What would you like to see in a brand new JJ2 level editor?

[cooba]

In no particular order: Ability to use 511 characters long text strings instead of 127 A counter showing how many more characters may be used in a text string An easier way to browse through the text strings Displaying the text string contents in a box rather than a long line Ability to have a level start with lighting higher than 100 (I've seen this in some hacked levels) Replacing the animation FPS/level lightning bars with textboxes (not a big deal but can get annoying) A counter displaying how many animations can be stored in a level Convertion to 2.02 (1.23) level compression from 2.00 (1.10o), 2.01 (1.20), and 2.03 (TSF) Easier and clearer tileset compression (displaying the exact error once one happens for example) Less cumbersome event listing A windows (or Mac if someone would port the editor?) color picker for the 16-bit Textured Background color fade Removal of all the useless and redundant functions from JCS (like Bonus Level field) A more advanced Multiplayer Level option, able to choose Battle, CTF, Treasure as possible options Searching for desired events with desired properties in a level? An option to export the level to BMP or some else format a'la <a href="http://www.jazz2online.com/jcf/showpost.php?p=355173&postcount=40">VCR</a>? <s>random level generator</s> An ability to have multiple levels opened at once in different "frames", for the lack of better word Browse buttons for Next Level, Secret Level and Music fields instead of annoying textboxes Ability to go to the Next/Secret level without having to using the open function Some function which disables choosing music files bigger than 2MB (and 1.5MB for multiplayer?)

That's all I could think of, and I may come up with more. If you have anything to say, keep in mind that this is for plausible stuff, not "adding more layer's to jcs". And no replies like "oh my lanmeisters this wil never get done, ahahahahha newb" unless you want to look stupid.

[Erik]

I think 511 characters in a string would be just disturbing. As if 127 wouldn't do it.

[cooba]

I think 511 characters in a string would be just disturbing. As if 127 wouldn't do it.127 tends to be annoyingly short on most occasions, especially when one uses a lot of colored text.

[ThunderPX]

LI3K W0RK!ING TW33DLE PLZ

Seriously though, you pretty much summed up the features I'd like to see, but...

Convertion to 2.02 (1.23) level compression from 2.00 (1.10o), 2.01 (1.20), and 2.03 (TSF)

What's with the weird version count?

[Hareoic]

A list of MCEs and that other thing that generates weird effects.

And a sound effects option that lets you hear ambient sounds before you add them.

[Xobim]

Better working scrollbars.
Multiple music choice with a special event that changes the music when a player crosses it.
Ability to copy and paste level parts.

[SPAZ18]

7 things I want to see in a new JJ2 level editor:

1. Ability to insert not just more than 15 Text events but an unlimited amount.
2. Unlimited coin costs in warps. No 255 limit. I tried to use 1000.
3. Ability to use MP3s, WAVs and any other formats in JCS. (Though I can't see it happening)
4. Allow more than 31 Trigger events. Oh, yes I didn't count 0 as one.
5. Simplify speed setting in Sucker Tubes, Wind etc. to V. Slow, Slow, Medium, Fast or V. Fast.
6. Change the Boss music option to allow music of ANY format and specify in the text box what file you want. Also have a "Browse..." button next to it.
7. Simplify direction setting in Sucker Tubes to Up, Down, Left or Right. Horizontal/Vertical would be better actually. 2 options instead of 4.

[cooba]

What's with the weird version count?Huh? The J2L compression verson count is perfectly fine :HA list of MCEs and that other thing that generates weird effects.MCE'sMultiple music choice with a special event that changes the music when a player crosses it.Impossible.1. Ability to insert not just more than 15 Text events but an unlimited amount.
2. Unlimited coin costs in warps. No 255 limit. I tried to use 1000.
3. Ability to use MP3s, WAVs and any other formats in JCS. (Though I can't see it happening)
4. Allow more than 31 Trigger events.
5. Simplify speed setting in Sucker Tubes, Wind etc. to V. Slow, Slow, Medium, Fast or V. Fast.
6. Change the Boss music option to allow music of ANY format and specify in the text box what file you want. Also have a "Browse..." button next to it.
7. Simplify direction setting in Sucker Tubes to Up, Down, Left or Right.Impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible (there are 32), may be useful for Wind, impossible, how about Horizontal and Vertical?

[Sacrush]

Ablity to play/preview the song you want to use in the level.

[Fawriel]

MCE's
So you find textboxes for the animation FPS and the like to be more important and convenient than an inbuilt list of something you would otherwise have to open in a seperate browser window?

[Stijn]

So you find textboxes for the animation FPS and the like to be more important and convenient than an inbuilt list of something you would otherwise have to open in a seperate browser window?
<img src="http://www.jazz2online.com/jcf/images/smilies/sleephappy.gif" alt="Agreed">

[cooba]

So you find textboxes for the animation FPS and the like to be more important and convenient than an inbuilt list of something you would otherwise have to open in a seperate browser window?Well I do. But that's because I never use MCE's with misplaced sprites myself :H

[minmay]

Hey, Cooba, you beat me to picking apart SPAZ18's list D=

[blurredd]

I wish I wrote down everything I told Pyromanus... Anyway, some sort of flood fill/paint bucket tool for tiles and (random) tile patterns would come in handy.

[cooba]

Well yeah. If Pyromanus would be able to use all of this in his project, it would be really great.

[SPAZ18]

I thought of another:

Add the ability to choose the Start Position of Lori. The position of Jazz/Spaz can be chosen but why isn't there one for Lori?

[Xobim]

Multiple music choice with a special event that changes the music when a player crosses it.
Impossible.
Could use an explanation...

[Pyromanus]

Blur i wrote those down.
and this thread is great <font color="#800000"><b>\</b></font><span style="background-color: #800000;"> <font color="#000000">'</font><font color="#FFFFFF">=</font><font color="#000000">'</font> </span><font color="#800000"><b>/</b></font>

[Violet CLM]

A more advanced Multiplayer Level option, able to choose Battle, CTF, Treasure as possible options
This would be possible? Interesting.

Xobim and others: This is not a topic about features to add to <i>JJ2</i>, but things that could be in a level editor that are already possible but are not exploited. No reprogramming of JJ2 is involved here.

[cooba]

This would be possible? Interesting.Well I probably didn't make myself too clear. There would be a box where one can choose the gametype for his level, with a "Multiplayer Level?" checkbox which enables more options once checked, such as a selection field with Battle, CTF, and Treasure options. There would be also an "Apply" button which once clicked looks through the entire Event Map, and looks for "wrong" events. So if one would choose Battle and click Apply, the editor would look for things such as enemies and asking to delete them (or replace them with appropiate MCE's and their respective Ambient Sounds, but that may be a lot of coding work) or Multiplayer Start Positions and replacing them with Jazz Starts (you should always use Jazz Starts in battle), and etc.

[Jerrythabest]

Ability to copy and paste level parts.Try pressing B, selecting the part and press B again. Then, if you want it in another level, open that level and click. Theres your copy and paste! if you want events on empty tiles pasted with it, hold shift.

JCS could use.. a basic tileset with useful tiles in all 9 Jazz2 palette colors.. like the RR training tileset (which you obviously haven't seen)

[cooba]

Also, how about this: You could highlight a group of tiles in the level and tell the editor to paste a chosen tile/event or randomly chosen tiles/events from a group there.

[SPAZ18]

What about this?

Copy & Paste tiles from one JCS window to the other.

