083bd0e6e980dffc3552d726270589f5b6a2e7c7
by Freddy

Matt & Joe's Place 1.0Designers: joeb (Matt & Joe)

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  Matt_and_Joes_Place.zip (Size: 19.53 KB / Downloads: 1)
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Hooray - New Forum!
by Lara

Yay for a new website! . I was sooooo sad when the lakercast site didn't work anymore!I'm officially stuck on 'Foggy Forest Mansion' after the evil zoo bit with all the spiders and fish skeletons. I couldn't go anywhere, the mansion stopped and was kinda broke. Suggestions?!?!Anyway, welcome back everyone! .xxx.

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Re: Hooray - New Forum!
by Wingy

Hint: There's a secret ladder somewere in the blue section! :o

How do I make custom graphics?
by gwmm

I want the conveyor belts to be a different color, like in the image shown:

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Re: How do I make custom graphics?
by josephine

(I haven't done this in a while, but here's the short explanation...) you need to open the sprites file in a resource editor (after making a backup copy, of course!) Use Photoshop or whatever to make changes to the specific brick/conveyor belt/etc., then reimport it back into the sprites file. The tutorial doc goes into way more detail. Download it here: www.actionsoft.com/forums/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1171667389

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New Music
by Leon

Hey,I was recently playing with a new app on the iPad, 'Pianist Pro', and I came up with this small track, and I'm also thinking about creating a new mansion and was maybe hoping to use that track in it (maybe improved a bit). I just wanted to know what sort of area this track would go with.There are two versions, one with a piano and the other is with an organ.ThanksLeon

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  Archive.zip (Size: 19.53 KB / Downloads: 1)

Extra background blending the sunset background into the night.
by Amplifyed

I just thought this would be useful not just for me, so here's another background blending the sunset one with the night one. It's something I made pretty fast in Photoshop, although it works really well.EDIT: I just realized I used the wrong shade of blue. I'll have a fixed one up in the next ten minutes.

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Re: Extra background blending the sunset background into the night.
by Leon

Nice one, I've also made a background myself.It's useful if you want to have a cave where the entrance is in the middle of a room

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Re: Extra background blending the sunset background into the night.
by Amplifyed

Leon, for some reason it doesn't look like your picture's working...And I can't figure out how to get the right shade of blue at the top of the sunset background. It almost seems like the color changes once it's in MM.

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Re: Extra background blending the sunset background into the night.
by Leon

That's weird, it won't let me upload to imageshack (I got the wrong shade of blue btw, I'll change that when I get time)Let's try this

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Re: Extra background blending the sunset background into the night.
by Catwoman

[quote author=584A4658404E475F44452B0 link=1283344382/2#2 date=1283345306]Leon, for some reason it doesn't look like your picture's working...And I can't figure out how to get the right shade of blue at the top of the sunset background. It almost seems like the color changes once it's in MM.[/quote]Did you use the eyedropper tool in Photoshop to get the shade of blue?

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Re: Extra background blending the sunset background into the night.
by negative zero

wow nice background looks like its from some sort of paralell universe where the caves are in the sky ...

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Builder Refusal
by Leon

Hi,I've started to edit some sprites for MM but there is one problem that I'm having, the LD refuses to run whenever any of the sprites include my red rupee, it has no problem with my green rupee I designed which has the same dimensions and file type/size. Please could someone help me here?ThanksLeon

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Re: Builder Refusal
by VernJensen

Why don't you upload both the file that works, and the one that doesn't, and we can have a look?

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Re: Builder Refusal
by Leon

[quote author=5F6C7B67436C677A6C67090 link=1261255992/1#1 date=1269630677]Why don't you upload both the file that works, and the one that doesn't, and we can have a look?[/quote]They're both in the same file. I just copy and paste the sprites

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Re: Builder Refusal
by VernJensen

Okay. Well if you post the file, I can look at it and figure out is wrong.

