(3,4)  :   AddWP(3,6)      //Same as above, the Top Left corner is 0,0 (* TileSize)
//~    //We can use WayPoints.Length to determine if an Enemy has reached the last Waypoint.
EndFunction
  
Function AddRow(Row,Data$) //to the Map
    //remember the Row determines the Y coordinate in Gridspace while the x in the following For/NExt loop will be used for the X coordinate 
    for x = 1 to LEN(Data$) //LEN gives you the # of characters in a String. IE, LEN("2122222222") = 10

ThisTileType$ = MID(Data$,x,1) //Retrieve Charater (x) in the String to determine Tile "Type": Road, Land, or Castle
            //Remember, MID(String$) begins at 1. we need to convert it to GridSpace which begins at 0
            If ThisTileType$ = "1" //Road
			
				gc as GreyCube			
				gc.id = CloneObject(tempGreyCube)		
				gc.x = x * 1
				gc.y = x * 1
				gc.z = 0
				GreyCubeList.insert(gc)

Endif
//~            If ThisTileType$ = "2" //Land
//~                SetSpriteColor(ThisTile,10,128,0,255)
//~                Map[x-1,Row] = 1 //1 signifies that the player CAN build a tower on this tile
//~            EndIf
//~            If ThisTileType$ = "3" //Castle
//~                SetSpriteColor(ThisTile,192,192,192,255)
//~                Map[x-1,Row] = 0 //Can't build here, either.
//~            EndIf
              
			for tgc = 0 to GreyCubeList.length
				SetObjectPosition(GreyCubeList[tgc].id, GreyCubeList[tgc].x, GreyCubeList[tgc].z, GreyCubeList[tgc].y)
			next //Remember the first MID in a String is 1 so we need to subtract 1 to place
       		
        			//MapSprites.Insert(ThisTile) //Record the Sprite ID so we can delete them between Maps. 
                                    //Not actually used in this Template since we only have 1 Map
    next x
EndFunction
  
//~Function AddWP(x,y) //Center a small sprite in the center of a tile to indicate Waypoint
//~    WP = CreateSprite(0)    :   WayPoints.Insert(WP) //Add it to the (sequential) queue.
//~    SetSpritePositionByOffset(WP,(x*TileSize)+HALF, (y*TileSize)+HALF) //center in gridspace
//~    SetSpriteDepth(WP,90)   //just above the Ground (@ depth 100)
//~    MapSprites.Insert(WP)
//~EndFunction

+ Code Snippet


// Project: Graviton3D 
// Created: 21-12-17

// show all errors

SetErrorMode(2)

// set window properties
SetWindowTitle( "Graviton3D" )
SetWindowSize( 1366, 768, 0 )
SetWindowAllowResize( 1 ) // allow the user to resize the window

// set display properties
SetVirtualResolution( 1366, 768 ) // doesn't have to match the window
SetOrientationAllowed( 1, 1, 1, 1 ) // allow both portrait and landscape on mobile devices
SetSyncRate( 60, 0 ) // 30fps instead of 60 to save battery
SetScissor( 0,0,0,0 ) // use the maximum available screen space, no black borders
UseNewDefaultFonts( 1 )

global tempGreyCube
tempGreyCube = loadObject("GreyCube.obj", 1)
global tempGreyCubeImage
tempGreyCubeImage = LoadImage("GreyTex.png")

SetObjectImage(tempGreyCube, tempGreyCubeImage, 0)

type GreyCube
	id as integer
	image as integer
	x as float
	y as float
	z as float
endtype

global GreyCubeList as GreyCube[]

type Cube
	id as integer
	x as float
	y as float
	z as float
	thrust as float
	gravity as float
	canMove as integer
endtype
global CubeList as Cube[]

//~global CubeArray as integer [10,10]

//~file = OpenToRead("levels.txt")
//~level$ =  ReadLine(file)
//~CloseFile(file)
//~	
//~local x = 0
//~local y = 0