[cooba]

What about this?

Copy & Paste tiles from one JCS window to the other.That's what I had in mind with multiple level windows opened at the same time, actually ;D

[snzspeed]

ability to use different letters ( like big ones )
and easier commands for using single color then |||||||||t||||||||h||||||||||||||||||||i|||||||||| |s :P

[Jerrythabest]

like %snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz% t%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%h%snz%%snz%%snz%%sn z%%snz%%snz%%snz%i%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%s nz%%snz%s ?:P:lol:

[Stijn]

like %snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz% t%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%h%snz%%snz%%snz%%sn z%%snz%%snz%%snz%i%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%snz%%s nz%%snz%s ?:P:lol:
http://forumpics/lol2.jpg

[SPAZ18]

ROFLMBO @ Stijn's pic! :lol: I just can't stop laughing!!

Derby: Acronym clearance.

Oh I didn't realise stuff like that wasn't allowed. But the abbreviation still works. Laughing my butt off.

[Jerrythabest]

ah well. now at least we know the truth about stijn's.. nvm that's a baby joke :r


nice pic man! :D

[R3ptile]

A BABY JOKE</k>

[cooba]

HAHA FUNNY

Ontopic >:(

[minmay]

ooh ebil red eyez

[Iam Canadian]

A hotkey for copy and pasting events. (For example: press "c" when the cursor is over a specific event to copy it, then press "v" over the area you want to paste the event.)

Have the preview window show icons (or something) that indicate specific events. So if there's a spring on a specific tile, have it show a little spring icon on that tile in the preview window.

Have the ability to start Jazz/Spaz/Lori at any position in the level when you use Save/run. This would be useful for testing a specific section of a level. For example, if you hit save/run, it would display a dialogue box with text boxes to enter the specific position you want to start at. If no coordinates are entered, it would start you at the Jazz Start position or position 0,0.

I don't really know if this is possible, but let Bolly use Endtexts other than 0.

[Neobeo]

I actually find the idea of a new JCS quite intriguing. And many of the ideas actually seem quite creative too, and would be really useful for a new JJ2 level editor. Needless to say, much of the ideas stated are already possible since the J2L format has been mostly figured out, and all that's left in an interface. So, really, what I would like to see is an enhanced GUI over the original JCS, which might include:

General Interface

Tabs for different levels (a'la Firefox)
Skins
Proper scrollbars
Change everything about the "Level Properties" form
A hex editor mode if you really want low-level access to editing your levels (i.e. editing the binary of the level)


Level Editor Interface

MSPaint-style tools (Line, rectangle, flood fill)
Standard edit functions (Copy&paste, Undo&redo)
Ability to view more than one layer at once
Goto function and bookmarks, to jump from one position to another (or even between layers)
Fullscreen level view - probably also the ability to dump as BMP/other


Additional Functions

Tileset extractor/editor
A more advanced tileset compiler (think TilesetPal)
A file manager *
(Refer to JCSref article on tile cache) Ability to manually set tile caches such that foreground layers will use the same tile cache as layer 4 etc.
Save as version 1.23 or version TSF.


Miscellaneous

A help file which incorporates everything in JCSref
Appendices for the MCE list and ambient sounds and other lists


* The file manager is a concept I've been working on. It basically goes through a folder, and gives details for each level and tileset. Basic details such as name, tileset for the level, next level. Maybe also some subtle details like whether its missing a start position or certain warp targets.

That's about all I can think of for now. I'm sure I had more before I started writing, but oh well.

[Violet CLM]

A hotkey for copy and pasting events. (For example: press "c" when the cursor is over a specific event to copy it, then press "v" over the area you want to paste the event.)
There is actually a simple process to add this feature to JCS already.

Enter JCS.ini.
Replace all uses of the word "Spring" with "Elizabeth".
Save. Enter JCS.
Load a level. Make sure the "Bonus Level" field reads "Oft-Documented Feature."
Find an event you would like to copy. Move the mouse over it. Press Ctrl+E.
Find the area in JCS where you would like to paste the event, and press or hold Shift+E.

[Jerrythabest]

I dunno what you mean with the elizabeth stuff, but 5 and 6 will do just fine.


Neo's ideas are nice.. but what's wrong with the scrollbars? they work just fine to me :S

[jam]

Iam Canadian: To copy and paste events, hover over it, press b twice, go to where you want it and hold shift and click ;)

You can do that with multiple events, and tiles.

[SPAZ18]

...what's wrong with the scrollbars? they work just fine to me :S

I think maybe he means like proper Windows style scrollbars or something.

[Neobeo]

I dunno what you mean with the elizabeth stuff, but 5 and 6 will do just fine.


Neo's ideas are nice.. but what's wrong with the scrollbars? they work just fine to me :S

It's just that one scrollbar that annoys me. The one in the tileset box. If your mouse accidentally leaves the scrollbar the combobox disappears.

[Fawriel]

...you know, although it's struck-out in Cooba's list, wouldn't a random level generator technically be possible? I imagine it could be a nice idea for something like a lightning game of JJ2, like a randomly generated arena, a short level chock full of enemies and stuff, with different difficulties.
But I guess it wouldn't be possible to implement that into JJ2 itself the way I picture it.. choosing a level from the Homecooked Levels list that is actually blank and automatically generated by JCS...

[SPAZ18]

It's just that one scrollbar that annoys me. The one in the tileset box. If your mouse accidentally leaves the scrollbar the combobox disappears.

Yes, I really hate it when that happens. I scroll through all the tilesets and if the cursor goes away from the box the stupid thing disappears and I have to START AT THE TOP AGAIN! It's especially annoying when you have like 100+ Tilesets.

Another thing I hate is when in the layer box, I'm using "B" to highlight the tiles I wanna copy and I have to use the scrollbars to highlight more but if my mouse cursor goes into the "Parallax View" box or away from the scrollbars the highlighter is gone and I have to do ALL THAT AGAIN!

[Jerrythabest]

yeah that scrollbar is, indeed, sucky. I like windows XP's second menu column better ;)

the selecting with B stuff isn't a problem for me, since I can use my mouse's scrollwheel to scroll vertically and if I press the wheel it turns into a horizontal scrollwheel.. that's caused by a program that came with the mouse ;) it's great! horizontal scrollwheel is really useful ;)

[SPAZ18]

Scroll wheels are great for scrolling vertically but it's the problem I have doing it Horizontally. I have to use the scroll bar at the bottom to move left & right in the Layers section.

[FQuist]

Test level in multiplayer mode
Helpful warnings when user tries to save. Things like "Level does not contain proper start positions", "Warp on tile x,y would get player stuck", "No corresponding Warp Target for warp ID x", "Flipped animated tile at x,y could crash game", "No next level setting specified". User should be able to ignore warnings or turn off warnings entirely.
Find-as-you-type event search, a la <A href="http://www.google.com/webhp?complete=1&hl=en">Google Suggest</a>. "W"->results: Warp, Warp target, Witch etc
Sort events list by the amount of times each event has been used
Ability to assign events/tiles to hotkeys and to keep list of favourite event configurations
(similar to above) Snippet library to hold personal templates (for MCEs for example)
Ability to create tileset helpers that contain the positions of important tiles in the tileset (corners, straight platforms, slopes). With tile description for tileset in place, add paint-like tools mentioned by someone else, except these paint entire platforms using the tileset information. A diagonal line might draw a slope for example, and a block would have proper corners and side tiles. This could also be used to quickly convert levels from one uncompatible tileset to another if implemented correctly. <strike>Or form a basis for a random level generator.</strike>
JCS for newbies #1: Event window contains links to corresponding ERE entries for each event ;-)
JCS for newbies #2: Event window display mode where each event in the list contains an image of the event. Tuf turtle image above "Tuf Turt" event, etc. Like windows explorer thumbnail view.
Level pack creator that finds the used music and (non-official) tilesets for each level selected and creates a zip out of it, or a file list.
Ability to remove level password (for your *own* level) once a password has been set.
More convenient help function. Possibly an inline help


I guess much of my suggestions are kind of enterprise-y instead of small tweaks and are useless to create if there's only a small amount of people using jcs though.

