Newbie questions asked by a newbie...

[MasterScorpio]

1- probably stupid but how do we make our own title screen and menu?(looked everywhere but no tutorials about it => and yes,I'd like to do it myself, just need soemone smart to teach me,if possible)


I'll start with this question.

[Jake]

1- probably stupid but how do we make our own title screen and menu?(looked everywhere but no tutorials about it => and yes,I'd like to do it myself, just need soemone smart to teach me,if possible)

It's not a stupid question at all, but there's many answers. What exactly do you want to do - just make the existing menu look different, or actually change the buttons so there's extra features available from the menu?

There's a section in the reference manual about customising the Main and Game menus, one about alternative main menu layouts (including the ever-popular imagemap layout)... and this cookbook recipe has an example of adding a new item to the main menu.

You should probably read through the comments (lines starting with a '#') in options.rpy in a new project, as well, since there's lots of customisation options ready in there. I seem to recall it's a single-line change to add an image background to the main menu, for example.

[MasterScorpio]

eum,I'm sorry I forgot to mention I'm not very good in English (third language, learned),
so,eum....yea I got a small problem, I don't understand all of the terms.

but I only need to add the changes into option.rpy?And can I add tekst or anything like the title for example, I also didn't understand the button changes thingy explenation in your first link.

wow it's confusing all the explanation,I'll start with changing the background first then.

my background doesnt want to change ><;;,its black

[Jake]

but I only need to add the changes into option.rpy?And can I add tekst or anything like the title for example

You can edit any of the lines in options.rpy, and when you next start Ren'Py, it'll use those changes. So yes - if you change the text for the title:

Code: Select all

    config.window_title = u"My Game Title"

Then when you next start Ren'Py, the window title will be what you entered between the quotes (") on that line - in the example, "My Game Title".

I also didn't understand the button changes thingy explenation in your first link.

Unfortunately, the Ren'Py manual isn't really written for non-programmers, let alone people to whom English is a third(!) language... do you actually want to change the buttons on the main menu? It's not necessary, of course, but if you do I or someone else can try and provide an easier-to-understand explanation.

I'll start with changing the background first then.

To change the background for the main menu / title screen, you'll need to find this part of the options.rpy:

Code: Select all

        ## The background of the main menu. This can be a color
        ## beginning with '#', or an image filename. The latter
        ## should take up the full height and width of the screen.
        mm_root = "#dcebff",

- the "#dcebff" is an RGB colour value (in this case R/G/B dc/eb/ff (220/235/255), a light blue). You can replace it with another colour value, but also if you put an image file name in there then Ren'Py will use that image as the main menu background, so if you change it to:

Code: Select all

        mm_root = "menubg.jpg",

then Ren'Py will look for a 'menubg.jpg' file in your game directory (the one you get to by clicking 'Game Directory' in the launcher) and use that for the main menu background.

my background doesnt want to change ><;;,its black

Or do you mean the background once you hit 'Start Game', which by default starts out black?

The in-game backgrounds are a separate thing, you'll need to:

- define some images somewhere in your script
- use the 'scene' command to start a new scene with one of those images as your background.


(If you want help with those as well, let us know; for now I'll point you to the manual page for the Ren'Py-script language, and also a less technically-written version (albeit unfortunately not entirely complete) of the same in case it's easier to follow.)

[MasterScorpio]

no,no the background when you you still have to click start new game.
I'm trying to put a picture, those of the backgrounds and charie's speaking and such, I think I understand but it's especially the game menu and start menu and such I want to change.

I want to try and make it something unique like for example date warp etc.

so yea ><;;, I also added my image in the file named game, but it still doesn't want to show, it says that it can't find the image,is there a detail I missed?

[Jake]

I also added my image in the file named game, but it still doesn't want to show, it says that it can't find the image,is there a detail I missed?

Firstly, double-check that you've spelled the filename correctly, that's the source of a lot of problems.

If you're on a Mac or on Linux, you need to make sure that the case of the letters (capitals or lower-case) are the same between the filename and the script, so if you have:

Code: Select all

        mm_root = "woodland.jpg",

the filename has to be called "woodland.jpg", not "Woodland.jpg" or "woodland.JPG".


Secondly, it's a bit of a stupid question, but make sure that you've not got file extensions hidden when you're picking the filename to use. Often on Windows you'll have a file called "woodland.jpg" but Windows will just show you "woodland" and then say "(JPEG File)" next to it. It's been the case in the past that people have entered "woodland" into their script but the file is "woodland.jpg", or they have "woodland.jpg" in their script, but their file is actually called "woodland.jpg.jpg"...

