No poll as I want this to be a bit more discussion orientented.

Anyways, when playing JJ2 levels I rarely notice the textured Background if there is one. A few times they have caught my eye, such as the bg used in Mez04 or how the BG looked in the DiamondusBeta example levels.

I was wondering if anyone else rarely notice the textured background as something other than a few colors made to represent a sky, and if the textured BG is a substantial part of your Tileset creation process.

I like textured BGs, but can't make them...

They still are purdy...
*eyes glitter*

I always notice the textured BG, Whenever I make tilesets it is a rather importent element, but I also try to make it so it wont look like crap without one.

Lol

Depends... if it's just a generic Carrotus/Diamondus/whatever sky, it's not too noticable. If it's something more elaborate, like in Corrupted Sanctuary, or if it fades to some freaky color and for some unknown reason I am playing in 16-bit, then I pay more attention. It basically depends on how unusual it is.
(People don't do nearly enough with the ability to add 3D planes to their levels.)

Yeah, usually almost every time, especially if its eyecatching or out of the ordinary.

Yeah, every single time. Personally I think they can be quite ugly and I prefer 2d backgrounds unless the level has more 3dish elements in other layers.

The thing is, it's hard to have a 2D background look alive unless you use a whole lot of animations, which the tileset needs to support. Textured backgrounds are always changing (assuming automatic speed) and they make it much easier to have a level that moves and looks alive rather than just a rabbit standing in an unchanging image.

For me I will more likely notice the bg when playing on multiplayer, with more relaxed attitude. I mean that I've noticed that I haven't taken a note about the textured bgs as often in decent single-player episodes for example, because if the storyline/gameplay something is very interesting, my eye only watches the sprite and foreground.

Edit: After reading the first post for a second time I became a little unsure that what did you mean with noticing the background exactly. If it was either, that when do I "forget" to look at the BG, or how confusing is the background etc.

I have it turned off to reduce my computer lag ;D

Originally Posted by Unknown Rabbit

(People don't do nearly enough with the ability to add 3D planes to their levels.)

What do you mean by that?

If it's used creatively, I see it. If not, it tends to detract from the eyecandy value and I try to avoid looking at it.

I'm sort of retired and too lazy to check it myself.. but isn't it possible to make a parallax or what's-it-called background on layers other than 8? If so, I could imagine that it's possible to achieve things like 3-dimensional clouds moving in front of the layer 8 sky.. or something.

While we're already at it, I proudly boast with my use of the 3d background in Fragile Existence. ;o

Originally Posted by Fawriel

I'm sort of retired and too lazy to check it myself.. but isn't it possible to make a parallax or what's-it-called background on layers other than 8? If so, I could imagine that it's possible to achieve things like 3-dimensional clouds moving in front of the layer 8 sky.. or something.

While we're already at it, I proudly boast with my use of the 3d background in Fragile Existence. ;o

Yes, You can do this but most of the time it ends up looking really ugly.

Maybe it can be done, but I've only achieved very ugly stuff with textured backgrounds that aren't in layer 8:


And I always notice the textured background, especially when it's that ugly.

EDIT: Oh, Birdie got before me. BUT I HAVE A PICTURE.

..yowch.

Thats probably because the other objects in the layer don't use the same slots in the pallete as the Tex BG.
EDIT- Never mind, it just plain doesn't work in other layers.

Unless a textured background is done originally (which it never really is), I tend to not see them.

Yeah, it's possible, although a lot of the time it just ends up being really weird, and I don't feel like mentioning my current use for it.

Birdie: It's a 3D plane... why it always sky? I should be seeing maps, forest floors, streets, lava, all sorts of stuff.

Originally Posted by Unknown Rabbit

Yeah, it's possible, although a lot of the time it just ends up being really weird, and I don't feel like mentioning my current use for it.

Birdie: It's a 3D plane... why it always sky? I should be seeing maps, forest floors, streets, lava, all sorts of stuff.

Yes, But then you have a forest floor or whatever also above you as the sky :\

Originally Posted by Birdie

Yes, But then you have a forest floor or whatever also above you as the sky :\

Then hide it with layer 7...

There are no sets available at this moment to make a 3d plane (at least one without skys or lakes) except for maybe castle and its other versions. Even with castle the limits are extreme and thus not worth the effort. If there were sets build exclusively for this feature then we might have something, perhaps the next LMAT dare I say?

People just need to make their own tilesets is all.

I think I should once again point out how I already did that in Fragile Existence. For reasons that totally have nothing to do with my ego.
Hi.

Originally Posted by Unknown Rabbit

People just need to make their own tilesets is all.

Most people don't like the hassle of making the Textured BG pallete, which can be a horrible process.

Originally Posted by Unknown Rabbit

People just need to make their own tilesets is all.

Wow... That looks nice...

Anyway, I always notice if the level uses a textured BG or a '2d' one, be it an ugly/bland textured background or not. I often try to use calming and matching colours for the fading colour, such as light pink for evening themed and dark red for nights etc.

Originally Posted by Unknown Rabbit

http://www.tachyonlabs.com/sam/PlaneMockup.png

Inspired by NiGHTS are we? =P

I was already wondering how that would work, since the pillars would magically "rise" out of the lava if you went down.. ;/

Originally Posted by Fawriel

I was already wondering how that would work, since the pillars would magically "rise" out of the lava if you went down.. ;/

No they wouldn't. Set Relative Layer Y Speed to 0.

Originally Posted by ThunderPX

Inspired by NiGHTS are we? =P

Of course!

Anyway, the level is fifteen tiles high, so there aren't any worries about scrolling.

Originally Posted by Unknown Rabbit

People just need to make their own tilesets is all.

=D my version.
Fixed the event palette too.

I guess it's like the stars are reflected in the purple skystuff? Cool.


(Hmm, getting a bit harder to be original, then... well, I have other ideas.)

It depends. If it's a cheap default textured BG I won't notice, but I've seen a couple beautifully done textured BGs in my day.

Originally Posted by Birdie

(Birdie's Image)

Nightopia!

...*hides*

Now that's very nicely done. Is the level up on J2o?

I notice, and yeah, most TBG's are poorly done. I'm in the midst of making a level pack that will probably never be finished, but has such overdone (not POORLY done, however, as some would notice in past levels by me) eyecandy that you'll probably never see the TBG.

Originally Posted by BoggyB

Now that's very nicely done. Is the level up on J2o?

I'am still making it.

Usually, yes. Especially if it's very nice or very ugly.

How do you get the textured BG to only show on the bottom half? I've never seen that done?

Originally Posted by NeonPSY

How do you get the textured BG to only show on the bottom half? I've never seen that done?

You set Layer 7's Y-speed to 0 and put black tiles on the top half of it. (PA)

[Striked out Personal Attack edit. - FQuist]