//~For iter=1 to Len(level$) 
//~	if x = 10
//~		x = 0
//~		y = y + 1
//~	endif
//~	CubeArray[x,y] = val((Mid(level$, iter, 1)))
//~	x = x + 1
//~next

//~for x = 0 to 10 -1
//~	for y = 0 to 10 -1 
//~		if CubeArray[x,y] = 1
//~			gc as GreyCube			
//~			gc.id = CloneObject(tempGreyCube)		
//~			gc.x = x * 1
//~			gc.y = y * 1
//~			gc.z = 0
//~			GreyCubeList.insert(gc)
//~		endif
//~	next
//~next

BuildMap()




do
    Print( ScreenFPS() )
    Sync()
loop




Function BuildMap() // We'll add 6 Rows (0-5) and 10 Columns (0-9) of Tiles for this demo Map
    AddRow(0 ,"1111111111") //Row, TileType signified by a 1 (Road) or 2 (Ground or Buildable space for Towers)
    AddRow(1 ,"1000000001") //3 = Castle Walls where to Towers can be built. Don't forget the size of the Map[] array. Anything we don't
    AddRow(2 ,"1200000001") //specify here will = "0". Note that with Arrays, the first Index is 0. Hence, Row 0, 1, 2, etc.
    AddRow(3 ,"1100000001") //Rows will determine the Y on the Map while each character (read Column) in the String
    AddRow(4 ,"1000000001") //will determine the X coordinate (both multiplied by our TileSize (64).
    AddRow(5 ,"1000000011") //Note, when we later use MID(), the Characters returned begin at 1 (not 0) so we'll
    AddRow(5 ,"1000000021")//need to account for that when we place the Tile where we want the top-left corner of the map to be 0,0.
    AddRow(5 ,"1000000001")
  	AddRow(5 ,"1111111111")
  	
//~    //Waypoints for the Enemies to follow. We added 6 Rows (0-5) and 10 Columns (0-9) of Tiles above.
//~    AddWP(1,-1) :   AddWP(1,1)  :   AddWP(8,1)      //Note that WP(1,-1) is "off the Map" as is WP(3,6)
//~    AddWP(8,4)  :   AddWP(3,4)  :   AddWP(3,6)      //Same as above, the Top Left corner is 0,0 (* TileSize)
//~    //We can use WayPoints.Length to determine if an Enemy has reached the last Waypoint.
EndFunction
  
Function AddRow(Row,Data$) //to the Map
    //remember the Row determines the Y coordinate in Gridspace while the x in the following For/NExt loop will be used for the X coordinate 
    for x = 1 to LEN(Data$) //LEN gives you the # of characters in a String. IE, LEN("2122222222") = 10

              
        ThisTileType$ = MID(Data$,x,1) //Retrieve Charater (x) in the String to determine Tile "Type": Road, Land, or Castle
            //Remember, MID(String$) begins at 1. we need to convert it to GridSpace which begins at 0
            If ThisTileType$ = "1" //Road
			
				gc as GreyCube			
				gc.id = CloneObject(tempGreyCube)		
				gc.x = x * 1
				gc.y = x * 1
				gc.z = 0
				GreyCubeList.insert(gc)

            Endif
//~            If ThisTileType$ = "2" //Land
//~                SetSpriteColor(ThisTile,10,128,0,255)
//~                Map[x-1,Row] = 1 //1 signifies that the player CAN build a tower on this tile
//~            EndIf
//~            If ThisTileType$ = "3" //Castle
//~                SetSpriteColor(ThisTile,192,192,192,255)
//~                Map[x-1,Row] = 0 //Can't build here, either.
//~            EndIf
              
			for tgc = 0 to GreyCubeList.length
				SetObjectPosition(GreyCubeList[tgc].id, GreyCubeList[tgc].x, GreyCubeList[tgc].z, GreyCubeList[tgc].y)
			next //Remember the first MID in a String is 1 so we need to subtract 1 to place
       		
        			//MapSprites.Insert(ThisTile) //Record the Sprite ID so we can delete them between Maps. 
                                    //Not actually used in this Template since we only have 1 Map
    next x
EndFunction
  