[MasterScorpio]

okay...um,does the image work as backrground when it's a JPEG?coz I think thats the problem ><;,I entered the filename correctly and I also tried renaming the file,but it still doesm't show that's why I'm asking if it works with JPEG images.

oh crap,I'm really stupid the manual looks so simple yet I can't seem to decipher it.

you know what?do you have google talk or ebuddy or anything?maybe it'll be easier for me to get something in an interactive way.

besides this, I understand small things, but I don't have the guts to actually "destroy the script", due to ignorance of what I'm doing.

say is it also possible that the width and height has to be exactly like the config screen or isn't that necessary.

also I wondered if it's okay for me to just pick a picture of the internet?unless of course I want to sell or whatever than I assume I'll have to find people for background or make backgrounds myself or something,right?

I also think the raison why I don't get it is probably because I can't seem to locate what they mean; for example: right on interface or something; another example;

Theme functions should be called after the config.screen_width, config.screen_height,......=====> this part I think I get it,
.........and library.script_version variables have been set, and after any layout functions have been called. They should be called before any style is changed by hand. ====> I did not get it.

sorry for my stupidities sensei,but technologie is one of my intrest but sadly and apperantly not one of my natural gifts ><;;...it kind of ticks me of,admitting that.

Could you maybe give an example of a changed theme or layout or game and menu thingy script,I'm better at following examples that discovering stuff myself (it stresses me way to much,and no I'm not lazy,I already have a few chapters in my head and ideas for choices and such,I also think I found a way to make my own characters, but I really want to make my game look special and I need a teacher for that.)

and yes... ... ...I'm frustrated and I do not seem to be clever enough to understand the manual...*snif*
perhaps the boys in my class are right and game creating isn't really something girl's do.

=> yea right like I'm going to tell them that ><*

[Jake]

okay...um,does the image work as backrground when it's a JPEG?coz I think thats the problem ><;,I entered the filename correctly and I also tried renaming the file,but it still doesm't show that's why I'm asking if it works with JPEG images.

It should certainly work with JPEG images, so long as the filename's correct. Does it give you any kind of error, or just not change?

If you're having too much trouble, perhaps you could upload your script and the image in question, maybe there's some other problem we could spot?

besides this, I understand small things, but I don't have the guts to actually "destroy the script", due to ignorance of what I'm doing.

Well, make a copy of your script, save it somewhere else, and have a go! If you get it wrong and mess it all up, you can always go back to the copy you saved away somewhere else.

(It's wise to make regular backups to another computer or a CD or something once you're underway on a project anyway, of course, in case you lose all your work!)

say is it also possible that the width and height has to be exactly like the config screen or isn't that necessary.

I couldn't say for certain, but I believe it's not absolutely essential, and if you have an incorrectly-sized image it'll just leave gaps down the side of the screen or only draw part of the image. But I could be wrong - it's probably worth making sure that your image is 800 pixels wide and 600 pixels tall, just to be on the safe side.

also I wondered if it's okay for me to just pick a picture of the internet?unless of course I want to sell or whatever than I assume I'll have to find people for background or make backgrounds myself or something,right?

Technically it's illegal to distribute such images unless you have permission, regardless of whether you're selling your game. It's fine for testing, of course. If you check in the wiki there's a page of Background Art, you may be able to find something there it's OK to use.

.........and library.script_version variables have been set, and after any layout functions have been called. They should be called before any style is changed by hand. ====> I did not get it.

Don't worry about the script_version one. Layout functions are described here, they're a way of getting particular parts of the game interface laid out in particular ways. All that text is saying is that if you've used a layout, you should put this thing after the lines with the layout/s on... and before any of the lines in options.rpy which set style.* properties.

Could you maybe give an example of a changed theme or layout or game and menu thingy script,I'm better at following examples that discovering stuff myself

I don't have one to hand myself, but I seem to recall that you'll find one example in the example project "The Question" which you should find Ren'Py pre-set-up to load (click 'Select Project', IIRC). If the updated version of Moonlight Walks has an open script (I'd guess it does; the first one did) then that probably also has examples in.

I do not seem to be clever enough to understand the manual...

It's written for programmers, really, there's lots of stuff in there the average user couldn't be expected to understand. I have trouble getting information out of the manual sometimes, and I'm a native English speaker who's been programming for around 15 years and coding Ren'Py stuff for about four. I wouldn't worry about it!

[MasterScorpio]

I already downloaded "the question" => that's how I know how to actually make the story in renpy, but it's just the menu and such,that I wish to change.

Anyway I downloaded moonlight, so I'll start figuring out from there.

I do have another question though, how can you make digital art yourself?Like those artist on deviantart?do you have a clue?

about the error code, it simply says image "blabla" not found, there isn't really a code given ><;; (and the image is in the game doc)

I'll send you the script part,afterwards.

[Ren]

I do have another question though, how can you make digital art yourself?Like those artist on deviantart?do you have a clue?

Yup. :3

You can go about it two ways:

- you first draw something on paper, then scan it and put it in your computer;
- you draw it all on the PC

The first approach presents a few problems, in visual novels, though: say you draw and colour your sprite on paper - you still will have to "cut it" so the area surrounding it is transparent and doesn't obstruct the view to the backgrounds. For that you will need a program that lets you work with transparency and perhaps layers (depending on what exactly you want to obtain). Of course, limits often give birth to the greatest discoveries, so I wouldn't want to indoctrinate you on how everyone does their art, since you may lose in originality and flair.

