Level Director - Level creation tool for windows

Level Director
#121

Hi Mo,

It sounds like you are having some trouble but setting up your first project can be tricky.

You’re correct, you do need to create a main.lua file but I’ve just added to my todo list to detect if one exists and create one for you.

I think you have copied a main.lua file from an example that uses the asset management feature hence why you get the error i.e. your export does not contain this function as this needs to be turned on in the export settings under tools->options.

The best place to start is to copy the example1 project folder and rename it to whatever you want.
Comment out the code after the CreateLevel call.
Export your level to this folder and call it ‘level’ and try running the project (if you use a different name then change it in the main.lua file in the require line).

In the images folder remove the current images from the example and replace with your own.

The image sub folder is optional (see export settings) and just allows you to set this in the config.lua file. If you do not set this it will look for your images in the project root folder.

Give this a try and let me know how you get on.

In a future release I will try and make this a simple process when starting a new project.

Thanks.
[import]uid: 175213 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 136571[/import]

#122

Hello,

THANKS so much! It worked. I was wondering about couple things (sorry, it is the first time I have used a level maker)

1- I know there is limit on the number of images (10 I believe) in the trial version. I had put more than that and I see that the last ones are shown. I then remove some and even renamed to make sure is under 10 but I still cannot see them? Is that normal? Do I need to start a new project?

2- I am assuming I need to use Lua code to make some objects on the scene spawned randomly?

3- Can you talk more about “animation sequences” how to use them?
In any event, this is a great tool!

Mo [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 136626[/import]

#123

Level Director 1.8.1 Released at http://www.retrofitproductions.com/level-director

* Bezier curves can now be flipped on the X and Y axis by pressing the X or Y key on a selected curve.
* A padlock is now displayed on locked objects.
* Changed restriction on free edition so an unlimited number of objects can be added but only 5 exported.
[import]uid: 175213 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 137009[/import]

#124

Hi

I’m pleased you got it working.

Yes the trial version does restrict you to 10 assets but there are some loop holes when using sprite sheets, this has been addressed in the next version. In case you wanted to purchase the full version there is a $5 off code LD5OFF which is valid until the end of December.

If you want to spawn objects randomly then I suggest you use the export asset feature which gives you a function to spawn a object by its name, check out the examples, but remember you will need to set the export asset to on in tools-options.

Animation sequences require you to load a sprite sheet i.e. an asset that contains multiple frames. you set this when prompted for width and height.
a sequence then needs a name, start frame which would normally be the selected frame , the number of frames and speed.
Again if you look at the example with the dog running this demostrates animation sequences. The main.lua shows you how to prepare the sequence and play it.

Let me know how you get on.
[import]uid: 175213 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 136690[/import]

#125

Thank you for all your help! I tried to enter the discount code LD5OFF but for some reason it says it is invalid?

Mo [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 136725[/import]

#126

Apologies it is actually 5OFFLD [import]uid: 175213 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 136760[/import]

#127

THANKS! I bought it. I am still waiting for the email with the licence key. Not sure how long that takes. I am just worry that I gave you the wrong email since it is different from the one on my Paypal account. You can send it to my Paypal account email or here:

lemsim @ gmail .com

Thanks.

Mo [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 136814[/import]

#128

That is strange as it should be emailed to you automatically.
I will get the key sent to you as soon as I get back to the office.

Thanks. [import]uid: 175213 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 136822[/import]

#129

Thanks! Yes please send it to the above email. Can’t wait to “play” with it!

Mo [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 136825[/import]

#130

Hi Mo,

I sent you an email with the license key, let me know you received it ok.
Also, you may want to check your junk/spam folder if you don’t see it.

Thanks.
[import]uid: 175213 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 136879[/import]

#131

Thanks so much! Yes I got it and it works great. I am having so much fun playing with the tool and thinking about future games using LD. I know it will make it much easier to design them now with LD. I really like how you can quickly see the effect of changes. The only thing I can think of making this tool is even better is more documentation on all the great features. I know that i am using probably only 10% or less what I can do with LD!

Congrats and thank you for coming up with such a great tool.

Mo [import]uid: 100814 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 136883[/import]

#132

Hi Mo,

Glad you got the key ok and are enjoying using LD.
You are right though I do need to spend some time on the documentation which i will update and I have plans to do some video tutorials in the new year too.

Thanks and happy new year.

[import]uid: 175213 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 136895[/import]

#133

Level Director 1.8.1 Released at http://www.retrofitproductions.com/level-director

* Bezier curves can now be flipped on the X and Y axis by pressing the X or Y key on a selected curve.
* A padlock is now displayed on locked objects.
* Changed restriction on free edition so an unlimited number of objects can be added but only 5 exported.
[import]uid: 175213 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 137009[/import]

#134

Just a minor release but Level Director 1.8.2 released at http://www.retrofitproductions.com/level-director

* Improved Bezier export so each curve is in its own display group so the standard display properties can be applied.
[import]uid: 175213 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 138938[/import]

#135

Just a minor release but Level Director 1.8.2 released at http://www.retrofitproductions.com/level-director

* Improved Bezier export so each curve is in its own display group so the standard display properties can be applied.
[import]uid: 175213 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 138938[/import]

#136

Hi,
Is it possible to add import complex sheet generated by TexturePacker (sheet.png + sheet.lua) as assets?
Now I must work with individual images in Level Director and next manually correct lua file generated by LD. It’s uncomfortable… [import]uid: 193524 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 139726[/import]

#137

Hi Nosty,

As you’re aware LD does not currently support complex sprites only fixed size sheets.
I have added this to my todo list though as I think it would be a nice feature to support.

I think TexturePacker has the option to export the sprite sheets in a fixed size but I appreciate this is not ideal if you have many sprites of varying sizes.

I’ll keep you posted.

Thanks. [import]uid: 175213 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 139739[/import]

#138

Hi,
Is it possible to add import complex sheet generated by TexturePacker (sheet.png + sheet.lua) as assets?
Now I must work with individual images in Level Director and next manually correct lua file generated by LD. It’s uncomfortable… [import]uid: 193524 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 139726[/import]

#139

Hi Nosty,

As you’re aware LD does not currently support complex sprites only fixed size sheets.
I have added this to my todo list though as I think it would be a nice feature to support.

I think TexturePacker has the option to export the sprite sheets in a fixed size but I appreciate this is not ideal if you have many sprites of varying sizes.

I’ll keep you posted.

Thanks. [import]uid: 175213 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 139739[/import]

#140

Coming Soon - Joints

I may need some beta testers as I have not worked with joints before so testing the output is proving difficult.
[import]uid: 175213 topic_id: 30669 reply_id: 141101[/import]