Outline on graphics and editing sounds
by Leon

Hi,I was wondering if anyone knows how to get rid of the white outline on custom graphics.ThanksLeonEDIT - Does anyone know how to change/edit sounds (get key, open door etc.)?

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Re: Outline on graphics and editing sounds
by VernJensen

A white outline is typically caused by scaling down larger graphics to a smaller size, and doing the scaling with the image drawn on a white background. If you change the background to black first, then scale it, that can give you a black border instead, which tends to work better.You may also want to zoom in 1000% with a good image editor, and check the pixels around the border of the image. Are they pure-white, or near-white?

GraphicConverter
by josephine

Hi all- does anybody have experience using GraphicConverter? I can use it to access and modify graphics in the MM Sprites file (like changing a brick color.) But the saved changes don't show up in resource file. GC also lets me add/replace graphics to the file but those don't show up in the mansion builder either. Any ideas?(Forgive my naive questions, I've read all the readme's and joeb's excellent tutorial but I'm still not sure if I need a resource editor with GC.)Thanks!

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Re: GraphicConverter
by aquaMat

Hi Josephine,I have no experience using "Graphic Converter" (even though I have the software, I have never used it), however I do use other applications to change sprites or tiles in MM.First of all you should use a Resource editor, I feel that "Rezilla" works best (as far as MM goes), but even Rezilla has its fair share of bugs.....Usually I first open the resource file of the tile / brick / sprite etc. I want to change, using/opening the files "Midnight Mansion Graphics" or "Midnight Mansion Sprites" in Rezilla.Then I open the image of said resource - say a blue floor switch - (within Rezilla) and copy the image into Photoshop (for example).There I can change the image to my taste and maybe save it under a new name. When I'm finished I copy the (changed) pic again.Back in Rezilla I open the file ________ (your mansion name), and once it is opened I "Create a new Res", make it a "PICT" resource and give it the same res ID (number) as the original tile / sprite I have changed (in our case: the orig. blue floor switch). An empty resource field opens.....with cmd-V I paste my (copied) new picture into the field, hit save and close it.Voilа:  Within my custom-mansion's resource now resides a new custom graphic "PICT" res file which afterwards automatically shows up in the Mansion Level Editor, and - ultimately - within the game, whenever I play the new custom mansion.I hope that helps ?

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Re: GraphicConverter
by josephine

Thanks aquamat!I was hoping to just use Graphic Converter since I'm only making simple changes, like colors not ID's. It looks like I will have to learn ResEdit В Oh well, Graphic Converter is ok (and free) but not nearly as good as Photoshop.

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Re: GraphicConverter
by Olle the Greatest

[quote author=aquaMat link=1242276617/0#1 date=1242300304]Back in Rezilla I open the file ________ (your mansion name), [/quote]Perhaps the mistake is to change the image in the Sprites file and not in the [as aquamat points out] mansion file?

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Re: GraphicConverter
by josephine

Thanks Olle. (I'm not exactly sure how I did this but...) with a combination of GC, ResEdit/Classic and Photoshop my new brick appeared in the mansion builder and the custom mansion. Once.After making another change to the new brick and reimporting it, it disappeared В >Anyway, now that I have a better idea of the steps, I'm going to start over with all new files. Wish me luck!

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Re: GraphicConverter
by SandyBean

Hi Josephine, I'm going to wish you luck too, cause whatever you three are talking about, it sounds like Greek to me!!!  (And I have built one mansion, and have one half finished for the new, improved mansion builder when the Expanded MM is released), and still have not got a clue of the advanced stuff and other programs you guys are talking about and using with obvious ease!My Kudos to you guys for being so inventive and resourceful !!!  [smiley=vrolijk_1.gif]Thanks for sharing your mansions made with all you guys' hard work with our MM world !SandyBean [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

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Re: GraphicConverter
by brell

Josephine, are you doind the changes in the classic environment? В Perhaps it is causing a problem? В You could try Rezilla instead of ResEdit.

