I just got an Ambrosia disk with Snapz Pro, found things like the Pillars of Garandal game, which is cool enough that I bought it the same day I tried it out, and ColdStone, which I'm debating buying.

I like the idea of being able to put together games, but I'm curious about what is generally required to make decent graphics, and perhaps tips on what works and what doesn't. I've got an old Photoshop (v.5) and GraphicConverter, so I figure those give me a good start, but I'd like to know more.

Incidentally, is there perhaps a FAQ on this sort of thing I might be better off to check out? Or perhaps an online repository for other peoples' work, so I might have a visual reference?

Also, while I'm here, I was thinking about those old World Builder games from my Mac SE days. Anyone been updating faves with ColdStone? For that matter, is there someplace around here that ColdStoners upload their latest creations for the rest of us to enjoy?

I'll probably have more questions as I play around with this software - appreciate the advice.

Thanks

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If it ain't broke, let me
have a try at it!

There is a ton of great stuff around (games under development, i mean). The one that seems the farthest along is Dark Rising, and you can check that out... (*looks for link) here: (url="http://"http://darkrising.free.fr")http://darkrising.free.fr(/url) . You are pretty much set on 2D graphics, but for 3D, you'd need Bryce, Maya (sp?) or maybe Poser for characters. You CAN do 3D with Photoshop, but it is a HUGE pain. As for questions, feel free to ask. That is the point of this board you know By the way, welcome to the boards. One thing before you buy ColdStone: CS is made for realtime RPGs and it is hard (not impossible) to do much else with it. Make sure you understand this (and its other limitations) before you buy it. I suggest you play around with the demo a bit (but don't make anything to keep, as the demo has problems with converting demo stuff to registered version stuff, i.e. it thinks you haven't registered. Anyway, once again, welcome, and good luck with making a game!

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CI-I@()s
(url="http://"http://www.evula.org/world-of-cha0s/")The Homepage of Cha0s(/url)

"""I just got an Ambrosia disk with Snapz Pro, found things like the Pillars of Garandal game, which is cool enough that I bought it the same day I tried it out, and ColdStone, which I'm debating buying."""

well the engine is primarily for making games like diablo or pillars of garendal, try out the coldstone demo a bit too and see if it fits your fancy. if you have trouble using it theres tutorials floating around.

"""I like the idea of being able to put together games, but I'm curious about what is generally required to make decent graphics, and perhaps tips on what works and what doesn't. I've got an old Photoshop (v.5) and GraphicConverter, so I figure those give me a good start, but I'd like to know more."""

photoshop 5 is great and actually id still be using it instead of 6 but i like 6's text abilities better. anywho, ps5 will make anything you can set your mind to. most people are trying to scrounge poser and 3d models to make characters because doing a 3/4 view in photoshop for one character would take a long time. you have to draw your character turning in eight directions, which is somewhat easy if you manip flip weapons and him around. but then you have to draw said character swinging, casting, running maybe, walking etc which results in maybe 100 animations per character times 30 or so characters and you have some serious work cut out for you. or you can go top down view, which requires less animations or you can go side view a bit on like a final fantasy overhead map.

besides ps5 and maybe some 3d stuff if thats your deal you may need some base art talent. sketches of characters, weapons, land, building etc. theres tons of photos on the internet to bsae refs off of but some skill in translating them to art is required.

"""Incidentally, is there perhaps a FAQ on this sort of thing I might be better off to check out? Or perhaps an online repository for other peoples' work, so I might have a visual reference?"""

uhmmm theres some tutorials around for drawing i guess, mostly you just go do it. i have a few tutorials in my signature but hardly anything extensive yet. you can check out my red knight link in my signature to check out some of my ingame graphics. theres also,

txt tutorials on making games in coldstone from Ellryx (url="http://"http://www.geocities.com/ellrx/")http://www.geocities.com/ellrx/(/url)

(url="http://"http://darkrising.free.fr/")http://darkrising.free.fr/(/url)

(url="http://"http://homepage.mac.com/dampeoples/artlinks/stuff.html")http://homepage.mac....inks/stuff.html(/url)

(url="http://"http://homepage.mac.com/straytoaster/")http://homepage.mac.com/straytoaster/(/url)

(url="http://"http://coldroom.150m.com/CGE_Stuff/CGE_Tips.html")http://coldroom.150m...f/CGE_Tips.html(/url)

(url="http://"http://www.ambrosiasw.com/games/coldstone/addons.html")http://www.ambrosias...one/addons.html(/url) (url="http://"http://cge.beckism.com/")http://cge.beckism.com/(/url)

(url="http://"http://stark.evula.net/plugin_faq.htm")http://stark.evula.net/plugin_faq.htm(/url)

"""Also, while I'm here, I was thinking about those old World Builder games from my Mac SE days. Anyone been updating faves with ColdStone? For that matter, is there someplace around here that ColdStoners upload their latest creations for the rest of us to enjoy?"""

not that i know of, maybe something like that going on at idevgames.com

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(url="http://"http://www.redknightentertainment.com/rkewerks/htmlrke/rketutorialsmain.html")2D & 3D tutorials(/url) (url="http://"http://www.redknightentertainment.com/rkewerks/htmlberserkintosh/berserkschoolisinmain.html")Desktop Design(/url) (url="http://"http://www.redknightentertainment.com/rkewerks/htmlrke/rkemain.html")RedKnightEntertainment(/url) Morvera Ner Morden

(This message has been edited by DJ (edited 05-07-2003).)

Welcome to the boards! If your looking for graphics, music, etc. and you don't have poser, photoshop, Maya, or any other graphic rendering program, you should stick to the material provided on the CD that comes with. Another option is to just get to know everybody on the boards, what they do, and then just ask and you will probably get a reply.

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Whose cruel idea was it to put an 'S' in lisp?