[cooba]

Test level in multiplayer modeLike that if a level was checked to be Battle, the editor could run Jazz2.exe with the -server and -battle arguements?

[Jerrythabest]

Scroll wheels are great for scrolling vertically but it's the problem I have doing it Horizontally. I have to use the scroll bar at the bottom to move left & right in the Layers section.
yeah two mistakes where 'vertical' should be 'horizontal' :) read my post again and you'll like it!


btw, who's gonna make it :D these ideas are so great :D:D

[Xobim]

Maybe something like brushes, to create realistic circles and other forms.
And a window that tells which levels in the users JJ2 folder are connected to which.

[n00b]

Some function which disables choosing music files bigger than 2MB (and 1.5MB for multiplayer?)
Ugh, that'd be terrible if it's not optional to disable that function or not.
If I'm making a level thats just for me, I'd like to be able to choose as big a music file as I please.

[Iam Canadian]

Iam Canadian: To copy and paste events, hover over it, press b twice, go to where you want it and hold shift and click ;)

You can do that with multiple events, and tiles.

That doesn't copy events on blank tiles. Which should be rectified.

I'm curious. Does Bolly's lack of an ability to use an endtext other than 0 stem from a simple lack of a parameter in JCS, or is it part of the event itself?

[PhAyzoN]

Ugh, that'd be terrible if it's not optional to disable that function or not.
If I'm making a level thats just for me, I'd like to be able to choose as big a music file as I please.


um... doesnt JJ2 crash/not play the music if its bigger than 2MB?

[Stijn]

That doesn't copy events on blank tiles. Which should be rectified.
hold shift

[CrimiClown]

hold shift
... guys, for just events you can use CTRL+E to copy and Shift+E to paste... :O

[cooba]

I'm curious. Does Bolly's lack of an ability to use an endtext other than 0 stem from a simple lack of a parameter in JCS, or is it part of the event itself?It's just the lack of the parameter. |EndText:4

*edits the ERE articles*

[General Hare]

How about a caving setting were you can choose your tiles you want to use for it rather than having to make the cave and then put in the tiles, were you can select your 8 tiles used to make the ceiling, floor, walls and others making it simple to do so?

[cooba]

If I'm making a level thats just for me, I'd like to be able to choose as big a music file as I please.Good luck trying to run a 5MB file in JJ2 :p.

Anyway, how about a search function for levels? If one doesn't remember the exact filename, he/she goes into the search engine, selects "Find by Level Name" (with "Tileset used" and "Music used" as other examples) and lets the editor hunt for levels with a desired levelname.

[n00b]

um... doesnt JJ2 crash/not play the music if its bigger than 2MB?
I use UF's Memory boost.

[Jerrythabest]

the level browser idea could have some filter fields for each column to search.. :)

[Sonyk]

I'd like to see a new JJ2 level editor with native *NIX and OS X support, but I'm sure that's pushing it.

[Jerrythabest]

there should be one, of course. Everyone has the right of making levels ;)

[Grytolle]

Just put in a warning about the music file size... sort of like what FQuist was suggesting about other stuff.

[Dermo]

What I would like to see is the ability to put 2 events on 1 tile block or trigger events. And an easier way to Trigger background/foreground objects. The ability to rebuild sprites without dieing or having to restart the lvl and player aspects like being able to make is so if your playing MP and you chat something, something will happen like if you say /deposite 100 coins in a hotel, it'll deposite those coins. Those are some ideas I would like to see in a JJ2 Level Builder. BTW I think we should send a link to this thread to Epic. :)

[Jerrythabest]

we are changing JCS, not JJ2.. and Epic doesn't give a (-) =(

ah well, how about LEV to j2l conversion? I wanna host race4.lev :(

[cooba]

What I would like to see is the ability to put 2 events on 1 tile block or trigger events. The ability to rebuild sprites without dieing or having to restart the lvl and player aspects like being able to make is so if your playing MP and you chat something, something will happen like if you say /deposite 100 coins in a hotel, it'll deposite those coins.we are changing JCS, not JJ2<!---->

[NeonPSY]

Hmm,

-JCS warns you that your CTF level does not have tiles on both side of the level. (Could be really simple, it could just detect whether you have something there other than the first tile of the tileset.)

-A way to play the song files you chose for your level without Save and Run.

-Replace visable events with the accual sprites when you lay them down. (Making bridge making a bit easier.)

-A better arranged event list.

-TilesetPal built in.

-Bypasses the password lock...So you can look at how people did things (Curse you Ninja Dodo. Passwording your T-rex chase.) and fix bugs.

-Also could be built in with JJ1 JCS. Like a combo editor.

-Make it so you can put flying pants in your levels.

-Put in a mini-game with CliffyB in it.

OK, there they are.

[cooba]

I'm sure the password bypass is unnecessary and as well illegal. It's easy enough to remove passwords from .J2L's manually. And I'm not going to post instructions on how to do it because it's quite disallowed here.

Also I can't see how it could be integrated with J1CS. It works entirely different.

[CrimiClown]

-A way to play the song files you chose for your level without Save and Run.
Modplug Tracker / Player
-Bypasses the password lock...So you can look at how people did things (Curse you Ninja Dodo. Passwording your T-rex chase.) and fix bugs.
TecJCS
-Put in a mini-game with CliffyB in it.
:D

[White Rabbit]

But Cooba, the Bonus Level field is neither redunant nor useless, nor is the Secret Level field. Those two fields, with the Next Level one, provide three alternative endings for a single level.

My list:
- Search for events. You could open a window identical to the Set Event window (it would be called Search Event of course), and then look for the event you want to search for. When you've selected your event, JCS would give you the positions of that particular event in the level.
- Go to warp/warp target. An extension of the search function, and useful once you've placed your 200th warp.
- Ability to redo actions.

[cooba]

But Cooba, the Bonus Level field is neither redunant nor uselessThe Bonus Level field doesn't work. And before you say it, the Bonus Level Signpost sends the player to the level specified in the Secret Level field.

[Xobim]

The Bonus Level field doesn't work. And before you say it, the Bonus Level Signpost sends the player to the level specified in the Secret Level field.
We should keep the bonus level field, it's used by Toolbox.

Modplug Tracker / Player
MPT doesn't play .j2b files. And that cuts out a big part of the music files.

[cooba]

We should keep the bonus level field, it's used by Toolbox.That only supports my point.

[Iam Canadian]

As an alternative to password bypassing, why not compromise? Add a "read-only" mode where you can view a passworded level in JCS but can't actually do anything to it; you can't add tiles or events, can't add tiles or events, and can't modify the level in any way. That way levels would be protected from stealing but would still allow people to see how something was done.

