Official VFX Editor Guide / FAQ In The Works!

[Rodak]

OK, Since I found this site there have been repeated threats from various people to produce one of these.

When I took hundreds of screenshots for an RPGM3 character guide I commented that a VFX Editor guide should be next. Draygone (at the pavilion) stated he wanted to make one and I offered screenshots.

I want to see this happen and I want it to be as good as possible, so this is a call for ideas.

What do you want to see described?

What do you want to see pictured?

What do you want to drink?

Should it be just a guide or have step by step tutorials explaining how to use VFX Characters and Enemies as well?

There have been many complaints about the VFX Editor and it's difficulty to learn. In fact, one of my first posts was a question about the VFX Editor! At the time I thought the whole setup was counter-intuitive. Now it is second nature.

So...

Waddayathink??

[Deleted]

It's up to you really, but I would say at least include directions for using vfx in an event's action script, a cutscene, and putting them onto enemy actions. I'd say to begin with just do these, since the majority of people don't try to make vfx characters/enemies.

Others than that, I'd say pictures of the default 'elements' (pieces to choose), and maybe multiple for some of the more diverse ones like 'pillar'.

And good luck on getting this done. Hopefully it doesn't damper progress on your game too much.

[Rodak]

Yeah... this will take a long time.

Especially since I plan on continuing with making jhunque throughout.

It all started when I began taking notes to simplify adding new forms (VFX Characters) to Videogamedrome.

Then I thought I'd turn those notes into a VFX Character tutorial.

Then I just went overboard when Draygone offered to write the descriptions of the Individual Elements and thought a full blown guide was in order.

But you're right... few people will be using VFX Characters and enemies.

Here's my rough outline so far;

I) Making a simple effect

Examples:
World: A Campfire
Battle: A Sword Strike

II) Making a Layered Effect

Examples:
World: A Campfire w/smoke & sparks
Battle: A Sword Strike w/Blood Splash

III) Making a Complex Effect

Examples:
World: Above Campfire doused w/water
Battle: Ball and Chain weapon strike

IV) Scripting Simple Effects

Examples:
World: Lighting The Fire
Battle: Making the Sword Appear in Battle

V) Scripting Layered Effects

Examples:
World: Character putting out above fire
Battle: Sword Strike: hit/miss (with/without Blood)

VI) Scripting Complex Effects

Example: The Starship Boobyprize Firing on The Doomsday Machine, which reacts.

VII) Controlling Many Effects at Once

Example: The Cow Setting two old ladies' hair on fire with his Horn Beams, then lighting a fire in the fireplace which begins smoking from the chimney a moment later

Most of the above effects have been posted as mpg files in the Videogamedrome thread.

Comments welcome.

Now...

Would anyone be willing to type up the text of the help files in the editor? There are many, many and even lots of them. Too many to do them all unless you are out of your mind, but I'm sure if someone is willing to transcribe a good chunk of them we can cram even more names into the credits for this effort! Just post here if you wish to do this. Not posting beforehand could result in someone else doing it first or something.

Thanks for the encouragement!

Peace.

[Doan the Nado]

This might be something I could do. I can type pretty fast, and using my video card, I can first record myself going to all the help topics, and then go back later and transcribe it while watching the video. So you just need someone to press start on every single area of the VFX editor?

[Rodak]

Wow... That was fast!

If you could do that, it would be amazing. there are so many files because each element and each element setting has a file. Those elements with several pages of settings could really make the job huge (although now that I think about it there could well be much duplication in there...).

It's yours if you want it.

Thanks, this is coming together surprisingly fast considering it began as an aside comment in an RPGM3 thread at the Pavilion! (I'll have the 3D models of the male characters in 3 this weekend, possibly more if I am snowed in) (when that's done I start on the images for this).

Peace.

[DarkHorizons]

If you'd like some assistance, let me know..I can go into some great detail in creating VFX characters as well as vehicles..

[Rodak]

I'm glad you offered. Your designs are what got me motivated to really push the VFX Editor as far as I have.

WiliamKirk rightly pointed out that VFX Characters and enemies are not likely to be used by many people so I decided to focus on more basic stuff for those who need help there.

But anything you have to say would be most welcome.

Assign yourself a concept, post it here to avoid duplication of effort, and it's yours!

This is turning into a real group effort.

Nifty.

Peace.

[DarkHorizons]

Rodak, I'm sure one of the reasons why some people are not using, or plan to use, VFX characters/enemies, is because they think it will take a lot of work. Sure it will be a bit innovating, but I found the VFX editor rather easy after spending sometime with it.
After a time I actually felt that I needed more. That some of my ideas RPGM2 VFX editor couldn't handle.

I just made some more VFX stuff which you can find on my updated forum(Right here at Doan's)..

Give me till after Christmas to work on a concept. Or would a step by step tutorial be better??

[Rodak]

Take your time.

I plan on trying to have a first draft ready for public critique around VD (Valentines Day).

I agree about the ease of the VFX editor. I whipped up the Starship Enterprise (see Videogamedrome Screenshots thread) amazingly fast.

As for how to format the article, I guess a short "essay" followed by a step by step tutorial would be best.

I can take quality screenshots and make mpg files to complement any article so feel free to create a special game file from which I can do that... but it seems you can take screenshots too, so that may be unneeded.

Thanks for offering.

Peace.

[Bigfoot]

Yeah, in all honesty, I think the VFX editor is something that either clicks with you right away or it doesn't. I made guns, light sabers, etc. within my first few days of owning the game (I bought it the first day it came out.) So I hope this guide helps poeple out. I will try and finish the object museum soon.

