Help changing a layered side image's expr when not speaking [SOLVED]

[pyopyon]

Hello! I'm using a layered side image for my side sprite, and I wanted it to be permanently on the screen, so I used:

init python:
config.side_image_tag = "ex"

It works like a dream! Now, because I am using layered images, when changing expressions, I normally use her image tag. For example:

ex clothes happy "Hello all!"

But I've come against an obstacle--namely, there are times when a scene changes, but the side sprite is not the first to speak--meaning I cannot declare her image, leaving the side sprite completely bare in the meantime.

How can I set the expression at the very beginning of a scene so that it's not a naked base with an unchangeable expression?

scene bus stop with fade

"The bus driver stops the bus." ---> at this line, my side sprite is onscreen, totally naked because #layered images

ex clothes happy "Yay, I didn't miss my stop!"

[pyopyon]

So, I was offered some assistance and learned this way!

After you declare the side image tag, copy and paste it, remove the word "side" and replace all of the variables will null functions. For example, if before, I declare my image like this:

Code: Select all

layeredimage side augustina:

    always:
        "augustina_base"

    group outfit:

        attribute dress:
            "augustina_outfit_dress"

        attribute jeans:
            "augustina_outfit_jeans"

I would now be declaring it like this:

Code: Select all

layeredimage augustina:

    always:
        Null()

    group outfit:

        attribute dress null

        attribute jeans null

...etc. This will make it so that you can use show functions, and it won't show an image behind the textbox as well. :^)