The second has the advantage to make some things easier (it's easier to revert some errors; thanks to the layers feature some program have you can organise your files so that you can draw the features of the face on different levels of the image, and combine them to obtain many expressions, thus not forcing you to draw the entire base of your sprite every time you want your character to change mood; you can draw on a transparent layer, and avoid to have to cut your image to make most of it transparent).

I'd say to concentrate on the story and structure of your VN, for now, in the mean time you can use scribbles as place holders for your game, and after you finish the structure, you can think of adding everything else, graphics included.

(I'm only assuming the story is at an embryonic stage because you didn't mention anything about any progress on it, and it is indeed a frequent beginner's mistake, to try and start from the hardest and exterior bits)

[MasterScorpio]

True!

I'm sorry I get all worked up of excitement,and keep forgetting I'm just beginning with this stuff ><;

btw Jake.

Do you want to know why my image didn't show?...

You're really going to laught your head off,due to my clumsyness ><;;

I simply forgot to add the komma at the end of the line:

like this: mm_root = "image.jpg" => how I wrote it.
mm_root = "image.jpg", => how I was supposed to write it.

can't believe I ticked myself off for two days just for a small detail like that.

How stupid is that >x<;;?

About the art, I won't be able to scan, and I suck in paint so that's not really a good option either (for the future) => but do you maybe know intresting programms that might help me...in the far future,then of course ><;;

and I also need some tips for my storyline, I've kind of got three main ideas for stories and such but I keep getting to much in details and such.So does any of you perhaps know some "basic guide for story-lines" or ten tips for storyline creations or something?

I can share my main ideas,if it helps you sempai's, have a certain view of what I want to achieve.


dsjeez,still can't believe that it was the komma that was causing my problem with my image

Gosh you people must have allot of patience if every newbie was as idiotic as me

[Ren]

Gosh you people must have allot of patience if every newbie was as idiotic as me :oops:

Please don't say that? It's all in my interest to help you now, when you're unsure about things, in the future you may create a VN I will really enjoy. :P

Really, my advice would be to search the solution for yourself first, and if you really don't manage, just ask away!
The questions that may seem stupid to you may be things that have been asked here many times, so you may also try and run a search in the forum itself for keywords you would use for your question, and see if anyone else had the same problem before.

It would also be useful, in case you have nothing against that, to post the error output you get from Renpy (IIRC, in general it's something that says something along the lines of "I'm sorry, you screwed up, there's so and so at line wattattà"?
You can do so by copying said output in "Code" brakets (the button for them is right next to the "Quote" one.

You can try some free programs listed in the OELVN community wiki. It also lists some sprites that many people (me included) drew for anyone to use in their games. You could use them as place holders or for your final game.

You could also try and team up with someone else: the advantage of finishing your part of the job (coding and story) is that you can have an image-less demo, which you can pitch here, so that someone more experienced may provide you with your character art and other graphics, and perhaps also help you in understanding how to make your own in the future.

[MasterScorpio]

okay,I'm on it.

oh and I suceded in the background thingy!Next time I'll post another question.But for now I'd like some extra tips for storylines,I already read the other topics regarding that, but I already knew that information.

I simply need some suggestions to improve the story line to make them less cliche.

Also, maybe someone who can help me with few stuff, and form a creating team or something?

I'd really appreciate that ><;;

[Nayru]

About the art, I won't be able to scan, and I suck in paint so that's not really a good option either (for the future) => but do you maybe know intresting programms that might help me...in the far future,then of course ><;;

If you want to make digital art I would recommend you programmes that can work with transparency and layers like it has been said before. For example Photoshop, Gimp or SAI. If you want to draw like those on deviantart I recommmend you get a tablet, which makes the process easier (for example a Wacom one). Those tablets are peripherals that you can use like a mouse but are more like a pen for the computer.
Yet they are expensive, so if you want to do it by mouse or touchpad...then be patient and practise(I'm kind of awkward at it, but after drawing some pictures you can look at how the last one looks compared to the first one and feel relieved.).

Don't worry to mess up at the beginning, you'll be getting it with practice. I have no programming skills yet I think I'm managing to get the basics. It's a matter of time as long as you don't give up.

Apart of that if you're looking for a team you should check this forum. Just tell them what you're doing and what you need help with, I wish you luck. http://lemmasoft.renai.us/forums/viewforum.php?f=16

[Ren]

If you want to make digital art I would recommend you programmes that can work with transparency and layers like it has been said before. For example Photoshop, Gimp or SAI. [/color]

I'd point pout though that while you can work with transparent layers in Sai, you can't actually save the transparency. For that reason, you should always use it in conjunction with another program (like Gimp-painter, which is free, and much cooler than the normal gimp! - although, I use 2.6.7, and not 2.6.8, because the latest version isn't working properly, on my machine).