What 3Rd Party Tools Are Compatible With Each Other For Making A 2D Sidescroller Game?

Getting Started Newbie Questions
#1

im trying to make a 2d sidescroller with corona but i need to plan out what tools im going to use to make the maps and set up physics for objects ETC ETC

so far i noticed there’s 

-lime (tmx/tiled working with lime)

-physics editor

-texture packer 

-million tile engine

-level director

-particle candy 

so if i want to make a 2d sidescroller what tools should i use that will be easy to integrate with one another 

for example if i want to set the physics for multiple objects and im using level director and physics editor … in level director you have to manually place the physics body but with physics editor you can just automatically have the physics body be generated 

i dont know exactly how all of these tools work but if someone out has used them before what do you recommend i use to avoid repetitive and tedious tasks 

if some of them out put code it would seem easier to modify but if they out put a file that cant be modified then it may or may not be the best choice 

so has anyone out there used these tools?

#2

Let’s see…

  1. Lime

Lime has had a lot of trouble with performance - I wouldn’t recommend it, although I don’t have it myself.

  1. Physics Editor

I used the trial version, and it’s great. However, I don’t find it necessary. Unless you’re creating multi-multi-multi-multi vertex physics shapes, it’s just an unneeded application on your dock.

  1. Texture Packer

Never used the full version - I used the trial of this too, and it’s simply amazing. I’m sure it would make your sprite creation a lot faster, although I’ve still gotten by without it - I just lay out my sprites in Sketch :slight_smile:

  1. MTE

I don’t have a say, not being a buyer of it

  1. Level Director

See #4

  1. Particle Candy

I’ve heard it’s great, although I don’t have it myself. I, however, made CBEffects, a free particle system that’s also got great reviews: http://developer.coronalabs.com/code/cbeffects

So there’s my thoughts on the tools you listed.

Here are some tools that I know of:

You might also check out the Corona Resource Center by TandG Apps: http://www.tandgapps.co.uk/resources/coronalabs-resources/

Caleb

#3

try levelhelper 

http://www.gamedevhelper.com/levelhelper/

#4

I would suggest LevelHelper as well! Especially in conjunction with SpriteHelper - you can create big levels and worlds very easily. There are free trial versions available on www.gamdevhelper.com

My upcoming 2.5D platformer ( /Jump&Run) game uses these tools and I am very satisfied with the results so far :wink:

P.S: LevelHelper just builds the levels and the physical world. You are still able to write the game logic and modify the objects by using it´s api calls

#5

i dont have a mac  :frowning:

i looked at level helper and it has alot of cool features though 

have you guys actually finished any games using levelhelper?

#6

Hm, if you are using windows then I would suggest you to take a look at Gumbo or Level Director. I tested them a while ago and they are also useful.

But no, this is my very first game :wink: So I did not finish one so far. This is a little preview if you want to take a look at it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyeJV2Vfwn4

It shows an old pre-alpha version, looks a bit static and not as good but this was just a little teaser on christmas :wink:

#7

Hi Alfredo

I just thought I would let you know that Level Director v2 now supports texture packer so this should save you some time.

Also in the next version (very soon) it will also have a basic auto trace feature that will create the physic bodies for you.

It is quite a complex task which is why you can pay $30 just for this feature alone but my I’m seeing some quite good results considering only 8 points are allowed (corona limitation) and they cannot be concave polygons.

 

#8

FYI - I just uploaded a new version of Level Director v2.02 which now has the auto trace shape feature.(http://www.retrofitproductions.com/level-director)

#9

Let’s see…

  1. Lime

Lime has had a lot of trouble with performance - I wouldn’t recommend it, although I don’t have it myself.

  1. Physics Editor

I used the trial version, and it’s great. However, I don’t find it necessary. Unless you’re creating multi-multi-multi-multi vertex physics shapes, it’s just an unneeded application on your dock.

  1. Texture Packer

Never used the full version - I used the trial of this too, and it’s simply amazing. I’m sure it would make your sprite creation a lot faster, although I’ve still gotten by without it - I just lay out my sprites in Sketch :slight_smile:

  1. MTE

I don’t have a say, not being a buyer of it

  1. Level Director

See #4

  1. Particle Candy

I’ve heard it’s great, although I don’t have it myself. I, however, made CBEffects, a free particle system that’s also got great reviews: http://developer.coronalabs.com/code/cbeffects

So there’s my thoughts on the tools you listed.

Here are some tools that I know of:

You might also check out the Corona Resource Center by TandG Apps: http://www.tandgapps.co.uk/resources/coronalabs-resources/

Caleb

#10

try levelhelper 

http://www.gamedevhelper.com/levelhelper/

#11

I would suggest LevelHelper as well! Especially in conjunction with SpriteHelper - you can create big levels and worlds very easily. There are free trial versions available on www.gamdevhelper.com

My upcoming 2.5D platformer ( /Jump&Run) game uses these tools and I am very satisfied with the results so far :wink:

P.S: LevelHelper just builds the levels and the physical world. You are still able to write the game logic and modify the objects by using it´s api calls

#12

i dont have a mac  :frowning:

i looked at level helper and it has alot of cool features though 

have you guys actually finished any games using levelhelper?

#13

Hm, if you are using windows then I would suggest you to take a look at Gumbo or Level Director. I tested them a while ago and they are also useful.

But no, this is my very first game :wink: So I did not finish one so far. This is a little preview if you want to take a look at it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyeJV2Vfwn4

It shows an old pre-alpha version, looks a bit static and not as good but this was just a little teaser on christmas :wink:

#14

FYI - Level Director 2.1.0 has been released  which now supports Physics Editor  (and complex bodies)

(http://www.retrofitproductions.com/level-director)

#15

Hi Alfredo

I just thought I would let you know that Level Director v2 now supports texture packer so this should save you some time.

Also in the next version (very soon) it will also have a basic auto trace feature that will create the physic bodies for you.

It is quite a complex task which is why you can pay $30 just for this feature alone but my I’m seeing some quite good results considering only 8 points are allowed (corona limitation) and they cannot be concave polygons.

 

#16

FYI - I just uploaded a new version of Level Director v2.02 which now has the auto trace shape feature.(http://www.retrofitproductions.com/level-director)

#17

FYI - Level Director 2.1.0 has been released  which now supports Physics Editor  (and complex bodies)

(http://www.retrofitproductions.com/level-director)