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Re: GraphicConverter
by aquaMat

I would guess so too.As I said above, I feel that Rezilla works better for MM than ResEdit anyway.... and I didn't even take the "Classic issue" into account.But considering this you're almost beggin' for troubles!   As far as PICT resources go....the good thing about Rezilla is that "what you see is what you get".But beware: after having changed a PICT res and copied it into a Rezilla res ID window you should hit SAVE immediately and once more after closing the ID window....and then it still happens sometimes that the new PICT has disappeared when you reopen the same PICT res window.This is one of the major bugs in Rezilla, that I mentioned above.So after including several new PICT resources you should always re-check ALL of them at least once to make sure they are still there !

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Re: GraphicConverter
by josephine

Thanks guys. I've been making the graphics changes in OSX but using ResEdit in Classic mode to make a new resource and ID's (mostly because ResEdit was already on my computer.) I downloaded Rezilla, will give it a try.SandyBean- Immortal Ruins was good, you should do another mansion (nudge nudge В  В ;D ) Smooch the horses for me!

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Re: GraphicConverter
by josephine

OK, Rezilla seems to work when modifying a brick (say, changing the original blue brick to dark blue.) And like you said aquaMat, sometimes the "saved" PICTs disappear. But I'm not having any luck adding a new brick. The new brick appears in the MM Sprites file when I open it in Rezilla but not in the mansion builder (like the resource map isn't seeing it or something. I have only a vague understanding of forks and stuff. Can you tell I'm not a programmer? В  ) This is what I did:Open MM Sprites file in Rezilla> copy blue brick> quit> open Photoshop> new file, paste, change brick to dark blue> save, copy, quit> open MM Sprites in Rezilla> new resource> type PICT and give it an ID that's not already taken (in this case 202)> new window opens, paste dark blue brick> SAVE> save again just for fun> close window> save and quit. Open MM Sprites in Rezilla again, new brick is there, quit. Open mansion builder but there's no new brick.It's probably not a big deal, as long as my custom mansion doesn't need lots of different bricks. But I hate being limited В 

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Re: GraphicConverter
by aquaMat

Dear Josephine,you are making one big mistake (and one or two smaller ones):The "adding" of new bricks -as you imagine it- is NOT possible. If you want to add a new brick you always have to REPLACE an old brick with it, using the old brick's res ID.This is because Vern did not provide the "empty space" needed for additional bricks / tiles (and additional res IDs)...which you can see very easily in MM's Level Editor: The top row displaying all available tiles and sprites is already full! Where should a new, additional res ID appear ?  So you have to replace an existing res ID's image with your new PICT, which does not mean however, that you're restricted to simply changing a brick's color.If you look at Joe B's set of graphics or my Discotheque of Doom custom bits you'll notice that we have changed some of the tiles + sprites quite drastically...within certain limits.Example: you cannot change a normal "brick" into a "moving platform" sprite or something. You also cannot change a blue bird into  - say - a tiger....because that tiger would then fly; which is due to the fact that Vern has programmed a certain amount of "behavioural traits" (my expression) for the sprite "blue bird". You can replace its image with that of a tiger, but it would still behave like the blue bird.What you can do, however, is change blue or gold bricks into sand or snow tiles, for example, or those "oil paintings" into pop art posters (as I did in DoD), or even change Jack into a robot as Joe so successfully once did.That last thing, trust me, is a huge amount of work though.So start with simple things.The second, smaller mistake you apparently make is that you put your new custom PICTs into the "Midnight Mansion Sprites" res file, which is no longer needed. You can put it directly into your mansion's res file. But take care to apply it the exact res ID as the tile or sprite you want (it) to replace (which of course DOES reside in the MM Sprites file).However, you don't have to remove the old res ID, as the game is now clever enough to know your having added a PICT res with the number XXX into your (mansion name) file means this is the one you want to have used (instead of the old one).Clear enough ?

