Level editor ideas

jobromedia · 2015-09-21 19:13:23

So we had a brief discussion regarding the need to update the level editor. I proposed a topic about it, so here it is.

Please feel free to fill in your ideas in this topic.

Let me start by showing the Mario Maker editor and how seamlessly it integrates between edit and play: It has a LOT to wish for in Open surge's editor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMCxTwyeA_8

So what we have here is a really advanced editor. Take a look! It's well worth these 13 minutes spent.

TheSeventhEmerald · 2015-09-21 20:21:14

Some features I've realised I NEED on the level editor to work fast

- SELECTION TOOL

To erase/move various bricks/objects at once and doing some cool stuff I mention below

- CREATING THE BRICKS:

Now, the bricks are placed by single click. That's not bad, but slow. If I could click and then drag the mouse to fill up the map, it would be easier. The problem is that Open Surge is based on bricks and not on tiles. To improve this, I recommend two approaches:

a) Change our concept of "group". The group in Open Surge is something static, which cannot be modified in the editor. You have to suffer doing it BEFORE and then wish it works. Making groups can be also slow and horrible, in my experience.
The solution would be a multi copy - paste feature. I mean, for example, using the Selection Tool to select a bunch of bricks, objects or whatever. Then, press for example CTRL+3 to assign that to the group number 3. Then, every time you press 3, you can place that group. That's a fast way to create multiple groups, and they can be edited in the editor.

b) FILL TOOL. Using the Selection tool, make a big rectangle and select "Fill". The rectangle would be filled with the selected brick. Of course, the rectangle size have to scale to the brick size.

- LEVEL CONFIG:

Some things, like music or background, can be easily configured in the text file. However, other things should be placed in-editor, like the waterlevel, watercolor, messages, or boss zone. It's really a pain to move to the location where I want a box, then write it in the file, then prove to check it works good. And with Boss is even worst. Most time I need some tries to get the camera lock I want. If I could simply drag a rectangle... simply that... Things would be easier.

- ADJUSTABLE GRID:

Don't you feel upset when the brick size does not fit the grid and you have to adjust it manually...? Well, then I don't have to say that a custom grid size is the solution to our problems. Or, at less, use some predefined grid size including 1x1 px for precision work.

Now, some features I think they would improve the experience but that they're optional:

- ZOOMING:

Well, zoom in and out the level. The zoom out, combined with BIG copy-paste, could be really a good way to enlarge the level.

- SELECTION BAR

Like in SSDW's old editor, a bar below with old the objects so I can select the one I want with a click. Using the mouse scroll is not very good when you have a LOT of objects.

I think this is everything I would want to have in a WONDERASTONISHINSOME LEVEL EDITOR

svgmovement · 2015-09-23 05:08:47

Hello, everyone,

I have been planning on transitioning my GroupGrid tool
towards being more useful as a level editor, so some of
these suggestions I would be glad to consider.

I have to get objects working first, though.

If someone else is working on a level editor, don't let me
stop you.

KZR · 2015-09-24 08:14:44

So here are a few of my own:

Background preview

This is possible and fast. I did it with my little coding knowledge, it just needs to be turned into an official feature.

Brick/Object/Item selection window

By pressing a key, a tabbed window would pop-up, showing the available stuff that can be placed in a level. Click on something and it becomes the thing you are going to place next.

Group editor

Building upon the previous concept, editing groups could be done in a place inside the editor, or even just by selecting a bunch of stuff.

Alexandre · 2015-09-24 13:15:50

What are the main usability problems today?

What is proper and right in the current editor?

TheSeventhEmerald · 2015-09-24 17:52:07

For me, the main problem usability is that we cannot copy-paste things. Groups are pain. I detailed my ideas about that in my previous post
I divided my previous post in "Things I need" (i.e., what I think is VERY important to fix) and "Cool things" (would be nice to see that, but not REALLY neccesary).

Proper and right... In my opinion there's no ULTRA-NICE features. The editor is basic and even primitive -it allows you to make levels, but with a lot of effort and patience. We need to improve almost every basic feature to make something faster and pleasant to work with

I like KZR idea of item selection, even more than my selection bar. It would be a very good feature.

aronthehedgehog · 2015-09-25 13:56:50

Things that i think might need to be added (this is my opinion, so disregard it if you want) is that you can insert characters into the level, while in the editor.

jobromedia · 2015-09-25 22:24:38

I've spent around 2 hours jerking around in Super Mario Maker, and that editor is Briliant! No other words comes close to describe it any better. Instead of having a cluttered palette of items, you have there 16 items on top of the screen. That's it. When you shake an object, it's being changed to something similar. For instance:

Mario > Super Mario > Mario

We could use something similar.

Blue spring > yellow spring > red spring
Standard shield > magnetic shield > water shield

Say you want to make a questionblock fly. All you do is that you apply wings to it. It's that simple. Want to move a buzzsaw on a track? Just lay out the tracks, and attach the buzzsaw where you want it to be. It really is that simple. I totally enjoy this way of working out levels. Nothing beats it!

Then when it's time to upload your master piece, all required is that you can beat your own level. After that, you can get comments on your levels and get them star rated. People can follow you as a level designer. So whenever I upload my next masterpiece, you get a notification about it.

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#1 2015-09-21 19:13:23

Level editor ideas

#2 2015-09-21 20:21:14

Re: Level editor ideas

#3 2015-09-23 05:08:47

Re: Level editor ideas

#4 2015-09-24 08:14:44

Re: Level editor ideas

#5 2015-09-24 13:15:50

Re: Level editor ideas

#6 2015-09-24 17:52:07

Re: Level editor ideas

#7 2015-09-25 13:56:50

Re: Level editor ideas

#8 2015-09-25 22:24:38

Re: Level editor ideas

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