[Rodak]

OK, less than a month until I want to have my first draft ready.

I'm working on text now for the sections I outlined. If anyone has suggestions the time is now!!

Once I get started I'll have enough to do that I won't want to add new ideas.

This is a call for everyone who wanted to contribute in any way to confirm what they want to do and when they think it can be done.

You all know who you are. I won't embarrass you by naming names. If you want to delay or cancel, that's fine. But I would like to know soon.

To quote Doctor Snuggles:

"There's work to do!"

Peace.

[rpglover88]

YEs, making VFX weapons and monsters, Also in-depth view for showing characters in battle. thats all I want. ^_^ auvoir.

[Neo Samurai]

Well, I think everyone above stated what I wanted to be done in your guide. Sounds like a great idea, as I need to improve my VFX skills. Good luck and have fun finishing it up!

[NASH7777]

You know how you took all those screenshots for RPGM3 of each character. Well you should do the same but for all the models in the VFX editor. Also a few of them will need a couple variations, like one as the pillar in orb form, one as true pillar, and one like where it arcs like a tornado and stuff. (tornado's are hard to make a good arc'd one).

Also what layering effects can do, like for example in my mecha mage movie, the ?? guy's bluish mixed attack was made through layering. I took a normal blue orb that was stretched rotating one way at +5, then did a another orb of the same thing pasted over, but changed it's color to pinkish-purple and made it's blend mode transparent, and had it rotate at -5 rate.

[Doan the Nado]

I really hate to disappoint, but I have a kind of hard course load this quarter, and one class in particular is consuming a lot of my time. Between work and class, I don't think I'll have the time to type up the help files that I wanted to.

[Rodak]

Doan; No Problem! School must always come first (I had to give up much when I went back). Keep focused on that.

I just wanted to know where things stood so I could block out a schedule for this.

Nash; That screenshot idea has already been committed to earlier in this very thread! Figboot has offered to make a map with one of each element placed to expedite the process (Figboot?).

I don't think I'm going to use many (or any) variations on things like Pillar at first. There are so many elements that I am unsure how to even format this project just yet (probably something like a pdf format, but not with protected data locks) (I'm years out of touch with what's out there for formatting such documents... any suggestions?).

Libra in Red is the person for whom I took the RPGM3 screenshots and she edited all the 2D images of each character into a "collage" for ease of display.

I may do something similar. Not sure yet... gotta play around and see what works.

Layering VFX is also covered (The Enterprise is 20 elements and part of the tutorial section). I'll be sure to mention your suggestion as well.

So far the only contribution I've received has been from William Kirk. And he has not been around much lately.

Anyone else have a status report or suggestions?

[Bigfoot]

I will get around to finishing the VFX object/character museum this weekend, I have many things I need to get done (Josaigdan trailer, farm life review, many things I have promised forever.) But I see a deadline is on V-Day.

[Rodak]

Great!

And that was the first post in this forum!!

If you only get a fraction done, that's fine.

I have a bunch of screenshots to take this weekend and it is the last until after VD for the service.

I'll make an exception if you (or any other contributor to the guide) has a request.

That way you don't have to rush to finish either.

In fact... if you like, make the object stuff in 2 or 3 "submissions" to make it easier.

Whatever you decide. This is very informal.

Peace.

[DarkHorizons]

I'm still with ya, Rodak..I'm currently compiling some of my own VFX guidelines and the such, just let me know when you want this produced.

[Rodak]

Well, if you want a deadline I'd say a week from Sunday.

This weekend will entail a mass screenshot session and deciding on a format for the guide.

Then I put in 2 weekends of Guide making and plop out a first draft.

So by the end of the first weekend is a good last possible minute to get into the first draft.

That goes for all interested parties too.

Peace.

[Rodak]

My poll for the tutorial in Creative Development reminded me to bump this topic and announce a "Last Call" to potential contributors (again).

Anyone know of a Freeware Equivalent to Adobe's Pagemaker?

I want to avoid having multiple files, but have far too many images to display all at once.

I need to get a format for this.

The Adobe trial expires in 30 days so will save that for the final draft, unless there is another way to make multi page documents in a single file without a remote server.

Peace.

[Rodak]

OK, I have 99% of the images I need to make this complete and the HTML is nearly done.

I had no timely submissions so I wound up wasting a lot of time on screenshots...

But here's something to show for my effort:

I have much much more. Stills and animated GIFs abound and I do not want to rush and put out a sloppy job.

Expect this to be in full readiness (tomorrow or by the weekend at the latest).

Peace.

[vespuleth]

openoffice.org

[Rodak]

vespuleth said:

i know im resurrecting a dead topic, but i thought this info is worth passing on (to everyone).

the little heard of www.openoffice.org (copy and paste it, im lazy tonight) will allow you to publish in pdf formats. its also an open source software, so you'll be supporting the open source community. I've used it for a while with no complaints (it will also work with microsoft document types .doc and .wrd).

the program to look for is writer, but the entire suite is, well, sweet. *drumroll*

I quoted the more complete response from the "deader" topic!

Thanks Muchly for this Very Valuable Information!!

I am getting by fine with the website idea because it is free and I have not looked at it for months!

But this is what I was looking for from the start!

Like you, I have been quite thoroughly distracted.

I think it is time to ask for help with my distractions here!!

Check Domain Chatter for a question about htaccess files vs php stuff!

I suspect you or someone here might be able to help.