[Jerrythabest]

- Go to warp/warp target. An extension of the search function, and useful once you've placed your 200th warp.How about the warp/s and warp target/s with the same id start blinking when you place your mouse pointer over one? Also, some 'Eventhelper' window could be used to give positions and parameters of all events that could have any connection to the event under your mouse pointer (and make those blinking if you turned on that option)

[Camou]

Dunno if it's already been posted, but something like for the text strings. You select the letters and choose what colors they are, instead of wasting characters by putting in #'s or |'s.

[Stijn]

Please don't quote yourself saying the same as Camou, Cooba. It's annoying.

[Camou]

Please don't quote yourself saying the same as Camou, Cooba. It's annoying.

Huh? Did I quote someone or something? I don't see deleted post or something by Cooba :S

[n00b]

I'm also quite confused. I thought I was missing something, glad I'm not the only one.

[Doubble Dutch]

You're telling me.

I'd like to see sprites instead of event names.

[NovaStar]

Same.

EDIT - (@n00b k)

[Jerrythabest]

event names are fine if they don't spawn anything, but I still like it better if it are just even names shown, where the sprites appear in the parallax view.

[cooba]

Please don't quote yourself saying the same as Camou, Cooba. It's annoying.Please stop doing dumb predictions about what I am going to do. It's annoying.

[NovaStar]

Please stop fighting in a topic. It's annoying.

[Doubble Dutch]

Thats an adiministrator type comment that is.

I must admit, there have been some brilliant suggestions; is anyone going to sum them all up into a neat lil list?

[Tik]

After selecting tiles with b, I'd like to able to right click and get an option to send the selected tiles to the same location in another layer.

I had some of the same ideas as a few others here about a way to indicate what tiles are for what purpose/placement and thus be able to 'paint' a level in or have a level be generated. I highly doubt anyone would want to program that, though.

A fill function would be very, very nice.

It would be neat to make hotkeys that will change the field of view to another area of the level.

Warnings for possible crashes/errors.

Better copy/cut/paste stuff, especially for events.

And many of the other excellent suggestions in this thread.

[Neobeo]

Ability to remove level password (for your *own* level) once a password has been set.


Can't this be done from within JCS?

[NovaStar]

Thats an adiministrator type comment that is.

...but I'm serious, it is... ;(

PAGECLAIM

[Xobim]

Warnings for possible crashes/errors.
A debugger is a good idea, but it'll probably need some code of JJ2 to work. The errors that occur in the game are probably hard to trace...

[White Rabbit]

Can't this be done from within JCS?
No, you can only change an existing password.

[Cpp]

No, you can only change an existing password.
Hahaha you are sooooo wrong there.

[Neobeo]

Hahaha you are sooooo wrong there.
Haha, someone should go make an article out of this since I'm lazy, but here goes:

How to remove password from a level in 8 simple steps
Open JCS Load the passworded level Enter the password Go to Tools --> Level Password Enter the old password in the "Old password" textbox Enter oesmonk in the "New password" and "Confirm new password" textboxes Click the OK button The password has successfully been removed from the level
How to check that the password has been removed?
Go to Tools --> Level password. The "Old password" textbox should have disappeared. Or, Save the level and reload it. It will not prompt for the password.

[White Rabbit]

And how did you find this out in the first place? :eek:

EDIT: And I find it strange, Neobeo, that you had to ask that question, even if it was meant for politness' sake, when you already knew it could be done. :(

[Jerrythabest]

how did you find out about that? :| 'oesmonk'? that sounds like an easter egg.

[Cpp]

Well there are lots of keywords you can use actually. I'll quote Neobeo from #jj2:

Neobeo: [1] NEO-dingdongss [2] JCSinterlocation0 [3] neo.outsleepsX [4] jcs.distillerZ [5] mycoplasma/ [6] hyPothermice [7] oesmonk [8] nenusai [9] lempnud [10] ecooolv [11] chroakx [12] zafumo [13] ghBMP [14] RSZEQ [15] 148x4 [16] 8RKi [17] ÂÃ7
It's basically a matter of finding out a keyword that its hash matches the one that represents a depassworded level.

EDIT: I also made this little garbage program (my first C++ release) to "corrupt" your J2L files. "Hafe vun".
http://downlink.lordprime.com/jazzjackrabbit/2/j2slp.zip

[BattleSpaz]

Please DO NOT do limits, like editor what says "You cannot add music files over 2mb", because if you want to make level you just play, it might be good idea just to remove that. Think about you would have 2.01mb music file and editor says its too big... (I do have one of those >_>')

But otherwise this is a great program to be done! <S>Just add events like 1337 h4x0r moving platforms</S>

[Jerrythabest]

why would you like your level editor to allow you to select such big music files, that JJ2 can't run the level? It's totally useless.

[White Rabbit]

It's like outlawing suicide. People have the right to crash their own JJ2s!

[Jerrythabest]

they could use JCS :p

[Grytolle]

It's like outlawing suicide. People have the right to crash their own JJ2s!Well suicode is illegal here.. so... :P

[Jerrythabest]

illegal? so if you commit suicide, your remains go to jail? :lol:

anyway, how about the level editor being able to show you how high any character can jump up, and how high a character goes with a spring, so you can make the 'opening in the wall' just at the right height?

[shaney]

well what i like to see in new level editors is less dead points double function tiles like double trigers

[Xobim]

<s>A button that makes your pc refill your coffee mug</s>

A zoom function in the paralax view.

[Jerrythabest]

not bad.. maybe zooming with pageup (zoom out) and pagedown (zoom in) and the ability to zoom to that percentage, that the whole with, height or the whole level is visible.

also, a function that changes all layer dimensions to the smallest values possible without removing tiles would be cool. Of course it should move the level up and left as far as possible on all layers with both speeds 1 and both autospeeds 0.

[cooba]

also, a function that changes all layer dimensions to the smallest values possible without removing tiles would be cool. Of course it should move the level up and left as far as possible on all layers with both speeds 1 and both autospeeds 0....eh? Reword plz.

[Jerrythabest]

-all layers with normal speeds set 1 and auto speeds set 0 will be moved the same amount of tiles to the top and left, until on one of these layers a tile hits the layer border (the layers with normal speeds 1 and auto speeds 0 depend on each other)
-all layer dimensions (so how big each layer is) will be lowered to the lowest amount of tiles possible without removing tiles (the layers are independent here)

this way the level is moved to the top left corner and the layers are changed to the minimal size, so that if you walk at the edge of a level the screen doesn't scroll anymore, and you'll have a better view of the level.

[LittleFreak]

I understand what you mean, but, seriously, it isn't that much work to do it manually. Unless you have a lot of complicated sprite back- or foreground layers.

[Jerrythabest]

I always have a lot of back and foreground layers:P I sometimes need layers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 and that leaves only 8 as background..

[cooba]

It would be nice if the editor had some reasonable layer X/Y speeds by default, like 1 on layer 3 instead of the default 1.5. Or layers 6 and 7 set to display a background correctly without having to adjust the Y-Speed with lots of trial and error.

[Xobim]

The ability to add collums and rows of empty tiles on every side of the layer.

[Black Ninja]

I'm seeing some very good ideas so far. I've also had a few of my own, which I will edit into this post eventually.

[PurpleJazz]

Being able to make levels with unlimited sizes would be good. Then you could make MASSIVE levels. A level with 1,000,000 tiles width!!!:P Or maybe a "Tile Motion path" event. That would be cool. You could link up several of these events in a chain, and you could choose the speed the tile motion.

