Deciding on converting my maps to parallax maps...

[KaisoAri 78]

I've been carefully analyzing certain maps that many people have made. I've even taken the time to download some games people have made and ran through them enjoying all that they have made. But, there was one game that I played that was posted on another forum that was completely hand drawn and looked rather unique. The game was called Eulogy of an Insect and it had that certain charm that most Tim Burton films would have. I go back to look at my maps and started thinking about what to do with them... They are practically finished to a degree, but tiled mapping can only get you so far. I have messed with the concept of parallaxed maps before, even to the point of making my own hand drawn maps before Photoshop crapped out on me. And looking at how tile sets are limited in their size, I'm heavily deciding on making the transition to parallax mapping.

 

So, here's the big question:

 

Since I already have most of my maps made to the point of where I am happy with them, how hard would it be to convert them over from tiled maps to parallaxed maps? And also, would it be possible to keep certain parallax "backgrounds" the way they are? Like, having a parallax within a parallax.

Edited June 9, 2015 by KaisoAri

[Disponi 18]

The biggest problem I've personally noticed with parallax maps is that the larger ones can cause no small amount of lag. On maps that are 100+ tiles wide/tall, calling the menu can take close to a second (instead of being near-instantaneous). There are advantages and disadvantages to both, honestly.

 

As to your question: you can use the Print Screen key on your keyboard to create clipboard screenshots of your maps that you can then (ctrl+v) paste into photoshop and then cobble together from there. Or, if you have dropbox, when you you press the print screen key it will automatically create new files in your dropbox folder.

 

And no, I don't believe you can have multiple background parallaxes.

[dipping dots 68]

You can't have two parallaxes, no. You can use Photoshop to layer them into one, though. I do what Disponi said, Shift+Prtscr and then paste into Ps. And one very important script to have is Yanfly's parallax lock and follow the instructions in it in regards to map notes. Otherwise it can look really weird, with pictures or light effects installed.

[+ Sughayyer 163]

Yes, there are multiple parallax scripts. Someone has just posted one at the completed ace scripts forum!

[+ Lanakainea 22]

pretty sure you can have more than 2 parallax maps with scripts and yeah you can take a screenshot of the maps you already have to use them as parallax maps but i would probably start over with any maps you want to add things to http://yellow-mantaray.blogspot.jp/2014/08/CCPMSVXA.html

[KaisoAri 78]

Seems that I have a lot to experiment with, then. And since I already have some of my maps pre-made, I could use those as a reference of where I want to put things.

 

I appreciate the input! I just kinda wished that VX Ace was a little more flexible when it comes to the tilesets. But I think I have an idea of how I want them to look like.

[frankstallone 2]

Parallaxing takes more time and effort but I think is worth it. Your maps definitely look better if done properly and provide a more professional look to your game.

 

Then again there is nothing wrong with just using tilesets. Some designers can make there tiled maps look just as good as a parallaxed one. I would try out both and see which one you like best and would fit your project best.