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Re: GraphicConverter
by josephine

Doh! That would explain why I'm having trouble adding a new brick, wouldn't it? And Olle pointed out the res file mistake but I misunderstood what he wrote. Mi Engrish not so guud sumtimez В Anyway, thank you guys so much for your help! You rock.PS- flying tigers?? Hmm, that gives me an idea. Flying pigs? Flying toasters (remember those?) В ;D

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Custom Empty Mansion
by joeb

Fellow mansioneers......Matt and I are going to be putting out an empty mansion with a set of graphics from our mansions. We'd like to know which graphics you all would like to see in the mansion. If you can find a room with the brick or background you like and use Grab to get a small section and post it. If someone has already posted the brick just reference the post. We'll give this a couple of weeks and then release a composite.M&J

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by aquaMat

Very generous of you...!I guess, generally it'll be better to have a basic set containing things like wall-bricks, sand, snow, wallpaper, grass and flowers, rather than specific things like your custom creatures etc.This way there'd still be room for a designer's own creative input (if needed) and the resulting mansions won't look like a complete copy of the "Matt & Joe world".That's just my 2 euro-cents, though.....

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by joeb

Thanks aquaMatForgot to mention......No critters are included.MJ

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by ryos

I personally think Ghosthunter is your best work. Anything from that would be golden.

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by SandyBean

OK ?   So what is and more importantly Where is this Ghosthunter???  If it is a mansion by J & M I would love to play it! ;DThanks,SandyBean [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by brell

Ghosthunter is a mansion for the expansion pack and will not be released until the EP is out. В It was pre-released to those that participated in the EP contest last summer.

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by joeb

Radeka uses a lot of the GH graphics except for the screens.@Sandy:Opening, yes that's rain. The XP has precipitation

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by joeb

more

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by joeb

and snow

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by joeb

I've redone and cleaned up for Radeka. I think I'll also post the screens

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by joeb

I think it's around 100 rooms. That's what we usually target as our size, nice round number. Speaking of the XP any ideas on when. I'll probably redo GH and then post it. There were a couple of things I'd like to change.Joe B

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by SandyBean

Thanks Brell and Joeb for clearing up the confusion.  Joe;  it looks fantastic! В  :oTake care guys, SandyBean [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by Mikee

fantastic Graphics joeb. You and Wingy are the best designer for Graphics i think! В 

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by joeb

Sandy,It's another level of difficult because of the added XP features but it does have a spiffy look and when you play it you'll be reminded of Radeka. I'd say play another XP mansion when the pack gets released because we use the new features a lot and they can spring up on you until you start looking for them. Hopefully the XP will come out soon as we have 2 other mansions ready to go but they're XP only. One of them is the follow on to GH and Radeka was sort of based on it. You'll see.....M&JThanks for the compliment BTW

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by sam skelton

Yeah, when I start with custom graphics, I'll probably use some of your stuff (if it's okay with you of course) But that won't be until the expansion is released. Anyway, I got my high school В applications in and now we're going on a little ski trip! I will see everyone in two days.

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by joeb

WHOOPS..... :'( :'(I forgot I had to get my SuperBowl credentials and go to training so unfortunately I didn't get the time to put our empty mansion together. I also didn't hit the board much although I think Matt did. :-[ :-[ :-[Sorry about that.........

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Re: Custom Empty Mansion
by Matari

Hi - did anything happen about this custom empty mansion? В I would love to have a go at another one using the new graphics. В Or is it possible to empty an existing mansion and use that?

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Layers?
by Gaelmac

I make my own littles mansions for many mounths, And it's just today i discover layers  :-X !!! I know with them i can hide Jack or other things, or make ladders. But is the someone who can explain me better how do they work ?  

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Re: Layers?
by brell

Welcome on the boards, Gaelmac.  Have you read the level builder manuals that came with the game in the Level Builder Docs folder?  The layers are explained there.  In short you use the following layers:0 for background4 is the main building layer5 is mainly used for ladders6 is for foreground (in front of Jack).Hope this helps

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Re: Layers?
by Gaelmac

Thanks very well. It's like in Photoshop in fact ! Quite Easy!  :