[LittleFreak]

Seriously, 1023x1023 is more than enough.

[Speeza]

1.to make enimies in multiplayer,(yes i know about mce's) but to make it a single event.

2.umlimted text room (instead of 3 lines :/)

3.to see layer 4 in when in 23567. (really inoying having to estimate)

4.create more text lines instead of 15,(comes in handy on hotels and single player and maybe tests)

5maybe something what lets you see the persons level in jcs but doesn't allow them to edit it,and the owner of the level can chouse if he wants them to do this,
so basicly when you want to password the level you have a option of,password level completely or password nonm-edit or password non edit mode and level properties.
would come in handy if you want to password the level,but want someone to add your level in there pack.

[Grytolle]

Enemies in multiplayer would be hacking jazz2.exe, not the leevlfiles

[White Rabbit]

I like your 5th point, Ryder. And a new JCS's password should of course be as hard to crack as possible.

[Birdie]

Skins


Do you mean skins like this:
<img src ="http://www.freewebs.com/birdie8d/this.png" alt="thats my jcs.">
or skins that make it look completely different, not just a color change?

[White Rabbit]

Like WMP skins! 8D
Let's just not give it too high a priority...

[Jerrythabest]

how about an mce generator, that automatically generates mces that are fully working and, if you checked some box, with the correct sprites! it's sad you can't put an mce into one event..

[PyRRamid]

I want to paste events simply by pressing Ctrl or Alt + the mouse key. This is useful for tests when one wants to make several warps. ;)

[Violet CLM]

<i>again</i>, Shift+E...

[PyRRamid]

<i>again</i>, Shift+E...
Thanks.

[Xobim]

- List of checkboxes to choose which events should be "auto-generator" or not. Could be handy when making MP levs.
- <s>T3h secret button!</s>

[Jerrythabest]

have it popup a window saying
FOR TILE AND MULTIPLE EVENT COPYING: PRESS B
FOR EVENT COPY: PRESS CTRL E
FOR EVENT PASTE: PRESS SHIFT E

that'll get rid of all those people who, for some reason, still don't know those things.

[LittleFreak]

But in turn, it will create an annoying pop-up window everytime someone opens JCS.

[SPAZ18]

have it popup a window saying
FOR TILE AND MULTIPLE EVENT COPYING: PRESS B
FOR EVENT COPY: PRESS CTRL E
FOR EVENT PASTE: PRESS SHIFT E

that'll get rid of all those people who, for some reason, still don't know those things.

No, no, no. That would be just like those lame "Tip of the Day" pop-ups you see in stuff like MS Word. That would be very annoying.

[Jerrythabest]

[/sarcasem] :P didn't you understand that? :lol:

[LittleFreak]

Of course I did, I just didn't want to spoil the surprise!

*edit*

But, what about a sticky topic with a list of JCS hotkeys?

[Violet CLM]

That shouldn't be necessary because <a href="http://www.jazz2online.com/jcsref/node.php?node=35&mode=id&menu=topics">it's already so well documented on the #1 JCS webresource!</a>

[FQuist]

Regarding all of those people who haven't figured out the JCS shortcuts, maybe giving them an (additional) more standard hotkey (ctrl+c?) would work.

[Speeza]

A small box saying what id's you have used,and if they have no trigger link they are highlighted red,this would be handy cos im confused about what warps i havent use,i should of went 123456 but i just went 123 77 45:s.

edit:lol i remeber when i was makeing a test and didn't know about ctrl+c,:P
its funny when noobs are makeing a test and they keep doing, right click select event modifier warp.:P

[Jerrythabest]

doing that is, in one word, BORING. well, acually it's not only boring, it starts to hurt your fingers over time too :lol:

[blurredd]

What ever happened to reading help files anyway? I have a feeling many of the features in a new JCS would go unused by many new users. With that said, optional Tip of the Day/Did You Know types of messages at the startup aren't that annoying, are they?

[Jerrythabest]

not really, as long as you keep them short and have them closing themselves after a set amount of seconds

of course, tip of the day shouldn't show one tip more than once, while other tips haven't been shown..

[LittleFreak]

As long as they're optional I'm fine with it. Then again, people who don't bother reading help files for shortcuts and the like probably don't bother reading the tip of the day either.

That shouldn't be necessary because it's already so well documented on the #1 JCS webresource! (http://www.jazz2online.com/jcsref/node.php?node=35&mode=id&menu=topics)

*shuts up*

[Jerrythabest]

how about such a think like those funny office assistants? if someone ets an event the old way three times in a row, it should pop up a message about the E- and B-funtions

[Stijn]

No.

[cooba]

No.Yes if optional.

[Jerrythabest]

why "No."? ti doesn't have to show anything, it just have to pop up a small window somewhere in a corner, that'll do ;)

[SPAZ18]

If JCS was to have "Tip of the Day" pop-ups then it could have an option to turn them off if they got annoying.

[Jerrythabest]

of course it should be possible to trun them off.. just like all other popup messages that ever appear in it.. IMO

[n00b]

The Office Assitant idea would be neat only if:
A) It's Optional
B) It's Jazz dressed like a Store Clerk (as seen on the JCS icon, and Error screen if your computer for whatever reason can't run JCS)

[Jerrythabest]

like the thing on the about dialog window?

[Neobeo]

Just a short update -- I have created a simple engine that does most of the plausible stuff mentioned. However, I'd still need to build an interface from scratch =\. So could someone suggest some good level/map editors which I could <strike>plagiarize from</strike> get some ideas from?

[Violet CLM]

I have yet to have one complaint with JCS' interface or find any better level editing program.

[Saphir]

May have been said already.. but having a way of switching all events of a certain kind to generators, or all generators with a certain event back to that event, would be neat.

[PurpleJazz]

It needs a "redo" function if you accidentaly undo something.

Another thing that could be done is the ability to make any enemy a boss, with a "Boss" option with every enemy. To make the level end, you would need to kill every enemy in the level with the Boss option ticked. The same would apply to proper Bosses, except they wouldn't need a "Boss" check box.

[Stijn]

Purplejazz, that's way beyond the scope of a level editor :)

[Cpp]

Just a short update -- I have created a simple engine that does most of the plausible stuff mentioned. However, I'd still need to build an interface from scratch =\. So could someone suggest some good level/map editors which I could <strike>plagiarize from</strike> get some ideas from?UnrealEd :cool:

Technically JCS is the best 2D editor I know of. Perhaps there was a time when I used to know other 2D level editors, but I fear that time is not today. You could try to borrow some stuff from some 3D editors like UnrealEd, which has a nifty layout. You could allow users to choose viewports the same way... sort of 3DS MAX style. It also has lots of neat shortcut buttons. Also I feel like there should be a toolbox where a user could easily copy/paste multiple chunks of tiles/events at his will. Sort of how Clipper (on KDE, Linux) works.

Again these are only my ideas and I could go on listing them for a while. Personally I find trial/error the best way to see whether something works or not. Sort of how I design my programs.

I think I'll place this button here. This looks cool. Oh wait! That doesn't look good. The size doesn't quite match the frame, try something else, etc...

BTW will you use OpenGL/DX9 render? :D

[Jerrythabest]

JCS just owns anything else I've ever seen. Only the CPU usage :(

just scroll back in this thread for more ideas, but I think we all agree on the brush thing, and some better event searcher/replacer that also finds generators

[Puffie40]

I hope my ideas aren't repeated from previous posts- I just glazed through them... :+

-Preview of text lines

-a better parrallax view- that ones annoying when it's not exactly the same as in-game and you are trying to set up eyecandy.