//~Function AddWP(x,y) //Center a small sprite in the center of a tile to indicate Waypoint
//~    WP = CreateSprite(0)    :   WayPoints.Insert(WP) //Add it to the (sequential) queue.
//~    SetSpritePositionByOffset(WP,(x*TileSize)+HALF, (y*TileSize)+HALF) //center in gridspace
//~    SetSpriteDepth(WP,90)   //just above the Ground (@ depth 100)
//~    MapSprites.Insert(WP)
//~EndFunction

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Virtual Nomad

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Posted: 21st Dec 2021 06:49 Edited at: 21st Dec 2021 06:51

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a couple of things (sorry, i cleaned up/formatted things a little differently):

this shows how might use the function to build various maps (ie, map 1, 2...)

+ Code Snippet

Function BuildMap(Map)
	Select
		Case 1
			AddRow(0 ,"1111111111") 
			AddRow(1 ,"1000000001")
			AddRow(2 ,"1200000001")
			AddRow(3 ,"1100000001")
			AddRow(4 ,"1000000001")
			AddRow(5 ,"1000000011")
			AddRow(5 ,"1000000021")
			AddRow(5 ,"1000000001")
			AddRow(5 ,"1111111111")
		EndCase
		
		Case 2
			AddRow(0 ,"1111111111") 
			AddRow(1 ,"1000000001")
			AddRow(2 ,"1200000001")
			AddRow(3 ,"1100000001")
			AddRow(4 ,"1000000001")
			AddRow(5 ,"1000000011")
			AddRow(5 ,"1000000021")
			AddRow(5 ,"1000000001")
			AddRow(5 ,"1111111111")
		EndCase
	EndSelect	
EndFunction

...in your code, you are adding Row 5 multiple times (tho you are not using Row at all in your AddRow() function).

then, in your AddRow():

+ Code Snippet

Function AddRow(Row,Data$) //to the Map
    for x = 1 to LEN(Data$)
        ThisTileType$ = MID(Data$,x,1) 
            //Remember, MID(String$) begins at 1. we need to convert it to GridSpace which begins at 0
            If ThisTileType$ = "1" //Road
				gc as GreyCube			
					gc.id = CloneObject(tempGreyCube)		
					gc.x = x * 1
					gc.y = x * 1
					gc.z = 0
					GreyCubeList.insert(gc)
            Endif

			for tgc = 0 to GreyCubeList.length
				SetObjectPosition(GreyCubeList[tgc].id, GreyCubeList[tgc].x, GreyCubeList[tgc].z, GreyCubeList[tgc].y)
			next tgc
    next x
EndFunction

your for tgc loop seems to be positioning everything in GreyCubeList over and over (and over), LEN(Data$) many times?

if i'm reading it right, why not just position it as you read it in? IE:

+ Code Snippet

Function AddRow(Row,Data$) //to the Map
    for x = 1 to LEN(Data$)
        ThisTileType$ = MID(Data$,x,1) 
            //Remember, MID(String$) begins at 1. we need to convert it to GridSpace which begins at 0
            If ThisTileType$ = "1" //Road
				gc as GreyCube			
					gc.id = CloneObject(tempGreyCube)		
					gc.x = x * 1
					gc.y = x * 1
					gc.z = 0
					GreyCubeList.insert(gc)
					SetObjectPosition(GreyCubeList[tgc].id, GreyCubeList[tgc].x, GreyCubeList[tgc].z, GreyCubeList[tgc].y)
            Endif
    next x
EndFunction

anyway, glad to help (hopefully my responses aren't too confusing

)

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Amon

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Posted: 21st Dec 2021 08:12 Edited at: 21st Dec 2021 08:24

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Function BuildMap(Map)
	Select Map
  		Case 1
		    AddRow(0 ,"1111111111")
		    AddRow(1 ,"1000000001")
		    AddRow(2 ,"1200000001")
		    AddRow(3 ,"1100000001")
		    AddRow(4 ,"1000000001")
		    AddRow(5 ,"1000000011")
		    AddRow(6 ,"1000000021")
		    AddRow(7 ,"1000000001")
		    AddRow(8 ,"1000000001")
		  	AddRow(9 ,"1111111111")
		EndCase
	EndSelect
EndFunction

