Presenting the drag and drop level editor for Corona SDK with Inkscape and SVG!

General (non-technical) Off-Topic
#1

Inkscape Level Editor for Corona SDK

I’m working on another cool Corona SDK thing along with the book: a SVG based level editor for Corona SDK!

By just dragging and dropping rectangles in an Inkscape* document you can have game levels with physics bodies deployed instantly.

No more manual physics bodies positioning and tuning! Take the pain out of level creation.

* Free and open source vector graphics editor - http://inkscape.org/

Demonstration and level creation process video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcVp0lp7qAQ

Want to know more?

This is still a work in progress, so if you want to hear more about it when it is ready, you can follow me on Twitter: @KarnakGames and/or signup to my Corona Newsletter.

Disclaimer

This is not intended to be a competitor or replacement to the excellent Lime. Lime is totally based on Tiled. My level editor is based on Inkscape and SVG parsing (which is a XML file). Although I make use of Tiled, I don’t use the Tiled map itself, I just use the IMAGE exported from a Tiled map (File, Save as Image…). [import]uid: 10990 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 307992[/import]

#2

Looks great :slight_smile: I have been avoiding inkscape like the plague, no excuse now.

edit: just watched the video … really good, I can see that this will make a very rapid system for many types of game development. [import]uid: 6086 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 28486[/import]

#3

That’s a cool idea, using Inkscape as a level editor. Does your approach have any advantages over Gumbo? [import]uid: 12108 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 28535[/import]

#4

Wow this looks really cool! But does this also work with the x2 images for retina displays?
Oh and also, will it be free to download? [import]uid: 43150 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 28539[/import]

#5

This looks interesting, I’ll be sure to give it a try. [import]uid: 33866 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 28547[/import]

#6

As an example of game template, I’ll pack a game similar to Tiny Wings (actual top #1 paid app), where the terrain is made of a big bezier path: SVG Level Builder will easily allow you to make this kind of physics body/ground. [import]uid: 10990 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 28552[/import]

#7

@Rob2 you will sure will start loving Inkscape :slight_smile:

@jhocking I don’t know all the features of Gumbo yet, but as far as I can tell you, my SVG Level Builder will have a different approach. It will come with different of game templates ready, and it will handle very complex terrains.

SVG Level Builder will be ideal to make platform, mazes/labyrinth and complex terrain games, also you won’t have the bodies physics codes around your game code, you will only worry about dealing with your bodies, example: collisions, etc.

@lfredrik Dynamic scaling won’t probably be featured on the first version, but it is already on the task list and will be provided.

Also, it won’t be free. But there will be a 50% discount for early adopters, and I’ll pack it with video and text tutorials, as well, as said before, some game templates. [import]uid: 10990 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 28550[/import]

#8

Ah thanks for answering. Will keep a look out for it. [import]uid: 43150 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 28600[/import]

#9

I’m deciding between some names: Corona SVG Level Builder and Corona SVG Game Maker.

Also be prepared to a LONG feature list: I may release it soon, so you have enough to make games, then I’ll release CONSTANT updates. Think of " brainless mobile game development" with the game templates that it will come with it:

  • Platform.
  • Bubble Ball clone.
  • Tiny Wings clone.
  • Circular level.
  • Topdown game.
    etc. [import]uid: 10990 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 28607[/import]
#10

Spiral bodies/terrains/collisions? DONE!

You can even have dynamic spiral bodies to make complex characters / enemies :slight_smile: [import]uid: 10990 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 28779[/import]

#11

@karnakgames

any release dates ? I’m ready to buy…

[import]uid: 37854 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 28806[/import]

#12

@oliver.lecher probably in 7 days or so :slight_smile:
I’m actually depending on some external factors.

Thanks for the interest! [import]uid: 10990 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 28819[/import]

#13

You got my sale as well.

Mike Hovland
Blue Rocket Labs [import]uid: 5317 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 28873[/import]

#14

Hey nice work! @karnakgames

another one here with interest! :wink:

Br,
Alen [import]uid: 9592 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 28913[/import]

#15

@mike4 and @alen.brkicic8 thanks :slight_smile:

Some news:

  • The SVG parser is finished! Support to Bezier curves, lines, rects, ellipses.

  • Added Material support. Ex: create a “wood” material, which has the following attributes: image = “wood.png”, friction = 2.0.

Now, create a box in Inkscape, set an attribute “material = wood”, then duplicate this box to any amount, rotate, etc. Done. You have dozens of bodies sharing the same properties and you practically done that in a minute, instead of setting properties individually in each body.

  • I’m now implementing “Premade Objects” support: Think of a drag and drop solution: download a premade car from my site or from someone (ready to the SVG Level Builder specs), insert into your SVG level in Inkscape, design the track in Inkscape, and the racing game is done
    You won’t need to worry about copying and pasting code (as Gumbo). It will be somewhat similar to “Salad Maker”, heavily dependent on Inkscape built-in XML editor.
    [import]uid: 10990 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 29103[/import]
#16

WOW - Fascinating (as Spock would say)!
Now I have to install inkscape after all … [import]uid: 24304 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 29112[/import]

#17

@karnakgames: Could you please contact me: robert (at) naygames.com [import]uid: 8782 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 29269[/import]

#18

Nice update…

What about adding joints?
Would it be possible to create a Ragdoll?

When will it be ready? :slight_smile:

Br,
Alen [import]uid: 9592 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 29371[/import]

#19

Looks really cool.

When do you think you can have public beta for us to play with? Or even purchase?

I have worked with inkscape and cocos2d iphone and LevelSVG which is pretty much identical to what you have done.

I wouldn’t mind having that kind of flexibility on corona :smiley:

Cheers!
[import]uid: 13978 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 29432[/import]

#20

@NayGames contacted!

@alen.brkicic8 yes, joints will be possible. Not on the first release (there are so many things!), but on future updates. I’ll update the tool frequently.

@aiden1004 I had an ETA of 7 days, but due to current workload I don’t know about a release date yet. As for LevelSVG: yes, you can expect the same flexibility, but for Corona! [import]uid: 10990 topic_id: 7992 reply_id: 29465[/import]