-Cut scene creator?

-ability to flip tiles four ways

-Instadeath for players who fall off the edge of the level?

[Violet CLM]

I hope my ideas aren't repeated from previous posts- I just glazed through them... :+

-Preview of text lines

-a better parrallax view- that ones annoying when it's not exactly the same as in-game and you are trying to set up eyecandy.

-Cut scene creator?

-ability to flip tiles four ways

-Instadeath for players who fall off the edge of the level?
3, 4 and 5 are not JCS issues but JJ2 issues.

[Saphir]

This again may have been said before, but...
What about a way to manage selections of tiles? You could even flip those multiple ways, as long as the tiles themselves wouldn't be flipped
And an ability to choose more than one animated tile at once would be cool.

[Violet CLM]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but one feature I would find quite useful would be a key to revert tiles from transparency, an anti-Shift+T. After turning a big thing transparent really quickly, it is tedious to spend several clicks on each tile turning them <i>back</i>.

[Jerrythabest]

how about a *good* help file, e.g. one that says what caption tiles do

[FQuist]

Inbuilt ERE help link in jcs ;-)

[Grytolle]

And a more stable j2o server!

[Birdie]

Inbuilt BMP --> J2l Convertor, if you know what I mean.

[cooba]

J2L -> BMP* ?</s>

[Jerrythabest]

or bmp --> j2t, but we already have that

[GoldRabbit]

no one said this:
more tilesets on a level...

[Jerrythabest]

not possible.

[Neobeo]

also no one said this:
- use textid until 255
- put events like trigger scenery on FG & BG layers lolz

[SPAZ18]

also no one said this:
- use textid until 255
- put events like trigger scenery on FG & BG layers lolz

The TextID box allows a value up to 255, yet you can only have up to 15 in a level.
I'm not sure about Trigger Scenery in BG & FG, it would be cool but I dunno if that would be possible.

[Violet CLM]

The TextID box allows a value up to 255, yet you can only have up to 15 in a level.
I'm not sure about Trigger Scenery in BG & FG, it would be cool but I dunno if that would be possible.
<a href="http://www.jazz2online.com/J2Ov2/downloads/info.php?levelID=4549">not paying attention? :roll:</a>

[cooba]

The TextID box allows a value up to 255, yet you can only have up to 15 in a level.You can have up to 16 strings, and JCS+ allows for 255, as Neobeo's Firetruck shows.

[GoldRabbit]

but where we can download JCS+?Maybe with this editor we can make better levels...It will be nice if the creator would upload it to J2O.But nooooooo,only the elite of JJ2 has cool progs!It isn't fair!But not even all elite players doesn't have some progs!There's such a lot of undertaking!

[cooba]

It's not uploaded because it's not finished yet? :)

[Grytolle]

but where we can download JCS+?Maybe with this editor we can make better levels...It will be nice if the creator would upload it to J2O.But nooooooo,only the elite of JJ2 has cool progs!It isn't fair!But not even all elite players doesn't have some progs!There's such a lot of undertaking!8D 8D 8D 8D 8D

[Birdie]

but where we can download JCS+?Maybe with this editor we can make better levels...It will be nice if the creator would upload it to J2O.But nooooooo,only the elite of JJ2 has cool progs!It isn't fair!But not even all elite players doesn't have some progs!There's such a lot of undertaking!
Well, If you would like some "cool progs" then maybe you should go make some yourself. ;p

[GoldRabbit]

It's not uploaded because it's not finished yet? :)
AND WHEN IT SHOULD BE FINISHED?!

[Stijn]

Could you please act a little more civilized, Andy?

[FreeFull]

I would want it to popup a dopefish image when you click tileset selector with Control pressed

[Jerrythabest]

and I want it to pop up an error message when you press a key or click the mouse, scroll the mouse wheel and for each 100 pixels the mouse pointer moves. Oh, and 5 seconds after the last message in case you don't press any key/move the pointer. :cool: http://www.jazz2online.com/jcf/images/icons/icon6.gif

[GoldRabbit]

Could you please act a little more civilized, Andy?

Oh,sorry!I was so nervous that time of someone beating me at duel in jazz and i havent calmed down and posted this.SORRY!

[FQuist]

Zapper and all others whom it should concern:
Xobim and others: This is not a topic about features to add to JJ2, but things that could be in a level editor that are already possible but are not exploited. No reprogramming of JJ2 is involved here.Precedent in this thread has pretty much established that suggestions should involve actually currently possible things. Thus, please limit yourself to these as much as possible.

[ShadeJackrabbit]

Okay, but could Cooba PLEASE put that in the very first post? That's the one I read before posting. And I think others would too. I mean, if it's just a suggestion thread, why read 5 pages? You just want to make sure people hear your vote. :(

[Stijn]

How about just using your common sense?

[Xobim]

Well, it can easily been overlooked.
You just need to think twice, I guess...

[Violet CLM]

Well, it can easily been overlooked.
...your common sense?

Look at it this way. The topic specifically asks what you would like to see in a "brand new JJ2 level editor." It does not ask you what you'd like to see in a brand new version of JJ2, or a level editor <i>for</i> a brand new version of JJ2. All that's brand new is the level editor, and so it only makes sense to suggest things that JJ2 can actually support.

[ShadeJackrabbit]

Okay, look. What about the music change event I suggested? Are you saying that would NEED a new JJ2 version? No, it wouldn't, because you are simply informing JJ2 that it is playing the wrong music file, and it should change it. So I'm sorry but that one is valid. (Unless somebody can prove it wrong in ENGLISH, not geek-speak.)

[cooba]

And how would JJ2 be informed about playing the wrong file, then?

[ShadeJackrabbit]

You know how when Jazz dies, the music restarts? Well, we have the JCS change the music selected once you hit a point, and that "restart music" trigger is... triggered, except it starts the other music because the first one isn't referenced anymore.

[FQuist]

That would mean JCS would have to run whenever Jazz2 is on, which is outside the scope of JCS and JJ2. It would work for an external app like Carrotade maybe, but the purpose of JCS is to edit level files that work in JJ2, not to function as a (memory-)hacking tool.

[ShadeJackrabbit]

Well, that could be a separate tool that launches when you play Jazz 2, that is part of the JCS. It could also be used to address other memory hacks, which you would build into the level as events. Technically, JJ2 remains the same, you only need JCS. And it would have to be part of JCS anyways or else the events wouldn't work.

[Birdie]

Well, this is about a brand new <b>level</b> editor, not some amazing program that will program it's own memory hacks designed specifically for a level.

[Xobim]

...your common sense?

Look at it this way. The topic specifically asks what you would like to see in a "brand new JJ2 level editor." It does not ask you what you'd like to see in a brand new version of JJ2, or a level editor <i>for</i> a brand new version of JJ2. All that's brand new is the level editor, and so it only makes sense to suggest things that JJ2 can actually support.
Yes, I know what you mean. But what I meant was that it is pretty easy to overlook the fact that editing JJ2 is not an option. Common sense would apply more to giving reasonable ideas.

[ShadeJackrabbit]

Thank you! That's what my problem is! I thought about it, and since it never said it wouldn't go hand in hand or even with a glance at a new JJ2 version, I assumed as long as the ideas were somehow possible (if making a new JCS is possible,) that they would be accepted!