Function AddRow(Row,Data$)
    for x = 1 to LEN(Data$)
        ThisTileType$ = MID(Data$,x,1)

If ThisTileType$ = "1"
                gc as GreyCube
                    gc.id = CloneObject(tempGreyCube)
                    gc.x = x * 1
                    tempX = x
                    if ( tempX > 9 )
                    		y = y + 1
                    		tempX = 0
                    	endif
                    gc.y = y * 1
                    gc.z = 0
                    GreyCubeList.insert(gc)
            Endif
    next x
 	for tgc = 0 to GreyCubeList.length
		SetObjectPosition(GreyCubeList[tgc].id, GreyCubeList[tgc].x, GreyCubeList[tgc].z, GreyCubeList[tgc].x)	
	next
	  
EndFunction

+ Code Snippet

Function BuildMap(Map)
	Select Map
  		Case 1
		    AddRow(0 ,"1111111111")
		    AddRow(1 ,"1000000001")
		    AddRow(2 ,"1200000001")
		    AddRow(3 ,"1100000001")
		    AddRow(4 ,"1000000001")
		    AddRow(5 ,"1000000011")
		    AddRow(6 ,"1000000021")
		    AddRow(7 ,"1000000001")
		    AddRow(8 ,"1000000001")
		  	AddRow(9 ,"1111111111")
		EndCase
	EndSelect
EndFunction

Function AddRow(Row,Data$)
    for x = 1 to LEN(Data$)
        ThisTileType$ = MID(Data$,x,1)

            If ThisTileType$ = "1"
                gc as GreyCube
                    gc.id = CloneObject(tempGreyCube)
                    gc.x = x * 1
                    tempX = x
                    if ( tempX > 9 )
                    		y = y + 1
                    		tempX = 0
                    	endif
                    gc.y = y * 1
                    gc.z = 0
                    GreyCubeList.insert(gc)
            Endif
    next x
 	for tgc = 0 to GreyCubeList.length
		SetObjectPosition(GreyCubeList[tgc].id, GreyCubeList[tgc].x, GreyCubeList[tgc].z, GreyCubeList[tgc].x)	
	next
	  
EndFunction

All I get is a diagonal line of cubes not even close to looking like the setup.

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EdzUp

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Posted: 21st Dec 2021 08:25

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I would go the XML route this is the one I use for Star Rogue, in each system you have things like:
[Code]
<Header>
;System details in here
</Header>
<Data>
<Planet>
...
</Planet>
</Data>
[/Code]

I then parse the file at load time for relevant information and on the start of each block set the mode so if it's a planet it reads in the data till it it's the end /Planet tag then stores that in a planet array. It does this for everything in the game.

-EdzUp
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EdzUp
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blink0k

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Posted: 21st Dec 2021 19:19 Edited at: 21st Dec 2021 19:21

Link

You could do this

+ Code Snippet

levels as integer[-1,-1]
levels.fromJSON("[[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1],[1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1],[1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,2,1],[1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1],[1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1],[1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1],[1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1],[1,2,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1],[1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1],[1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1]]")

or you could put that literal in a file and use levels.load(filename)

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Virtual Nomad

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Posted: 21st Dec 2021 20:17 Edited at: 21st Dec 2021 20:23

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@amon, this is about as clear as i can describe usage:
note "3" which is the green cube. top-left on map 1, bottom right on map 2:

// Project: Graviton3D 
// Created: 21-12-17

// show all errors

SetErrorMode(2)

// set window properties
SetWindowTitle( "Graviton3D" )
SetWindowSize( 683, 384, 0 )
SetWindowAllowResize( 1 ) // allow the user to resize the window