[FQuist]

Please get on-topic now. Meta-talk about this is not is unnecessary. By this point, it has been clear enough what the topic is and what fits into it and what does not. Nobody's being kept from posting in the 1.25 thread, or creating a memory hacks/utility suggestions thread.

[Neobeo]

BUMP'd in the name of "I'm planning to work on another level, and therefore am interested in resuming work on this project (hopefully to a stage where it can be released)". Also, I was thinking of changing the interface (a lot) which works a lot better for me, but I feel it isn't fair for those who are used to the inefficient interface used in regular JCS.

[cooba]

The JCS interface must die :(

[Sacrush]

BUMP'd in the name of "I'm planning to work on another level, and therefore am interested in resuming work on this project (hopefully to a stage where it can be released)". Also, I was thinking of changing the interface (a lot) which works a lot better for me, but I feel it isn't fair for those who are used to the inefficient interface used in regular JCS.

What about the possibility of switching between interfaces?

[Jerrythabest]

yes, that would be best. then we can decide ourselves which interface we prefer ;)

[Xobim]

Why not make an interface where the user can rearrange every window? Sounds a lot less time-consuming than making 4 different interfaces...

[BattleSpaz]

I think this is said 10 times before, but MCE and SCE creator would be really nice thing to have there.

[FQuist]

I kind of like the JCS interface. Compared to some other editors I've used, it's quite good.

[EvilMike]

BUMP'd in the name of "I'm planning to work on another level, and therefore am interested in resuming work on this project (hopefully to a stage where it can be released)". Also, I was thinking of changing the interface (a lot) which works a lot better for me, but I feel it isn't fair for those who are used to the inefficient interface used in regular JCS.

Keep all the same hotkeys (and add more), have the same set of windows be able to be placed in the same spots as normal if one wishes, and keep all of the same buttons jcs already has. In other words a past jcs user can adapt easily, but the interface could still be completely overhauled.

The hotkeys suggestion is especially important.

[Jerrythabest]

JCS is nothing without hotkeys. And I agree with FQ, JCS's layout is rather good compared to others.

[cooba]

I would also add such hotkeys as Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V for the newer users.

[Puffie40]

Ability To Define Boss Music Plz

[cooba]

NOT POSSIBLE for the 6th time

[White Rabbit]

The ability to copy animations from one level to the other, directly from the Animating Tiles window.

[Xobim]

A pop-up window that shows which levels in the JJ2 directory are connected to which. With delete function so the folder can be kept organized.

[SPAZ18]

A better scrollbar in the Tileset menu. Having to scroll all the way from the top through 600+ tilesets everytime the cursor moves off the bar is VERY ANNOYING.:mad:

[Jerrythabest]

AFAICR, that's the 4th time someone suggests that XD that change is actually rather obvious, as that scrollbar bothers everyone (if it doesn't bother you, then go away and don't come back unless you made a level ;p this thread is only interesting for levelmakers anyway)

[cooba]

A better scrollbar? How about a whole "Choose Tileset" window which would tell you the name, the filename and the compression version of the tileset, show how many animations can it hold, and output a preview of the tileset.

[Violet CLM]

and the compression version of the tileset
I think people would really just settle for being told "1.23" or "TSF" or something like that.

[PurpleJazz]

How about being able to search for a tileset quickly by typing the name in a textbox? For example, say you wanted to use the Castle 1 tileset, you type "Castle 1" in a textbox, then it would instantly load up that tileset. It would save a lot of time in finding a tileset, especially if you have a lot of them in your JJ2 directory.

[SPAZ18]

A better scrollbar? How about a whole "Choose Tileset" window which would tell you the name, the filename and the compression version of the tileset, show how many animations can it hold, and output a preview of the tileset.

I did think about that, but would it be possible?

[cooba]

How would it be impossible? :/

[finnish pro]

ok...

[Neobeo]

Something I have been pondering upon for a while now:
Another file format (e.g. a project file), from which you can compile it into a j2l file of a version of your choice. Think something like how you create PSD files in photoshop, and then when you are finished you "reduce" it to a JPG or PNG. Similarly, you can save and load projects in this superformat, and then export it to a J2L.

A new format would be able to store, among other things:

Bookmarks
Undo/redo buffer
Macros and scripts
Stronger password (debatable)
Batch compiling info (for multiple versions)
Cache linking (e.g using trigger scenery on layer 3)


In a sense, cache linking can be created on a J2L file, but there would be no way of knowing if it was "linked", due to the way the J2L format works. Meaning that if the J2L file was opened on JCS+ and re-saved the cache links will be lost. But a new format would be able to preserve these links.

Of course, JCS+ will still be able to open the humble J2L format, and save as the new format. But still, before I actually implement this idea, I would like to find out what people think about it, whether it is necessary at all. The problem I have with this is probably that it needlessly over-complicates a file format that was already so simple to begin with.

[n0]

I love the new ideas, and would love to see as many as possible implemented into a new JCS.

<3.

[cooba]

So what would be the use of macros and scripts in this format if they'd be lost when saved to .j2l?

[Erik]

Stronger password (debatable)

2048-bit crc + base64 + md5 lol

other than that, the new features seem interesting

So what would be the use of macros and scripts in this format if they'd be lost when saved to .j2l?

not if 1.23+ would be made to support it :lori:

[Jerrythabest]

Sounds great, Neo! Though I think no jazz2 changes should be needed to run levels made with this level editor, that would simply suck.

You could also include a tileset recompiler 1.24->1.23. if it has too many tiles, JCS+ can just show a small window like the layer view but then without the layers (lol) which 10 tiles wide and a set number of tiles high, so you can rearrange the tiles in the 1.24 tileset. JCS+ will then generate an 1.23 tileset.

Oh, and what do we need 2048-bit crc, base64 and md5 for? It's just a level project file :/ :rolleyes: :p

[FreeFull]

Make it work on Linux. Natively.

[finnish pro]

Is somebody even trying to do something to JCS?
Or are you just talking about those updates?

[EvilMike]

Something I have been pondering upon for a while now:
Another file format (e.g. a project file), from which you can compile it into a j2l file of a version of your choice. Think something like how you create PSD files in photoshop, and then when you are finished you "reduce" it to a JPG or PNG. Similarly, you can save and load projects in this superformat, and then export it to a J2L.

A new format would be able to store, among other things:

Bookmarks
Undo/redo buffer
Macros and scripts
Stronger password (debatable)
Batch compiling info (for multiple versions)
Cache linking (e.g using trigger scenery on layer 3)


In a sense, cache linking can be created on a J2L file, but there would be no way of knowing if it was "linked", due to the way the J2L format works. Meaning that if the J2L file was opened on JCS+ and re-saved the cache links will be lost. But a new format would be able to preserve these links.

Of course, JCS+ will still be able to open the humble J2L format, and save as the new format. But still, before I actually implement this idea, I would like to find out what people think about it, whether it is necessary at all. The problem I have with this is probably that it needlessly over-complicates a file format that was already so simple to begin with.

I think this is a good idea and I basically assumed you would add something like this. However I have a few suggestions.

Instead of making the format in the way you are thinking of it, why not just have a simple auxiliary file which is loaded alongside the j2l file automatically? For example, you load "level.j2l", and jcs+ automatically loads a file like "level.j2l.jcs" or something. The .jcs file would contain all the extra data you mentioned, but would not contain any of the actual level data stored in the j2l file. This method would probably be easier to work with and implement into the editor. It would also be a lot simpler.