// set display properties
SetVirtualResolution( 1366, 768 ) // doesn't have to match the window
SetOrientationAllowed( 1, 1, 1, 1 ) // allow both portrait and landscape on mobile devices
SetSyncRate( 60, 0 ) // 30fps instead of 60 to save battery
SetScissor( 0,0,0,0 ) // use the maximum available screen space, no black borders
UseNewDefaultFonts( 1 )

GLOBAL Map as Integer [10,10] //Cube IDs
SetCameraPosition(1,176,500,-144)
SetCameraLookAt(1,176,0,-144,0)

do
	ThisMap = GetRawLastKey()
	If GetRawKeyReleased(ThisMap) then Build( VAL( CHR(ThisMap) ) )

PRINT(CHR(ThisMap))
	
    Sync()
loop

Function Build(ThisMap)
	Select ThisMap
		Case 1
            AddRow(0 ,"3222222222") // 0 = empty, 1 = grey cube, 2 = red cube
            AddRow(1 ,"1000000001")
            AddRow(2 ,"1200000001")
            AddRow(3 ,"1102000001")
            AddRow(4 ,"1000000001")
            AddRow(5 ,"1000000011")
            AddRow(6 ,"1000020021")
            AddRow(7 ,"1000000001")
            AddRow(8 ,"1000000001")
            AddRow(9 ,"2222222222")
		EndCase
		
		Case 2
            AddRow(0 ,"1111111111") // 0 = empty, 1 = grey cube, 2 = red cube
            AddRow(1 ,"1000000001")
            AddRow(2 ,"1200001001")
            AddRow(3 ,"1100000001")
            AddRow(4 ,"2000000001")
            AddRow(5 ,"2000000011")
            AddRow(6 ,"1001000022")
            AddRow(7 ,"1000000001")
            AddRow(8 ,"1000000001")
            AddRow(9 ,"1111111113")
		EndCase
		
	EndSelect
	
EndFunction
  
Function AddRow(Row,Data$)
    for x = 1 to LEN(Data$)
		This = VAL(MID(Data$,x,1))
		Cell = Map[x,row]
		
		Select This
			Case 0: //Empty
				If Cell > 0 then DeleteObject(Cell)
				Cell = 0
			EndCase
			
			Case 1: //Grey
				If Cell = 0 then Cell = CreateObjectBox(32,32,32)
				SetObjectColor(Cell, 128,128,128,255)
			EndCase

Case 2: //Red
				If Cell = 0 then Cell = CreateObjectBox(32,32,32)
				SetObjectColor(Cell, 255,0,0,255)
			EndCase

Case 3: //Green
				If Cell = 0 then Cell = CreateObjectBox(32,32,32)
				SetObjectColor(Cell, 0,255,0,255)
			EndCase
		EndSelect

Map[x,row] = Cell
		If Cell > 0 then SetObjectPosition(Cell,x*32,0,-row*32)
    next x
EndFunction

+ Code Snippet

// Project: Graviton3D 
// Created: 21-12-17

// show all errors

SetErrorMode(2)

// set window properties
SetWindowTitle( "Graviton3D" )
SetWindowSize( 683, 384, 0 )
SetWindowAllowResize( 1 ) // allow the user to resize the window

// set display properties
SetVirtualResolution( 1366, 768 ) // doesn't have to match the window
SetOrientationAllowed( 1, 1, 1, 1 ) // allow both portrait and landscape on mobile devices
SetSyncRate( 60, 0 ) // 30fps instead of 60 to save battery
SetScissor( 0,0,0,0 ) // use the maximum available screen space, no black borders
UseNewDefaultFonts( 1 )

GLOBAL Map as Integer [10,10] //Cube IDs
SetCameraPosition(1,176,500,-144)
SetCameraLookAt(1,176,0,-144,0)

do
	ThisMap = GetRawLastKey()
	If GetRawKeyReleased(ThisMap) then Build( VAL( CHR(ThisMap) ) )

	PRINT(CHR(ThisMap))
	
    Sync()
loop



Function Build(ThisMap)
	Select ThisMap
		Case 1
            AddRow(0 ,"3222222222") // 0 = empty, 1 = grey cube, 2 = red cube
            AddRow(1 ,"1000000001")
            AddRow(2 ,"1200000001")
            AddRow(3 ,"1102000001")
            AddRow(4 ,"1000000001")
            AddRow(5 ,"1000000011")
            AddRow(6 ,"1000020021")
            AddRow(7 ,"1000000001")
            AddRow(8 ,"1000000001")
            AddRow(9 ,"2222222222")
		EndCase
		
		Case 2
            AddRow(0 ,"1111111111") // 0 = empty, 1 = grey cube, 2 = red cube
            AddRow(1 ,"1000000001")
            AddRow(2 ,"1200001001")
            AddRow(3 ,"1100000001")
            AddRow(4 ,"2000000001")
            AddRow(5 ,"2000000011")
            AddRow(6 ,"1001000022")
            AddRow(7 ,"1000000001")
            AddRow(8 ,"1000000001")
            AddRow(9 ,"1111111113")
		EndCase
		
	EndSelect
	
EndFunction
  
Function AddRow(Row,Data$)
    for x = 1 to LEN(Data$)
		This = VAL(MID(Data$,x,1))
		Cell = Map[x,row]
		
		Select This
			Case 0: //Empty
				If Cell > 0 then DeleteObject(Cell)
				Cell = 0
			EndCase
			
			Case 1: //Grey
				If Cell = 0 then Cell = CreateObjectBox(32,32,32)
				SetObjectColor(Cell, 128,128,128,255)
			EndCase

			Case 2: //Red
				If Cell = 0 then Cell = CreateObjectBox(32,32,32)
				SetObjectColor(Cell, 255,0,0,255)
			EndCase

			Case 3: //Green
				If Cell = 0 then Cell = CreateObjectBox(32,32,32)
				SetObjectColor(Cell, 0,255,0,255)
			EndCase
		EndSelect

		Map[x,row] = Cell
		If Cell > 0 then SetObjectPosition(Cell,x*32,0,-row*32)
    next x
EndFunction

i'm not sure how you were getting diagonal lines but i noted that you still weren't using Row which is the reference for z positioning of an object in AddRow().

anyway, run that. hit 1, 2 to choose a map and note the changes made (if any) to "map" out the level.

otherwise, feel free to try the other methods that are being suggested.

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jd_zoo

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Posted: 21st Dec 2021 21:41

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So if you want to go old school you can use a tile system, there is a great video of how efficient they can be.

This is all the code for Super Mario Brothers World 1-1:

Check out the presentation by Kevin Zurawel called Game Development in Eight Bits:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPbroUDHG0s

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Virtual Nomad

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Posted: 21st Dec 2021 21:47 Edited at: 21st Dec 2021 21:47

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@jd_zoo: THIS

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Amon

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Posted: 22nd Dec 2021 18:19

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Wow, Thanks all for the positive replies. Especially @Virtual Nomad.

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Scraggle

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Posted: 23rd Dec 2021 10:29

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You've been convinced to hard-code the level data within the exe and there are some good reason why you should. There is no right or wrong way, but now I'm going to give you some good reasons why you might prefer to have each level as a separate data file:

If the data is in the exe:

You can't release the game until all levels are created.

You have a fixed number of levels.

Any errors in one of the levels means you have to update and redistribute the entire exe

If the levels are separate data files:

You can release the game early with a small number of levels and add to them at any time.

You can keep adding levels for eternity - assuming your game is popular enough (think Candy Crush).

To change a level for any reason is simply a matter of changing a single data file - the exe remains unchanged. And if your levels are loaded from a server then that data file is the only thing that needs to change.

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jd_zoo

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Posted: 24th Dec 2021 14:36

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@VN haha awesome I obviously need to start following over there

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monotonic

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Posted: 24th Dec 2021 17:53

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I second Scraggle's points, it is much better to use data files for this. Obviously, prototyping as hardcoded level data is easier, but for production, I would strongly recommend going with the data files approach.

All programmers are playwrights and all computers are lousy actors.

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