Also, depending on the complexity of the data, you could maybe even make the .jcs file human readable by storing it in a plaintext (maybe xml?) format. But that might not be practical.

[finnish pro]

OMG!!! Im late from school!:p

[Neobeo]

So what would be the use of macros and scripts in this format if they'd be lost when saved to .j2l?

I probably didn't explain myself to clearly. Let's say you have a hotel level and you created a macro called MakeNewRoom(guest_name) which automagically makes a new room at some location or other. My point is basically that when you load up the project file, this macro will already be stored in it, and available for use. As compared to just opening a J2L file, which has no scripts attached to it. Alternatively, all the macros/scripts could be placed in a global file. (Or EvilMike's response below)

Is somebody even trying to do something to JCS?
Or are you just talking about those updates?

This will be a brand new JCS, if completed.

I think this is a good idea and I basically assumed you would add something like this. However I have a few suggestions.

Instead of making the format in the way you are thinking of it, why not just have a simple auxiliary file which is loaded alongside the j2l file automatically? For example, you load "level.j2l", and jcs+ automatically loads a file like "level.j2l.jcs" or something. The .jcs file would contain all the extra data you mentioned, but would not contain any of the actual level data stored in the j2l file. This method would probably be easier to work with and implement into the editor. It would also be a lot simpler.

Also, depending on the complexity of the data, you could maybe even make the .jcs file human readable by storing it in a plaintext (maybe xml?) format. But that might not be practical.

I like this idea very much. At this point I have some concerns, mainly about the version conflicts (1.10, 1.23, 1.24). But overall I think the pros outweigh the cons, so I'd like to try and get this implementation to work.

[EvilMike]

I like this idea very much. At this point I have some concerns, mainly about the version conflicts (1.10, 1.23, 1.24). But overall I think the pros outweigh the cons, so I'd like to try and get this implementation to work.

Since you're interested in going for this method, I'd also suggest making a similar sort of file for tilesets. For example, if you load tileset.j2t, tileset.j2t.jcs gets loaded too. The #1 thing I can think of which could be stored in such a file, is what would best be called "templates" - I think I discussed this idea with you before. Templates would basically be groups of tiles placed in a special window, which you can select the same way you select tiles from a tileset. You would also be able to place tiles or events in them, just like you do for a normal level. The purpose of templates would be to provide the mapper with an easy way of selecting common groups of tiles. For example, a hill, or a wall, or some sort of eyecandy pattern, or a cluster of food pickups that go well with the tileset.

The nice thing about this feature would be that it would greatly speed up the level making process, and trying it to tilesets in the tileset.j2t.jcs way would mean templates would not have to be remade for every new level. In fact, tileset makers could even supply a pre-made template with their tileset, to give people a head start.

[finnish pro]

Thanks for Neobeo ;)

[Jerrythabest]

Great ideas Mike! The idea of a .j2l.jcs file will have another advantage: the Save and Run only needs to save the .j2l file, instead of a project file and then a .j2l file.

[StNick]

I dont know if thats a JCS or a jj2-issue, but trigger-Crates with trigger-Id and delay would be nice

[cooba]

Well I've always been under the impression that Trigger Crates have had a TriggerID

[n0]

And delay is possible with an animated tile.

[Puffie40]

Also, have the "Save and run" able to launch either 1.23 or TSF (Preferably as two options on the file menu)

[Puffie40]

And delay is possible with an animated tile.

I tried to get a animated trigger tile to delay, but the animation would not start after the trigger is set. :confused:

[n0]

One more suggestion for JCS2, let it be able to edit diffrent version type levels. Such as the battery check levels, 1.20, 1.23, 1.24, and (if possible) ones ending in .lev

[Saphir]

I tried to get a animated trigger tile to delay, but the animation would not start after the trigger is set. :confused:
Just do a (-) lot of starting tiles before anything actually happens ;)

[Jerrythabest]

and (if possible) ones ending in .lev

Then we can finally play race4 :D it's my favourite Epic race level, honestly :-)

[ThunderPX]

And make a feature to convert between versions as far as possible, with the program warning you about features that won't work when converting to an earlier version. As for 1.24-only tilesets, maybe if there's an 1.23 version, one could appoint what tiles should become what tiles in the 1.23 version (since not all tiles will align properly, most likely.)

[Puffie40]

Just do a (-) lot of starting tiles before anything actually happens ;)

I tried to do that, but when the trigger is tripped, nothing happens.

[Jerrythabest]

Maybe you are using Trigger Zone ID 0? or you just don't wait long enaugh ;p

[Neobeo]

Take a look at the survivor levels. That's where I learnt how to do this for the first time.

[Jerrythabest]

IMO that 'trick' is rather obvious... I used it in one of my first n00b levels ;p

[Puffie40]

Okay... So that everyone believes me...

The Trigger ID is #2. It is a Crate. The Idea is to have the green light come on when the Computer finishes scrolling through the data.
http://www.maj.com/gallery/puffie40/Jazzavatar/animation.jpg

I trip the trigger, and wait.... and wait... and wait... Nope, that green light does not work...

I think the problem might be in the fact there is only one different tile...

[cooba]

The green light must be placed on the second to last frame, not the last. The last frame is omitted completely.

I advise that the animation is made longer, though. For a better visual effect.

[Violet CLM]

See, Trigger Scenery is based on all the other block events like Destruct and Collapse scenery, which end in the second-to-last frame because the <i>last</i> frame falls away in four pieces. Granted, they removed the falling pieces for Trigger Scenery, but the second-to-last-frame rule still applies. Shove whatever you want in the last frame - if you have a tileset with letters in it, get a bunch of animations spell out your name or a swear word or whatever floats your boat.

[Neobeo]

The trigger animation will stop at the penultimate tile.

Back on topic, .lev files are seemingly useless. Would there be any use at all in messing with their format?

[Grytolle]

No.

[n0]

Yes. We could break the animaniacs levels and the older beta levels.

[Jerrythabest]

and, <strike>more importantly</strike> we'll be able to discover the real JJ2 history =D

how about 1.10o level support? (I'm working on a BC JCS edit btw ;p)

pageclaim in the name of .LEV!

[cooba]

I'm not sure what exactly would you want to "discover" by cracking the .LEV files.

[Jerrythabest]

that's because we dont know what to expect ;p maybe you'll run into some kind of "interesting code" or something like that ;p

or just it would be (-) cool to be able to see how these levels are built up... compare them etc... maybe we could extract the jungle tileset? I love it! :D

[Puffie40]

Okay...Just to bring my side-topic to conclusion... It works now. Thanks to cooba for the problem diagnosis and UR for the explaination. :)

I think .LEV support would be neat, but it would only have limited use, being accessing older version level layouts. I doubt that the older versions had the home-cooked levels set up, so it would not be of any use to have a level editor for them.

What it comes down to is how easy it would be to code. If we have to fart around cracking the .lev's encoding, then would it be worth it considering it's limited use?

I should also probably warn about having too many suggestions. You don't want to burn out Neobeo. :|

[Neobeo]

In most countries it is illegal to burn a firefighter :(

[EvilMike]

implying that in a few it is actually legal

[finnish pro]

btw is this thread still alive?

[cooba]

Yeah.

[Neobeo]

The status of the thread in no way corresponds with the status of the project.

[Jerrythabest]

You mean the project is going smoothly? (I don't really think this thread is all that active ;p)